Ray Esboldt Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Okay, I have blatantly hi-jacked another thread: http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1347661#Post1347661 Sorry, but I have a double-secret agenda here. I love pontoons. And, I love the fact that my parents provide one at their lake home. You can cruise a lake in comfort, use it as a swim platform, tow the kids on tubes, socialize with other lake residents via some anchors and ropes, and just plain have a good day on the lake. However, most of them are not setup for effective fishing. The previously mentioned thread illustrates that very well. And, offers some good solutions. So, here's some questions for the all the good FMers out there, pontoon owners or not: What deck level items does a fishing pontoon need? (i.e. battery storage, trolling motor mount, anchor winch posts, etc.) What deck level items found on most of today’s pontoons should not be offered on a fishing pontoon? (Do you really need a dressing room?) Where should the helm/steering be located? What should the seating arrangement consist of? (i.e. fixed swivel chairs, movable chairs, benches, etc.) How could the fencing system be improved? How could a canopy system better fit an angler's needs for stowing it and quickly deploying it? Should mounting platforms for rod holders and down riggers be standard? What is the number one negative about fishing out of a pontoon? What is the number one positive about fishing out of a pontoon? Finally, and this is tough one, how can pontoons be made more maneuverable for fishing? That's my number one beef against them, and that's still why I tow my boat on weekend's at the parent's. Answer one, answer them all, and interject your own statements. Like I said, I have an agenda, but I will keep that to myself because I am more interested in what other people have to say about this then what I think. Again, sorry for hijacking the previous thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobb-o Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Me and my brother have hijacked the two pontoons my parents have at their cabin. We put a trolling motor off of the front of each deck. not a bowmount (little out of my price range right now) but just a transom mount, we took the screw out near the head of the motor and flipped it around so that we can steer with our knees while fishing. We also took the canopy off of the one cuz all it does is act as a big sail with even the littlest bit of wind. The best way to improve the fencing system in my opinion would be to make it as short as possible, it gets annoying sometimes while landing a larger fish to have to have people get out of the way so you can get to the door to get a fish in. #1 downside of fishing out of a pontoon is the wind, any little bit of wind starts up and you better have that anchor down. #1 plus of fishing out of a pontoon would be the fact that you can fish anywhere from 1 to 8 people without having people getting in each others ways, etc. and having a trolling motor on the front of it makes it that much easier to go down a shoreline with 6-7 people fishing for bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polarsusd81 Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Originally Posted By: Ray Esboldt Okay, I have blatantly hi-jacked another thread: http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1347661#Post1347661 What deck level items does a fishing pontoon need? (i.e. battery storage, trolling motor mount, anchor winch posts, etc.) What deck level items found on most of today’s pontoons should not be offered on a fishing pontoon? (Do you really need a dressing room?) Where should the helm/steering be located? What should the seating arrangement consist of? (i.e. fixed swivel chairs, movable chairs, benches, etc.) How could the fencing system be improved? How could a canopy system better fit an angler's needs for stowing it and quickly deploying it? Should mounting platforms for rod holders and down riggers be standard? What is the number one negative about fishing out of a pontoon? What is the number one positive about fishing out of a pontoon? First, I think there should be a system designed that would allow you to quickly tie off an anchor at the ends of each toon. Maybe adding a cleat or something and a pulley system to aid in deploying and retracting anchors. I think they are key to fishing on a toon. That and they certainly need a bowmount. Instead of the squared off front deck typical of most toons, add a v-front that would allow you to mount a trolling motor a little easier and not have it obstructing a bunch of deck space. Things I don't think you need on a toon, benches flanking the entire deck. How often do you really have 18 people on your pontoon? You don't need seating for 18. I think having two pedastal bases outside the front fence, if you even have a front fence would be sufficient. Then add 4 bases in front of the helm, but no benches up there, and have a low, possibly retractable fence. Maybe something that you pull a couple pins, and the fence drops down on the outside of the toon, just sticking up a couple inches to protect things from sliding off the deck. Then behind the helm, have a corner bench that has a walkway to a deck behind the rear fence. You could have some battery storage either in the helm or in a bench. Have a couple more pedastal bases on the back deck on each side. This kinda tells you how the seating arrangements should be organized as well as fencing improvements that can be made. I think this idea for the fencing, would greatly reduce the wind drag on the pontoon. For a quick deploy and store canopy, the back deck should be elevated a bit, an 8" step up from the main deck, and it should have a storage locker that stretches the entire width of the boat, plus just a bit. The canopy is stored in this locker with the first set of side polls already connected to the pivot point just about even with the steering helm, and an additional hoop attached to it. There would be a telescoping hoop on the back of the seat and a stowaway hoop that gets connected up towards the front fence. Make the canopy out of a lightweight material that is strong enough to take the stress of the wind, but can wrap up tight and store easily. There could also be side curtains to attach, so you could still fish from one side if you have wind and rain coming from the other side. I certainly think having mounting brackets for rod holders would be nice, but everyone has differnt tastes in holders, so there should be a couple different options available. It is just as easy to install them yourself later though, maybe having brackets that allow easy connection is a possibility. Things to put in the benches, one should certainly have some dry storage for life vests and such, the other thing that is needed is a livewell/baitwell under one seat. Preferrably the seat that is most forward to be as centrally located as possible. Here is something that is probably not yet incorporated. Make a rod locker in the middle of the floor between the toons. Shape it so it cuts through waves without any problems for moving around, but put a nice sized locker in the floor, big enough to store 12-18 rods, you will usually fish quite a few people in a toon, so better have ample rod storage. What do you think Ray, should I quit my day job and start designing toons? I have a pretty inventive mind. I do admit, I haven't really looked at toons much, but those are things I would consider a must in any pontoon. The best thing about fishing from a pontoon is you can invite all your friends and have a fun time on the water. The worst thing about fishing from a pontoon is dealing with the wind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Esboldt Posted April 10, 2008 Author Share Posted April 10, 2008 Tom, I really like that V-Front idea. I am not an engineer, but I wonder if that v-front couldn't include a short pontoon. Kind of a wave breaker for one. Maybe it would make the thing handle better at low speeds???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandmannd Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Dang Tom, got some free time on your hands or been thinking about his for a while? What you added would be nice to have on a toon though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windy City Walleye Hunter Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 All good ideas, so as a former owner of a 25 ft Bennington tri-toon I will offer my humble opinion. Best thing about pontoon is the comfort and large handling ability. You feel like you are fishing in your family room! Worst thing pertaining to fishing and not towing is the wind and the inability to stay on a break line. I would try to keep the thing in 15 feet of water and by the time my depth finder on the back read 12 feet the front of the boat was in 6 feet and by the time I corrected on the way out when the finder would say 15 feet the front of the boat was in 30 feet! This only applies when trolling and trying to stay on a drop. Great vehicle for drift fishing the flats with a lindy rig and leech or worm, then the wind would work for you and if it was too windy you could toss out a drift sock to slow your roll. Great boat during a specific time in our family's lives but now it made sense to trade it in on a true fishing boat which we did. PS I had the changing room deleted from my tri-toon and used the space for storage of towables, tow ropes and fishing gear. Never missed it! Windy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vermilionfox Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 These are all great ideas! I fish from my 22 foot Crest family Fish pontoon exclusively. I have two seats front and rear, along with a rear entry and three other entry gates. Is this my perfect fishing 'toon? No! It is a compromise boat, as it also has bench seating for 8. I have a 68 pound 24V bowmount trolling motor, and it moves the boat pretty well even in the wind. 2- 25 pound richtor anchors one front and one back. Truthfully I wish our boat also had a better system for anchor tie off! I'm still working on that. 2 Drift socks. The boat also has two livewells and a sink with running water. That's a great plus on the water while fishing. If you want to see what others are doing with their pontoons google Pontoon and Deckboat Magazine, and take a look at their on-line forums. My ultimate fishing pontoon (forgive me if some things have already been covered)I've been thinking about it for years: 1:24 feet long, three tubes. 2:150hp 4 stroke. 3:Center console. 4:Underfloor rod storage (can only be done with 3rd tube in place) 5:Livewell/baitwell front and rear. 6:70 lb bowmount trolling motor. 7:2 fishing seat on starboard side in front of entry gate, and two on same side behind entry gate. 8:2 fishing seat on port side in front of entry gate, and two on same side behind entry gate. 9:Side fencing on both sides hinged in the center so it could be folded to lower height while fishing and raised to full height while moving (polarsusd81 great minds think alike). 10:Center floor pole mount canopy system (not invented yet, but in my head) 11:Rod holders mounted inside of fence rails below the hinged area that would be accessible while fishing. 12; Cooler with drain built into front of helm. 13:Great stereo. 14:Rear Entry. 15: Lifting strakes on inside length of the two outboard tubes, and on both sides of the center tube. 16: Non solid fencing material to cut down on wind resistance. 17: Snap in carpet over vinyl floor. One thing to remember, if you buy a boat new all the manufacturers will work with you on layout and placement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Esboldt Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 Vermillion, I am with you. The non-solid fencing idea sounds key to cutting down on getting blown in circles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassNspear Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Originally Posted By: vermilionfox 15: Lifting strakes on inside length of the two outboard tubes, and on both sides of the center tube. There is nothing better on the boat then Lifting Strakes. I sell Bennington Pontoons, and the strakes are awesome to have out on bigger lakes and very ruff water. You all have alot of great ideas!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Esboldt Posted April 15, 2008 Author Share Posted April 15, 2008 Someone tell me what a "lifting strake" is. I can imagine that it is a rail to get the pontoon riding higher and plowing less. But, my pontoon terminology is a little thin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassNspear Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Ray, You right, its a piece that is welded on the tubes. It help the boat get off of plain alot faster, and will help the boat become more stable. I would never buy one without, but thats just me, cuase im all about going fast!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windy City Walleye Hunter Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Bass N Spear, I knew there was something I liked about you! My first boat was a Bennington and for anybody looking to get a pontoon (or tri-toon in Benningtons case) I would start with them or end with them. After looking at every pontoon at several boat shows and may dealers I found that Bennington is the Mercedes Benz of pontoon boats. I could ramble on here for hours about all their features but rather than waste space I will just say, make sure you check out this line of pontoons either before or after you shop all the more known brands! Windy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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