Looking to buy pontoon, opinions needed

[tx_saluki]

All, thanks in advance for the help.

My wife and I have been searching for new and used pontoons for a few weeks and reading anything we can find on the forums.

After looking at a lot of boats, we think we like the manitou oasis angler or encore pro angler models. Unfortunately the closest dealer is 4 hrs away (without trailing, probably more with the trailer).

First question, is it worth being that far away from the dealer to get a manitou if it is the one we want. What issues will we have being that far away?????? What are common issues that you need to go back to the dealer for???? I assume we can get the motor serviced anywhere since it is not covered by manitous warranty, but can only get warranty service on the boat at the dealer.

Also, what are the opinions overall on the maintou boats. We plan on getting the VP package to give more stability and control and be easier to pull a tuber. Also want to be able to handle rougher waters of some of the bigger lakes in TX that have high winds and big boats.

What is a "good deal" price in Dallas,TX on a manitou boat. Specifically the 22' Oasis angler full front vs 22' encore pro angler full front. Both boats with 115hp motor, VP (tritoon) package, and tandem trailer. Want to stay as close to 25k as possible but not sure if this is realistic, not sure what MSRP is or how much dealers can come down on price. Also what is the best time to buy to get the great deal, end of summer, winter, boat show????????

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Looking to buy pontoon, opinions needed

I'll take a stab at a couple of your questions until others jump in.

I would certainly drive 4 hours to get the boat that I really wanted. I drove 8 hours to get the boat in my sig. You can expect little if any warranty work on most boats if you do a very good pre-sale inspection. And as you said, you can have routine maintenance done anywhere or you can do the job if you keep proper records. Of course warranty work will need to be done at an authorized repair facility.

You will have a nice package for rough water and tubing.

You can expect 10 to 25% off the dealers first offer depending on how hungry they are. And the best time to buy is the times you mentioned.

Good luck, welcome to the forum and please check back in to let us know your decision.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Looking to buy pontoon, opinions needed

When it comes to pontoons, you can research most of the major brands on BoatTest.com--after signing into their website. There is a difference in performance--they're not generic. I have found this to be a very good web site. Mercury and Yamaha also have good web sites with performance figures on pontoons.

Please be aware that a 115 hp may be marginal if you're wanting a true high performance tritoon with strakes--better suited to a 150 hp or larger. Also, the high performance tritoons usually just come in the most expensive models, and not everyone needs a living room on the water. The top level pontoons also have top level prices. A 22' non high performance (with two pontoons) and a 115 hp runs fine--at a price you can afford. I suggest you do an in water demonstration.

In the case of Manitou, they just have the one dealer in Dennison (Texoma Premier Boat 903.465.2628) and a dealer in Tulsa. You might be better served to hone in on more than one brand of pontoon boats--all comparable in quality--like Bennington, Premier and Harris? Another brand we're seeing quite a lot in the Southeast is Bentley--a good value.

The other option is to be looking for late model used pontoons on Boattrader.com, Craigslist and other boating web sites. Boattrader is showing 342 new and used pontoons within 100 miles of Dallas. EBayMotors.com is another place to look. It's not too hard to figure out who the dominant dealers are in your market and who's willing to compete for your business. Good luck!

 

[tx_saluki]

Re: Looking to buy pontoon, opinions needed

Thanks for the info on boattest. I have looked at the site but not signed in. I will need to take a closer look.

I am not looking for "high performance" necessarilly, which is why I am looking at the VP instead of the SHP line of manitou. Really wanting the third tube for more stability, load capacity, and better use on rough water. The lakes we plan on using mostly are home to many large boats (50-60' cruisers) and high winds, resulting in a fair amount of chop. Now we do plan on staying more in the coves and fingers off the main lake but want to be able to at least travel across the lake to get to other spots. Do you feel a twin tube 22' would still handle all of this, really looking for a smoother ride.

As far as used, I am >200 miles from Dallas, doing a search of used boats within 200 miles of Austin there aren't a lot of options. I have tried craigslist and boattrader, have not tried ebay motors yet. Also the prices being asked on the few that looked good to us were not a large difference from buying new and getting the warranty and exactly what we want. I am going to continue watching for quality used boats but so far I haven't found much in my area.

We have looked at Bennington and Bentley. The Bentley boat was not on par with the others. The fishing chairs were just screwed in. The bolts holding the deck to the crossbeams were missing washers on most. The weld joints were small and not great quality. Also the JD Power site shows Bentley as a 2 out of 5 overall. I just don't feel they have the quality for the price. Even Sweetwater (Godfrey's entry level boat) had a 3 out of 5 and except for 24" centers appeared better built, at least with more attention to detail than the Bentley. JMO though. The Bennington boats were very well built and nice, but I was not impressed with the dealer in our area. He was better than some but really had an air of my boats are best and if you want it pay for it. He wasn't very interested in dealing and was asking >30k for a 22SLi with trailer and 90hp motor. Just seems really high.

Really would like more info about the need of the third toon. I have read a lot and most say it makes a difference, but some seem to make it more than others. Also interested in the difference between 115 and 150, if most use is fishing, cruising and some tubing (no sking). Don't need a speed demon, really looking for the sweet spot of fuel efficiency and reasonable cruisng speed (15 mph or so). With ability to get faster if necessary (<30).

Thanks for the input, keep it coming.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Looking to buy pontoon, opinions needed

I would go for the tritoon instead of 2 toons. I believe Manitou has .100 thickness on their 3 toon boats which is really good. I think the 115 hp will be an excellent choice and as others have said, you rarely take a toon back for service.