Looking to upgrade from my POS fish and ski. Pros and cons of a pontoon boat from those with experience please.

Ed - I have a 20' Sprint Fish/Ski that is outfitted mostly for fishing. I can put a pole on it to pull a skier but the electronics, MinnKota Terrova, aerated fishbox, splasher and the extra room from removing the passenger seat make it a perfect fishing machine for deep or shallow waters. I also have access to my uncle's 24' triple pontoon that is up at Texoma. I fish it when I need to put more than 4 on the boat at one time. But if it is just myself or maybe one other, I never take it out. 3 reasons why i prefer the fish/ski: 1) pontoon top speed with 115HP is 25mph, fish/ski with 200hp 55mph 2.) maneuverability is horrible in Pontoon, if you get in a boat show over a school or in a stiff wind, you will be constantly battling keeping it where you want it and not hitting other boats, my fish/ski with 112 MinnKota turns on a dime 3.) trailering a pontoon is not for the weak and I wouldnt think of doing it alone. My uncle keeps his in a slip. I take my fish/ski on/off trailer myself all the time. It is just a much easier boat to use all-in-all. But if you have large groups, the pontoon is a requirement. Hope this helps.

if I may ask, why is your F/S a POS? Mechanical? or does it just not do what you want? I hated mine at first, but took the windshields and bimini off, tuned it up, added new carpet, added pole holders everywhere i could and rearranged the seating. Now it is perfect for me and what i want to do. I can bass fish in the morning in the shallows and chase stripers/sandies in the afternoon from the same setup. Granted, I now have over $10k in a $5k boat, but i was once told it is better to have a $2000 boat with $10k in electronics and other gear, than a $10k boat with $2k in gear. i think there is some wisdom in that.

I have literally caught a ton of fish off of my boat. POS part well, that's my fault for not taking care of her. I'd like to take the family out once in a while and the most I can safely take in my boat and fish is Three. Looking for more room not just to fish but relax as well.

I have a 24' Landau, mostly a party boat but it does have 2 swivel fishing seats up front. I love it for fishing, I added a foot controlled trolling motor with down image fish finder on front and working a deal now for a new FF at console. I have a private ramp that is wind protected so I dont find that my pontoon is any harder to load & unload by myself than a bassboat, I do it all the time without issue.

What I like is, when we want a party boat with lots of room and really loud stereo, L.E.D. Lights, etc., we have it, when we want a fishing boat with lots of room, we have it. Only thing I don't think I could do is dock shoot for crappie out of it. Sits to high above water. Great for Sandbass fishing and Crappie fishing over brushpiles.

I like mine for the room aspect of a pontoon. You do not feel crowded in it when you are out in it. Not made for speed so much if that is a concern , but hard to beat for comfort. They are a little hard to load back on the trailer at the ramp if there is a cross wind. I guess that would be my only complaint. Easy to load though otherwise. I can load mine as fast as the bass boat guys if the conditions are not to bad.

How about in windy conditions. I've seen some glide across water and seems like white caps are not too much of an issue.

I have an 18 bass buggy with a 60ct, love it. Clear the air right off, they are not for speed or tournaments. My wot is 22. I am happy with ease of handling and comfort especially with the lady on board. Have not any issue at all getting on the trailer so far but I do have alot of bigger boat experience which maybe helps. The time may come when I have a problem but so far not, also there are mods you make to the trailer to make loading easier if needed. I have my eye on a tm with anchor feature to make staying on a spot easier. I.m sure no boat can stay on spot in a little wind without a little help. Alot of the horror you hear about pontoon maybe a little bit of a stretch. If anything, getting the boat OFF the trailer has been a learning curve. Gotta back those suckers WAY back to get float. Plastic sliders on bunks help alot with that but I do not have them so far.

As far as speed, the bigger tri toons will be alot faster, A 20 benny tri with a 115 will push 38 empty. Speeds up to 40 with under 200hp are not unusual. I do think the bigger boats, 22 and up will get difficult to poke around in the timber ,, of course it would. Anyway, they are not as worthless as some people think, just gotta decide on what you're looking for.

look at deck boat

get a center console

Yes, the tri toons can handle the water very well, even my little 18 can do well in uncomfortable water, not fun but was very capable.

lots of good info
http://www.pontoonforums.com/index.php?sid=4282bd9454363f422e32adc5944aaf93

Island time and all ahead cocktail speed.

pontoons are nice but you better keep it in a slip. If you store it and launch every time the day will come when the wind is up and you'll really have a hard time loading that boat.

Deck boat could be the way to go room wise.Had a pontoon great on calm days but a pain with a little wind.

Thanks for all the info.