Advice on first pontoon purchase

W

worntired

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 11, 2008
Messages
48
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

I started looking as soon as winter was over and just bought mine last week. I noticed that the more expensive ones at the beginning of my search sat there until they dropped the price almost to what the cheaper ones were actually selling at. Find one that's been listed awhile and make a low offer. They're either going to be so frustrated by this point and sell low, or they're going to be thinking that summer is almost here. On the triple toon thing, it is a much more stable ride and you'll love it. I found one with a 225, but the 115 I test drove was also super stable and the family would have enjoyed either one.
 
lncoop

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

There's one thing I forgot to mention. I've been surprised to learn over the years what an impact geography has on prices, so you're much better off taking advice from the guys in your neck of the woods.
 
BigDfromTN

BigDfromTN

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 16, 2013
Messages
268
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

bhudson08 said:
Here is one we have been looking at. Have not seen in person yet. It is owned and was used as a rental on the lake. They said they will perform summer service, inspect and clean. :confused: Its the right price, size and has what we are looking for. Anyone thoughts on this one?

2003 Crest Sport XR RE 22 ft. Pontoon Boat Yamaha 90 hp & trailer
Click to expand...

Some of my thoughts on this rig.

Likes,
90HP
Front and Rear Bimini tops
Interior seems good shape (needs cleaning)
Tandem axle trailer.
Bunk trailer. (better for road towing)
Bow ladder on trailer
Permanent ladder that folds
boarding gates on both sides. (Mine only has one on Port side)
Ski tow bar
25 gallon tank onboard.
Play pen goes to front of deck.

Less preferred,
2 stroke motor. (4 stroke is quieter and less fuel)
Trailer does not mention brakes?
Play pen goes to front of deck. (depending on how you plan to use boat. This goes both ways.)


Negotiate on this or any other boat. The one I bought last year is a 4 stroke but has carbs not fuel injected. I would rather had FI but this came along and was a good deal. Bought it for about half of book value and have about 75% of book in it now.

Above is just thoughts of mine and things for you to consider when looking at others. Think about how you plan to use it and look for one that fits those needs. Also check out how much cost is to add items, Bimini tops etc, that you may need to add to one to make it like you want it. All that stuff adds up in a hurry.

Best of luck and be patient.
 
H

H20Rat

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5,204
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

gm280 said:
My neighbor has a pontoon and for some unknown reason he installed a 25HP Mercury on it. I can tell you from first hand experience that he only goes around 10 to 11mph wide open. So make sure you don't have an under powered motor on it.
Click to expand...

depends on your area at least. I know people who are completely happy with a 25hp on a pontoon, they either don't want to go faster than idle anyway, or are on speed restricted lakes, where opening up even a 25hp would get you in trouble.

The last pontoon I owned personally at least, yeah, it violated the sticker, just slightly! I'll just say that it was a bear to turn at speed, something about the tubes not touching the water...
 
Last edited:
bhudson08

bhudson08

Cadet
Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Messages
9
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

BigDfromTN said:
Some of my thoughts on this rig.

Likes,
90HP
Front and Rear Bimini tops
Interior seems good shape (needs cleaning)
Tandem axle trailer.
Bunk trailer. (better for road towing)
Bow ladder on trailer
Permanent ladder that folds
boarding gates on both sides. (Mine only has one on Port side)
Ski tow bar
25 gallon tank onboard.
Play pen goes to front of deck.

Less preferred,
2 stroke motor. (4 stroke is quieter and less fuel)
Trailer does not mention brakes?
Play pen goes to front of deck. (depending on how you plan to use boat. This goes both ways.)


Negotiate on this or any other boat. The one I bought last year is a 4 stroke but has carbs not fuel injected. I would rather had FI but this came along and was a good deal. Bought it for about half of book value and have about 75% of book in it now.

Above is just thoughts of mine and things for you to consider when looking at others. Think about how you plan to use it and look for one that fits those needs. Also check out how much cost is to add items, Bimini tops etc, that you may need to add to one to make it like you want it. All that stuff adds up in a hurry.

Best of luck and be patient.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input! I agree, I would prefer a 4 stroke myself but im not against a 2 if the boat has what we need in other areas. I talked to the guy who owns the boat and the marina. He said they will service it and prepare it for summer and have it cleaned. The main thing I dislike about this boat is that since it was a rental there is no cover to go with it. That's a big expense so on the fence on weather to even go look at it (its about an hour drive). Wonder how low I could get him on the price though...:decision:
 
ahicks

ahicks

Captain
Joined
Sep 16, 2013
Messages
3,957
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

You're considering the potential for this boat to have a LOT of time on it, right? Have you considered having somebody, other than the owner, check out the engine for you?
 
bhudson08

bhudson08

Cadet
Joined
Feb 26, 2014
Messages
9
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

ahicks said:
You're considering the potential for this boat to have a LOT of time on it, right? Have you considered having somebody, other than the owner, check out the engine for you?
Click to expand...

Yes. If we go up to look at it and decide we want it, I would have it checked out by another nearby shop. There are several marinas just a few miles apart on this lake. I don't want to buy something that I could not use this season. I don't mind if I have to do some things to make it what we want but want something that can is safe and dependable at the same time.
 
BigDfromTN

BigDfromTN

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 16, 2013
Messages
268
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

bhudson08 said:
Thanks for the input! I agree, I would prefer a 4 stroke myself but im not against a 2 if the boat has what we need in other areas. I talked to the guy who owns the boat and the marina. He said they will service it and prepare it for summer and have it cleaned. The main thing I dislike about this boat is that since it was a rental there is no cover to go with it. That's a big expense so on the fence on weather to even go look at it (its about an hour drive). Wonder how low I could get him on the price though...:decision:
Click to expand...

Im with you on the 4 vs 2. Just like I settled for carb vs injected. The price was right.

As to a cover... IMO it is a must. I bought one from a supplier that I found on craigslist. They sell direct, and on Amazon I believe. Used it last summer and this past winter. It still looks fine and was not super expensive. Do some shopping on that too.

One other thing to negotiate would be in the "prepare it for Summer" package would be to have them change the water pump impeller as well. All good advice above.

Be patient, But also when you know the market and have looked it over good... Be ready to jump on one that comes along and is what you are looking for and good quality.

Best of luck!
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,581
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

BigDfromTN said:
Be patient, But also when you know the market and have looked it over good... Be ready to jump on one that comes along and is what you are looking for and good quality.
Click to expand...
Totally agree. I did a concentrated search for a couple months to get acquainted with prices. The one I bought was from a dealer. They had no price in their ad so when I inquired on the price they told me what it was and asked what i was willing to spend. Based on the ad, I knew exactly what I wanted to pay and stuck to my guns. I also knew that they had it on their lot for 5 months so I knew they were likely motivated to sell it.
 
lncoop

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

If you ever try to pull a tube or outrun a storm you won't like that one. Won't like it when you try to sell it, either.
 
ssoper

ssoper

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 14, 2013
Messages
35
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

Under powered. Go with a 90 4 stroke or bigger. Just my experience with having a 50.:facepalm:
 
F

fergusmj

Cadet
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
25
Re: Advice on first pontoon purchase

Good luck fellow Hoosier!

My wife and I were in the same situation as you this past fall. I ended up buying a tritoon chassis and am building the boat right now. Best of luck with either decision you go with. It is very easy to keep adding $1k to what you're willing to spend once you start seeing what else is just a little bit more $.

Here's a few for sale at one of the marinas near me. It's only a few hours from where you're at.

Tall Timbers - Tall Timbers

Tall Timbers - Tall Timbers

Tall Timbers - Tall Timbers

Good luck!
 
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