Re: pontoon on the gulf of mexico

"TongSlinger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> I want to take a pontoon onto the gulf of Mexico. Does anybody have a good
> reason I shouldn't take a pontoon on the ocean for a day trip.

First off, if you haven't been told already, it is not a good idea to post
large binary files in a discussion newsgroup.  People with a slow connection
will wait forever to download that image.  If nothing else, make a low
resolution copy, a 50K version would have been just as good at the 750 K
version you posted (previous message....)



> This is a 21 foot fisher with a 90 HP Mercury outboard, it is also
equipped
> with depth finder and GPS for navigation.
> any input would be appreciated

My experience with pontoon boats in general is that they do not handle large
waves at all.

Take the case of a typical hull boat going into the waves. Nominally, the
hull is supported by the displaced water about the "water line".  When a
wave is encountered, and the boat has to be suddenly lifted, the force to
supply this lift comes from the added buoyancy as the wave encounters the
bow.  Look at how much more hull is pressing against the water as a two foot
wave presses into it.  A hull has a lot of floatation "reserve".

Now take a pontoon boat.  It is floating nicely and a two foot wave comes
along.  How much more buoyancy do you get when that wave hits the front of
the boat?  Not much!  There is very little added lift to get the bow up over
the wave.  Without the added lift the bow will just submarine through the
wave.

If the weather is nice and the sea is calm the pontoon boat will do okay.
But if you get caught in a sudden storm you could be in big trouble.

Rod McInnis