riving to work today I heard the song, “Somebody I Used to Know.” It reminded me that many of us put our pontoons away for the winter season and it’s, “out of sight and out of mind.” Typically, we don’t think about our pontoon boat all winter until we get it out for the new season.
Or we just might think about the old pontoon when we start attending boat shows and reading about all the new innovations. Only when we see the new options available, new floorplans and new engines do we think about our old, reliable pontoon we have been using for years.
Okay, maybe not everyone does this, but I do. Once the show season starts and the new boats are on display, I start thinking about a new boat and not just pontoons, but all boats. My interests include cigarette style boats with huge engines, deck boats and sailboats. I get to thinking about my pontoon being just some boat that I used to know. It’s not new. Yes, it has all kinds of modifications on it that make it a great pontoon, but I don’t have anything else I can do to it. And there lies a problem for me.
Not sure how many of you are like me and enjoy do-it-yourself projects, but I’m always looking at improvements or modifications for the boat, the motorcycles and even my lawn mower. It’s kind of a “modification compulsion.” And now my `toon has pretty much everything I need, what am I going to do heading into the new year?
Guess I need to think about another pontoon and there’s no better time than the first of the year, when boat show season begins and the annual Pontoon and Deck Boat Buyers guide issue is released.
If you are thinking of buying a new (or new to you) pontoon, let’s go over a few basics. Think about the boat-buying process. Buyers are influenced by advertisements, videos, boat shows, dealers and what they see on water.
It’s an emotional purchase. The buyer’s imagination runs wild with all the potential uses and emotions. But what we think we want might not be the best for our situation.
So before you buy, ask yourself if the pontoon you are looking at is appropriate for you, your use and if you can really afford it.
Okay, let’s talk about the basic cost of a two-tube pontoon compared to a three-tube pontoon. Not only does the third pontoon get you more buoyancy and performance, but it usually requires more horsepower to achieve those benefits. So besides the increase in performance you also get an increase in the purchase price. And the fuel burn goes up also. As I have said before, my simple rule of thumb for fuel burn calculation is “ten percent of horsepower per gallon per hour.” For example, a 60 horsepower engine will burn about six gallons an hour at full throttle. A 90hp engine burns about nine gallons per hour, etc. Remember, it’s my rule of thumb. Anyway, more horsepower is great, but it costs more in weight, purchase price and of course, fuel burn. I’m not saying to buy a small engine or a two-tube pontoon; I’m just saying you need to be aware of the cost consequences of your purchase decisions.
Most have heard the line, “The two best days in boat ownership are when you buy the boat and when you sell the boat.” Or the line, “A boat is a big hole in the water you pour money into.” These comments are usually by people who bought a boat that was wrong for their situation. I see this not only in boats, but in aircraft, cars, and even motorcycles.
Situations change. Buying a big boat with a big family does not mean we need to keep that same big boat if our economic or family situations change. Change is constant, kids go to college, and people retire or get divorced. That’s not the boating industry’s fault; it’s just the way things are. Instead of taking it out on the boating community by complaining about how expensive boating is, change your situation. Accept change and look at buying a different boat. This time of the year is the best time to consider doing just that.
Boating Tips & Observations with
Sky Smith
Sky Smith
riving to work today I heard the song, “Somebody I Used to Know.” It reminded me that many of us put our pontoons away for the winter season and it’s, “out of sight and out of mind.” Typically, we don’t think about our pontoon boat all winter until we get it out for the new season.
Or we just might think about the old pontoon when we start attending boat shows and reading about all the new innovations. Only when we see the new options available, new floorplans and new engines do we think about our old, reliable pontoon we have been using for years.
Okay, maybe not everyone does this, but I do. Once the show season starts and the new boats are on display, I start thinking about a new boat and not just pontoons, but all boats. My interests include cigarette style boats with huge engines, deck boats and sailboats. I get to thinking about my pontoon being just some boat that I used to know. It’s not new. Yes, it has all kinds of modifications on it that make it a great pontoon, but I don’t have anything else I can do to it. And there lies a problem for me.
Not sure how many of you are like me and enjoy do-it-yourself projects, but I’m always looking at improvements or modifications for the boat, the motorcycles and even my lawn mower. It’s kind of a “modification compulsion.” And now my `toon has pretty much everything I need, what am I going to do heading into the new year?
Guess I need to think about another pontoon and there’s no better time than the first of the year, when boat show season begins and the annual Pontoon and Deck Boat Buyers guide issue is released.
If you are thinking of buying a new (or new to you) pontoon, let’s go over a few basics. Think about the boat-buying process. Buyers are influenced by advertisements, videos, boat shows, dealers and what they see on water.
It’s an emotional purchase. The buyer’s imagination runs wild with all the potential uses and emotions. But what we think we want might not be the best for our situation.
So before you buy, ask yourself if the pontoon you are looking at is appropriate for you, your use and if you can really afford it.
Okay, let’s talk about the basic cost of a two-tube pontoon compared to a three-tube pontoon. Not only does the third pontoon get you more buoyancy and performance, but it usually requires more horsepower to achieve those benefits. So besides the increase in performance you also get an increase in the purchase price. And the fuel burn goes up also. As I have said before, my simple rule of thumb for fuel burn calculation is “ten percent of horsepower per gallon per hour.” For example, a 60 horsepower engine will burn about six gallons an hour at full throttle. A 90hp engine burns about nine gallons per hour, etc. Remember, it’s my rule of thumb. Anyway, more horsepower is great, but it costs more in weight, purchase price and of course, fuel burn. I’m not saying to buy a small engine or a two-tube pontoon; I’m just saying you need to be aware of the cost consequences of your purchase decisions.
Most have heard the line, “The two best days in boat ownership are when you buy the boat and when you sell the boat.” Or the line, “A boat is a big hole in the water you pour money into.” These comments are usually by people who bought a boat that was wrong for their situation. I see this not only in boats, but in aircraft, cars, and even motorcycles.
Situations change. Buying a big boat with a big family does not mean we need to keep that same big boat if our economic or family situations change. Change is constant, kids go to college, and people retire or get divorced. That’s not the boating industry’s fault; it’s just the way things are. Instead of taking it out on the boating community by complaining about how expensive boating is, change your situation. Accept change and look at buying a different boat. This time of the year is the best time to consider doing just that.