If I go with pontoon route, I might as well keep my small jon boat for fishing. 

On ‎10‎/‎17‎/‎2016 at 8:03 PM, scaleface said:

Heres the route I went . The wife wanted a pontoon boat and of course I wanted a fishing boat . So we settled on a 22 foot Lowe deck boat . Two depth finders 80 lb thrust trolling motor ,live well for me .  Stereo , wrap around seating , Bimini top for her . It actually fished better than I expected . Look at the size of that deck .

 

Sea Ark makes a similar rig in both a 20' and 24' model http://seaarkboats.com/boat_models/view/46

My brother would love to find a smaller (smaller than 20') deck boat.  He fishes maybe twice a year but loves dawdling around the lake.

Anyone know of any makers?

I have what is deemed a Fish-n-Ski.  Mine is really old, so I don't know if they still make it.  It is a Glastron.

BTW, it does just what the name says!  We fished and skied for years!  Still going strong.

Pontoons very hard to tow n launch.  Unless you can dock it all summer but then exposed to elements.  Fish n ski is good.  I like aluminum.  Many manufactuers offer glass fish n ski like a Tahoe.  But i dont like glass boats as they are lots of work. Keeping hull clean and scrape free.   Get an outboard motor as easier and cheaper to maintain.  I have alum Lund but wife complains no bow seats for her or grandkids.  Alum fish n ski for me in next couple years. Deck boats dont slice thru water like a v hull.  Get 20-21 feet.  100 inches wide.  Deep gunnels.  You can add features later like trolling motor, bimini, etc.  I'd look on craigslist, boat trader, and dealersvwith used boats.  If private sale, take out on water and take a knowedgeable boating friend.  New boat with payments is ok if not a long term loan.  Like a car.  Read up on internet about buying a usef boat or first time buyer. Good luck.  

I was faced with a similar decision when I bought my boat earlier this year.  I don't have any kids (yet), but the wife likes to go out on the lake with me on occasion.  Since its just the two of us, I went with an older Ranger.  Its geared more towards fishing, but there's plenty of room for her to lay out and get some sun.  Its also an older boat, so I was able to pay cash for it, which made the whole idea easier to sell.  I know, sooner or later, I'm gonna end up getting a pontoon boat (we're not into skiing or tubing).  My goal is to hold onto the Ranger, even if it means having 2 boats in the shed, because I really don't like the idea of loading/unloading a party barge solo.  I guess, in a way, my ranger will be like your old Jon boat.