Launching and Retrieving 2021 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 without a dock

This video will cover deploying and retrieving your bass buggy or pontoon in a river type environment or without a dock. I hope you enjoy, don't forget to hit that subscribe button and like!

[@haroldmartin4547]

Have always enjoyed your video's. 👍👍👍 Just bought a 2025 16XL bass buggy. Take care

[@chubbrock659]

I just ordered a 22’ version of this boat, can’t wait to get out and use it. Your video helped me know what to expect for launching and loading. Thanks man!

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Glad I could help! Let me know if i can do anything else to keep you on top!

[@zedwpd]

@@lifewiththedonersons I'm looking to buy one also, so I wanted to see the same thing.

[@victoriacantrell5603]

Thanks for posting! It looked so easy! We're getting a 2019 Bass Buggy 16 this week so this video helped!

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Ohhhh snap welcome to the family

[@quedogkualum]

Bro you content is legit. Keep it up. You just gained a new subscriber

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Thanks fam

[@thegoodchad3578]

Looked at one today. Thanks for taking time to do this video.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

No problem fam

[@jonnyrotten9755]

Thinking about buying a 16’ Bass Buggy for a year ir so.. looks like youve been enjoying yours.. thanks for videos!!

[@lifewiththedonersons]

I love mine

[@mattchristensen536]

Really enjoy your videos, should be getting our bass buggy 16 at the end of the month!!! Thanks

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Make sure they give you a transom mount for your motor and ask them how much to throw in a spare tire to save you a trip

[@mattchristensen536]

@@lifewiththedonersons I will ask, thanks for the heads up.

[@livinlifeat3mph334]

Good informational video. Me and the family have a suntracker pontoon bass buggy on order as we speak. Loving the content, wish there were more informational SUN TRACKER bass pontoon videos like this. Interested on ur fishin setup! Going to watch all ur vids now. Lol. Just subscribed, God bless.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

If it's something you have questions about or would like for me to cover let me know...you folks will love the toon!!

[@TexasKen]

Keep coming with the content brother! I'D like to see the trolling motor in action and your fish finder. Thanks

[@lifewiththedonersons]

No worries I gotcha

[@scalesl]

At brotha, love your videos, I recently purchased the exact same pontoon except mine is a 2020, I love it and appreciate your content you posting. Looking forward to more. Big Zo out.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

The boat is a blast I love how much it can do that a lot think that it can’t do lol big blessings all year for you and the fam!

[@scalesl]

@@lifewiththedonersons I do a lot of catfishing here in Texas using noodle corks and this thing give me the room I need.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

@@scalesl I can imagine I will be doing more catfishing this year for sure!

[@dariom5595]

Thank you for the video. But we can't hear you that well. But tell us every step. Amd every thing you touch. Keep em coming. Thank you bro

[@lifewiththedonersons]

I will redo one when the wind is low and steady.. I had a different go pro at that time as well. Small upgrade made a difference!

[@noelortega6028]

Hey brother thanks a lot for sharing. a lot of helpful pointers.I get the exact same pantoon deliver in a few days. I’m still shopping for trolling motors What trolling motor are you running? Have you maxed it out with 7 passengers? Thank you.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Trolling motor held up great I did upgrade to a 80lb due to how I fish but with passengers I am not go lie lol I’ve had about 10 on with no problem adults and kids haha. Haven’t been out in a while due the weather in the area of MS I am at but it’s ready to roll!

[@timshull59]

Nicely done Sir!

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Thank you!!

[@rickmintzell2630]

Very good! You make it look easy.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Learned to take my time and go slow lol

[@maccaesar340]

thanks for the videos Jw I am in Canada and have the same boat ordered I have never been on a pontoon boat before so I am very interested in your videos loved this one. When I ordered it they said I will use a lot of choice words putting on the mooring cover lol if you got one maybe you could do one on that. Love them look forward to all tips you have to offer

[@lifewiththedonersons]

I actually saved money and bought a tarp to cover mine, haven't had any issues I will do a video on it as well!

[@dguerra1958]

What make and model trolling motor do you use?

[@benflores2679]

What kind of rod holders do you have

[@JohnSmith-st5ud]

Cool rig!

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Thanks

[@austinatkins592]

Hey man did you have a video of your whole family on your pontoon? How many people have you had on it? I know it says 7 people but I’m curious how many you can actually fit. I thought you had a video of several people on yours. Thanks!

[@tuwhelzreally741]

i love it. getting mine soon and i subscribe to your channel.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Appreciate that fam let me know if and when you get yours

[@zedwpd]

Good tips. Good job!

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Glad you like them!

[@jeffmorency3115]

Does your trolling motor have spot lock to hold in place? Where do you pot anchors. Finally is the 16 too small for mild windy days.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Nope been trying to find a 70lb or better but all are sold out I bought one just to be told they didn’t have any in stock

[@zedwpd]

@@lifewiththedonersons Add 8 foot of chain at the end of your anchor line and the anchor can be much much less weight. Use more rode the windier it gets.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Thanks I recently did that and will give that a try that makes sense!

[@ReelEmN]

Where do you store your boat? Thinking of getting one but can’t store at my house so I’d need another option.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

I actually store my boat at my house in the backyard covered up! I have a buddy that keeps his at a storage facility but the pontoon cover works great!

[@ReelEmN]

@@lifewiththedonersons I think I have to store mine at a storage facility as well. How much of a pain in the ass is it to have to launch whenever you take it out? Dry docking vs wet docking

[@tortillaboy2600]

I just got a similar boat the party barge they are epic , cool video

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Thanks fam

[@tortillaboy2600]

@@lifewiththedonersons we on it right now at spi

[@tortillaboy2600]

@@lifewiththedonersons going to post a video on all the mods I have on it

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Don't forget to post the link her fam

[@Zeus-vk4mj]

Good stuff. Keep it coming. I just subscribed.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Thanks for the support Fam gonna keep it coming

[@juanbaez2]

I have the same buggy. Just ordered Bimini top. Looking to upgrade from 20 to 50. Toon looks dope brother.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Man I love it and glad I went with the 50 due to the amount of people using with me it moves us along just right!

[@joshuabristow3999]

@@lifewiththedonersons I'm looking at the bass buggy 18 but have to go with the 20HP because the local lake is HP restricted. I'm not a speed demon so I'm hoping I'll be happy with the 20. Loving your videos.

[@lifewiththedonersons]

@@joshuabristow3999 you will be just fine fam welcome to the family..now enjoy the water

[@budbrudis5213]

The front on the logs on each side of the boat there are 2 objects that look like wings or something.. can you tell me what those are called? I’m needing to have one repaired

[@gunluv96]

Greetings, First great video! I'm looking at getting one of these lil pontoon bass buggy and I'm wondering how they do in the river with strong winds and currents? We have a damn that most people fish close to to catch big cats and stripe bass and I wonder if this small craft will be okay in such strong currents? I'm new to boating and any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance

[@lifewiththedonersons]

It’s like a parachute in heavy wind and current honestly unless you have a trolling motor above 75lb thrust and be using a anchor to stay in place.. but if the wind isn’t too bad you shall be fine

[@zacharyalexander96]

I’m sure you’ve said it in a video but how fast does the boat go with the 50 hp motor?

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Around 24-25 mph

[@carlsepulvado372]

What brand of pole holders do you have

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Ones on the pontoon are made by Scotty.. they are for the square rails!

[@Jim-jh79fb]

Hi I like to see more fishing with the trolling motor I like the motor but want it mounted in the rear I'm familiar with pontoon boats my dad and I went out alot fishing

[@lifewiththedonersons]

When our weather clears up imma make another video on it, this one is not in the way at all when in use never thought about it being in the rear, this pontoon has been great in all the situations so far on the lake..high wind, choppy water and I stress loaded it with 8 people head up with no issues at all!

[@TerraFirmaX]

very nicely done

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Thank you!

[@hutchh.6933]

Great video sir! I have a question though, the title says "without a dock" but there was a ramp and a dock in the video. I am sure it is a terminology thing that I am clueless about . What do you mean without a dock? Subscribed :)

[@lifewiththedonersons]

There is no ramp and dock combination.. most boat ramps have a dock beside them that when you launch the boat you have the dock to use to help retrieve the boat.. at the ramp I sue there is no dock to use to retrieve the boat. Either you have someone with you or you use a rope to retrieve the boat in to you. Great question though!

[@donmoore3839]

Just a thought. I hook safey strap 🪝my strap to the back to the trailer incase the winch fails

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Yeah I have one on each side I take mine off when I'm close to the water

[@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327]

I’m lol okay at the exact model today in a 22 at cabellas. Several videos showed this model around 11,000 but the sticker including all fees and trailer was around 25,000. Is that about right? Who has the best pricing on a trailer and boat package? I’m a beginner but thought this would be the best value. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[@lifewiththedonersons]

That’s right I got mine for about 21 out the door at Bass Pro shop. I would just call around and see what you can get lowered. Yeah the boat is about 10-11k by itself basic… but when you add packages it goes up but still not pricey for what you are getting!

[@jamesglavich1426]

You can price the boat that you would like on the Sun Tracker web site. The price is the same from Bass Pro or from an independent dealer. I just bought a 22 ft Fishin' Barge from an independent dealer. Bought in August, 2023 model with a 150 hp.

[@ct3pfd817]

👌👌

[@gunsandrotors8704]

Somebody Im sure asked already but what is the top speed with the 50hp? Also do you feel its good or underpowered?

[@lifewiththedonersons]

23mph top with a couple adults. The vessels is perfect to me...I'm sure that's why they can't keep them in stock

[@scotthowell1690]

Mike Jones !!!

[@lifewiththedonersons]

That’s the MAN!!

[@stilltuckered]

Don’t forget the kill switch.

[@mozee01]

have you wondered why the left side of the trailer guide bars from front view looks crooked and slanted down in comparison to the right side? ( 0:58 )I have the same problem and cannot figure out why. Anyone? Anyone? ty

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Honestly for me it was the way the launch was at that site it’s pretty crooked lol other than that mines seem pretty straight on a nice launch

[@Jason_Laster]

I just hope theres nobody around to hear me cuss when i try this and fail 6 or 7 times before i finally get it 😅

[@lifewiththedonersons]

Hahaaaa it’s not hard at all you got this just make sure you don’t forget to actually attach the rope.. you will be cursing and swimming at the same time!