When I went shopping for a toon I started out with fishing and grandkids in mind but my first priority was a good ladder for me and grandma getting in or out of the water. I found the perfect ladder and then started looking at other options. After you get past a certain age it's funny how our priorities change.

You need to get out more.

I thought I did, but after hearing the words spooken, I quickly realized the error in my judgement.

BTW, I wonder about buying a boat for fishing that my wife and kids would like. That really never came into my mind when I bought my boat. Why? Because I fish say 50 times a year and my wife and daughter may fish with me about 10% of those trips. Having said that, isn't it more important that I am happy with the boat? Just saying.

make sure you get the biggest hp you can afford and still be in the hp rating. nothing much worse than an underpowered toon!! the difference in 16 mph and 24 mph doesnt seem like much but it is in a toon.

El Nitro. You make a good point and if that was my situation I would agree with you. But for me it is reversed. Besides if I can work it right I just might keep the bass boat for those days that just the guys go out.

pontoons are slow. they dont handle well. they dig. on calm days they can be nice because of the bathroom/shower/sink/top/radio/Grill/ etc. etc. there are some nice deckboats available that have a bass boat style hull design. pretty sure all the extras are available for these too and can haul tail (no pun intended).

for fishing a nice CC or bay boat is hard to beat IMO because the more modern ones can get real shallow, will handle ruff water much easier & haul tail! who needs a shower & toilet anyway?
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=384119

Check out the new Ranger 2250SS Crossover. It's a pontoon on a bassboat hull.

http://www.rangerboats.com/flash/gallery.cfm?mid=6069&gid=34

Only downside to the 2250SS is the 50 g's. Sweet ride for sure.

I sold my Center Console for a pontoon because the wife wanted more room. I liked the fishing space buts that's all. You have to pack a lunch if you want to move from one area to the next. Mine had a 90 horse mer. on it and would only go 22 miles per hour. I didn't like it for that reason. You might not think that's a big deal but it is and look out if the wind comes up and your down the lake. Your going to get wet. I sold it after 1 year and bought a Deck Boat. Man I love it, I can still take the whole bunch out 9 people goes 40 miles per hour and is rigged up for fishing. It pull great and is easy to load. Floats in 16" of water and the trolling motor holds in even a strong wind. Look At A Deck Boat! But the wife still likes the pontoon. Just my two cents.

Yep know the feeling. My 24' with 26" toons is rated for a 150hp but they told me unless you had the third toon and the lifters the 90hp merc 4 stroke would run within 3 mph of the 150hp.

That is another thing to consider. They have toons now that will plain out and get across the water. Not only do they have the tri-toons with lifting strakes but now they have what initially looks like a regular toon but the bottom of the "logs" looks like a boat hull and provides a planing surface.

21' with 90 to 115 HP. More doesn't get you much speed but will eat gas. This combo will get you 20 to 22 mph. Go with a center console pontoon for fishing ease. 24v 70lb thrust. trollin motor. and a nice fishfinder on the console and a second on the TM. I don't think you need to invest in downriggers. Finally...
Don't drive through the surfacing fish or speed up to a boat show. Approach slowly and use your TM to come in if that's what you want to do. If you do it right the guys will welcome you and help you.

I have a Bennington 22' tri-toon with the lifting strakes and a 150HP 4 stroke Yamaha engine. It will do 37+ MPH, plenty fast for me, and tons of room for folks to fish and move around. Two live wells, four fishing chairs, and a couch. Doesn't get any better for someone, like me, that has to be able to move around a bit while fishing.

You made me jealous MrRules.

I heard that those pontoons can try to "escape ownership" at a midnight dock when you leave it to go get your truck & trailer ;-)