Need help on possible purchase

[btcruzr]

I am looking at a 2006 Avalon Paradise 24' triple with a 3.0 Mercruiser. I just saw it and it's in pretty good shape. My main concern is the 3.0 , I was wondering if anyone has this set-up ? I don't know if the 135 horse (right?) is going to be enough. I was hoping for at least a 4.3, if I went I/O. Also, there is no cover, probably $1200+ for a new one. It was shrink wrapped ( old and torn open), so I couldn't take too good a look at things. Can anyone with this boat tell me how you access the engine, with it covered, I couldn't open up the popup. I'm assuming open that and then the back deck opens somehow. It comes with a triple bunk trailer, so thats good.They are asking $18,000 which is below NADA. It's a bank repo on consignment, I'm thinking maybe going $14,500 and seeing what they say. Probably NO, it was just dropped $5 or $6,000. Thanks for any input.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Need help on possible purchase

Have it checked out by a marina before you buy it, bank repos are touchy and you can get burned pretty easy, if they didn't pay for the boat they probably didn't take care of it either, not always the case but the logic works.

Also if it wasn't winterized properly it is toast, worth the money to have a pro look at at then you know for sure what you are getting.

As far as the brand Avolon is a very good boat and would seem to be pretty high quality, 135 is certainly adequate for a 24, a 150 would be better but that should do fine.

The price is what it is and all they can do is say no, I have never worried to much about low balling people and you never know, like I said all they can do is say no but certainly have it looked at or walk fi they won't let you, if the block was frozen and cracked you are looking a huge money to fix it.

 

[btcruzr]

Re: Need help on possible purchase

Thanks 5150abf. I definitly plan on having the engine checked,at an independent shop-not theirs. I really don't want to buy without a sea trial, but in northern Ill. that won't happen for awhile. The tubes are in great shape(visually-will pressure test to 200psi, just kidding), no lifting strakes, too bad. Also has underskinng, which is a plus. A little body damage -front starboard corner cap cracked, rear port frence panel has damage to the corner. We keep the boat on a lift at Lake Geneva, Wi. I'm sure you've heard of it, if not familiar with it, it gets pretty choppy. That is why I've been looking for a "tri-toon", should handle the chop better than our 20' bow rider (I go out 6'2'' and come back 5'10").Still would like to hear from an Avalon owner about the changing room, sundeck, engine access.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Need help on possible purchase

I agree with all that 5150 suggested. I/O access on any toon is gonna be tight, but the good news is that service should be minimal. The 3.0 has an excellent reputation for reliability and it's been around forever, so if service is nessesary it will be easy to find. Have the engine and drive checked out throughly and you should be fine. 14.5 is a good starting point.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Need help on possible purchase

You will love the ride of a toon, we have company boats on a smaller local lake that gets tore up in the summer, constant 3'
-4' chop and the toons just skate right over it where as you said, a mono hull will snap your back.

Add all the room and the comfy furniture and they really are the do anything boats.

 

[btcruzr]

Re: Need help on possible purchase

Thanks, I appreciate all the help. Rick, that was something I was concerned about. I'm not familiar with the 3.0 at all, glad to hear good things about it.We had a pontoon(2 tube, small old 40 hp) 10 years ago, I loved it, family not so much, wanted a go fast. Kids are grown, so now it's back to something we can enjoy. That is why I'm trying to find a triple. As everyone knows, finding a used 3 tube with decent hp at reasonable price is like hitting the lottery. I would still like to see any pictures anyone has of an Avalon's pop-up , engine pod, etc. Thanks.

 

[Cubbyblue22]

Re: Need help on possible purchase

I've been on Lake Geneva, WI plenty of times and a couple times on a bowrider....even a 17' bowrider and my god that hurts. It's a beautiful place and a great lake but it's one of the choppiest lakes i've ever been on. A triple toon will def. help you, as for me I will never ever take any kind of bowrider on that lake ever again lol. I really wish they hadn't closed up chucks either but it's a really beautiful place.

 

[btcruzr]

Re: Need help on possible purchase

Hey Cubbyblue, guessing you've been to Wrigley a few times too. Yeah, I love it up there - been going 50+ years now. Back on topic, I was showing SWMBO the Avalon- HOLY CRAP- no way, doesn't want pontoon I thought it would be perfect for us, shows you how much I know. I thought she had liked our old one. She doesn't tow, drive or fix the boats, just lounge. She says it's TOO open Enough ranting, time to go back looking at glass Thanks to all for the help.

 

[Cubbyblue22]

Re: Need help on possible purchase

Yeah you gotta remember, they may like lounging but it must be in style. When your on Lake Geneva you don't look like any of the rich fancies (as i like to call em) with a pontoon boat. If you don't have a small yacht or 25 foot bowrider your trash pretty much. Sad since it's such a beautiful place but I've run by the snobs plenty of times. So lounging is nice but you gotta look in style. If not just head over to Lake Delavan where it's not so choppy and you can take anything out on the water without any looks . As you can tell that's where I go haha