Need Advice

[new-toon-boater]

Please don't flame me but I am confused. I have pretty much made up my mind a pontoon is what I need. This is going to be on Lake Anna. We have a 26' slip for the boat to go in. The reason I was thinking about a deck boat was we have a young son and want to give him the opportunity to wake/board ski when he grows-but this can be done behind a toon as I found out from research. I am going to the Fredricksberg Va boat show and we are thinking a new pontoon. It will be for 65% cruising/playing and 35% fishing (I think). From what I have been reading BENNINGTON and Manitou are the best...not sure if we can swing the cash for that. If there is any help you could provide that would be most appreciated....what I know about boats is what I have been able to research on the net-of corse that is not always good as I know.

 

[dockwrecker]

Avalon toons blow away any Bennington I've ever seen perfor
nance and finish-wise. Have a look at those if they are available in your area.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: Need Advice

Make sure the boat you are looking at has a rope tower to hook your tow rope up for tubing/wakeboarding. They are very expensive to add on later as aftermarket. Make sure you buy enough motor with 90 hp being the absolute minimum, you would be much happier with something in the 125-150 range for tubing/wakeboarding though.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Need Advice

Welcome to the forum. I don't think you'll find any modern toons that are poorly built these days. Benningtons are top of the line, but most aren't that far behind. As important will be determining the features, layout, twin or triple tubes and engine. All the modern outboards, 2 or 4 stroke, are good reliable powerplants. A good, close, friendly dealer is a big plus. Have fun shopping for your new toon !!!

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Need Advice

When you go to the boat show scout out the one you want Ask questions about pontoon boats in general, then on the last day of the show go back and make them an offer on the one you liked the best. Boat dealers hate to take boats back to there dealerships.They may even through in some extra goodies. Let us know how you make out.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Need Advice

Just make sure whatever you get is though bolted, both the deck and rails, it makes for a much stronger longer lasting boat.

Alot of places screw the deck and rails on and it just isn't as good, it is faster and cheaper to build but isn't as good of quality also make sure it has M style brackets, they have 4 points of contact with the tube and again make the boat stronger.

Most people spend all thier time looking at the furniture and the stereo but don't be afraid to pop your head under the boat to see how it is built, there are huge differences there but they all look similar standing on the deck.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Need Advice

There are many great brands of top line boats--Harris, Premier, Bennington, Manitou, Tahoe. There are also many great boat brands that are simply less expensive, but still of adequate quality.

I personally don't desire to have a pontoon boat with nicer furniture than my house. Those seats might make you have to mortgage the wife and kids--or, work until you're 75 years old before paying off the boat.

What I'd like is a 22' high performance tritoon boat (with lifting strakes), a 150 hp 4 stroke engine, and a high quality trailer with 4 surge brakes for a very fair price. Heaven's know what a 24' Premier or Bennington spec'd like this would cost with a 250 hp motor--$60K?

 

[new-toon-boater]

Re: Need Advice

There are many great brands of top line boats--Harris, Premier, Bennington, Manitou, Tahoe. There are also many great boat brands that are simply less expensive, but still of adequate quality.

I personally don't desire to have a pontoon boat with nicer furniture than my house. Those seats might make you have to mortgage the wife and kids--or, work until you're 75 years old before paying off the boat.

What I'd like is a 22' high performance tritoon boat (with lifting strakes), a 150 hp 4 stroke engine, and a high quality trailer with 4 surge brakes for a very fair price. Heaven's know what a 24' Premier or Bennington spec'd like this would cost with a 250 hp motor--$60K?

The best I will be able to do is 45K so I rather get a Toyota with the options needed than a stripped down Mercedes. At the Fredricksberg boat show I think they will also have Aqua Patio, Senpan, Sweetwater...and probably others to look at.

 

[new-toon-boater]

Re: Need Advice

The best I will be able to do is 45K so I rather get a Toyota with the options needed than a stripped down Mercedes. At the Fredricksberg boat show I think they will also have Aqua Patio, Senpan, Sweetwater...and probably others to look at.

I have been looking online at a lot of pontoons...I probably have gotten myself more confused but I will see what dealers are at the show. This boat will be in our boathouse on a covered lift so don't have to worry about a Marina. I know some dealers will be there...Harris is one I know for sure...but I think there will be many others....Is it better to buy directly from a dealer as opposed to going through a Marina? I have looked at leaisurekraft as Blank-N-Ship has posted but my wife was not impressed....I don't know if they will be at the show or not but will take a look in person if they are there.

 

[Blank-N-Ship]

Re: Need Advice

...Is it better to buy directly from a dealer as opposed to going through a Marina? I have looked at leaisurekraft as Blank-N-Ship has posted but my wife was not impressed....I don't know if they will be at the show or not but will take a look in person if they are there.

I doubt if we'll be at that show, given our scheduling. And personally, I'd cut out the dealer entirely if you're anywhere near the manufacturer. With the manufacturer, you cut out unnecessary delays, you get the straight story (and not a rehashed version), etc. Just seems like an easy way to save $10,000 or more... or to get more boat for your $45k.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Need Advice

Check out Sweetwater's web site. They have a 22' tritoon with a 115 hp Yamaha for $22K plus setup, delivery & taxes. It's a nation wide sale, and looks to be a pretty good deal.

 

[new-toon-boater]

Re: Need Advice

I got a quote for a new 25' Premier Alante over 57K...ugh....if that is the best they can do I will have to look elsewhere

 

[new-toon-boater]

Re: Need Advice

Question of the tri-toons which do you prefer (Like class say Manitou Oasis style)
Berkshire
Premier
Manitou
SanPan
I have heard good things about them all but just looking for people who have more experience with toons

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Need Advice

Question of the tri-toons which do you prefer (Like class say Manitou Oasis style)
Berkshire
Premier
Manitou
SanPan
I have heard good things about them all but just looking for people who have more experience with toons

They are all nice rigs. Berkshire/Southbay --- same company. No Manitou dealers down here. Too bad, nice barges. !!!

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Need Advice

Check out www.jcpontoon.com I believe they claim to be the oldest manufacturer of pontoons and tritoon boats.

 

[new-toon-boater]

Re: Need Advice

If price were not a factor which would you go with Priemier Sunsation PTX or a Manitou Oasis VP...engines are the same on both boats

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Need Advice

I went to the Nashville Boat Show this past weekend. All the premium brands of boats were represented, and many of the second tier manufacturers had their boats there. I was most impressed with the quality and styling of the Bennington--with the rear facing lounge seats. The interiors were also the most tasteful. Not to say that the Premier, Manitou and South Bays were not impressive--they were.

It all comes down to figuring out what you're going to do with the boat, how many people you'll be carrying, and how competitive your local dealer is with prices. For example, I'd pay more for a local dealer if he's been in business a # of years--for convenience. But, if the dealer is greedy on prices, I wouldn't hesitate to drive a distance to another more competitive dealer. I would also consider alternative competitive brands of boats based on price and dealer service--preferring to stay close to home.

That said, I would be buying a Bennington 22' SSL model boat today with a 150 hp motor. That's their least expensive model boat with the rear facing double bed. I would at least get twin 32" elliptical toons with strakes--their fastest hull. Their triple toon hull with strakes would also do the job--handling better than twin elliptical toons, but a little bit slower. Their truly high performance hull is great, but warrant a 200+ horsepower motor. But, it would be the way to go if the boat was used for pulling skiers--for the incredible handling.

Engines are difficult decisions. The 150 hp 4 stroke Yamaha is great, but I'm not so certain they'll come out of the hole like an ETEC or Mercury Optimax (2 strokes). Mercury's new 150 hp 4 stroke appears fantastic, and it's not quite as high tech or terribly expensive as the Verados. 4 strokes are so quiet at idle and running slow, but get loud at high rpms. If you run fast all the time, go with Mercury Optimax's which are 15% underrated on hp and value priced. If you're going to run slow most of the time--go Yamaha or Merc 4 stroke. I don't know if any boat 150 hp or more really could be considered as fuel sippers-2 or 4 stroke.

There was a distinct difference in quality between the premium toons and the second tier boats. The quality of the welds on the premium boats and the transom design/bracing was just so good. And, depreciation on the premium boats is so much better. The mid level boats are just not that much cheaper than the premium level boats. That's why I'm leaning toward Bennington with Manitou second.