Looking for suggestions

[proudmary]

Looking at a 2000 PLaybuoy 18' pontoon with a Mercury 40hp two-stroke engine, sitting on a loadrite trailer. Everything is 2000 model year. Seller was asking 7500 but is agreeable to 5900. Boat is in great shape except for one seat needing attention - vinyl is cracked. I was ready to buy but have second thoughts about the two stroke motor. Wife and I just like to cruise around at slower speeds and I thought a 4 stroke would be smoother and quieter in those conditions. Any thoughts from anyone would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: Looking for suggestions

my two cents....If you just want to go slow should be fine....two stroke should not be loud as the muffler is underwater....40 is a small motor for a pontoon in my opinion but, it is just that an opinion. Also take the boat out and test it on the water and see how you feel about the sound.....I also think you should lake test before you buy so you know what you are getting into.....too loud,,,,not enough power,,,,,seats are not comfortable etc......

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Looking for suggestions

40 HP on an 18 footer is perfectly adequate. Up here in the tundra there are a gazillion 20 24 footer with 40 and 50 HP two strokes on them. Unless you are in a terrible hurry, that powerplant is just fine. Not buying a two stroke because of potential noise issue when you otherwise like the boat seems like a wasted opportunity. Those motors are very much in demand so if you really don't like it, sell it and replace it with a 4-stroke of your choice. My personal pontoon is an 18 footer with a 40 Suzy 4-stroke. Very nice combination.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Looking for suggestions

If you are looking for something to cruise around the lake an 18' with a 40hp will do you fine. If you plan to pull a tube you may be disappointed but you said cruise at slower speeds so I doubt that would be an issue. I like my 4 stroke because it is fuel injected and I don't have to buy extra oil but like Silver mentioned. If you like the Toon try it out. You can always re-power. I don't think anyone should buy a used boat without a sea trial. Take her out. If you like her buy her, if you don't keep shopping.

 

[Cubbyblue22]

Re: Looking for suggestions

If your just wanting to "cruise" around the lake and relax, an 18 ft. pontoon with a 40 hp. 2 stroke wont need to be at full throttle. So really once you get it on the water the noise level will be very minimal. So really you wont have any issues really with noise I wouldn't think. We have 20 ft. pontoons at the lake i fish at and they cruise around the lake not even at full throttle with the 9.9 2 strokes on those. 40 will be plenty and I think you'll find the noise level will be no problem at all.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Looking for suggestions

In this part of the country, that would be a good deal. For cruising, that motor will be fine. We wanted a 4 stroke for better economy and no smoke. That being said, I hear that by using synthetic oil, smoke is far less an issue.

 

[joebob14]

Re: Looking for suggestions

My pontoon is a 20ft with a yamaha 2 stroke 40 hp and top speed of about 18 mph. so if you just want a slow cruise a 40 is just fine. I wont deny the 2 stroke dosnt purr like a 4 stroke but unless I run wide open I can still have a normal volume conversation with anyone on the boat.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Looking for suggestions

Our Aqua Patio is 24ft with a 50hp Two Stroke. It GPS with two on board at 17mph. I didn't buy the toon for speed as we had a Four Winns Horizon 190 that ran 54 MPH GPS with two people on board 185hp I/O. Both boats are noisey WOT, so unless you go to a Four Stroke, you just learn to deal with it. At a slow cruising speed the Pontoon with the 50HP is fine. So I don't think noise should be an issue for you. If you like the Pontoon. Go for it. Price sounds fair. NADA Guides is a good place to get an idea about the price. Don't forget the motor and trailer are priced separate at NADA Guides.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Looking for suggestions

Sounds like a good deal to me. 2-Strokes have many advantages over a 4-stroke so I would never rule them out. They are lighter, require less maintenance and because they have so few moving parts will generally outlast a 4-stroke.
They generate more noise at low RPM's, but at high RPM's this disadvantage deminishes.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Looking for suggestions

Couple things:

1. Geography. Depending on where you are that price may or may not be a tad high. In my neck of the woods that's a $5k boat, but we may be a thousand miles (and a thousand dollars) apart. If you've looked at comps and they indicate that's a fair price then so be it.
2. Size. If you typically envision no more than six passengers and don't intend to frequent rough waters with lots of fast boats it will be fine. Otherwise you'll be unhappy with an eighteen footer.

If you're satisfied regarding the above and she checks out mechanically go for it. Should be a good boat. Keep us posted. Welcome aboard.

 

[mjc3834merc]

Re: Looking for suggestions

Up here in Minnesota that price would be about right. And if it's in good shape 5900 might be pretty good.

I have a trailer on a seasonal sight near Brainard, MN. For the first few years we had a boat and rented a pontoon when the Kids/Grandkids came up. They have three 18ft pontoons. Two with 25hp 2 strokes and one with a 9.9. The 9.9 was underpowered with 4 adults and a couple kid on board but the 25's were fine. We would cruise along the shore looking at the beautiful homes at about 3/4 and there wasn't anywhere on our 500 acre lake we couldn't get to in five or ten munutes wide open. Never remember engine noise being much of a problem. Now my little 16' Sylvan (a real sweetheart of a boat) is history and my wife has her pontoon. If you're going to use that pontoon for what it was made for you won't have any trouble with a 40hp 2 stroke.
Mike

 

[gilby1955]

Re: Looking for suggestions

i paid 4800 for my 18' Bass bussy, 2000 yr model with a 2001 model 75 on it, and it came with a trailor and trolling motor. I am in central NC. Prices will vary. I say one here in NC for about 5K andit was a 20'