Premier or Suntracker?

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evilstepdad
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Premier or Suntracker?

#1 Post by evilstepdad » Thu May 15, 2014 10:41 pm

Well we have been looking and looking and have adjusted our sites and raised our money limit. We are looking at a brand new Suntracker 22 DLX fishing barge with 60 horse Merc for about $26,500 or a used 2008 21' Premier Cast Away with 115 horse Suzuki for right around $25,000. Both have dual axle trailers and a lot of the same stuff on them. The used one I would imagine comes with added items that have been put on over the years and hopefully other goodies :)

Your thoughts? I have read some and the Premier sounds like a good boat but I have not seen one in person but will this Saturday as we are going to check it out.

The Suntracker does have one advantage and that is Warranties that will come with it.

The Premier is skinned if that means anything lol we are new at this.

Thanks for any replies.

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rancherlee
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#2 Post by rancherlee » Fri May 16, 2014 4:07 am

I would put the Premier in the High end category and the Sun Tracker in the mid range catagory. I haven't heard a single complaint from a Premier owner and most of their lineup is built like a brick s-house except for the very bottom "value" toons. For the 25k they are asking you could probibly come close to getting a new one for a few grand more if you found a dealer with left over stock. Local dealer up here had a left over castaway 23' with 3rd toon and 150 suzuki for 32k
1988' Kennedy 20' "Haley's Comet"
Rebuilt 2016 with 25" single strake outer tubes and a 25x23" straked U-tube
2003 Suzuki DF140 - Yamaha 9.9HT kicker - 39.1@6300rpm

Bamaman
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#3 Post by Bamaman » Fri May 16, 2014 4:39 am

Later posting is being addressed by others.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

evilstepdad
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Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 8:50 pm

Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#4 Post by evilstepdad » Fri May 16, 2014 6:01 am

Thanks for your reply and it would be nice to shop with more cash yet but I am a working stiff and these boats are at our limit for price as we can go to $27,000. So of the two I mentioned any input of which would be the better value being one is used and 6 years older?

Thanks

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wijames
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#5 Post by wijames » Fri May 16, 2014 7:19 am

evilstepdad wrote:Well we have been looking and looking and have adjusted our sites and raised our money limit. We are looking at a brand new Suntracker 22 DLX fishing barge with 60 horse Merc for about $26,500 or a used 2008 21' Premier Cast Away with 115 horse Suzuki for right around $25,000. Both have dual axle trailers and a lot of the same stuff on them. The used one I would imagine comes with added items that have been put on over the years and hopefully other goodies :)

Your thoughts? I have read some and the Premier sounds like a good boat but I have not seen one in person but will this Saturday as we are going to check it out.

The Suntracker does have one advantage and that is Warranties that will come with it.

The Premier is skinned if that means anything lol we are new at this.

Thanks for any replies.
Take the advice of a tracker owner. The warranties are not what they are cracked up to be. Everything I've had go wrong with my tracker has not been covered by the warranty, including 3 bad ignition switches, broken railing parts and poor decking. I've had my tracker for three years now and when I meet with other tooners, it's very easy to see how much better most other brands are built than my tracker. Take the priemier in my opinion. Make notice of the max engine size rating on the tracker compared to other brands and it will tell you the difference in structural integrity. I wish I had bought another brand. Hope this helps.
Capt. Butch James - "Water and sunshine are the cures for all problems"

2015 Tracker Bass Buggy 16 w/ 40 hp Mercury four stroke

(old) 2000 Sylvan 20' Tritoon
(old) 1993 Tracker 30' Party Hut
(Old) 2011 Tracker Baby Bass Buggy 18

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jimrs
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#6 Post by jimrs » Fri May 16, 2014 8:04 am

I would have the Premier checked out by a mechanic or just plan on replacing the water pump, Pressure test lower unit, Tune up motor, and check and/or replace fuel lines. This unit should be a nice unit for you.

With the 115 h.p. it will run a little faster and be more forgiving on running wide open all day with the SunTracker.
2001 22' Tracker Regency (sold)
2001 Mercury 90 HP (sold)
Elm Grove, La
Lake Bistineau

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kryptonite
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#7 Post by kryptonite » Fri May 16, 2014 9:41 am

115 would be a better fit for that size boat. I think you would be disappointed in a 60hp on a 22'

But...... Check out the seats of the used boat. That is your biggest expense, besides the motor, that can be wrong. Make sure it hasn't sat out in the sun it's whole life.
2008 22' Tahoe Vista Elite Merc 75hp 4 stroke

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GXPWeasel
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#8 Post by GXPWeasel » Fri May 16, 2014 10:57 am

I'll agree with the others here, and say to go with the Premier. I have never owened either one, and don't know anyone personally who has, so I don't have a dog in the fight, so to speak. However, I'd take the one that sold for more originally, and ALWAYS take the bigger engine. How many hours are on the Premier???

Oh, and I don't think anyone else has answered your "skinned" question.

Skinned means that the bottom side of the floor joist (below the deck, and above where the pontoons are actually mounted) are skinned with a thin layer of usually, aluminum sheeting. This is done between the two toons (or 3 if a tri-toon) and it keeps the water from hitting the bottom side of the floor joist. This both keeps the floor more dry, and prevents a wave from hitting the joist, and slowing you down. I think some on here that have done this to their boat themselves, have noticed a measurable speed gain by "skinning" the bottom of the boat.


Good Luck.
"Nauti Weasel"
2005 Beachcomber Islander 26

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badmoonrising
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#9 Post by badmoonrising » Fri May 16, 2014 3:05 pm

I've owned 2 Trackers and haven't had any issues with either of them. In this case though, I'd go with the Premier with the bigger motor. 60 HP vs 115. I've heard a lot of people wish they had gone with a bigger motor, none wishing they bought smaller :rofl

Pontoons in general are all made about equal as far as build quality and components go. Most of the hardware are all made by the same vendors. Spme brands are more plush and cost more, but generally that's the only difference.

Lots of Tracker owners in here and haven't seen many that wouldn't buy one again. Tracker is a huge company that has remained stable in a poor economy while other smaller manufactures have gone out of business, gotten sold, liquidated, etc. There is no equal to a Tracker with aluminum Duradeck.

If you do go Tracker, it's best to buy from a private dealer and stay far away from Bass Pro Shops.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD

evilstepdad
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#10 Post by evilstepdad » Fri May 16, 2014 4:32 pm

Thanks for the input we appreciate it. Yes I have been told by a couple of dealers that when getting a boat size does matter the more hp the better.

Rascal
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#11 Post by Rascal » Sat May 17, 2014 12:40 pm

I closed on the sale of the Premier in my signature in December of 2013. It is a 2012 model with only 5 hours. A duel wheel trailer, Minn Kota 80 I-pilot trolling motor (for sale), Seastar power steering. 115 Honda engine. I added the day enclosure, Loan Star anchor winch and the fixed mount ipad. I paid $22,900. The dealer fixed the receipt so that I only paid sales tax on the boat & trailer. Not on the motor (I saved $600 tax). He had the boat/trailer loaded on the flat bed truck at no charge. Nice dealer in Twin lakes, WI

The Premier boat, motor and trailer was stored in the dealers show room and in mint "New" condition. The only negative is that I had to pay to have it flat bed truck shipped from WI to FL. The boat and engine have the remainder of a five year warranty left.

Is that Stealer is trying to get you to pay $25,000 for a 2008 premier? If he has a jar of Vasiline in one hand and you hear the sound of a "Zipper".... RUN Forrest RUN! Offer him 15K and come up to 18k at the most!

And, Friends don't allow friends to buy Tracker pontoons :nono

As Always.... IMHO,

Rascal
Fishing Year Round SW Florida
Gulf Coast & Pine Island Sound

Premier 22' 2012 Cast A Way
115 hp Honda, 15.5 x 13 prop
Sea Star Power Steering
Day Enclosure
Loan Star Anchor Winch
Fixed Mount ipad Air for
Navigation & Satellite Weather

evilstepdad
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#12 Post by evilstepdad » Sat May 17, 2014 8:01 pm

Lol don't worry to much about the vasoline zipper thing as my boss would get jealous. Do you think you stole your premier or is that an average kind of buy on these in that area? I hear pretty Good buys can be had in the Midwest and especially the south but not so much here in the west.

We went and looked at it and it is a very nice boat and we probably made a mistake as we now see the difference as far as build etc in the boats.

Anybody know where a one year old premier is sitting with 5 hours on it on the west coast for $22,900 we might be interested if things don't work out here.

Thanks for the reply

Ray Jr.
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#13 Post by Ray Jr. » Sun May 18, 2014 4:25 am

I know it aint on the west coast, but these guys do ship, and you can usually talk em down on the price, or get em to add in extras, to sweeten the deal.

2011 25ft. PREMIER Sunsation LTD/Performance Pkg. Mercury 90 Optimax. No trailer, new one available for $3,750. Beige/Red. Rates a 8.5 Cosmetically. 2 forward chaise loungers. “L” shape couch in the rear with easy one step pop-up changing room/storage. Performance Package has lifting strakes & underwater performance sheeting. This allows the pontoons to be lifted out of the water to decrease drag which increase speed and turn capabilities. Great set-up for entertaining large parties or tubing/wakeboarding/waterskiing. Full 3 year Mercury factory engine warranty. Rental #15. $26,995

http://www.winnisquammarine.com/?page_id=2253
Freedom Lovin' gun crazy Redneck
2010 Premier Sunsation LTD 225 PTX
2010 150 HP Mercury Optimax
got rid of POS 2010 Yacht club dual axle triple log trailer
now have a 2012 Shoreland'r dual axle triple log trailer, MUCH NICER

evilstepdad
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#14 Post by evilstepdad » Sun May 18, 2014 8:42 am

Thanks for the link. I guess I should have mentioned that it needs to be the fishing model of whatever we buy...my bad...

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badmoonrising
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Re: Premier or Suntracker?

#15 Post by badmoonrising » Sun May 18, 2014 9:23 am

Lots of Tracker owners on this forum haven't had any problems with theirs, just saying....actually users owning Tracker boats are the majority here, haven't been many make specific complaints since I've been here. :donno
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD

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