I am having a hard time deciding if I should keep the boat I have and buy a simple pontoon for the family, OR ditch the boat I have and get a Reata 2050.

The pontoon would serve the purpose of taking the whole family out at the same time ( I have 6 kids) plus some extra people. I do like my 17 ft Sylvan with a 100hp merc. I have it rigged just the way I like it with I-pilot and good graphs. But a 2050 would be and absolute dream come true.

The rational thing to do would be get the pontoon and save lots of cash. Plus I wouldn't keep the pontoon forever it would just delay getting the Ranger for 8-10 years. But I don't lay in bed at nite dreaming of a pontoon.

Help!

When given the opportunity to spend someone else's money, the answer will always be to buy the Ranger over the pontoon.

-less than 5 seconds to plane, 55 mph top speed

vs.

-Set an alarm clock and wake me when we plane, 18 mph top speed

Pontoons would be good for the fam. And if the boat is old enough, it's awfully nice to tie them up against a dock and let er buck. But fun factor? It's not like Rangers get cheaper every year, I say save some long term money and buy the Ranger!

If you fish more than you take the family out, get the Reata. It will hold 8 and fish better than a pontoon. Your family will fit but that doesn't mean they will fit comfortably.

You can use the Reata and take turns taking people out at Family events tubbing, skiing, wakeboarding etc.

However, there are some sweet pontoons that will allow all the water sports you want, and can seat 15 people. I just don't think fishing would be one of their best functions. These can take a 300hp outboard.

http://www.harrisflotebote.com/performance

Video of a tri toon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyZc4OS0Px8&lr=1&user=HarrisFloteBote

I went through this predicament, not once, but twice...

Wife talked me into a pontoon. I wanted a newer boat.

Reality set it...I don't use my big boat much with a new family, and thought it would be a shame to spend oodles of cash to get a new one only to have my two youngsters not like it, wife complain and I can't get away.

We settled on a small, economical fishing pontoon. We spent so much time on it, I actually enjoyed it and it was set up for fishing. Kids had a blast and so did I. We caught lots of fish in it!

This past summer the pontoon was obviously getting smaller for us, and it was a struggle to bring company. I still don't use the big boat as much, I use the small boat more and the pontoon. We upgraded to a large pontoon with lots of goodies, but haven't used it yet as it was a "fall deal".

I can't justify selling my walleye machine. I should, but then I'll miss it when I want to take one or two trips a year. lol My kids don't like it too much, and it's uncomfortable for them at their young age.

How much it hurts to say this, but you have 4 more kids than I....get a pontoon.

If you live on a lake get a pontoon.
Keep your present boat for the times that you want to take a fishing trip or go somewhere else.

But, it is so convenient, if you live at a lake with your own dock to take a bunch of folks out in the evening for an hour of cruising or catching a few pan fish for dinner.

Take care
REW

I had 4 kids pretty close in age. We had two different pontoons while they were growing up. IMHO a 24' minimum pontoon is the way to go, and it should have at minimum a 40HPand I can't see the need to go bigger than a 75HP. The 24' pontoons ride so much better than the smaller ones, you need at least 40HP for safe control in storms and there just isn't any sense going more than 75HP as they simply aren't designed for speed. My family spent nearly every weekend and many a week nite on the pontoon. I had a bording latter on the front and they swam until they were waterlogged. If it were me I'd keep the fishing boat, pick up a decent used pontoon, buy side curtains, buy dock space for the pontoon. and save a bundle.

Since it is YOUR money, why not buy both! lol

I went through the same thing.Even looked at deck boats.Ended up getting a Crestliner Sportfish SST.Comfortable,roomy,got the ski bar,great for swimming off,and can fish any lake I want and feel very safe.Wife and kids couldn't be happier.Perfect boat for a family.Take your time,search around and do your homework!Good luck

Bought a pontoon a few years back. Set it up for fishing and fun.Locator,GPS, Bow mount, 8 scotty rod holders. 22' with a 50 hp high thrust yammy. Could troll under 2 mph. Now for the kids and women I had a nice stereo, table, and i put a portable toilet in the changing room.
If you have kids and shy women the toilet is a must have. Also get a bunk trailer if you travel to different lakes.

I'd tell my wife pontoons are prone to capsizing in higher wind. :boxing:

Stay off the water, if the wind comes up.

REW