A little helping a newbie help decide

[Phil in SoCal]

Ok guys, Im new to the Pontoon thing and am looking for a boat (had a nice Eliminator but not any more). I have limited funds (less than 20k) and have found 3 I am interested in. One is a 04 Crestliner 24' with the 4.3 I/O asking 19k, One is an 01 Playcraft Tritoon 26' also with the 4.3 I/O asking 18k and the last is a 96 Ercoa Flagship 23' with a 98 175 on it asking 10k but needs new upholstery. No idea on hours on any of them.

I am a family of 6 and really want to have a max speed of at least 35mph and prefer to cruise at 30 or better.

What do you recommend? Are any a good deal? What is the benefit of a Tritoon over a Pontoon? Any other info would be great.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

All things being equal, I'd go with the Playcraft. Very well made and a tritoon to boot.

The middle tube will give you extra buoyancy and ride larger waves better. That and it it being 26 feet, it will give you more room.

 

[pontoonbafoon]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

thats a hard choice because your either looking to spend 20k or half. neither of those 4.3 will cruise at 30 or 35 they might go 30 but hardly. i like outboards myself but thats all up to you..26' toon is a big boat to haul around for 6 people also id stick to one of the 24 footers the 24' 4.3 will cruise faster than the tri toon less friction on the water.. and a pontoon is plenty stable tri toon would be nice with a v8 motor..

 

[Phil in SoCal]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

Well, if I get the 96 and pay 10 for it I will have at least another 2 or 3 in it by the time I get the interior done, The other two dont need anything. So were talking 5 to 6 k difference but a boat thats 5 to 8 years older. Not sure which one is a good deal. Also, Im pretty sure the 4.3 and a 5.7 have the same mounts so it might be an easy swap to do at a later date.

 

[pontoonbafoon]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

It might be an easy swap but by that point your near 25k. and you have to beware of what drive is on there because they have different gear ratios for v6 and v8 i/o's all those choices are up to you. obviously the toons for 20k should not need anything. I have seen Pontoons from the 80s as nice a new ones and I am positive those people did not spend 20k not like a fiberglass boat. Aluminum does not rot so good forever age is not a factor some people enjoy older toons because it acts as a blank canvas to make it the way you want it exactly

 

[rrhodes]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

Get the one with 3 logs. As far as the more friction in the water I disagree. You also get more flotation. The 3 log won't go much faster (2mph) but it won't go slower either.

Remember with an I/O you have additional maintenance to consider. (Winterize, Bellows. ect.) an Outboard will also lengthen your season.

Out of the ones you listed I would take the PlayCraft hands down but if it was my $20k I would keep looking.

What I would look for is a 24' 3 log toon with at least a 150hp O/B. That will put you in the 30-38mph range depending on the boat and if it has strakes. If you are on a budget you may even consider looking at Bentley pontoons.

What area are you in?

2002 ODYSSEY Millenium 25, Nice roomy tritoon boat with loads of features! Power by 150HP Yamaha HPDI (13,900)

2006 G3 LX325 TRI-TOON, SUN"N" FUN FOR EVERYONE!!!150 HP YAMAHA FOUR STROKE (22,400)

2005 Bentley Baron 253 Elite Cruise Tri-Toon and powered by a Mercury 150HP Optimax. (19,900)

There are a lot of boats out there.

 

[samm835]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

I agree with RRHODES, I would go for the tritoon with a 150 or 200hp outboard. I have a pontoon (24ft)with a 115hp, and a buddy of mine has a tri with a Mercury 200 and there is a huge difference in the way they ride. His is muich nicer....granted he paid about 10K more for his, but it is nice and has great speed and pulling ability. Granted its a tri/pontoon so your never going to be at great speeds, but you also don't have to be running slow either just because its a toon. If you have the money, I would keep searching and fine a boat ready for the water, with a good outboard....so much easier to take care of. If you want to save a couple of bucks and buy something that you need to fix and then get to the lake you can always find good deals on the net. I know around me there are plenty for sale with great interior and good OB for under 20K. Just my opinion. Good luck and let us know what you decided on.

 

[Phil in SoCal]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

Well Im on the West coast and Pontoons are few and far between under 20k. There are plenty in the 30 range but I just dont have that much to spend. If you guys find a great deal though post up a link and I may be able to arrange something. Thanks for the info so far, Keep it coming.

 

[Phil in SoCal]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

What area are you in?

2002 ODYSSEY Millenium 25, Nice roomy tritoon boat with loads of features! Power by 150HP Yamaha HPDI (13,900)

2006 G3 LX325 TRI-TOON, SUN"N" FUN FOR EVERYONE!!!150 HP YAMAHA FOUR STROKE (22,400)

2005 Bentley Baron 253 Elite Cruise Tri-Toon and powered by a Mercury 150HP Optimax. (19,900)

There are a lot of boats out there.

Can you post the links for these boats?

 

[Phil in SoCal]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

Ok, I found a 2000 JC tritoon with a 150 Merc on it asking 15,900 And a 1998 Playcraft Tritoon also with an efi 150 Merc asking 7800. Is this more like it?

 

[pontoonbafoon]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

i wouldnt take a merc outboard if you gave it to me let alone 16000
stick to johnson evinrude or anything japanese

 

[rrhodes]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

i wouldnt take a merc outboard if you gave it to me let alone 16000
stick to johnson evinrude or anything japanese

WOW!!! Could you tell us why??

 

[rrhodes]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

Ok, I found a 2000 JC tritoon with a 150 Merc on it asking 15,900 And a 1998 Playcraft Tritoon also with an efi 150 Merc asking 7800. Is this more like it?

They are worth checking out. Look at the NADA price to give you a rough idea of the value and then go check them out. (Test Drive them and buy the one you like)

 

[pontoonbafoon]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

the only motor ill give merc for being nice is the optimax other than that they are all junk the build them to break and leave you stranded they make everything complicated so a normal person is unable to attempt repairs. and in my experience every motor besides the optimax is waiting to self destruct....
if your buying and outboard buy an omc if your buying and inboard buy a merc
besides....when you go to the lake take note of how many old johnson evinrudes are out there... from the early 70s still running like tops...now go look at how many piece of garbage mecs there are.... few and far between ... only new ones. all the old ones already blew up

 

[Phil in SoCal]

Re: A little helping a newbie help decide

Well I looked at the Playcraft today. Too beat up. It was a rental boat with 2550 hours. Yes I said 2,550. It does have a new engine and drive, new deck and carpet and new skin but the rails are beat to crap re welded with sloppy welds and the toons are beat as bad. I did however get to ride in it and I liked the ride so Im closer to knowing what I want. Now to find one in my price range.