used pontoon boat/party boat

[lncoop]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

My jetski is a 2 seater that has a 90hp engine. I picked it up for $1500 and it goes 0-45 in about 5 seconds. It has a tow hook in the back and has more than enough power to tow tubes and skiers. Best of all it is fun.

Suzie, this is definitely a viable option for you guys, but investigate it carefully if you decide to pursue it. Some states have specific laws regarding tubing, skiing etc. behind jet skis. By the way, you may have told us already, but how many do you typically expect to have aboard the boat?

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Here is a nice 1998, new looking, 24' Pontoon boat with dual axle trailer and the works. Click on this link, http://greenville.craigslist.org/boa/2945626960.html

 

[lncoop]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Pretty sure she's in New Hampshire Bubba. Wouldn't swear to it, but I believe I remember reading that in previous posts.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Incoop,
Opps!!! didn't know that.

 

[suzieB]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

I wrote to the Craigslist person who was selling the boat. I didn't receive a response. I asked your questions- could we have a test run, could we have someone inspect it, etc. Should I assume that the answers were no and keep looking? I don't know how Craigslist really works. I am fed up with the whole thing.

 

[suzieB]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Just found this one. What do you think?

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/boa/2953299872.html

 

[a1nowell]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

$15,000.00 too much for a 12 year old boat.

Just my $.02

Larry

 

[lncoop]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Well, with three toons and a 200 horse Opti it would definitely work for water sports. That's a fairly early version of the Optimax design I think. Not saying that's a bad thing necessarily, but you should ask about it over in the Merc section. Start a thread that reads something like "2000 Model Opti, Good Motor?". That should get the attention of the guys who know and they can hopefully tell you whether there are any major issues indemic to that vintage Opti. If you don't get helpful responses in a couple of days PM faztbullet and ask him to take a look at your thread. He's forgotten more about Mercs than most of the rest of us ever knew. As for the boat, it's kind of hard to tell anything from the photos and description. Price might be a tad high since she's twelve years old, but I'm basing that on my market, not yours, so YMMV. In any case, that configuration would come pretty close to meeting all your needs, and pretty close is as close as a boat comes to that. Ask them for better pics, ask them how firm the price is (without expecting any specifics), ask them how many hours (not miles) are on the motor and when it was last serviced (including what was done), and ask them if there are any issues that you should know about before coming to look at it.

Also, you might take a look at this. Some have found it helpful I think. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=430030

One more thing. In your area you should have no trouble finding a marine surveyor to help you demistify the process. The good news is there's a whole lot less to go wrong with toons. With the exception of the motor's guts and that sort of thing most everything is right there in plain sight, so hidden issues are less of a concern. Good luck suzie. We're pulling for you. I'll keep my thoughts to myself about those who are unwilling to help.

 

[Treker57]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Here's one
http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2922372241.html

 

[suzieB]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

I'll keep my thoughts to myself about those who are unwilling to help.[/QUOTE]
Your thoughts can't be any worse than mine!

Here's the latest option: http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2960270244.html

I sent an email asking how old is the motor, when was it last serviced and why, can we have the motor inspected and can we have a test run. When the picture showed 90 hours, was that for the motor?

 

[suzieB]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Treker- that boat looks great. I'll call tomorrow and try to ask good questions. It's hard asking questions when it's obvious that I don't have a clue about boats or motors. Thank you all so very much.

 

[Treker57]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Being on consignment there my even be some wiggle room on the price but I wouldn't push it too hard. here are a few basic thing that you can ask

What year is the boat motor and trailer? Don't assume if its a '06 boat that it has a '06 motor.
How long have you owned this boat?
Why are you selling the boat? This is a fair question, If the individual is buying a larger boat why isn't he trading it in? Very often its because the owner has an inflated opinion of the value of the boat and is unwilling to trade it for a fair value.
Does this boat have a hour meter? If the answer is no then forget all the assurances of low hours
Are you the first owner? If you have an original owner, you can trace the entire mechanical history of the boat.
Has the boat ever been wrecked or had structure work?
Has the motor ever had major engine work, and when? You want to know the history of the engine. If the answer is yes find out when and by whom and ask to see the receipts.
Do you have written service records available for viewing?
Will we have access to a water source when I come to look at the boat? A hose and water source are needed to properly evaluate the motor.
Will I have an opportunity to lake test the boat? If you can't drive it don't buy it.
Will you insure that the batteries are fully charged if I come to check it out?
Also condition of interior, orginal carpet and vinyl or has it been replaced

 

[lncoop]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

+1 for treker, and that boat could be a really good fit for you guys. I asked this once but don't recall an answer; how many do you typically envision aboard? It appears to have plenty of room, but you want to be sure you don't end up bumping into each other when someone gets up to get a beverage, etc. Boat buyers often underestimate how much space they'll need. Don't make that mistake. In any case, that one's a strong contender. I know dealers here won't take a consignment rig unless the motor is reliable (based on their testing not the seller's opinion), so ask them about their policy on that. Could give you some peace of mind. I'd definitely want a survey on that one though. Too many potential issues since it's a glass boat. Looks nice though. Good find treker.

 

[Treker57]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

I know that looking for a Pontoon, Car, Truck, House can start to drive you a bit looney. I don't know how many V-hulls, deckboats, and toons I looked at before I bought our 2000 Tracker PB. There was a boat at a marina that I personally talked to the people, that said that the boat was in great shape, my son and I drove 5 hours round trip to look at a pile of crap. I even when to the marina office and asked them if they could show me something in poor condition. I found our current toon by accident, went to have lunch at a marina at Smith Mountain Lake (we had been there, wife and kids, looking at boats) before the family headed home and I continued my search. Saw a small for sale sign for covered slip 23, went to the slip, toon was covered called the owners to ask if i could uncover it and look at the toon. As long as I cover it back up the way it was it's okay. There was not one dent anywhere, carpet was 9 years old but no stains not one, the seating looked new. Called them back and said I would buy the toon on the spot after a test drive. They said that another person was coming down on the weekend to look and that I would have to wait, thought for 2 maybe 3 seconds, told them I would give them 500.00 more than they were asking. They called the other person and asked if he could match the 500 if not they were going to sell. I think that the other guy that was to come down, thought that this was a ploy to get more, he said he didn't think that they could get the extra 500, and if they could to go ahead and sell it. Boat test-Sold. Now this is no speed demon, but didn't want to sink alot into something, until I was sure the family would appreciate it, I know that if I need to get my money back out that won't be a problem when we go larger. The other guy drove down to the lake the next weekend thinking the toon would still be there, well so was I, I think he was in trouble, wife seemed really pissed. Anyway 6500.00 for the toon and trailer may not have been a steal, but don't think it a bad deal

 

[suzieB]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

I received this response from the owner of the following boat: http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2960270244.html
Bruce Phillips brucemphillips@comcast.net
4:52 PM (19 hours ago)

to me
The boat is 24' seats 15 people or 2050lbs the motor and boat are 2005. the motor is serviced every spring and fall the oil, fuel and lube. there is no trailor but i could deliver it 25 miles.
#4854337
Bruce

Our house is about 37 miles from Epsom. Should I follow up with questions? I'm contacting my cousin who has a house near Treker's boat to see if he knows someone who could check it out.

 

[lncoop]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Nice boat, but seems a little high without a trailer. Again, that's based on what I see around here. Prices can really vary with respect to geography. I'd probably keep an eye on it and see if the price drops. Also, if you haven't already go ahead and call the dealer on that deck boat. Even if you can't go look at it you can find out a lot just by talking to someone there. For starters, ask them what their standards are regarding consignment boats.

 

[Treker57]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Suzieb, incoop is right, not being rude but that price seem high for no trailer, and even if the trailer was included it still seemks a bit much( isn't that a scissor trailer). If you haven't checked out that deck boat that I posted a link to I give them a shout. Unless the dealer wants this deck boat to leave the state, as incoop said, they usually check things out pretty good before they hang their name on a sale, specially if it is going to come back and bite them, a bad rep will spread faster than a good one. You had mentioned water sking and such and the deck boat is better suited for that

 

[Jeanne95]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

If by "similar", you mean about 20', you will want about 150 HP to pull skiers, more is always better.

 

[Treker57]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

If by "similar", you mean about 20', you will want about 150 HP to pull skiers, more is always better.[/Q

More horsepower is always better but "suzieb" as a budget to work within, and with the family not offering much help in her quest to satisfy their needs we here are just trying to give her a little direction. The 115hp on the deckboat is a lot more useful to her than the same hp on a pontoon. Earlier in this thread watersking, tubing, and booze cruise has been mentioned and a deck boat is what they had before her search began. It is also hard to find a good mix sometimes ie: good outboard, good hull, good condition. In my quest for a boat one I found was a Fisher toon with a fairly new 150 on it, but the toon had been in a slip(in the water) for 18 months with no cover. Like I said had a really strong outboard

 

[suzieB]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

I wrote a post with questions for you and just realized that it didn't go on here. I give up. If anyone has the time, could you check out the used boats at this place: http://www.rockinghamboat.com/used-boats.php?pageNum_usedBoatFind=1 Is there anything worth pursuing? That is the store that sold my parents their boat and they stored the boat each winter. Also- finally, a relative is willing to help. My cousin said he could go look at Treker's boat in Moultonboro this weekend. He also said he knew a guy at a marina who could check it out for us. Thanks-