Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

[cbowler]

Hi - My husband and I just went to the Minneapolis Boat Show yesterday and have narrowed our options down to 3 boats. I'd love some advice and feedback. Please bear with me as this is my 1st post on iboats.

A little background info: The boat is going to a very small lake in Wisconsin, will NOT be doing any skiing or tubing as we have a jetski that we use for that and it more than meets our needs, it is replacing a circa 1983 Aqua Patio that is on it's last legs. The pontoon will primarily sit at the dock and serve as an outdoor living room for hanging out, eating, playing games, and watching the kids while they play on the beach. We will generally take it out for an evening stroll (SLOW speeds) and will have anywhere from 2-12 people on it on a regular basis.

The 3 we are considering:
1) Bennington 24 SSRX for $27,990
2) South Bay 522RS for $26,400
3) Xcursion 23RF for $27,800

All 3 have a 50hp motor.

Questions:

1) Will the 50hp motor be adequate considering our slow speed use only and no towing? We currently have a 50hp on the 1983 Aqua Patio and it's totally fine.
2) Any big differences between the 3 makes? They all seemed to be the same level of quality and have similar warranties (within a year difference).
3) We know pretty much nothing about boats in general but from my brief research online I keep reading about these strakes. What are they? Would we need them? Seems like they might be needed for towing which we wouldn't be doing.
4) Which one would you pick?

Thanks for any and all help. We hope to make a purchase on Sunday!

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

Disclaimer - I sell Bennington boats in Ohio. I used to sell South Bay/Xcursion boats. I am a biased opinion. 1) As long as you aren't wanting to ski or tube the 50 should be fine. 2) Both are very good makers of pontoons with the edge going to Bennington. It's what isn't readily apparent in the manufacturing process that makes a difference. I guess I'm not surprised the salesperson didn't go through the examples. 3) Lifting strakes are designed to simulate planing on a pontoon. Your 50HP motor isn't nearly enough to worry about lifting strakes. 4) Why the Bennington of course . Re-sale value is better. Bennington owns 20% of the new pontoon boat market today. That means 1 in 5 boats sold new is a Bennington.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

I agree with airdvr. I would recommend getting a above average cover for it too. Since it's going to be docked most of the time, covering it will extend the life of the furniture and carpet and also cut down of fading.

Airdvr, Isn't Bennington floors made from something other than marine plywood these days?

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

We currently own a 2001 Fisher 24' pontoon I/O Model........ If i were to buy new one it would not be an I/O model and it would have to be a 75 HP outboard motor or bigger... The reason i say this is we sometimes Tube from the pontoon....get your 8 or so friends aboard and have blast for everyone.

Me and the wife were looking last year at the boat store at some new pontoons and the Bennington to me was by-far the better Macihine.
Anyway we didnt have the money and wishfull thinking is always fun!

Happy Boating and Enjoy your new pontoon

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

I agree with airdvr. I would recommend getting a above average cover for it too. Since it's going to be docked most of the time, covering it will extend the life of the furniture and carpet and also cut down of fading.

Airdvr, Isn't Bennington floors made from something other than marine plywood these days?

Still marine grade plywood....lifetime warranty. I've seen aluminum decks. They tend to flex which makes the furniture and carpet come loose, and they are loud... you hear every splash.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

I don't see where you can go wrong with any of the boats that you picked. If you keep this boat for as many years as the last one then I wouldn't worry about resale as none of them would be worth very much.

The 50hp will be fine. I would get the toons Sharkhided, it will keep them looking new for several years.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

All the pontoons you looked at are very well built. All are around the same price range. It's just up to you on how you will be using it, and the type of floor plan suits you. Get one, you'll enjoy the day. I like mine. 50hp will get you where you want to go and saves on fuel, 90hp or more will be needed if your pulling a skier or tuber. Go for one.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

Excellent advice above. As stated before, concentrate on the layout and colors you really like. One other thing, you didn't mention much about the motors, but if any of the rigs comes w/ a Mercury, I'd try to get one that was a "Bigfoot" edition. Basically, it has the larger, beefier gearcase/ lower unit from the 75-90-115 motor. It's a well proven combination and worth the upgrade. Good luck !!!

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

Our 18' Sun Tracker is used for tubing so I'll star away from HP and speed. If the boat is tied up at a dock, I'd go for an EXCELLENT cover, and consider a tarp on top of that. We also opted for Vinyl flooring instead of carpet. With kids and grand kids in and out all day, the vinyl floors are a lot easier to keep clean, and they don't get hot in the sun. Since you kept the Aqua Patio a long time, I wouldn't put much thoughts into resale

Use it, get it wet and dirty and have fun!!!

 

[Wet_Dream]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

We have a 2011 24SLi - similar boat to the one you are considering. Our purchase was a toss up between the South Bay and the Bennington. I liked both boats but I thought the Bennington was built just a little bit better. I went with Bennington and am happy that I did.

Shawn

 

[lncoop]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

Still marine grade plywood....lifetime warranty. I've seen aluminum decks. They tend to flex which makes the furniture and carpet come loose, and they are loud... you hear every splash.

Not that it really matters within the context of the conversation, but my Suntracker has an aluminum deck and I haven't experienced any of that.

 

[Water logged]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

Incoop, I think he's talking about a sheet alum or alum diamond plate when he talks about flex and noise. I don't think the extruded C channel planks on our SunTrackers allow for much of either. I know mine has a nice quiet ride, although I don't know if I could even spot flex.

Glenn

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

The Bennington you're looking at is the newest model they've put out, and the twin rear lounge seats are exceptionally nice. And you will not beat their 7 year warranty and resale. Bennington is truly a customer driven company, and it shows up in their taking the highest market share.

It's no question--go with the Bennie.

 

[cruzin24/7]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

We bought an Xcursion RF with a 115merc. last year and we love it!! The only down side is i went with the 115 instead of the 150.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

We bought an Xcursion RF with a 115merc. last year and we love it!! The only down side is i went with the 115 instead of the 150.

Good choice cruzin, Enjoy it

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Help! 1st time pontoon buyer with several questions

I would second the 50hp Bigfoot.