I am thinking of getting a boat and have been looking at threads of what boats members are using on ponds.  I would want to get something with utility outside of PWF, so am looking at things like 17' skiffs and pontoon boats.  Has anyone tried using a mid-size pontoon boat on any of the ponds (like an 18' bass buggy)?  I'm not sure how plausible it would be to bank launch those.

Daniel,

Think it would be difficult to bank launch a bass buggy on many of our lakes. It is just too muddy sometimes and that makes it difficult to pull your boat out of the water. However there are quite a few lakes that have ramps where larger boats can be a launched.

PWF staff is who I would talk to. They know all the lakes in your area.

Steve

Daniel, 

There is not a black and white answer to “which type” of boat to buy.  So, making recommendations is difficult. However, I feel  confident that the boat you are asking about would not be a good choice. Way too big. If you like the idea of a pontoon boat, the smaller mini pontoons, made by www.hotwoods.com or www.pondking.com would be better choices. You may want to test one in advance? Santo Indian Cave, Cleburne, and Bryan all have a mini pontoon boat. 

I think anything over 16’ aluminum boat would severely limit your access to PWF lakes. Stay with 16’ and smaller aluminum boats, plastic boats, kayaks or similar. Just as important is the vehicle to pull the boat out. The bigger and heavier the boat, the more likely you will need 4WD. IMO, this is critical to launching anything bigger than a plastic boat when not on a concrete or very improved rock ramp. 

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies.  I was mainly asking about the pontoon boat because I have never owned/launched one, so don't really know how difficult it would be.  I went and looked at them this weekend and decided they sit way too high on the trailer and would have to be backed in way too far to be practical.  I will most likely stick to a 15'-17' skiff or similar center console type boat.  Those are very similar in terms of size and weight to (often even lighter than ) the bass or aluminum boats other members have posted they use. 

I'm not interested in a mini pontoon, jon boat, kayak or anything like that.  The most important thing I'm looking for is greater stability than the jon boats at many properties as I often have a 5 year old that goes fishing with me.

I will generally be pulling with an Acura MDX with AWD, and can also use a Jeep GC with true 4wd (locking differential) if needed.

Good luck on your purchase and good fishing.

Hi Daniel,

Just my experience with a larger boat on PWF lakes. I acquired this 17 ft Plano G3 last summer before I became a PWF member in Jan 2019.  The gross loaded weight is 1700 lbs, and it's certainly a bit of overkill for PWF lakes but I originally bought it for use in larger public lakes.  I have used it on seven of the PWF lakes this year, including Jones lake, which is only 7 acres and no ramp.  I tow it with a 4WD Suburban and have had to shift into 4WD on 2-3 occasions.  I have only had one instance where I dared not launch, and that was at Alysha Ranch, where it was very muddy and steep drop off near shore.  It has worked fine on all others with or without a ramp.  My 11 YO son and I love to fish out of it as it's very stable, roomy and has shallow draft.  The two live wells and electronics are nice as well.  Make sure you get at least 55 lb thrust troller as the wind becomes more of an issue with bigger boats. My 55lbs thrust will pull this boat fine in a 15-20 mph headwind, which is very common on these ranch lakes.  Hope this helps in your decision as to what might work for you.  

Thanks Jim.  Your post is most helpful.  I am very close to pulling the trigger on a 17.5ft Lund, which is a couple hundred pounds lighter (although a few more inches draft with a V hull).  I agree it is overkill for PWF ponds, but want something I am comfortable taking out on bigger lakes as well.  Additionally it doesn't have a trolling motor currently, and I've been debating between 55 and 80 thrust (leaning towards latter). Your experience gives me some comfort that I should be able to get the boat in and out.

Ok, so I bought the Lund. Kind of an odd situation in that the boat had been sitting for five years while the owner was seconded to Europe. The boat is in pristine condition (less than 100 hours on a 10 year old Honda 75 engine), but it had not been started in 5 years. 

Can anyone recommend a good boat mechanic in the Lewisville/colony area?  Th engine fires up and seems to run perfectly, but i definitely want to get it fully checked out and have oil and coolant changed.

Hi Daniel,

I hope you were successful with your new boat. Plano Marine can take care of your service needs just south of you.  I just wanted to let you know I had a major pucker moment at Indian Hollow yesterday morning at dawn with my Suburban sliding uncontrolled on what felt like solid ground underfoot. Thought I was going in the lake for sure.  See my report at Indian Hollow today.  Stay safe.  I'll do the same.

Jim