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DNRguide’s blog on mini pontoons generated more reads than most other blogs to date, so it seems a follow-up would be fitting.  This summer I was happy for the chance to run a better video on details of a representative mini pontoon.  You can see it below.  The footage is of some Mitey Toon mini pontoons at the Northern Exposure manufacturing site in Duluth, Minnesota. 

Boaters with access to smaller or protected waters who want a low-cost easy boarding water craft with two soft seats will find a mini pontoon a tempting solution for getting on the water.  A pleasure boater will find the ease of use relaxing, and if you fish - the mini pontoon is sneaky quiet with electric power and normally comes with a 6′ by 8′ flat platform to work from.  And if you like green - but need power on the water - the totally electric mini pontoon could be your ticket.

Mitey-Toon Eleven Footer

Finding the right boat for your boating application is the key to maximizing fun.  One boat that is not on enough lists for consideration is the mini pontoon.  By mini, I mean a two-sponson pontoon boat that is under twelve feet in total length.  The sponsons (those tubes that the pontoon’s platform rests on) are typically aluminum, but could also be plastic, or wood.  Load capacity is normally under 800 pounds.  Power could be electric or gas.  (Yes - some are pedal or paddle powered, but that is another direction than we are heading here.) 

Mini pontoons can be used for slow water strolls around ponds or small lakes, or on bigger water under little wind and no water current conditions.  If getting on the water and sitting in a comfortable boat seat on an elevated platform that moves along in virtual silence appeals to you, then look at the mini pontoon.  It is an easy in and out for all ages, and the stability of the pontoon configuration makes for a relaxing experience. 

Fishing from a mini pontoon offers more comfort and stability than a conventional mono-hull small boat or canoe.  You can enter shallow waters with ease, and organize your equipment any number of ways on the usual six foot by eight foot platform.  The available biminis keep the sun under control - a feature not usually found on the other small boat options. 

For motorized mini pontoons, power can be electric or gas.  An electric option frequently used is the Minn-Kota 55# thrust trolling motor.   With an onboard battery charger, you simply refuel an electric-powered mini pontoon by plugging in the charger when you return to port.  Nothing could be simpler.  A battery will keep you moving at sea (read pond) for six hours or more. 

Use Gas power for a mini pontoon if it will be used where there is a need for more thrust power to deal with wind, or for a little more speed.  Yamaha has a great four-cycle long-shaft F4 four-horse motor to fit the bill. 

True - a mini pontoon does not have the same asthetics as a curvy painted and varnished wood launch made for two.  But for every other nautical reason, a mini pontoon may serve your small boat purposes very well.

• low-cost ($3-4,000)
• stable
• easy in & out
• light weight (250-400#)
• multi-use
• environmentally friendly
• low-maintenance
• simple to use

An online search for mini pontoons will kick up a number of manufacturers.  Among those, here is the one I like:  the Mitey-Toon manufactured by Northern Exposure in Minnesota.  Designed for electric or gas, you can buy a complete electric Mitey-Toon with power and charger for under $3,500.  The quality of the design and welds is first-class.  The eighteen inch sponsons give an extra lift under load, and the manufacturer will customize as needed for railings. 

Here is a bit of Mitey-Toon video.

EZ Loader Trailer Ready for Play & Work

When buying a boat, many people treat the companion trailer purchase as though any trailer will do for hauling the boat. But as explained here, there are a few things you should think about before deciding what trailer to put under your boat. Most of the time boat dealers will mate boats to the right size and type of trailer, but don’t assume it. They might have packaged your dreamboat with a trailer that is good for them to sell, but not for you to buy. For readers who already have a boat and trailer, you might discover a reason or two here for improving your launching game by getting a new trailer. Read on.

Before we look at trailer features and functions, first consider the trailer components that normally need attention in the life of a boat trailer.

Trailer Bearings - The bearings give more headaches on boat trailers than everything else combined.  The regular dunking in the water can threaten bearings that have poor seals, and   irregular use can mean poor lubrication of bearings under heavy use. A cool plunge on hot bearings that have heated up on the trip to the lake takes its toll. Too many boaters forget to fuss over good bearing lube and care. Fried bearings have ruined many-a-trip to the water. Getting a trailer with easy maintenance features like good grease fittings is a big plus.

Trailer Lights – Number two in the boat trailering headache department are the trailer lights. Poor connections with cheap wires, along with bulbs that corrode or burn-out from the water-baths are the usual culprits.  When you hook up your boat trailer, the last thing you want to see are “no lights” or weak and dim lights. Many manufacturers now offer LED lights that simply won’t leave you in the dark. 

Tires – This one needs no explanation. But don’t cheap out on this option.  You might not put many miles on, but run with quality rubber & watch for UV deterioration. Even with lots of tread remaining, you might have a tire cracked and worn out from the sun. 

Winch Cable – Anyone who has winched in a boat only to have the old rope break will know what I mean.  Watching your boat slide out of control back into the water leaves an impression on a boat owner, and sometimes on the boat. Every new boating season, check the full length of your cable, strap, or rope on the winch to make sure all your launches and retrievals will have no surprises for you.

Rollers – If you have any rollers on your boat trailer, they need to be replaced any time they quit rolling.

When buying a trailer, start with the right length and weight capacity for your boat. Every manufacturer lists these details in their model descriptions. Remember that you have to allow for not only your boat’s weight, but also the motors, equipment, and fuel. This is where you will also determine if you should go with one or two axles.

Next consider if you want a bunk model or a roller trailer. Bunks work for deepwater boat landings that allow submerging the trailer so the boat can float into position on the trailer. Roller trailers are essential for places that won’t permit “floating on”. If you can use a bunk trailer, they are nice for good distribution of the boat weight across a larger surface area. If you get a roller trailer, a rule of thumb is to figure no more than 160# per wheel to support the boat. Non-marring wheels are preferred.

For boaters with old boat trailers, one advantage to upgrading is that the cross-members and designs of new generation trailers accommodate the v-shape design of boats. The benefit is that boats sit lower in the trailer, trailer better, and are easier to access.

Trailers are made of painted steel, aluminum, and galvanized steel. Saltwater boaters are best off with aluminum – and even then they are smart to rinse off the trailer with freshwater. Freshwater boaters can choose among the three, and will likely find that painted steel is the least expensive – yet very satisfactory. 

Check with your state and dealer on the need for brakes in your state. It is typically dictated by weight capacity on the trailer. As far as accessories go, consider bunk guides for ease of launching and landing, gangways on the trailer to walk-out for hook-ups, electric winches for bigger boats, and even small ladders for accessing the bow on taller boats. Get quality straps for easy and secure tie-downs. Travel covers can save big messes from rain and dusty roads, and offer a little bit of security. A newer trailer feature appreciated by many is the swing-away tongue. It can save several feet of storage space distance, and is simple to use.

So who should you buy from? There are many quality trailer manufacturers around the country – many of them that serve regional markets. To give you a sample of trailers to consider, look at these offerings:

Shorelandr with the launch job completed

ShoreLandr Boat Trailers

McClain Boat Trailers

Load Rite Boat Trailers   Look on the Load-Rite site for some good trailering video tips.

EZ Loader Boat Trailers 

Happy hunting - and trailering!

In a big field of many boats like we have in the twenty-first century, looking for the best boat depends on your particular needs, but for recreational boaters who spend time fishing, the DNRguide list of Best Aluminum boats should lead you to some nice options. 

Roll back to the early 1950’s and you will see the emergence of “tin” boats for recreational fisherman in the United States.  The abundance of post-World War II aircraft aluminum persuaded many builders that manufacturing boats with aluminum rather than wood could offer recreational boaters a better future on the water. They were right – and aluminum still has a favored place in the boating world. 

So why aluminum?  The wonder metal is lightweight (less horsepower required), durable, low maintenance, reasonable in building cost, workable for design options, weld or rivet assembly, and repairable.  Have your cake and eat it too when you go with aluminum. 

Because aluminum is such a great hull material, there are many manufacturers ready to build one for you.  But for our money, these are the top ten boats for value, features, and quality. 

 1. Lund.  This boat is a hands-down favorite for Midwest fisherman.  Lund builds riveted boats that are known for being tough and solid-performers on the water.  From the basic bench resort boat to the many-featured Tyee, Lund has a platform that your fun can count on.  Priced a little higher than many, the value in the price holds in quality, excellent resale, and user satisfaction. 

2.  Crestliner.  Another Midwest favorite, their welded aluminum boat line gives many choices for the recreational boater.  It has a reputation for great hull design and good resale value.  Crestliner leads with providing the right features and reliable quality.  [Note:  My 29-year old twenty-foot Crestliner was recently refurbished for fishing Lake Superior.  It’s excellent hull quality still shows through in how it handles Lake Superior.]

3.  Alumacraft.  In Minnesota – the land of 10,000 lakes, Alumacraft is a high-quality builder with a loyal following of satisfied boat-owners.  These riveted beauties are built by a large independent manufacturer that can focus on priorities without corporate interference in getting great ideas to the water.  Great resale value and desired stuff for the boater.  No complaints here.

4.  Starcraft.  With both riveted and welded aluminum boats for the recreational market, Starcraft is long on options for the fishing public.  They have a big-water classic called the “Islander” that has few equals for quality, fun, safety, and affordability in initial purchase and use.  A perennial favorite in it’s many flavors for inland boaters.  With over a hundred years of building history, they do know the formula for quality and affordability in boats. 

5.  Lake Assault.   This is a custom boat that takes the recreational aluminum boat to a top-level.  With no compromise on durable build quality, Lake Assault is a lifetime boat that will retire many motors on its transom before you need another boat.  Unlike many of the Northwest boats, it is well-suited for lake fishing with its ample freeboard and width.  Apart from cost, this boat has it all. 

6.  SeaArk.  This is a manufacturer that is big on the jon boat design.  If you can’t find a set-up you like from SeaArk for open boat (especially bass) fishing, you must be on the wrong web page.  They know quality, and even have a commercial marine division to underscore that point.  Competitive on price, you can count on the well-thought out designs and build-reliability that people who use these boats year-round can depend on.

7.  Alumaweld.  Aluminum boats have a lock on boating in the Northwest, and Alumaweld  is one of the quality manufacturers that supplies the right stuff.   Bullet-proof durability, great seating, and dependable components.  This one can rock and roll for years. 

8.  Hewescraft.  Another one of a great group of aluminum boats that Northwest river runners live (and play) by.  They are included in the top ten list here because of Hewescrafts’ wide availability around the country and suitability for lots of lake fishing applications.  The seating set-up and industrial strength build by Hewescraft are my favorite features.  Just sitting in one, you get that good feeling of being in a secure solid boat.   The narrow build and thick materials generally mean smaller payload per foot than the Lunds and Crestliners, but this is a like a pick-up on the water – ready for work or play. 

9.  G3.  Owned by Yamaha, this aluminum boat line has a quality heritage supporting the production of a value-oriented everyman boat.  Expect G3 boats to get better and better, but it may not be the big kid on the block any time soon. 

10.  Silverstreak.  There are a number of other Northwest builders (Duckworth, Lifetime, etc.) that might be considered here, but I include the Canadian builder Silverstreak because they have some nice cab designs for the under 20’ boats that should be of more interest to trollers around the country.  Quality is built in with these Vancouver Island boats.