Buying lessons needed for nice pontoon
Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 2:41 pm
I have been lurking for a while and have read many many threads. Here is my dilemma....I have had 3 simple slow(2 crappy) pontoons. I also have a 20ft jet boat that goes 50mph. I have no problem getting rid of both of them if I can get a cool pontoon that gives me good speeds. What I want I won't pay for so I have to settle. Here are my options:
#1 - Custom built tritoon 25' on a South Bay Chassis. I know there are lifting strakes but no underskin of any sorts. It has a cool wake tower and lots of Grays/Silvers and Black( my perfect colors) the real bummer is that is has a 150Hp Mercury outboard on it. It also has a bar and 4 stools on one side of the rear instead of two seating areas. I don't need the bar and would prefer rearward facing lounges. The boat looks amazing and it is a new 2018 with new motor. No Trailer but I can buy this boat for $42,000
#2 - 2015 Harris Solstice DC250 tritoon - low hours - also Mercury 150hp motor. Not my favorite color scheme. Has dual consoles and windshield. Also no rear loungers. Seems to be a solid and very clean used boat. It comes with a float on trailer and I can buy for $40,000
#3 - 2014 Manitou Encore 25 SHP tritoon - Almost perfect interior layout. Hate the ugly dark brown interior since it does not go with the charcoal gray interior. It has a Yamaha Vmax 250hp motor and only 116 hours.
Good condition and no trailer. Did I mention I hate the brown...... No trailer Dealer was going to sell it to me for under $45000 but now wants to use it for a service loaner so I am not sure if I can still snag it or he is going to make me pay more. I really felt he was going to take my offer of $42000 but now not sure. Manitou seems to be my first choice for manufacture since they seem to have a good handle on sport packages for their toons.
Options #4 and #5 are high priced used ones and I really don't want to spend $55k-$65 for something used(or new for that matter)
The guys with the bigger motors are telling me that I am going to hate the 150 motor. The 150 motor guys my I will love it. The new custom built guy says I be able to do 40mph and the used private owner of the 15 Harris says 32-35 mph. I will be giving up my 50mph jet boat which I use for skiing, wake boarding and tubing. I have never gone faster than 18mph on a pontoon so I think I need 50mph but I might be happy with 35-40. Thoughts........ideas......suggestions or majority wins on my selection.
To make this all harder than it needs to be.......I am CHEAP. I own a small car dealership and hate to see things drop in value while I own them. Which one is a steal now and which one will depreciate the least? Snarky comments also welcom
#1 - Custom built tritoon 25' on a South Bay Chassis. I know there are lifting strakes but no underskin of any sorts. It has a cool wake tower and lots of Grays/Silvers and Black( my perfect colors) the real bummer is that is has a 150Hp Mercury outboard on it. It also has a bar and 4 stools on one side of the rear instead of two seating areas. I don't need the bar and would prefer rearward facing lounges. The boat looks amazing and it is a new 2018 with new motor. No Trailer but I can buy this boat for $42,000
#2 - 2015 Harris Solstice DC250 tritoon - low hours - also Mercury 150hp motor. Not my favorite color scheme. Has dual consoles and windshield. Also no rear loungers. Seems to be a solid and very clean used boat. It comes with a float on trailer and I can buy for $40,000
#3 - 2014 Manitou Encore 25 SHP tritoon - Almost perfect interior layout. Hate the ugly dark brown interior since it does not go with the charcoal gray interior. It has a Yamaha Vmax 250hp motor and only 116 hours.
Good condition and no trailer. Did I mention I hate the brown...... No trailer Dealer was going to sell it to me for under $45000 but now wants to use it for a service loaner so I am not sure if I can still snag it or he is going to make me pay more. I really felt he was going to take my offer of $42000 but now not sure. Manitou seems to be my first choice for manufacture since they seem to have a good handle on sport packages for their toons.
Options #4 and #5 are high priced used ones and I really don't want to spend $55k-$65 for something used(or new for that matter)
The guys with the bigger motors are telling me that I am going to hate the 150 motor. The 150 motor guys my I will love it. The new custom built guy says I be able to do 40mph and the used private owner of the 15 Harris says 32-35 mph. I will be giving up my 50mph jet boat which I use for skiing, wake boarding and tubing. I have never gone faster than 18mph on a pontoon so I think I need 50mph but I might be happy with 35-40. Thoughts........ideas......suggestions or majority wins on my selection.
To make this all harder than it needs to be.......I am CHEAP. I own a small car dealership and hate to see things drop in value while I own them. Which one is a steal now and which one will depreciate the least? Snarky comments also welcom