Barletta vs Sweetwater

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robburns76
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Barletta vs Sweetwater

#1 Post by robburns76 » Wed Sep 02, 2020 9:41 am

we are looking at purchasing a new pontoon next year. we are just afternoon/day trip family that goes to local lakes. will be crusing, wakeboarding and tubing with teenagers. looking at a 22' tritoon (with dual bimini, in floor storage, ski tow bar and hook 2/5 depthfinder). the local barletta dealer prefers yamaha where the Sweetwater dealer likes Mercury.

is bareltta really worth the extra? for a similarly equipped toon they are about 10k more than the Sweetwater.

There are a couple of packages from Sweetwater we are looking at. which options are worth the $?
Sweetwater now has an impact package (29" center 27" outer) which is $1k more than the gtp (27"center and 29" outer.). i'm guessing this is an easy yes.
RGB lighting (interior, exterior and underwater) - $1300 - we don't normally stay after dusk but adding this later would be a major PITA I think.
150hp is std, 200 is a $4300 upgrade, 225 is $6400, but 250 (boat max) is $10,300. I'm thinking of the 225.
Hydraulic steering is required. is power assist worth another $1200?

Are there any other options that we should get as well?

we obviously want to spend as little as possible but also dont want to regret not getting some options or doing it right the first time.

jediger
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#2 Post by jediger » Wed Sep 02, 2020 10:41 am

My opinion on the rgb lighting is that if your not a night boater its probably not worth the money. I've had both and don't miss it at all!

The 225 sounds like a nice compromise between power and budget

I really like our hydraulic steering. Your mileage may vary. Test drive if you can

I regret carpet and would go with the woven underpadded vinyl if doing again.

My favorite feature on the boat is our swim platform on the back. Awesome for waterworks, swimming, and fishing. I really wish we had another 8" of deck in front of the fence up front but we make it work.
Pinawa Bay, Manitoba
2014 Premier Cast-a-way 231, PTX; 2014 Evinrude 250HO ETEC

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steve1313
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#3 Post by steve1313 » Wed Sep 02, 2020 11:17 am

I have a Sweetwater and have been super happy with it. It's a good combination of features at a fair, value engineered price.

I have a 150 and had them upgrade to the power assist steering (from the standard hydraulic steering). It make steering the boat a 1 finger operation and to me it was money well spent.

I did a DYI of some RGB lighting strips under the seats. It wasn't that hard, but in hindsight it was a waste. We do stay out after dark sometimes, but I rarely remember to turn on the lights! LOL.

As far as Yamaha vs Mercury, they are the two most popular brands so you won't have trouble finding service. IMO neither brand is significantly different or better than the other.
Steve
"Serendipity" - 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tritoon w/ 150HP Yamaha
Slipped at Lake Anna, Virginia
Primary Residence: Richmond, Virgina
Lake House: Lake Anna, Virginia

Steiner
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#4 Post by Steiner » Wed Sep 02, 2020 12:11 pm

I'm surprised Steve didn't mention adding the turbo swing.

Is it worth $10k difference for the same functionality? Absolutely not to me. That's not just $10k on day one, that's $10k extra in insurance coverage and around here would be another $400+ a year in property tax plus every time something happened to it a "You know how much this mutha***** cost???" tirade at $10k higher on the scale.

BTW, the I4 F200 is only a couple grand more than the F150 and would use less gas than the V6 200 which I think is what they were quoting plus it's lighter....although it requires 89 to make an honest 200 but that's not a problem around me. Can't find a pontoon test but in the performance bulletins on Yamaha on an identical Hurricane the F200 I4 got about 15% better economy a topped out 1mph higher than the V6 200.
2019 G3 SunCatcher V322 SS tritoon, Yamaha F200
2019 F-150 XLT SuperCrew FX4, 3.5L EcoBoost Max Trailer Tow Package

robburns76
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#5 Post by robburns76 » Wed Sep 02, 2020 3:16 pm

thank you all for the comments it really helps.
i was going to mention the turboswing but forgot. it is in the planned list since we are going to tube and SW doesn't rate their "ski tow bar" for tubes, only ski/wakeboarding.

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steve1313
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#6 Post by steve1313 » Thu Sep 03, 2020 2:58 am

Steiner wrote:
Wed Sep 02, 2020 12:11 pm
I'm surprised Steve didn't mention adding the turbo swing.

LOL! :rofl Are you suggesting I might have mentioned Turboswing a time or two?
Steve
"Serendipity" - 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tritoon w/ 150HP Yamaha
Slipped at Lake Anna, Virginia
Primary Residence: Richmond, Virgina
Lake House: Lake Anna, Virginia

Steiner
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#7 Post by Steiner » Thu Sep 03, 2020 3:42 am

steve1313 wrote:
Thu Sep 03, 2020 2:58 am
Steiner wrote:
Wed Sep 02, 2020 12:11 pm
I'm surprised Steve didn't mention adding the turbo swing.

LOL! :rofl Are you suggesting I might have mentioned Turboswing a time or two?
Ha ha! Well yeah but also because I finally saw one and they look damn nice. Little rocket ship in our campground. Doesn't look bigger than 18' with the contoured body that looks like fiberglass and a 150 on it.
2019 G3 SunCatcher V322 SS tritoon, Yamaha F200
2019 F-150 XLT SuperCrew FX4, 3.5L EcoBoost Max Trailer Tow Package

Bamaman
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#8 Post by Bamaman » Fri Sep 04, 2020 4:57 pm

Let me just say the dealer's upcharges for 200-225-250 hp motors are very high. The 1200 for power steering assist is very reasonable, and I assume it's for Mercury's unit.

The SeaStar power steering assist is pushing $3K with labor/installation.

The upcharge for Yamaha 150 to 200 hp should be about $2800. And the 200 hp requires p/s assist.

I suggest an in water demo of the 150 hp to see if it meets your needs. My F150 is now 8 years old, and it's been flawless. And it's been plenty powerful for my needs.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

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Liquid Asset
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#9 Post by Liquid Asset » Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:06 pm

I second the power assist. Never thought I would want it but now that I have it I'm spoiled. It's no longer an option not to have it lol. My boat is only 22' so it feels like driving a go kart with the power option!
2018 Tahoe ltz elite windshield powered by a 175 Mercury verado with sea legs
Rebuilt custom 20' 1983 riviera cruiser tritoon SOLD

2017 crew cab F-350 gets me to the lake !

robburns76
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#10 Post by robburns76 » Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:33 am

Thank you all for the helpful info. I can't wait for the boat show in Jan to purchase.

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steve1313
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#11 Post by steve1313 » Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:58 am

If you have a dealer in mind, check with them now. This is the time of year when they are putting in their 2021 orders. The more they commit to, the better deals they often get. So it's to their advantage to know now they have some (or at least one) more boats sold prior to placing that boat show order. You might be able to lock in better than boat show pricing now!
Steve
"Serendipity" - 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tritoon w/ 150HP Yamaha
Slipped at Lake Anna, Virginia
Primary Residence: Richmond, Virgina
Lake House: Lake Anna, Virginia

robburns76
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#12 Post by robburns76 » Fri Sep 25, 2020 6:20 am

steve1313 wrote:
Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:58 am
If you have a dealer in mind, check with them now. This is the time of year when they are putting in their 2021 orders. The more they commit to, the better deals they often get. So it's to their advantage to know now they have some (or at least one) more boats sold prior to placing that boat show order. You might be able to lock in better than boat show pricing now!
Steve,
Yeah, i have spoke with the local dealer a couple of times, he recommended waiting until dec/jan for best pricing.

Steiner
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#13 Post by Steiner » Sat Sep 26, 2020 5:33 pm

Last year when I had my Godfrey dealer quote one, he said the best thing to do was quote before they started building the next year model because the manufacturer had been going up on list price at least 5% every year. Therefore, his price would have to change based on what the manufacturer was charging. He said he'd been able to get "newer" models built as a outgoing year. This happens around July/August I think. I think I quoted early July and he said my price would change in a few weeks.

BTW....are there ANY good prices AC, After Corona?
2019 G3 SunCatcher V322 SS tritoon, Yamaha F200
2019 F-150 XLT SuperCrew FX4, 3.5L EcoBoost Max Trailer Tow Package

Bamaman
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#14 Post by Bamaman » Sat Sep 26, 2020 10:37 pm

robburns76 wrote:
Fri Sep 25, 2020 6:20 am
steve1313 wrote:
Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:58 am
If you have a dealer in mind, check with them now. This is the time of year when they are putting in their 2021 orders. The more they commit to, the better deals they often get. So it's to their advantage to know now they have some (or at least one) more boats sold prior to placing that boat show order. You might be able to lock in better than boat show pricing now!
Steve,
Yeah, i have spoke with the local dealer a couple of times, he recommended waiting until dec/jan for best pricing.
If that dealer goes to a Fall order writing meeting and gets an especially good deal thrown at him, have him go ahead and order what you want then.

Often dealers will receive $1K to $2K in free options if they do their part to fill up the manufacturer's production slots. The supply of boats is going to be different in 2021 when the supply of components gets back to normal.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

robburns76
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Re: Barletta vs Sweetwater

#15 Post by robburns76 » Mon Sep 28, 2020 5:46 am

Thanks for all the info. i've contacted them and we'll see where it goes :)

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