What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

[emoney]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but when you posted the additional photos, you mentioned that it's been "winterized" are you saying for this season, or just in years past? I'm asking, because if it's been done now, what's the plan for taking the boat on a sea trial? If you're getting steered in the "can't sea trial it because it's already been winterized" direction, I'd say you need to cool your jets just a bit. I would not buy at $12k boat without being able to put it through it's paces and spend at least an hour on the water. Some issues will NOT show up unless on the water. Plus, what's to say there's not a problem, and you won't find that out until next Spring? I can assure you that the boat is definitely yours and not the sellers responsibility then. Just a caution and hopefully you meant in years past and you can, in fact, take the boat out when you go to look at it. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Imago]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but when you posted the additional photos, you mentioned that it's been "winterized" are you saying for this season, or just in years past? I'm asking, because if it's been done now, what's the plan for taking the boat on a sea trial? If you're getting steered in the "can't sea trial it because it's already been winterized" direction, I'd say you need to cool your jets just a bit. I would not buy at $12k boat without being able to put it through it's paces and spend at least an hour on the water. Some issues will NOT show up unless on the water. Plus, what's to say there's not a problem, and you won't find that out until next Spring? I can assure you that the boat is definitely yours and not the sellers responsibility then. Just a caution and hopefully you meant in years past and you can, in fact, take the boat out when you go to look at it. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts... much appreciated. The fellow just had the boat winterized at Alexander's, and I spoke with one of the owners, (a very nice lady) where she said the boat was run from it's mooring over to their marina by their technician, run for for 1/2 hour, fluids changed, lower leg oil changed and engine fogged for the winter. She assured me the boat ran very well and had no issues, or the technician would have mentioned any, which he did not. I'm reluctant to run it again now that it's been winterized..., or is that a bit too trusting? Here's a photo of the only damage I could see in the photos which the owner said he has now straightened. Look for the red arrow. I don't think it's anything too serious, but...?

 

[lncoop]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Unless it's been shrink wrapped it wouldn't be a huge deal to go ahead and water test it. The motor will look like a fog machine at a rock concert when started, but other than that there should be no issues with running it now. You could offer to pay the marina for their trouble if you decided not to buy it.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Value of 2006 Crest II Tritoon with 115 Mercury 4 Stroke and Another...

Re: Value of 2006 Crest II Tritoon with 115 Mercury 4 Stroke and Another...

That's a great idea. The boat is at Alexander's Landing, Buckeye Lake Marina in Millersport, Ohio. I believe the owner when he says the interior is like new, but the damage to the trim above the pontoon on the left front, (you can just see it in one of the photos) and the corrosion on the pontoons and motor from sitting in the lake for 6 summers had me a bit concerned. Thoughts? This is my first pontoon... is that corrosion hard to remove?

The pontoons are aluminum. Aluminum will discolor in water as the metal corrodes to aluminum-oxide. Aluminum-oxide is very resistant to further corrosion. In short, it acts as a protective layer to prevent further corrosion.

 

[emoney]

Re: Value of 2006 Crest II Tritoon with 115 Mercury 4 Stroke and Another...

Re: Value of 2006 Crest II Tritoon with 115 Mercury 4 Stroke and Another...

You can answer your own question by asking the Marina if they will warranty the boat come Spring time. Obviously they won't, and shouldn't be expected to, so you really need to take the thing out. I'm not saying nor implying the owner is being less than honest, it's just not smart on your part to "assume". You know how that always works out. If he's got the boat for sale, he should know someone is going to want to water test it.

I've bought boats that I went in assuming were project boats and didn't water test, but would never buy what I assume is a "water ready" boat without confirming it's so. Like Incoop said, it's not like you're asking him to reroute the Ohio river. I'm not sure why he went ahead with winterizing if he knew you were potentially interested in buying it?

 

[Imago]

Re: Value of 2006 Crest II Tritoon with 115 Mercury 4 Stroke and Another...

Re: Value of 2006 Crest II Tritoon with 115 Mercury 4 Stroke and Another...

You can answer your own question by asking the Marina if they will warranty the boat come Spring time. Obviously they won't, and shouldn't be expected to, so you really need to take the thing out. I'm not saying nor implying the owner is being less than honest, it's just not smart on your part to "assume". You know how that always works out. If he's got the boat for sale, he should know someone is going to want to water test it.

I've bought boats that I went in assuming were project boats and didn't water test, but would never buy what I assume is a "water ready" boat without confirming it's so. Like Incoop said, it's not like you're asking him to reroute the Ohio river. I'm not sure why he went ahead with winterizing if he knew you were potentially interested in buying it?

Confession and update time!

I have to admit bought the boat without test driving it after driving from Saskatchewan to Ohio last October and speaking with the technician who winterized it. Believe it or not, my wife and I got it into the water only for the first time on Wednesday, the day before yesterday. It started and ran perfectly and we couldn't be happier. She didn't want to go back to shore, so I think we'll have much fun with this rig. Thanks again to everyone for their advice and assistance!

 

[colbyt]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Thanks for the update. I was at the bottom of page one when I noticed the dates and was wondering if I was going to be left hanging.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Good story and Great ending. Enjoy your toon.:thumb:

 

[Water logged]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Congratulations!! Glad to hear that everything came out in your favor. It's always nice to hear a story with a happy ending.

Glenn

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Yeap, Congrats!! to you on your pontoon boat package. Yeap, when I bought my pontoon boat, used not brand new, I drove from Scott AFB Illinois to the Lake of the Ozarks, in Missouri and if I remember correctly was a three hour drive one-way so I drove 6 hours round trip. I still own it today and it was well worth the trip to get her. I cannot wait to take her out again to enjoy the water with her and my family.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

I have a 24.3 StarCraft, 2007 with a 90 two stroke Merc.Limited edition ,Two tables, Bimini top Fish/depth finder. dual anchor's, Seats 14 people with a 2006 5starr trailer Tandem wheels ,brakes on front. For $10,500 I'm looking for a smaller center console boat about 18 to 20 ft. same size motor.

 

[Imago]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Now I need opinions on a propeller. The one that came with the tritoon, (115 Mercury 4 stroke) is aluminium, and may not be optimal for my 26 ft. tritoon.

Any thoughts on a SS prop?

I can get a new Mercury Vengeance 14 inch by 12 pitch RH stainless prop with hub included, Model 48 17312A46 for $200.00. Would this be a good choice?

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

For $200 it is worth a shot, Heck I'll buy it from you if it doesn't work out.

 

[Imago]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Now I need opinions on a propeller. The one that came with the tritoon, (115 Mercury 4 stroke) is aluminium, and may not be optimal for my 26 ft. tritoon.

Any thoughts on a SS prop?

I can get a new Mercury Vengeance 14 inch by 12 pitch RH stainless prop with hub included, Model 48 17312A46 for $200.00. Would this be a good choice?

Well, I bought the stainless steel Vengeance 14" diameter X 12 pitch for $200.00, (the original was an aluminum Black Max 13.75" diameter X 15 pitch) and tried it out today.

WOW!!!

The old prop wouldn't let the motor rev over about 4000 rpm and it got up to maybe 18 miles per hour. I checked the Mercury website, put in my parameters, and purchased the recommended SS Mercury Vengeance prop, 14" X 12 pitch and the Crest tritoon today went to 5800 rpm WOT, (wide open throttle) and hit 40 KMS per hour on my GPS. That's 25 miles per hour!

Needless to say, I'm impressed. I could tell the difference right away. Throttle response was crisp and immediate, it got up on plane quickly and got to it's top speed in a very short time.

For those thinking their boat is sluggish, rpm won't max out or top speed is wanting, I really recommend checking out the Mercury propeller selector web site. It did wonders for my tritoon and I couldn't be happier!

 

[Imago]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Well, I bought the stainless steel Vengeance 14" diameter X 12 pitch for $200.00, (the original was an aluminum Black Max 13.75" diameter X 15 pitch) and tried it out today.

WOW!!!

The old prop wouldn't let the motor rev over about 4000 rpm and it got up to maybe 18 miles per hour. I checked the Mercury website, put in my parameters, and purchased the recommended SS Mercury Vengeance prop, 14" X 12 pitch and the Crest tritoon today went to 5800 rpm WOT, (wide open throttle) and hit 40 KMS per hour on my GPS. That's 25 miles per hour!

Needless to say, I'm impressed. I could tell the difference right away. Throttle response was crisp and immediate, it got up on plane quickly and got to it's top speed in a very short time.

For those thinking their boat is sluggish, rpm won't max out or top speed is wanting, I really recommend checking out the Mercury propeller selector web site. It did wonders for my tritoon and I couldn't be happier!

I was wondering if there are opinions about how fast this boat SHOULD go? I think 25 mph is pretty good, but what do others think?

 

[Jim Koochiching]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

I was wondering if there are opinions about how fast this boat SHOULD go? I think 25 mph is pretty good, but what do others think?

Assuming you got the Crest tritoon, those are regular round toons and it's still using the 115hp motor that speed sounds impressive from what I've been reading. If they were special planing toons (with strakes or some other design change) then maybe 5mph faster.


Very minor point but that's a half enclosure, not a full enclosure as I understand the term. To be more clear, it's a half enclosure and the other half is a playpen or mooring cover. A new high-quality full enclosure might cost $4,000 and would cover bow to stern and use two bimini tops. A new half enclosure might cost $3,000.

 

[Imago]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Assuming you got the Crest tritoon, those are regular round toons and it's still using the 115hp motor that speed sounds impressive from what I've been reading. If they were special planing toons (with strakes or some other design change) then maybe 5mph faster.


Very minor point but that's a half enclosure, not a full enclosure as I understand the term. To be more clear, it's a half enclosure and the other half is a playpen or mooring cover. A new high-quality full enclosure might cost $4,000 and would cover bow to stern and use two bimini tops. A new half enclosure might cost $3,000.

Thanks for the input. I think 25 mph is a respectable speed. It is a tritoon with the Maurell "Tapertoons" which I think start at 24" at the front and increase to 26" at the rear. I don't know if that design allows it to go a bit faster, but it seems to allow it to sit fairly level in the water both at rest and on plane. We had my 85 year old Mom on it the other day... she said, "I never thought I'd live to see the day"! Much fun.

 

[Imago]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

Any opinions on using muriatic acid to clean the crud off the pontoons? I was thinking of diluting it 50/50, spraying it on, leave for 5 minutes and washing off with a power washer.

It seems to be the active ingredient in some of the commercial pontoon cleaners. Other active ingredients include sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid which I don't think I'll mess with. Gloves, goggles and a respirator are definitely in order.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

50/50 muriatic acid is too much acid. A 10% solution is what they clean bricks with.

Why don't you go to a dealership and get the aluminum cleaner at a boat dealership. Or, go to NAPA and pick up some of their aluminum cleaner. Some people use air conditioner coil cleaner which also works fine.

You just spray these cleaners on the boat with a pump up yard sprayer (outside), and flush it off with clean water 5 minutes later. If not clean, apply the pontoon cleaner again--and flush after 5 minutes. They work well.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: What Do You Think of the Value Now with New Photos?

I have a nice 24.3 limited Ed StarCraft Pontoon boat I'll let go for $9,500.It's an 07 with an 06 5 starr tandem wheel trailer with serge brakes on the front. I just got the trailer inspected for two more years. It has a Bimini top ,changing room ,seats 14 people and a 90 hp Mercury two stroke engine.So far this year we have only used it three time's ,all this month. The engine runs great.