New to Pontoon Boats

[Bevo]

Greetings from Idaho..

We are taking the plunge into pontoon boats and are looking for a used pontoon boat. I have located a 17? Leisure Navigator at a local dealer. It is in good condition and comes with a 50 hp Mercury motor and Zieman trailer. The dealer has been around for years and is well trusted. The total package is going for approx. $14,000. I am not familiar with Leisure pontoon boats (or any pontoon boat for that matter) so looking for any suggestions, recommendations, etc. It will be used by my wife and I for slow cruises around a mountain lake and fishing. Thanks

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

Way too much money for such a small pontoon boat. Look on Craigslist, this site, and BoatTrader for used pontoons.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

17' barge with a 50? Yep, definitely way too much for way too little. Geography has a major impact on pricing, but not that major I wouldn't think. As Glide says, look around a lot, and don't limit your search to your immediate area. Many times significant savings can be realized if one is willing to travel a little.

 

[aspeck]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

Bevo, you didn't mention the year. How big are the toons? Any extras on it? Live well? Trollling motor? Electronics (depth finder, stereo, radio, etc.)? Life jackets, tubes, coolers? It might be just what you want and need, but unless it is a used this year's or last year's model with some special extras, they are asking too much money for it.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

More information would also help.

How many people do you intend to have on the boat on average. How many people max?
What is your primary need? Fishing, Cruising, Tubing or other water sports.

A 17' toon is on the small side of things. For the asking price you can fins a lot more boat for the money if you are shopping used.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

He did say just he and his wife cruising a mountain lake and fishing.

Year and trim level would be helpful, however, you can get a new Suntracker PB 20 with a 40HP 4 stroke for $14K, no trailer. A new 18' Bass Buggy with the 20HP OB is $10K no trailer. Unless that boat is new or newer and a very high trim level it's priced too high, at least for around here.

I know that other towable toys like 5vers and TT's are outrageously priced in California, people will go all the way to Illinois and Ohio to get a good deal. Could this be the same issue in Idaho?

 

[trout74]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

17' barge with a 50? Yep, definitely way too much for way too little. Geography has a major impact on pricing, but not that major I wouldn't think. As Glide says, look around a lot, and don't limit your search to your immediate area. Many times significant savings can be realized if one is willing to travel a little.

Truth! I have a Bass Pro right next to my house, and i was dead set on a 20ft.PB, but once you add in a dual axel trailer/ playpen cover/ and bump up the motor to a 75H.P. you are well into 20K+. I found roughly the equivelint for $4,000 less, but I did have to drive 6 hours north into Minnesota to buy it. But it was worth the $200 in gas.

trout

 

[Bevo]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

Bevo here,
The boat is a 2 I007. Pontoons do go for a premium in Idaho. A 2011 18' Bass Buggy with 40hp lists for 17K. A 20' PB is 21K. I hope to get it down a little more, but it is the price we pay up here. It does have a live well. Bevo

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

Bevo: I think most people on this forum would suggest you consider a 20' pontoon over the smaller sizes. They're worth the difference.

Now, as to the retail boat market. In these trying economic times, boat dealers and even quality boat manufacturers are dropping like flies. Idaho dealers are not in the drivers' seat in a buyers' market.

If your local dealer is unwilling to deal, get on Boattrader.com and EBayMotors.com to see if there are any late model used boats available. You can also use the internet to figure out who the "players" are in the marine world in the Northwest. Any good dealer will deliver the boat to you for $1.50 per mile. You can use another dealer's quoted price to deal with your local dealer. It's his choice to be competitive or not be competitive.

 

[Bevo]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

I took your advice and got several comparables (both new and used) and went to the dealer. The price melted quickly. I got $2,500 off the price, a two year warranty on the motor, a new mooring cover, a new battery and several other extras thrown in (a table, bumpers, fire extinguisher, and some graphics). I feel good about the deal (boat, motor & trailer) and it is going to fit my needs fine. It is being serviced now and I will be towing it to our cabin in about a week. It is smaller than most pontoon boats (17?), but it will be just my wife & I on a lake approx. ? mile long and ? mile wide with no place to go in a hurry. Thanks for your suggestions everyone and we look forward to starting our boating experience... Bevo

 

[lncoop]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

Good deal. Looking forward to pics of the maiden voyage. Pics of the maiden voyage are mandatory, you know.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

Does that have an aluminum deck? If so might be a great price. Would never buy another pontoon with a wood deck. Just sayin. Then if you are willing to drive might see what you could get one away from the area, say Denver, or even Lincon, Neb yes a drive but may find savings worth it. Take a vacation to look or pick up.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

Great choice for you two and it sound like the deal got a lot better. Enjoy your new pontoon!

 

[Bevo]

Re: New to Pontoon Boats

Greetings from the Lake,
Just a quick note that I am up at the lake for the maiden voyage and everything works great. Pictures coming soon. Bevo