Another thread on best buys of pontoons

[flycaster]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread, so here is my question.

I did not see the SUNTRACKER Pontoon boat listed. It is made in Springfield, MO and sold thru BASS PRO SHOPS and a lot of other boat dealers.
I am looking at the "SIGNATURE SERIES FISHIN' 21' BARGE" with a 50 ELPTO Mercury.

I am looking for something for shallow lakes, HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES in Lake County, Florida. Something that I can fish, alone or with company, cruising with 4 adults and two golden retriever dogs, with out being crowded.
I would plan on mounting a 55 LB Thrust trolling motor. I like the idea of having two 12 gallon live wells, one for and one aft, change room. I also like the coastal edition with the vinyl floor covering.

What are the Pros and CONS.

 

[KCook]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

Most 'toon builders are on the small side, with a regional market. In contrast Tracker is one of the biggest, lots of dealers, modest price boats built and sold in volume. If a very big builder is your preference, then I would suggest also looking at G3 (owned by Yamaha). Regardless of the size of the builder, the reputation of your local dealer should weigh heavily in your choice. Paying out a lot of $$ for a new boat to a lame dealer makes no sense. There isn't any one 'toon brand superior enough to put up with that.

Kelly

 

[flycaster]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

Most 'toon builders are on the small side, with a regional market. In contrast Tracker is one of the biggest, lots of dealers, modest price boats built and sold in volume. If a very big builder is your preference, then I would suggest also looking at G3 (owned by Yamaha). Regardless of the size of the builder, the reputation of your local dealer should weigh heavily in your choice. Paying out a lot of $$ for a new boat to a lame dealer makes no sense. There isn't any one 'toon brand superior enough to put up with that.

Kelly

I have looked at the G3 comes with a 90 TLR good price, but the dealer is quite a few miles away.
I haven't made up my mind yet.
THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

Both of the boats you reference are cheap because they both have two-stroke carbureted motors which will be a dog to try and sell ten minutes after you buy them. The trend over the last few years has been to four stroke motors or EFI/DFI two strokes like the Evinrude E-tec. Think the engine thing through very carefully.

 

[flycaster]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

Both of the boats you reference are cheap because they both have two-stroke carbureted motors which will be a dog to try and sell ten minutes after you buy them. The trend over the last few years has been to four stroke motors or EFI/DFI two strokes like the Evinrude E-tec. Think the engine thing through very carefully.

This is the type if input that I need, as I have not owned a outboard motor before.

 

[SunTrackerPB21]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

>> SUNTRACKER Pontoon boat listed. It is made in Springfield, MO and sold thru BASS PRO SHOPS and a lot of other boat dealers. I am looking at the "SIGNATURE SERIES FISHIN' 21' BARGE" with a 50 ELPTO Mercury.<<



I just bought (over the internet) a 2004 SunTracker Signature Series, PB21 w/ 2005 Merc 60HP Bigfoot O/B and 2005Trailstar (Tracker) trailer..got a great deal @ 8K. Everything is in great shape. I had to get it towed about 3000 miles "home" here (Western Canada) but still saved a good deal of $$.

We've had it out on our 100 mile long lake a few times now and it runs great and is easy to drive right onto the trailer, up to the "stop". We really enjoy it and would buy the same boat/brand again without hesitation. Seems REALLY easy on gas..the gauge is still pegged on "F" after two trips out.

Nobles Marine in the Orlando area is selling some 2003-04Sun Tracker pontoons, back from DisneyWorld lease.
I found mine by Googling: >Craigslist Sun Tracker pontoon 21< Many came up..I picked the best one available at the time (came on Craigslist only the day before), otherwise the Snooze-lose theory applies..

 

[5150abf]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

For the record Tracker is the biggest and Bennington is #2 but Tracker sells a 1000+ 18' boats a year and we don't go after that market too hard.

Given that they have an add in the front of every bass Pro Shops catalog they should be the biggest.

They make a decent mid priced boat, I believe they also make Lowe,Grumman and Suncruiser and are a Brunswick company.

 

[sumcat1]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

I bought a new Tracker 21' fish model last year and could not be happier. This is my second pontoon. Spend the extra dollars for a 60hp Bigfoot. With excellent fuel economy and the 30gal tank you can have fun without watching the gas gage. I top out at about 22mph depending on load. I also installed a Motorguide with remote control and an onboard battery charger that uses the engine alternator. Only problem is the gate will not close over the motor. A good aluminum welder can solve that problem. The trailer has full size wheels and poor guide ons and can be a pain on some ramps.

 

[KCook]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

Lowe, which has the Suncruiser 'toon line, is a Brunswick company. Tracker is not under Brunswick at all. Though Tracker does use Mercury motors, as do many other independent builders. Tracker and Fisher are part of the same corporate group.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

oops, hard to keep track of who buys who, Lowe and Suncruiser were owned at one time by OMC before the melt down, I thought Tracker bought both of them.

I will check better before I type from now on.

Could have sworn I saw a Suncruiser ad in a BPS catalog

 

[KCook]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

Possibly that catalog was Cabela's instead of BPS? Cabela's has an arrangement with Brunswick to sell their boats. So a number of the big Cabela's superstores now stock Lowes Suncruiser.

Kelly

 

[VaGent]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

Considering mine is a 1986 Riveria Cruiser, can you give me any imput as to quality etc etc? I also have a Johnson 70hp VRO installed on it. Can the engine be retro-fitted to EFI or is this even practical? I'm also trying to find what & how to disconnect the VRO system so I can mix the gas/oil myself.

 

[Captain Trips]

Re: Another thread on best buys of pontoons

We bought a 2006 Suntracker 21 foot fishin' barge with a 90 merc 4 stroke this year and it has been a great boat. No issues at all and plenty of deck space. I looked at the Lowe suncruisers also and they seemed to be well built but only had 23" pontoons on their basic package.