BBQ Burgers Beer Swimming Boat Adventure - Pontoon Life
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ส.ค. 2020
- Welcome to the first episode of the new series Pontoon Life!! In this episode, Tanya, Cooper, and I take you on an adventure at Folsom Lake in Northern California. Join us on our 2019 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX as we visit beaches, cook delicious food, go swimming, and hang out with our lake dog Cooper!!
Pontoon Life will document modifications and adventures on our recently acquired 2019 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX pontoon boat. So far, modifications include a double bimini shade cover, a quick release Kuuma 160 stainless steel BBQ, a quick release Magma table on Scotty mounts, and a wash down pump connected to a hose. I will cover these mods in more detail in other videos.
My wife and I purchased this boat in early June of 2020. As some of you know, my dog was badly injured in a Jeep related accident and never fully recovered from a nerve/leg injury. Since we could no longer take him for walks and hikes, I came up with the idea to get a pontoon boat that we could put Cooper on to do some exploring together. It was a bit of a gamble, but as I explained how I thought it would work to my wife, she started to back me up and support the purchase.
We tried to buy a new boat in California, but with the Covid situation were unable to get it done. I kept checking on Facebook Marketplace and eventually this boat popped up for sale by the original owner. Extremely low hours (less than 30) like new 2019 boat with some extra goodies like a 60 horsepower Mercury engine, upgraded JBL speakers, and a Kenwood bluetooth stereo. The boat also included life vests, a life preserver, an anchor, a mooring cover, and fenders. We saved a ton of money buying a used boat AND we got more features!!
The only catch with getting such a great deal on such a great boat was we had to drive to Oregon to get it! My wife and I took a beautiful road trip (5+ hours each way) with hardly any traffic. When we arrived, the boat was perfect, just how it was described on Facebook. The previous owner told me he had a front bimini for it, but the aluminum frame was bent. He said it cost $1200 new and since it was bent he'd give it to me for $200. I took a look at it and thought I could straighten it so I bought it, hooked up the boat, and headed back to Cali.
As luck would have it, I was able to straighten the bimini frame and get it installed in about an hour. We've taken the boat out every weekend since we purchased it. We've been exploring two lakes, each 15 miles from our house. We plan to explore other lakes and rivers in the area once we're a bit more experienced.
Cooper absolutely loves the boat!! He now knows the words "boat" and "lake" and gets super excited if you say either one. We load him onto the boat, cruise around to find a nice beach or cove, then we get him on the shore with no other people and let him do some exploring with his leg brace. When he needs to cool down, we remove his leg brace and put a vest on him for some swimming. After that, he usually has a snack, drinks a lot of water, and takes a long nap in the shade. He's such a happy dog again!!
My wife and I are finally out of the house having fun with Cooper again after over a year of recovery from the accident. It's such a great feeling to know that we made it to the light at the end of the tunnel and Cooper is able to enjoy life again. We couldn't have done it without his leg brace and this boat, and that's why I plan to do a series documenting the boat and all of our adventures. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
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I love that setup. Nothing like a good time on the water either the family and grilling ❤
Had same boat, brand new with 75hp. Just wasn't cutting it with the wife and kids and gear on board. Could just barely pull a skier. Tubing was a big yawn. Traded in for brand new 2021 SportFish 22' with a 150hp. Whole different animal. Rides so much better with the extra length and instead of maybe hitting 20mph, we're in the lower 30's and can hit 35 without the kids on board. The 60, 75, and 90 all have such a small prop. The BB18 is the better choice for just a couple of people, but we like to host sometimes. Like your custom bimini addition as well. The stock version was just too short. Our new boat has a longer one (4 rib) that actually provides some shade/rain cover. Nice to see you out there having fun! That's what it's all about.
We started out looking at bigger boats but they were way too nice and expensive for how we wanted to use it. We got this thing with under 30 hours on it, trailer, and all the extras for $19,000. It's typically 2-4 adults and 1-2 big (80-120 lb) rowdy dirty dogs. I usually go full RPM after we first launch just to get everything flowing and charged up, but after that rarely above 2000 rpm just cruising around. It's the perfect dog cruiser for us but I bet we'd gone bigger if we had kids.
Awesome boat! And Cooper is just Adorable! - A.
Thank you! 😊
love it.
I need to get that secondary bimini for my 18' Bentley. Nice boat!
Dude.... awesome vid. My wife and I just purchased a pontoon for our very 1st season starting in May. Ty for showing me what I'm looking forward to!
I needed to watch this on a cold Minnesota winter's day
Don't worry, warmer weather will arrive soon! Cheers
Cooper did a lot better than a couple of ours. Ours would have sucked that up like a Hoover vacuum! Good boy, Cooper!
I just ordered our 2022 st bb 18dlx...can't wait for some adventure on lake Lanier
Congrats on the purchase!! You'll love it!!
Thank you for posting this video. I felt as though I was on the beach and your boat with you guys. I could smell the burgers and corn. I wish I could give Cooper a hug.
Glad you enjoyed it! More videos on the way soon as we're starting to hit 70 degree temps!
@@ryan.vision Good deal. Give Cooper a scratch on the head for me.
We have been looking at the 18 or 20. Seeing this video gives a good perspective on the size of the 18. Thank you.
Happy to help! I would say go for the 20 if you're wanting to have more than 5 adults and some pets onboard comfortably.
@@ryan.vision Well we just put an order in for the 2022 20DLX Party. Said it won't be here till September.
@@willozzy6806 Sounds like next summer is gonna pretty awesome!! Cheers!
I enjoyed this video so much thank you sir
Glad you enjoyed it! There's another similar one at a different lake if you check the pontoon videos on my channel. Hoping to make more like this.
I have a boxer with the exact same injury and she was limited on mobility and the vet suggested amputating the leg at the shoulder. It was the best choice for her. She runs just as fast now as she did with 4 legs. You can’t tell she’s even missing a leg.
Glad to hear your dog pulled through! Coop has been good about not trying to chew the leg or anything like that so we've decided to go the brace route instead. He also has a rear leg injury on the same side so any weight he can put on the front leg helps him out. Between the boat and a stroller/bike trailer we're about to get for him I'm hoping we can keep his adventurous side happy throughout the seasons!!
Complimenti siete una famiglia meravigliosa È da ammirare il vostro incondizionato amore per i vostro cane.Sono comoso dalla vosta bravura Un abbraccio forte da Italia
Grazie per le belle parole. Il mio cane è come mio figlio e farei qualsiasi cosa per lui. Questa barca ci ha davvero salvato la vita. Saluti miei amici italiani.
I love Montreal steak seasoning
I also mix it with my other seasonings for other meats I have many to choose from
Must be nice to have a beer on board. Here in Ontario Canada, you cannot even have a beer on board if you are docked and tied with key out. I was admiring your vlog, I have my first pontoon coming in may 2021. 21'. This makes me look forward to it even more.
DUI rules apply here, so I can't drink while driving the boat, and they can test me any time to see if I'm over the legal limit. Lakes here in California are pretty relaxed about it as long as you're behaving yourself and operating safely. Boating would not be the same for me without beer! You'll love your boat, beer or not!
@@ryan.vision Yeah the rules here in NC are about the same as you described. I love have a couple of beers on the boat but I tend to not drink much because I’m the Capt. and have so much responsibility. Occasionally I let my gf take charge of driving but I still don’t get too relaxed because everyone depends on me so much GOR EVERYTHING. I guess that’s just being the man of the family but it sure would be nice to get smashed on the lake without having to worry about everybody. Lol 😂 😂
Back when I was younger I had no problems. Lol 😆
Best video yet. We have a dog looks a LOT like yours. We are looking at the 18’ to would love to see if 2 can fish off the 18 with a dog :). Love that your video kinda touched on everything from getting your dog on and off to anchoring, warned about the rocks under the sand, cooking etc. really great video.
Glad the video helped a bit! 2 fishing with a dog is no problem on the BB18. I've had 3 grown men fishing at the same time, 2 adult females not fishing. It was such an awesome time. Caught 9 rainbow trout that day, BBQed on the boat, swam, etc.
I'm a "vegan" lol Brioche buns are made with butter, eggs and milk. Good video dude.
Haha I hear ya but I never call her out on anything because it'll just be another thing she won't bring home from the store lol
The Famous BB18 with the front Bimini!
Hahaha I can't even tell you how many people have asked me about it!!
You can get a magnetic temp gauge that would work well for your grill. They are made for woodstoves but would stick to the lid.
love the video.. can't wait to get my dog out on the pontoon. Hasn't been on it yet. This would be our first year out with him. Also got some great ideas from watching your video. great content. thanks for sharing.
You're gonna have a blast!! 1st year is full of memories.
Thank you for posting this video I'm here in Michigan and in 2021 purchased a 18 party barge very similar to yours. I'm getting excited about getting out there. I love your video. God bless.
Awesome content! Maybe I'll run into some day. We go to Rawlins Lake and Folsom quite often. My wife and I just ordered a 2021 party barge XP3, should be done in 3 weeks. Keep the videos coming.
*Rollins Lake
Congrats on the new boat and keep an eye out for us! Folsom has been our go to lake this season, but we did hit Englebright and Camp Far as well. Hoping to try Bullards Bar and Rollins sometime.
Best video I've seen so far. Looking to purchase this model come spring time
Glad you enjoyed the video and you will love this boat!! My only complaint is I wish I could take it out more often!!
Helllllloooooo.......aaaaahoyyyyy
Ryan, I love watching all your video adventures on your Sun Tracker 18 with your lovely wife and dog Cooper. I have picked up some great tips from you and do believe this pontoon has changed your life. My wife and I are retired school teachers and we are getting ready to order the ST sportfish 22 XP3 with the 150 HP. We live in coastal North Carolina and will be using ours on the Intracoastal waterway and near ocean on calm days.We have done a lot of research and find the Sun Tracker line to be a great choice. Please keep making these great videos and stay safe.
Rob in NC
swimming is very good exersize for the dog low impact
Yes, we purchased an above ground pool when Cooper was recovering from his injuries to allow him to exercise without impact. It was really great for his cardio as well.
Raw lol
I've learned to ask folks how they want their burgers cooked because apparently I like mine pinker than most haha this lil BBQ will cook em as well as you want though
Nice video. Want your boat. The gf and I are saving up for one.
One of the best purchases we've ever made!! You will love it!
10 ft close to shoreline will produce the fish
I just purchased a pontoon boat. It is a 24-foot Legend Cottage with the extended two seats for fishing in the front. Thanks for all the tips and the barbecue will be interested in getting a table of some sort just like yours
Very happy with the Magma fillet station as a table and this BBQ has been awesome! Congrats on your boat!
We just bought the same boat. Looking forward to relaxing on the water! Do you have any tips on launching/trailering?
Congrats! Any yes, here are a few tips. Never back the trailer without a spotter, even if you think it's clear. You can easily bump into a car or something else due to lack of visibility. Walkie Talkies come in handy for driver/spotter communications. Everything should be slow and steady. Take wide turns so the trailer doesn't cut corners and hop curbs. Make a checklist to make sure you always secure the trailer to the hitch ball, insert locking pin, plug in trailer lights, test the lights, make sure winch is secured, make sure rear straps are secure, make sure transom saver is secure, safety chains attached, etc. It's easy to forget one thing, and one thing can be a big problem. Practice backing the trailer up in an empty parking lot so you can get used to how it moves, that way you're not learning at the lake with other people waiting. Always prep your boat before you get to the ramp. Make sure people, ice chests, etc are on and ready before you occupy a ramp. Never start the motor until its underwater, and never allow it to keep running once the boat leaves the water. While you're still on the ramp but out of the water, trim the motor down to let water drain out of it. Keep a battery jumper on board just in case. When launching, slow and steady, until you're just about in the water, then you can release the winch line, rear straps should already be removed, then you back up slowly deeper and the boat will begin to float backwards which is when the driver can trim the engine down, start it, and click it into reverse to slowly drift back. When loading, put the trailer in deep enough but make sure you can still see the front of the guides so the driver has something to aim at. This is another walky talky moment where you can give subtle adjustments left/right to line the pontoons up with the guides. If things aren't lining up, back up and try again because you need to come in straight and slow. If you make too many adjustments the boat will kick sideways. I'll make a video about this sometime but hope this helps for now. Also, always check air pressure and make sure to maintain bearing grease - always have spare/tire wheel ready as well.
That looks lots of fun awesome 👍🏼how long is the pontoon ?
They call it a Bass Buggy 18 DLX but it's actually a 20' boat
What size outboard is on your pontoon?
It's a Mercury 60 hp. This model boat is available with 40 hp, 60 hp, or 75 hp.
Hey Ryan, love the videos of your family. My fiancé and I just bought a Sun Tracker 20’ fishing barge. I would really like to set my boat up like yours with the extended bimini top, the fish fillet table and grille. Would you mind sharing your list of items and where I might purchase them? Thanks so much...Adam
I see the bimini was custom made...thanks.
I believe custom made was the only option for 18 BB but there may be other options for your 20 FB. May want to check with Dowco. As far as the table and grill, you can get the Kuuma 160 grill and pedestal from Home Depot's web site. Very happy with both! The table is called Magam tournament series fillet station and I used Scott mounts to secure it to the railing. Magma has stainless steel mounts available, but they are quite expensive. I plan to make a video covering the table setup because I get lots of questions about it. Congrats on your boat and enjoy!!
i wish you would put links to the accessories on your boat. I can barely make out what your saying they are and there isnt enough view time for me to determine what to look for on AMAZON or EBAY.
maybe its just me, i dunno...
What are you interested in? Happy to send the info until I can make a more detailed video on the accessories themselves.
@@ryan.vision I am interested in that Bimini I am looking to get the bb18 in a few months
@@michaelbartlett4118 the original owner had the front bimini custom made. I believe he said it ran him around $1200 or so.
Why is he getting in the water to anchor 😂😂
I watched it again just to laugh at myself hahaha I was brand new to anchoring and that was the only way I felt good about it being set. I do things much differently 4-5 years later lol
Could you link the scotty clips?
I wonder why things that are messy to eat, taste the best?
What do you think about the speed ? Thanks
The 18 DLX does really well with the 60hp Mercury. Depending on how much weight you have on the boat, top speed probably between 16-22 mph. We rarely go that fast, always just cruising around listening to music, eating, having drinks, swimming, etc. For us this baby is a cruiser. If you need to get around quicker you could go for the 75hp option.
Wondering what is min depth you go into when beaching the pontoon?
The shallowest I've gone was literally inches of soft sandbar. Trimmed motor all the way up and walked the boat in. If you watch my other video at Englebright you'll see what I mean. It was a bad decision though because the water level dropped and we almost got stuck haha got quite the work out pushing back to deeper water!! Usually I try to find beaches with a nice slope so the rear is well in the water but the front graps onto the shore firmly, then I use an auger anchor to hold it in place.
@@ryan.vision Thanks for the reply!
Ryan, I have the same boat but 2016. I have been trying to find the front bimini with no luck. Can you point me in the right direction to where you got yours? Thanks
Wish I could give you some details on it but all I know is the original owner who I bought the boat from had it custom made by a local shop. I believe he said it ran around $1200. Sorry I don't have more info!
From Roseville. We kayak Folsom (Rattlesnake) now and then. But your boat is the exact boat that I want. My wife tells me if I sell my '73 VW Bus , I can have a boat ! Should I sell ?!!
As much as I like those classic busses, yes, I think you and your friends/family would have so much fun on this boat wherever you take it!! Lots of local lakes and campgrounds to explore. If my wife had told me I needed to sell one of my Jeeps to get our boat, I would have done it in a heartbeat and can honestly say there'd be zero regrets.
What are you using to mount the grill to the deck?
I used the Kuma quick release pedestal to mount the Kuma 160 to the deck. Both can be purchased from Home Depot's web site. You just have to mount a small plate to the deck... believe it was 4 screws. Very easy install.
Try over the counter nexium
I should make a video on how to live on a jet ski.
What kind of speed do you get with the 60hp
Around 22 with a light load and 18 with a heavier load. We spend most our time around 10 mph just cruising but she gets up and goes pretty good when you want to cover some distance.
Can you provide a link for the fillet table and quick release mounts?
They go in and out of stock at different places but try Google searching for "magma fillet station" and "scotty rail mount" "scotty universal mount" that should bring everything up, just make sure the universal mount looks like it'll plug into the rail mount and you should be good!
@@ryan.vision thanks
Hey Ryan, I’m looking into the same boat. What do you pull it with? You mentioned have a low water level, and what your pulling the boat with.. I have a Terrain. I’m wondering how it would measure up.
I pull it with a 2011 Acura MDX all wheel drive to the local lakes. If I go up the hill to Tahoe I use a V8 Tundra. The Acura does great with the all wheel drive. It has 300hp and weighs about 4700lbs. It's rated for 5000 lbs and I believe the boat/trailer combo is around 3000.
@@ryan.vision thanks Ryan! I’ll probably have to do something similar. My terrain tows 3500. Were 10 minutes from lake mead. But if we go anywhere with any distance, probably need something with more tow capacity.
@@bobbyphillips9748 distance isn't the issue really, it's any hills you have to go up/down. Besides being able to pull it, you want to be able to stop it so need to have solid brakes. Also a good idea to make sure the vehicle has an auxiliary transmission cooler or you could damage the trans by generating too much heat.
@@ryan.vision yes.. and thats what I ment. If we go somewhere like Big Bear well need something that has more of a tow capacity to get up and down the mountain. Thanks Ryan.
Well I’m finally going to get a pontoon boat this year if it’s the Lords will. I’ve had many many MANY bass and ski boats in my life but never a pontoon.
I think an 18ft would be plenty big enough for my GF and Son. Only three of us but I want to get as much motor as I can.
I remember when I was young I would see 18ft pontoons and even shorter boats with big motors like 150, 175 & even 200 HP but they don’t seem to rate the engine sizes the way they used to. If I have to get a tri-toon in order to get a bigger motor I guess I will if I can afford it? Lol 😂
Great boat man. I’m just watching vids and getting inspired tonight and your video is doing the job lol 😆
I live in NC near Charlotte so I’ll probably get my boat at Bass Pro in Concord Mills. Local dealers in my home town only sell brands like Regency etc. and they are nice but way over priced in my book. I like Bass Tracker so Bass Pro here I come baby!
Take a look at barely used boats because I saved thousands on this 2019 when the 2020s were out of stock. Didn't even have 30 hours on it!!
@@ryan.vision Yup that’s exactly what I plan to do.I wouldn’t mind getting a boat that’s 2 or 3 years old if I could find one?
I think going to go to that Marina beside Buster Boyd bridge near Carowinds in Charlotte first because it’s closer. If that don’t pan out I’ll head to Bass Pro!
What do you haul your pontoon with?
Mostly an all wheel drive 2011 Acura MDX and sometimes a Toyota Tundra.
You dont have to physically put the anchor in the sand. It will dig itself in as it pulls.
Yeah that was my first summer with the boat so lots of rookie moves going on haha I typically use an auger anchor on a bungee now.
@@ryan.vision Its fine. We all learn from our mistakes or from others. I wanted to make sure others watching understand that it's a lot easier to drop anchor lol.
👀Hi Ryan fam,from up Sate N.Y.👍👍🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️👣👣👣🙏🎄2024🏁🇵🇷
Hello, where did you get the front bimini top for our pontoon? Thanks
Previous owner had it custom made
Hello, where did you buy your Bimini top extension? Do you have a link? Thank you
Original owner had it custom made, not sure who did the work. It's been a live saver, rain or shine.
That pontoon moves pretty good. What size engine you got on it?
Ok I see it’s A 60 hp
Yessir Mercury 60 hp. She does about 17-22 mph depending on how many people, how much gear, etc. We rarely go full speed to be honest, usually just cruising around or beached. Runs great and sips gas!
I'm looking at buying that exact boat. What is the maximum speed the 60HP motor can achieve?
Really depends on how much weight is on the boat. I typically see between 17-22 at full throttle. I usually only full throttle when I first get on the water though just to make sure everything is charged up after sitting for a week. We typically just cruise around 10mph or so, that way everyone can move around, talk, eat, drink, etc. I remember the first time I took it out and went full throttle I was pleasantly surprised how fast it could go. I thought it would be slower. It sips gas too. Very happy with the 60!
Very nice! I also am a owner of this model. Love what you've done with the place. I was wondering if there are any identifying numbers for that front bimini top? I need that!! Subscriber for sure!!
Thanks! Unfortunately the original owner had the front bimini custom made. When he sold me the boat, he offered to include it for $200 because one of the frame pieces was bent. Since it's aluminum I was able to easily bend it back. It's been a total game changer to keep the deck cool and shady for dogs and people. It also kept us pretty dry during an unexpected rain storm. Definitely recommend getting some sort of extended cover setup.
Where did you get your bimini extension? I have a 2022 sun tracker 18dlx. Go Cooper Go!!!
Front bimini extension was custom made. Original owner had it done. They also modified the storage cover to work with it. It's definitely one of my favorite things about the boat since we often see 100+ temps.
Do you have any idea where the original owner had the custom bimini extension made?
@@timmcginnis1265 I believe he said a shop in Redding CA did the work
Get that dog on an 80% fruit diet and that nerve issue will fix itself.
Any recommendation on types of fruits?
@@ryan.vision Any fruit that your dog likes. Buy a little bit of everything and see what he likes. Watermelon, apples, peaches, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, nectarines, plums, raspberries, pears, black berries, cantaloupe, mango's, tomatoes, beets. (note: beets will turn urine red, its not blood) Coconuts. Mix in some herbs such as turmeric, ginger, etc..With that said most dogs don't tend to like citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, pineapples, tangerines). Please note, it's not an overnight fix this will likely take several months but he will start to get mobility, feeling, and strength back. He will likely be a little gassy and/or possibly soft poo initially, it won't last long. Don't worry.
I can only think of one improvement. Add a couple of kids!
I hear that a lot, especially from our parents haha
Why ruin a good time 🤣. I'm jealous. Looks peaceful
Why ruin a good thing with kids?
Well I guess it depends on the point of view. I enjoy our boat 10 times more with the kids and dog on it, they are all so happy, but it isn't for everyone I guess.
Is ur wife Turkish ?
Thx for another nice vid share
My wife is originally from Uzbekistan and speaks Russian. English is her second language.
HI, I HAVE THE SAFE PONTOON WHAT SIZE MOTOR IS THAT
It's a 60 hp Mercury and we've been very happy with it. Plenty of power and amazing fuel efficiency.
how fast will it go?
This one has the 60 hp motor on it and goes about 18-22 depending on load. Doesn't sound fast but at wide open throttle around 6000 rpm it definitely feels like it's scooting along. We spend most of our time just cruising below 3000 rpm.
I'm torn between this boat and the party barge version. I like the thought of being able to remove the front 2 seats with this version if i'ts just me and my wife. What made you choose this one?
Most often it's just me and my wife with our dog. We leave the two front chairs in place, but we take the rear casting chair out and put coolers there, bbq, etc. We took the front chairs out once and it was a ton of room but we didn't need that much. Our 80lb dog can easily walk between or around the chairs and since they're just on a post he can even lay under them. We knew our max would be 4 adults and 2 large dogs so it was the perfect floor layout for us. Didn't need the extra seating up front, rather have more floor space.
Would it be better to remove his lower leg?
I considered that early on but now I'm glad I didn't. The longer he uses his leg brace the better he gets around on it. Cooper now lives on a few acres and explores a few miles per day without any issues. Still gets the zoomies and runs around too so I'm pretty happy with the current situation. I think each dog and case is different though. Coop has adapted really well.
@@ryan.vision good deal. Love the pontoon setup just ordered mine
Very nice… just out of curiosity, where is your wife from? I detected an accent.
Father is Ukrainian, mother is Russian, she's from Uzbekistan
Dear RYANVISION, how can we contact you?