1st time pontoon buyer

[lfballon]

Hi....

I am looking at a new pontoon: 2009 (never been use- full factory warranty) Misty harbor 16 ft w 9.9 susuki 4 stroke. My local dealing is offering it for $9700.
I am on a small lake & don't need a larger engine. Does this sound like a reasonable price? Any feedback would be appreciated !

 

[ralphl]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

trailer???

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

Do your homework. Check other dealers for retail price of the boat only. Check on-line sources for retail price of the engine. If it includes a trailer price it. Add up the three plus options. That should provide you with the basic retail price. Negotiate from there. I didn't pay much more than that for my 18 footer with a 40 HP Suzy, built and a bunch of upgrades and a Shorelander trailer.

 

[ralphl]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

A 16 ft is a very small and limited size if you have a family. Check out the pre season sales at Cab, and BP etc before you decide

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

I'd go to pontoon boats .com and look at all there listings first..You'll be surprised what you can get for $10,000.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

Supply and demand are the names of the game in this case. There are many more 18's and up with 40 horses and up available than there are 16's with 10 horses because it's such a niche market, so what we can pay for larger toons with larger power plants is not really relevant unless you want to buy something bigger. If you do, as others have said, you can easily do so for considerably less than ten grand. If you don't, you might consider putting together your own package. You'd probably have a hard time finding a sixteen footer, but you could easily find an eighteen footer with a blown or no engine and add your own small outboard. Just keep in mind not any old outboard will work on a toon. Things like shaft length, ability to accept remote steering, and your ability to do the mods or have them done must all be considered. So, as Silvertip said, do your homework.

 

[lfballon]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

Thanks for all the quick replys. I live in the Upper Pennusula of Michigan & plan to keep our boat on a relatively small lake, 1 mile by 1 mile & 30 ft deep. I don't have many dealers to choose from in the immediate area. The reason I was looking at a 16ft pontoon is I don't see us haing more than 6 - 8 passengers at any time & I figured a shorter boat would need a small motor, therefore keeping my costs down. We went to a boat show last weekend all the new ones ( 18' - 20' ) w 15HP -20 HP were all going for around $12k & up.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

Believe it or not, 6-8 aboard a sixteen footer will be pretty cozy. Sounds like an eighteen footer would be a good fit for you. Should be able to find a gently used one ready to splash within your budget.

 

[cbavier]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

I think if it includes a Float on trailer it's a fairly good buy. The trailer runs about $1600. The motor runs about $2500 Pontoon would be $5,500. That price would have to be out the door. Tax,Title, License plates and Boat Registration included. Like others have said a 20 Ft would be better for you and a fairly new $20 ft would be about the same or less. You not only have to think about using it now but what about five-ten years from now. 18 ft is awful small and a narrow deck 7 1/2 foot wide which means not too stable in the water, especially in rough water. A 20 ft will have at least an 8ft wide deck. New 20ft most are 81/2 ft wide now. Of course you have to have a bigger motor which costs more and uses more fuel.

 

[lfballon]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

I have checked w 2 other dealers within 100 miles & am getting similiar pricing for 16-18ft unts w 10 HP outboard motors w/o the trailor. I am leaning toward the dealer 15 miles away from my lake as if I buy from them I won't need a trailor. For a yearly fee of $150 they will offer delivery at start of season (mid april) , pickup at end of season
(end of Oct), maintenance of boat/motor & shrinkwrap/storage of unit over the winter.

 

[curtiscapk]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

Damn I think you can't pass that deal up then!

 

[lncoop]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

That does sound like a great deal on the annual maintenance/shrinkwrap/storage, but I gotta tell you I'm really concerned you'll have some significant buyer's remorse if you buy that boat, and if so you'll have a tough time unloading such a niche market item. I understand your desire to keep down costs, but a sixteen footer with a ten horse is too small for any more than four aboard. If you envision six to eight aboard you'll be uncomfortable. An eighteen footer with a forty horse won't cost much more to run than a sixteen footer with a ten horse, and it will get you home quicker in a storm or other desperate situation and your passengers won't be shoulder to shoulder. If you're on a horsepower restricted lake that's one thing, but otherwise I beg, plead and beseech thee to think long and hard before paying ten grand for that little barge. But, good luck with whatever you decide and keep us posted. We always like to revel with new purchasers.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

For a yearly fee of $150 they will offer delivery at start of season (mid april) , pickup at end of season
(end of Oct), maintenance of boat/motor & shrinkwrap/storage of unit over the winter.

I'd get that in writing and check the details, again.

16' is really small for 6 to 8 people. I have a 20' Suntracker and 6 adults is about it for comfortable seating. It will take more, just not comfortably.

Last summer Tracker had 20' boats for $12.5K. No trailer, 50 HP 2 cycle. I'd bet you'll find a lot of new and used boat deals in the UP and Northern Michigan. Use those prices for comparison.

You're fortunate to be a Yupper, sure wish I was, at least during July and August.

 

[lfballon]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

thanks again for all the input. Ya'll have got me rethinking things as far as size of the boat & HP of the engine. There is another boat coming up in my area 2 weeks from so I guess I'll wait a little longer before I pull the trigger. It's still very early in the year so us (just got 6" on heavy wet snow last night & there is an 2 ft of ice on our lake). I'm not even seeing any used rigs advertised in the newspaper.

 

[DJ]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

The others are correct. 6-8 people aboard a 16' toon would be very crowded.

We have always had 22' toons and 6-8 people was a crowd on those.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

I'm also looking at 16' pontoons. These look interesting, haven't found
much info on them yet though. Sure are inexpensive.
www.jcbolesbolesboats.com

 

[lfballon]

Re: 1st time pontoon buyer

Thanks again for all the input. Decided to put an offer on a Sylan 18' Mirage w 25 HP 4 stroke. See you in the other forums.