Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

[riverbottomhunter]

I have figured out what I want out of my boat and think I have found 2 boats that can do what I want. These 2 boats sound alot alike and their price is pretty close. Each brand has a dealer within an hour of my house. Their warranties are even alike.

Out of the 2 brands, can someone help me out on which is better, the suntracker or the bentley? Ones Im looking at are 22' and would be pushed with a 60hp bigfoot.

Each dealer tells me theirs are great pontoons and are better than the other, but cant tell me why they are better? Sounds like suntracker has been around for many years, how about the bentley?

Any help would be great.

Right now the only difference I can find might be the dealership itself. One is at basspro the other a good sized private dealer.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

I have owned two Suntrackers and that is a Bentley in my Sig.

IMHO, both boats are about the same as far as quality. The Suntracker may hold a slight edge due to larger numbers and dealers.

The bottom line is that I would go with the one that you like the best and that you think has the best value for your usage.

You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

If you're going with any 22' pontoon boat, the 60 hp bigfoot is probably not enough motor. A 90 hp 4 stroke is by far the better motor size. Forum members often complain when they underpower their boats, and boat dealerships everywhere have 6 month old used outboards in stock traded back on larger motors. I personally prefer the largest motor a boat is spec'd out for.

Bentley is coming back into the retail market after financial/legal problems--with new owners but the same management. SunTracker has the most elaborate dealer network in the marine world, but they're never the cheapest boat around.

Dollar for Dollar: Bentley is coming on strong @ BentleyEncore.com. Their dealers are not handcuffed by Tracker's one price policy, and Bentley's dealers are often willing to sell reasonably to pay the bills.

Good luck. Sometimes, you've got to have an in water demonstration to make up your mind.

 

[riverbottomhunter]

Re: Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

We are going to look at both boats this weekend. Actually one dealer told me today that with the 22' pontoon he could only gain 2mph from a 60 HP bigfoot to the 90 HP. Said it had to do with the 90 hp weighing so much more than the 60 hp. Said he got 23 mph with the 60 bigfoot and 25 with the 90.

I wrote down so many figures after talking to the different dealers I have almost confused myself, but I think the Bentley was just a few $$ cheaper than the sun tracker after figuring in the trailer, prep, freight ect

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

I believe in more real world conditions with a load and bimini top opened up, you would see more like 5 mph difference. Good bit more displacement w/ 90-115 block vs. 40-60hp block. Good bit more torque for tubing as well, if you can swing the extra price.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

Rule number 1 when buying a new pontoon: Don't believe anything a dealer says. Do your research as you are doing now.

If you do mostly slow cruising then a 60 is fine but an almost universal theme here is to get the biggest motor that you can afford for a given size boat.

Good luck with your decision and make sure you keep us updated.

 

[Water logged]

Re: Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

If you plan on keeping the boat for a long time, the SunTracker is available with an aluminium deck. You would never have to worry about the deck rotting and needing replacement. The metal deck is not noisy and it does not get hotter than a plywood deck.

Glenn

 

[riverbottomhunter]

Re: Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

Both suntracker and bentley said they come with the wood deck and I think it was bentley, if not both have a lifetime warranty on the deck.

What really shocked me was when it was the dealer that told me I really wouldn't gain much at all by going with the 90 HP. I figured he would be trying to talk me into the 90 because it would be more $$ to them??? He told me he tested this out with pretty much a full boat.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

Don't know if it matters, but the 90 HP is made in the USA. They might get better pricing on the smaller motors, which are outsourced and no doubt have more profit margin. I think that the 90 HP would be a better match for the 22'er and would pull alot better with a few folks on board. What kind of price difference are they saying?

 

[riverbottomhunter]

Re: Suntracker Pontoon or Bentley Pontoon

UPDATE

My wife and I went and looked at suntracker, suncruiser and bentley pontoons today. They were all similar in many ways, including the price. The suncruiser ended up being about $1000 cheaper. On the other hand the Bentley and Suntracker dealer is over an hour closer to my house. I have talked with people I have know my whole life about the Bentley dealer and they had nothing but good things to say about them. They are a family run dealership and were very helpful.

In the end I think my wife and I agreed we are leaning towards the Bentley 22'. Got to wait till next spring to get one but we cant wait.