Shopping for my first pontoon boat

[tooned_in]

Well I am still on the hunt. There has been basically nothing available all winter that fits what I'm looking for. It seems to be either brand new or near new or 15 year old junk. I'm hoping that things pick up in the spring when folks go buy new boats at put theirs up for sale.

I started to temp myself into financing a new boat because it almost seems like getting a good deal on a new one might be the only way to find something that isn't junk. But besides the boat payments I'm sure all the other hidden costs like insurance and registrations,etc go up. Plus since I am brand new to boating I'd really rather get something used to try out rather than spend a lot of money on a boat and find out that it just isn't for me or that I didn't buy the right boat. But it is tempting because credit is so cheap right now. I was thinking about looking into a HELOC to finance a boat and make that interest tax deductable!

But for now I'll continue to try to find a decent used boat.

[OK Toon]

Definitely be checking the dealers right now as they are finishing up their boat shows. They sell a lot of new boats at the shows and that's when current owners are trading in their old boats for these new ones. And yes, I'd recommend getting a used boat as your first one for a couple of reasons. 1) To make sure you and your family like it as much as you think you will, 2) To let you find out first hand what works for you on that boat with regards to set up or motor size.

I had never owned a boat when we bought our first used boat 3 years ago. We have discovered that we LOVE pontooning. But now I know what I'd like in our next boat (when we budget $35-40K) vs our first boat that was 10 years old when we budgeted $10K for it.

[tooned_in]

Hello all,

Well I finally bought a boat. I got a 2007 Manitou 20ft Oasis with 50 Hp Mercury Outboard. Here is the listing with pictures.

http://www.rochestersportscenter.com/ne ... ov=4218287

It is in very nice shape. It was sold on consignment. It was owned by an older couple who were too old to use it anymore and according to the dealer there were a couple years that they didn't even put it in the water (but who knows). Either way it looks like its in nice shape. It has a full mooring cover. No trailer but the boat shop will put it in the water and pull it for me for $80 so that is better than owning a trailer.

It only has the 50 HP motor and I know that lots of folks thought I should get a 90 HP. But its my first boat and I understand that we'll have to upgrade if we want to do any water sports on it. And our lake really isn't that big.

So I offered $10,750 for it. They countered at $11,500 and I accepted. I think the asking price of $13,900 was high, but still feel like I got a decent price. What do you all think?

I found that it was really tough to find a decent clean boat in my price range of $10k. The boats for sale were all either late model in the high teens and low 20's or they were $5k beaters that I wouldn't pay $2k for.

[robertm]

As long as you, and more importantly the wife, are happy with the deal then that's all that really matters. It sure looks like a great boat though! Enjoy the summer and all that lake life has to offer

[curtiscapk]

Wow she is clean! Good find and price I think! Now read here for what you need for equipment.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15862&hilit=+boat+hook

[tooned_in]

As long as you, and more importantly the wife, are happy with the deal then that's all that really matters. It sure looks like a great boat though! Enjoy the summer and all that lake life has to offer

Ha, thank you and right you are! My wife probably would have paid full price. She just wanted to get on the water. And she really liked this boat.

I'm happy enough with the deal. It was over budget but only a little bit and I really wanted to have a boat that we'd enjoy spending time on and NOT another project to deal with (i.e. I really need to replace or repair xyz). I have enough projects at home and wanted to make sure this would be 100% fun so I didn't want a project.

We hope to get it on the water by this Friday if everything goes according to plan. If I'm unable to get my safe boater certificate in time (which I of course should have done in advance!) then my neighbor will help me take delivery.

[Flattop]

Very nice boat! Congratulations!!

[ron nh]

Nice, looks like it in great shape,clean.

[MoeHoward]

Looks like your patience paid off! Nice!

[ROLAND]

Congrats on the new toon... she looks great.... now go have some fun!!!

[tooned_in]

Everything falling into line for me!

Insurance and registration done.
Wife came home from West Marine yesterday with all the accessories that we need to get started.
I'm taking my safe boater exam after work today.
Helping my neighbor get the dock in tomorrow morning and taking delivery of the boat mid-day!

My neighbor is a great guy and he's going to give me a bit of a "driving lesson" and show me the lay of the lake.

Very happy to finally be on the water for the holiday weekend after a long pursuit. Thanks for the support and advice everyone.

The only accessory that I want to think about adding right now is a gas grill so we can have dinner out on the water. I think I saw a thread on here about that somewhere. I'll have to look it up.

Happy 4th!