Das Boot
Last Summer my son, the Marine, took my wife and I, and our two granddaughters out on the lake in a fishing pontoon boat for a day of sun, surf, and fishing. The boat was a loan from a retired Colonel Jason knows. Told him to take it out a few times and see if it had any problems. We all had a great time.
My wife enjoyed it so much, with the grandkids, and the fishing, that she started talking about getting one for ourselves. And so, a plan was hatched.
I priced the pontoon boats, and realized that the cost about the same as what we paid for my wife's jeep some years back. Which meant that when we paid off the car loan, we could get a loan for a boat without much of a hit on our finances. The problem I faced was did I want to go into retirement with a big boat loan hanging over me. I plan to retire in 5 to 7 years. So I wanted to be able to finance it and have it paid off before I retire. A call to my loan officer at my credit union gave me all the interest rates, and some advice on how to proceed.
And so I began an aggressive effort to get some bills paid off. I took on more overtime, and used the extra money to pay off several big finance accounts. The result being that I eliminated about twice as much in monthly payments as I would need to finance the boat. An added benefit was paying off several accounts early, saving on interest I would be paying.
The end result was a visit to Bass Pro in Independence MO in the middle of January to get a purchase agreement for a Sun Tracker Fishing Barge pontoon boat. We walked on several models, and really decided that with grandkids, or visiting drunken Submarine sailors, we would be well served to get as much boat as we could. And that's what we chose: The Sun Tracker 24 DLX Fishing Barge
Yes, we got it in Black. Because, well, all the ships I've ever served on were black.
So what to name her. I originally thought I would name her Miss Penny. Even started a Facebook vote as to the name. The other choice, Das Boot.
For those of you who are not familiar, Das Boot is German for "The Boat". It is also the title of what I consider the most accurate submarine film ever produced. Yes, it's about a German U-boat in World War II. But adversary or not, those men are my brothers as well. Because when the hatch closes, and the ship slips beneath the waves, Death smiles at all of us, regardless of what Navy.
IN the end, Penny decided she didn't want our boat named for her. And so, I present, Das Boot.
We've been waiting for some good weather to get her out on the water. We did our first shake down cruise last weekend, and this weekend we were able to get a little fishing time in.
Oh, meet the newest member to the Tarleton Crew:
Yeah, Shindig should be fun this year!
I see no fish .... c’mon man!
Dude, I'm still playing with all the electronics. Gotta learn how to be a sonarman.
You gotta learn how to be a real sailor now! Up on the surface with the wind and the waves like seaman were meant to be. You haven't lived until you have been in 50+ foot seas taking 40 degree rolled. I was a real mariner 😉😋😉
I hope Penny is doing well, and I'm glad you're all having fun with Das Boot.
Congrats, Awesome boat! Did you get the mercury 115?
Mercury 150 Four Stroke.
Great motor! Friend o mine has a tri-toon powered by the same. Plenty of smooth power.
Das Boot is about a submarine, why in the world would you name your pontoon boat after a sub...Sub are underwater, you don't want the pontoon underwater do you.
No fish, sad. That excuse about the electronics is not going to fly. It's frickin' trolling motor, a 5 year old has that under control in a couple of minutes. When you hit a snag or rock your depth finder will let you know. It's the high pitch noise as the rock rips into the alum pontoon. And the fish finder, well what can I say you haven't caught a fish so it would seem the that fish finder ain't finding any fish.
I can see that you're gonna need a lot of help with this pontoon and the electronics...
What engine do you have, 115 4stroke? Is she a three pontoon or two and what size are the pontoons.
Say hi to Penny and happy sailing partner.
P.S. Is that Truman lake your on?
I got this with a Lowrance Plotter/Sonar. Elite Ti9. This thing is awesome! Comes with 3 sets of charts, of which I like the Navionics the best. Side Scan/Down Scan sonar, and Chirp Fish finder.
We got it with the Mercury 150 Four Stroke. Salesman said no one ever complains that I sold them too much engine.
Yeah, that's Truman lake. The problem is we are 15 feet above normal pool. We've been holding back due to flooding on the Missouri. Now that the river has crested, we are trying to drain to set up for the melting Snow pack. All of this has the fishing all screwed up. Normal hot spots are difficult to find right now.
I got this with a Lowrance Plotter/
Sonar. Elite Ti9. This thing is awesome! Comes with 3 sets of charts, of which I like the Navionics the best. Side Scan/Down Scan sonar, and Chirp Fish finder.
That's a great piece of electronics...I had one very similar to that one.
The 150/4stroke is a great engine. I've had the 200 Mercury DI and the 175 Yahama 4stroke.
I can imagine that the Truman is a mess right now. I used to love to throw 8 inch senko's right next to the tree stumps. Always good for a bass or two.
A Hawg (10lb 5 oz) Clear lake CA on a red and black senko.
Hey Bruce! Good to see ya posting!
Love your new avatar! Perfect match!
That looks like a fun boat. I wish you many happy times on it!
Congrats. People have pontoon boats here but usually along the rivers. The bays and out front are usually too rough.
I have seen several with a hardtop covering most of the boat. From what I gather, they are pretty much modular and can have a variety of seating and placement options.
Now that you have a party barge, I guess no disco lights and music? Haha I have seen that too.