used pontoon boat/party boat

[suzieB]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

I just talked with the dealer. Here are his options:

22 pontoon (Aqua Patio) with F90 TLR Yamaha 29,600.

18 ft. Sundeck (?) with 115 HP 23,900.
(He insists it will hold 10 comfortably)

20 (Sundeck) with 150 HP 32,000.

My younger sister's concern was that if we buy a deckboat, someone will moor near rocks and cause damage to the hull. I think that's what happened before. The dealer said the rocks could damage a pontoon just as easily.

The four families using the boat won't be up there together but the boat needs to seat at least 10 people comfortably.

I agree with Incoop that a used boat is wiser. However, the two older siblings, want the most expensive boat, and have
said none of us can go up until the boat is there. Their actions have caused my younger sister to decide to opt out of the place and is going to sell her shares. Any opinions on the boats above? How do I find a solar battery charger and any idea how much they go for? Same goes for the cover but I'm wondering if it's not really easy to put on, people won't do it. I am so grateful to all of you.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Hopefully your younger sister will come back when she cools off. It's just a boat!!! Anyway, among those choices the "Fundeck" deckboat w/ the 150 hp motor is still your best choice for water sports. I'm surprised the 22 Aqua Patio twin tube barge is that expensive. Solar batt. chargers can be found on the internet. IBoats probably carries one. The dealer should be able to handle both the cover and batt. charger. Good luck !!!

 

[lncoop]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

The dealer said the rocks could damage a pontoon just as easily.

That's a very broad statement and is debatable, but let's say for the sake of argument it's true. The consequences of poking a hole in a toon are child's play compared to those of poking a hole in a glass hull, especially given the possibility of the booboo going undetected for a while. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, toons are aluminum and are hollow on the inside (most any way, definitely ask about it because some are foam filled which would be bad for you guys IMO), so there's no gelcoat to damage and no foam or wood to rot. Second, the toons are baffled, so if there is a leak not only will it be contained to one section, it will be much easier to find and fix.

So, I think given the circumstances everyone would sleep better with a barge in the slip. I vote for the 22 footer. Plenty of room, fits in the boat house, and enough power for skiing and tubing, and yes the deck boat will seat ten comfortably (thanks for coming up with a number by the way), but when people start getting up and milling around to get a beverage or more or less sun "comfortable" seating will quickly become cold comfort as you start bumping into each other.

As my buddy Rooster says, at that price the boat should come with a factory matched cover that won't be overly difficult to put on and take off. My understanding is that solar chargers are okay for maintaining the battery, but I wouldn't depend on one for recharging in less than 24 hours. Is there no power anywhere near the dock?\

Also, I think I've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. Do not buy a boat without water testing it first. Even if it's new this is the only way to know whether it will work for you guys.

 

[rschap1]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Sounds like a familiar question...
I currently have an Azure AZ220 AND a 22 foot Suncruiser 'toon with a 75.
I have a feeling when I lay down the law and force the family to choose one, we will find more hours have been spent on the toon.
Both have their merits, hard to deny the ease and open space of the toon; but the deckboat does haul and son likes it better for wakeboarding and tubing...
Seems like a question as old as the ages.
I was looking at a Sunsation Aggressor a few years ago and it was not as roomy as I thought. We were used to my Powerquest.
Seller stated the truth: No such thing as a perfect boat. Always going to do one thing better than the next and lack in another area. Too big too small too fast too slow too loud not loud enough

I enjoy the shopping
Good luck with your search

 

[Treker57]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

I just talked with the dealer. Here are his options:

22 pontoon (Aqua Patio) with F90 TLR Yamaha 29,600.

18 ft. Sundeck (?) with 115 HP 23,900.
(He insists it will hold 10 comfortably)

20 (Sundeck) with 150 HP 32,000.

My younger sister's concern was that if we buy a deckboat, someone will moor near rocks and cause damage to the hull. I think that's what happened before. The dealer said the rocks could damage a pontoon just as easily.

The four families using the boat won't be up there together but the boat needs to seat at least 10 people comfortably.

I agree with Incoop that a used boat is wiser. However, the two older siblings, want the most expensive boat, and have
said none of us can go up until the boat is there. Their actions have caused my younger sister to decide to opt out of the place and is going to sell her shares. Any opinions on the boats above? How do I find a solar battery charger and any idea how much they go for? Same goes for the cover but I'm wondering if it's not really easy to put on, people won't do it. I am so grateful to all of you.

It's starting to sound like your younger sister was giving the gift of common sense, good for her, if you have the money to throw at a new boat go for the most you can afford, just remember that it will probably depreciate 18%-25% the first year. The used route will lose less, much less. Go for the 20' Sundeck/150hp. You can get a solar charger from ********, but Amazon has the same for less, just make sure that it is the type that won't over charge you battery.As far as the dealer saying that 10 fit comfortably on the size boats you are looking at, well he must not know what comfort means, or he knows little people. I have a 21' SunTracker and I wouldn't want 10 onboard for long

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

As far as the dealer saying that 10 fit comfortably on the size boats you are looking at, well he must not know what comfort means, or he knows little people. I have a 21' SunTracker and I wouldn't want 10 onboard for long

Exactly. I'm OK with SIX adults on my 24', but I wouldn't want more than that.

 

[suzieB]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

I am so embarrassed to have to tell you this. Incoop, Trekker, and everyone else- you have been so generous with sharing your expertise and opinions. I had thought that once I had shared your advice, the boat issue would be settled and we could move on. Instead- the younger sister decided to sell her shares and the two older ones, followed suit. So- now they are putting the summer place up for sale.

I have learned so much from all of you and will save your responses for when my husband and I have to buy another boat. I hope that anyone purchasing a pontoon/deck boat will read this thread. Actually- it would be invaluable to anyone buying a used boat.

Thank you all so much- if you're ever up in Maine, you're always welcome here. Suzie

 

[The Rooster]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

I am so embarrassed to have to tell you this. Incoop, Trekker, and everyone else- you have been so generous with sharing your expertise and opinions. I had thought that once I had shared your advice, the boat issue would be settled and we could move on. Instead- the younger sister decided to sell her shares and the two older ones, followed suit. So- now they are putting the summer place up for sale.

I have learned so much from all of you and will save your responses for when my husband and I have to buy another boat. I hope that anyone purchasing a pontoon/deck boat will read this thread. Actually- it would be invaluable to anyone buying a used boat.

Thank you all so much- if you're ever up in Maine, you're always welcome here.

Suzie

So sorry it didn't work out suzie. Same goes for you guys if you're ever down our way.

 

[lncoop]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Well, I'm sorry it didn't work out susie, but it sounds like it was for the best. Thanks for letting us know. We were pulling for you. If y'all come down to lake Ouachita in August Rooster will let you use his jet skis.

 

[Todd4]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

WOW! What a turn of events. While following this thread I thought to myself, "Ya know, I'd never enter into a co-op agreement like this with my borthers and sisters. I know it would be nothing but continuous arguing and bickering". Sounds like your situation. No one's right or wrong here, each just has their own opinion, and if y'all can't come to an agreement, well............ Sorry you're losing your summer house, but maybe it's for the best - surely it has to be less stressful. If you're ever down Houston way, look me up - I'll take you out on a 22' tritoon w/ a 150. Now how do I get that free gas?????

Todd

 

[WaterDR]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

These arrangements can be very complicated. If everyone is not in alignment, they are difficult to work out.

Many years ago, we and two other families tried to buy a lake house together. The process quickly failed. The guys were all in alignment, but the women could not agree on anything. Glad we did not do it. We have also looked at buying a house boat with partners and have not been able to pull it off.

 

[treker]

Re: used pontoon boat/party boat

Sorry to hear the news suzieB, as others have said it may be best, but always feels weird when things can't come together, specially with family. If you and the family are down in VA give a call we'll take you all out. Just because the rest of the family backed out of the toon/deck boat doesn't mean that you and yours have to give up. Best of luck whatever you do.