pontoon prices

The Rooster

The Rooster

Ensign
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
936
Re: pontoon prices

It's just a couple of aluminum tubes and some plywood. These things are getting obscene, and prices for outboards aren't any better. :eek:
 
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lakegeorge

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Messages
660
Re: pontoon prices

The Rooster said:
It's just a couple of aluminum tubes and some plywood. These things are getting obscene, and prices for outboards aren't any better. :eek:
Click to expand...

i think that's why Bennington gives a good warranty, if they have a problem there's so much profit built in they can give you a new boat and still be ahead.lol
 
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Gvec

Cadet
Joined
Feb 24, 2013
Messages
6
Re: pontoon prices

Bamaman1 said:
I bought the tritoon, 150 hp four stroke in a 24' boat with strakes. It runs 40 mph, or about 3 mph less than the heavier 250 hp engined boats costing $10K more. My boat seems to be what's most popular at the present time, and it'll be the last boat I ever need to buy.
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Do you mind me asking what you paid for your boat?
 
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LakeTulloch

Recruit
Joined
Feb 9, 2013
Messages
1
Re: pontoon prices

Hello fellow Toon lovers. I am new to the site...actually have been in the background for some time reading all the posts.

I have owned many boats in my life, but recently decided to do a restoration of an old pontoon. I thought, how hard can it be? Well, it's very hard. I will be starting a new thread and adding pictures of my project.

I love cruising and partying on pontoons...After researching prices here in California, I couldn't agree more with all of you. These boats are completely overpriced for what they really are.

So, I bought my deceased friends old 28' party barge from his widow....look for new thread and pics. Love this site and all the great input.
 
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smclear

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
626
Re: pontoon prices

Yes, they are expensive. But as was noted earlier, they are priced at what the market will bear. Personally I think they're worth every penny (and then some). It's not as much a boat to me, but more a way to enjoy family and friends. My family spends every weekend at the lake and the pontoon is the most used boat. While on the pontoon, there is no TV, Video Games, Cell Phones etc. It is family actually having conversations and enjoying each others company. On the odd weekends when the whole family is not there, their absence is filled with friends. Add in that we've always kept our pontoons a minimum of 15 years and I'd say the expense is a "non issue".

Just my .02
 
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Cycleman07

Seaman
Joined
Sep 10, 2012
Messages
51
Re: pontoon prices

smclear said:
Yes, they are expensive. But as was noted earlier, they are priced at what the market will bear. Personally I think they're worth every penny (and then some). It's not as much a boat to me, but more a way to enjoy family and friends. My family spends every weekend at the lake and the pontoon is the most used boat. While on the pontoon, there is no TV, Video Games, Cell Phones etc. It is family actually having conversations and enjoying each others company. On the odd weekends when the whole family is not there, their absence is filled with friends. Add in that we've always kept our pontoons a minimum of 15 years and I'd say the expense is a "non issue".

Just my .02
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"smclear" I could not agree more. Well said.:thumb:
 
airdvr1227

airdvr1227

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Messages
1,666
Re: pontoon prices

I think you guys are missing a lot of particulars when it comes to building a pontoon. They aren't built in China, they aren't sold by WalMart, and 95% of it is hand made by US citizens. Last I checked employing citizens carries a ton of regulations and associated expenses. When I visited the South Bay facility they had a really cool plasma cutting machine. I'm sure that wasn't cheap. I won't even begin to try and explain how much expense there is on the dealer end. Suffice it to say the price really isn't out of line. Check the price on a 24' glass boat for comparison.
 
rogerwa

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: pontoon prices

What I have seen is the increase on the luxury and luxurious features of the boats. That adds significantly to the costs. If you look back 25-30 years, the boats were far simpler. As I referenced about my boat, the MFG I used produces a standard level and a luxury version. The fancier version is close to twice as much with the same underlying pontoons and structure.

I am sure the MFGs could produce cheaper boats, but my guess is that the demand for new is in the luxury class. Probably not as much demand or margin in the lower end.

Lets not forget that up to half of the cost is tied up in the motor, which is many cases is not domestically produced.
 
S

smclear

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
626
Re: pontoon prices

rogerwa said:
If you look back 25-30 years, the boats were far simpler.
Click to expand...

You can say that again. Here's a couple pictures (1960) of the first pontoon I can remember. I'm the little guy in the second picture (my brother's the captain).

first pontoon.jpgboat 1.jpg
 
WaterDR

WaterDR

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
730
Re: pontoon prices

Great pics!

BTW, I recently asked a pontoon rep at the boat show "who the heck has $100k+ for a pontoon boat?" For those that are not aware, you can spend 80, 90, 110k on a toon these days. His response was that some people are downsizing from their 300 to 1,000k boats and where else can you buy a boat that can go 50+ with 20 people for under 100k.....a toon. Now, if you have not seen one of these "super-toons" that are pretty amazing.
 
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