Don't laugh, but how crazy is this idea?

[tuffr2]

Ok...here goes. A salt water pontoon boat to take a few miles out on the ocean? Just looked at a new tri-toon that salesman said could go a few miles out on good weather days. I kinda believe him.

As you know you really need multiple boats, one to take the grandkids out, one to fish from in close and one to fish 25 - 40 miles off shore.

I have seen pontoon boats out on the sand bars at the Matazas inlet. That means they made it out of the inlet. Pontoon boats only need 2' of water.

How many would take a tri-toon pontoon boat 4 - 5 miles out on the ocean during calm weather?

[John_Trusty]

I don't know about the light displacement of a aluminum pontoon, but powered catamarans are old technology by this time and are supposedly very seaworthy. Twin Vee makes an Ocean Cat series (POWER CATAMARANS Twin Vee PowerCats) They use them up here on the Great Lakes, and while we don't have hurricanes we do end up with serious weather, and falling in is life threatening. The main problem I've seen with pontoons and waves is the low freeboard allowing waves to sweep the deck if you drive under them. I would seriously watch the weather window, and not try this in summer when a thunderstorm can blow in on any afternoon. You are talking about having two engines for ocean going, aren't you?

[skipmac]

Right weather, sure. People have taken jet skis, Hobie Cats, bass boats and more from FL to the Bahamas, so why not a pontoon boat in calm weather. I just wouldn't go any farther than I could get back if a thunderstorm popped up.

[fstbttms]

You take a boat designed for use on a lake out on the ocean at your own peril.

[tuffr2]

I doubt a pontoon boat would sink. Especially a tri-toon. I know all boats can sink but a tri-toon would probably need water intrusion into 2 pontoons to sink. The pontoons on the salt water series are thicker making a puncture less likley.

Seems the low free board would be an issue.

The pontoon boat would have a single 4cyl. outboard.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

You take a boat designed for use on a lake out on the ocean at your own peril.

Peril??? Oh please. Have you spent anytime in the ocean around south Florida? Summertime I have seen it so flat you can see you face reflected in the water and it can be that way for days.

OK, go out when storms are forecast, dumb. Go out with a thunderstorm building, very dumb. Go out on a flat calm day, not too far from an inlet. No problem.

[Tetepare]

I'd do it. But I always have a radio. Always have extra water.

[tuffr2]

The salt water series has a large enough outboard to push the boat to approx. 25 knots. Again the salt water series has thicker pontoons plus a bunch on anodes.

The other boat that is on my radar is the Key West dual console. But that boat might not be as comfortable as the pontoon boat. I will look at the KW dual console in a few weeks.

As married men know, it is best of the wife likes the boat at least a little.

[Lakepapa]

Heck yea! Pick the right day, keep a sharp eye on the weather..no problem here. Have been down on the Texas coast on many a day where the conditions were perfect for just such a trip.

[Group9]

I was sailing in what I thought were rather benign conditions near Steinhatchie last June (20 knots and 4-5 foot waves) when I heard a mayday call for a pontoon boat that had overturned just a few miles from me.

Strictly for protected waters unless you are the super adventurous type.

[Lepke]

Remember the weather can change quickly.

[hobopacket]

4 to 5 miles out heck no. Running between inlets a couple hundred yards out on a nice day? Fine.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Group9

I was sailing in what I thought were rather benign conditions near Steinhatchie last June (20 knots and 4-5 foot waves) when I heard a mayday call for a pontoon boat that had overturned just a few miles from me.

Strictly for protected waters unless you are the super adventurous type.

Even for many small boat sailors 20kts and 4-5' is slightly on the boisterous side and certainly not the kind of conditions that anyone replying to this thread has recommended as safe conditions for a pontoon boat.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Lepke

Remember the weather can change quickly.

Summer in FL a cumulonimbus can pop up in the afternoon pretty quickly and can get nasty. However NOAA weather is usually pretty good at forecasting thunderstorm conditions and on the water you can see them building for 30-40 miles.

Paying attention to the weather is a major factor for safety if one attempts small boats (any small boats, not just pontoon boats) in the ocean off Florida or any coast for that matter.

[tuffr2]

I think with waves at 5' a small craft advisory would be issued. I would not go out in those conditions. And if I saw a thunder head building I would head in at 25 knots. Even if the fish were biting.

A capsized pontoon boat would not sink and may make the best turtled boat to be on/with. Upside down you could sit on the center toon with your feet in 4" of water.