Avalon Pontoons

[dockwrecker]

Went to the local boat show and had to pry my wife off of a 27' Avalon Ambassador pontoon. I had NO idea she would ever take to a toon! The factory rep had his little video running with a claimed speed of 45mph !!!????with a Yamaha 250 hp. It was a triple log with kitchenette, sunbeds, snap in carpet, etc etc. Anyone have one of these or know much about Avalon? The thing was drop dead GORGEOUS which up until yesterday I would have thought impossible for a toon to be. Twern't cheap either at 70K with a trailer. I've never had a toon but this thing's got me thinking. Any advice?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Avalon Pontoons

Pontoons are great, they really are a do anything boat and you will love the ride, you go thru rather than over waves like you do in your current mono hull boat.

I have had a toon out in 2'-3' chop and run wide open and the ride was really smooth, you would be getting beat to death in a conventional boat.

Tons of room and you can tube or ski, they do it all.

I have heard the name but never knew much about them so I went to there site, apparently they have been in buisness for 40 years so that is saying something.

Of coarse if you are actually thinking about getting one it might pay to shop around and see what others have to offer, there are several top line companies with really nice boats in that price range or below.

Pontoons aren't pontoons anymore, they used to be movable docks but now with big engines and other improvement like chines you can get them that actually bank hard into turns.

 

[glrichards]

Re: Avalon Pontoons

They are good boats I have had 4 of them all were very good look good built well and hold their value.
They make all price ranges of boats from under 10,000.00 to over 100,000.00.

 

[Dkrager]

Re: Avalon Pontoons

I have a Tahoe pontoon, same company as Avalon. (Kind of like Chevy and GMC)

I kind of have a step just above their entry model, nothing near as fancy as that one. I did have one problem with transom deflection, but it was covered under warranty. Other than that, we love the boat.

 

[Slow Rider]

Re: Avalon Pontoons

We bought an Ambassador last year (July 2010) and LOVE IT. the dealer (granbury, Tx) was awesome. We have a few modifications done - specially designed hard top and also FULL teak decking (which is now an option!) Also put on a potty and made one side of the front have swivel chairs instead of another lounger. The Avalon people were terrific too and were very open to all our special requests!
we have had tons of compliments on the boat and lots of "stares" on the lake. This is a very heavy boat though since the metal on the side is basically car metal. We have a 225 on her and are able to tube and ski, no problem.
i highly recommend this boat! we used to have a cruiser on a deep lake, but the lake we boat on now is shallow, so when we saw this, we ordered it without even seeing one on the floor (they didnt have one anywhere).
We have had alot of people and parties on this boat, esp evening cruises as the LED lights on it are very cool.
So, go for it, you will not be sorry!

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Avalon Pontoons

Dockwrecker, if you've never owned a pontoon boat then perhaps you should rent one at a nearby lake or seaside resort. Make sure you rent one that is 24' or longer since that one you are looking at is a 27 footer. Most of the rentals may still be two-log models, and 3-log models will give you a much better handling experience. That sure is a beautiful boat.

 

[Tallykenj]

Re: Avalon Pontoons

I also have a new Avalon 27' Ambassor and love it....so does everyone that sees it. I upgraded from a 23' Suntracker Party Barge a month ago. My new boat has a Mercury Verado 250...crazy to think a pontoon would have such a large engine but I love it.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Avalon Pontoons

Dockwrecker:

The price quoted is pretty serious money, and Avalon dealers are few and far between in the West. There's the one dealer in Utah and one in Idaho, as most of their dealer base is "back East."

There's no substitution for competition to bring prices down to reasonable levels. I would suggest you try to locate other comparable luxury pontoon brands (Harris, Bennington, Manitou and others) to see if there are any other competitive dealers in your vicinity.
See TandMMarine.com for Tahoe/Avalon prices (Grand Rapids, MI). They have a 24' Ambassador in stock with a Merc 250 Verado and trailer @ approx. $62K. A comparable 29' Tahoe Grand Elite high performance tritoon is about $10K less.

Good luck in your search.