Re: Consumer Report - Best Engine ? Best Pantoon Boat?
Aloha55,<br />A little more details on my experience.<br />2002 was the first year for the Smokercraft 8522 Paradise and I found a number a niggling little problems, more quality of workmanship than quality of material and design. <br />I also had one big problem with the port pontoon that was taking on water and with a full load of family and friends the boat tried to imitate the Titanic. Very scary.
<br /><br />My dealer "Upper Canada Marine" has gone the extra mile and serviced me 110%. When I was finished with the boat for the season, he picked it up and is shipping it back to Smokercraft for them to look at the problems, fix and make whatever upgrades they have for 2003. They will store the boat and then deliver back in the spring at not charge to me. Both he and Smokercraft have been very apologetic and want me to be a satisfied customer.<br /><br />The things I like about the boat:<br />1. The layout with three sun loungers and a sun deck.<br />2. High quality materials throughout.<br />3. Great dash and gauge package.<br />4. Built in ladder at the rear.<br />5. Lot's of well thought out storage, coolers.<br />6. No wood in the seats.<br />7. Aluminium skin underneath, life time guarantee on floor and pontoons.<br /><br />Things that could be improved:<br />1. Not great access to the motor.<br />2. The behind dash wiring is a "rats nest"<br />3. Even with the bigfoot there are times the motor cavities, however, this may have something to do with the water in the pontoon.<br />4. The Bimimi top brackets are strong but roughly finished. I have seen boats with plastic hinges and brackets that will break after prolonged exposure to the sun. My boat especially the rail top brackets are made from aluminium "U" channel which are strong but look like they were made by the apprentice as the edges are roughly ground and in places sharp.<br /><br />The servicing of the 4 strokes on pontoons can be a problem especially if you don't have a trailer. I found that I could back the boat up to my EZ floating dock to check the oil and valves. To change the oil I tilt the motor up and the lower unit slides on top of my dock. I then put a container under the drain plug to drain the oil.<br />BillP, The new Merc's have a large 1" oil fill plug so you don't have to put it in the dip stick.<br /><br />I find the gear shift on my motor is very stiff even after 70 + hours compared to my 2 stroke. The dealer said that the larger motors have a "shift interupt" switch which helps, but you some times have to realy yank on the control to get it out of gear.<br />Peter
