Looking to buy a pontoon for the first time...

[1roadking]

I would go with a tritoon/ performance package with at least a 150 hp and call it a day. Ideally a Bennington, manitou or premier. Unless, you don't want to do any water sports and aren't interested in going over 30 mph. If you just want to put around at 15 to 20 and never do water sports a 2 log with a 90 or 115 would be fine.

[BobL]

....The lake does not get that rough. The lake is 14 miles long at it’s highest, so a daily trip would be in the 8-10 mile range at best, I believe.

I will rarely (at least in my mind so far) remove the boat from this lake........

Everyone (including myself) wants to spend all the money you have.

With the above being said, you really dont NEED a tri-toon, a big HP motor, or a kick ass trailer.

If you have a budget, and based on your needs, a two-toon less than 130hp, 22' boat will be fine with a low end tandem trailer (w/brakes). Yes, you can go bigger (HP and length), go with 3 toons, etc. but you did mention a budget.

As mentioned (by me and others), I came from an "entry-level" toon (Bentley) and went to a SouthBay (not top of the line but more mid-tier) and the biggest differeneces were the vinyl (much thicker and heavier duty), the furniture (more sturdy and more heavy duty), fencing/sides (thicker and heavier duty), gates and gate hardware, console and gauges, nicer factory cover, etc. The "fit and finish" on the SouthBay was also much nicer. As also mentioned before, I was happy with my Bentley and do not regret purchasing it as my first toon.

[AndrewG]

First of all, thanks for all the words of wisdom, I appreciate it. I've been to just about every pontoon dealer in a 200 mile radius of me and have learned a lot. Forums like these have really helped a lot, and I appreciate it. I found Pontoon and Deckboat Magazine helpful to learn stuff, but their reviews of boats were all positive, with little (if any) criticism. Probably because they survive on advertising. I never have found a "Consumer Reports" site that looks at a bunch of boats and is actually critical on things like construction, parts, workmanship, design, etc.

And I understand that on sites like this, if anyone becomes too critical of Brand X or Brand Y, they end up offending a bunch of members who own Brand X or Brand Y.

Anyway, I'll be going to the LA Boat Show in 3 weeks. I'll be looking at Bennington, Manitou, and Harris. Still have my eye on the Sweetwater national deal as a benchmark. I think a tritoon model is a minimum. I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks,

AndrewG

[Bamaman]

At the Boat Show last weekend, I was told that the 22' Bennington with the 32" elliptical pontoons (with lifting strakes) and a 150 hp motor would run away from their 22' high performance tritoon boat (with strakes) by 3-5 mph with the same engine. I would imagine fuel mileage would also be better.

The twin 32" elliptical toons are very buoyant, and can also carry heavy loads. The biggest difference is when you go into a tight corner and the high performance tritoons come into their own.

Not everyone pulls tubes or skiers--having to make tight turns at high speeds. And, I seldom carry more than 4 riders. I'm looking for something to cruise fast--efficiently.

Does anyone have any opinions as to using elliptical pontoons at a great savings over the high performance tritoons?

[rbiederwolf]

I just bought a twin tube 22 ft Avalon with a 115 merc 4 stroke. I boat in an area that can get rough and alot of additional boat wake. I also pull tubers (small children). Here are my thoughts:
1. Construction between manufacturers can be very different and I do not mean the furniture. Look for ALL through bolt construction, not just the stringers to the toons, but the deck to the stringers, especially for watersports. You would be surprised that some top end manf. only screw the deck to the stringers
2. I can run at about 24mph WOT, and this is just barely enough to pull tubers.
3. It is impossible to get them outside of the wake with two toons. Boat will not turn sharp enough. The bigger concern here however is that if someone falls off and you need to turn quickly, it is not really possible. Having said that I am impressed with how my boat handles. But if I had to turn on a dime to protect someone in the water to other boat traffic I could not do it.
4. 115 hp on a standard two toon is just barely enough for tubing
5. 22ft of boat is plenty, unless you really WANT 24 feet. Note however that the trailer goes up about 800-1000 dollars when you go up to a 24ft from a 22ft. Good trailer dual axle trailer with disk brakes is about $2700 for a two tube
6. Where I am from Avalon and Bennington are the most popular and bot completely thru bolted. I would just make sure that whatever you buy you have a dealer very close for any problems you may have.
7. Also hydraulic steering is a must for watersports as well.
Thus final analysis. I love my boat and its creature comforts, but I wish I had gotten a triple log wit at least a 150hp. It is not just the speed but the handling is so important.

If all you want to do is get from one end of the lake to the other, than a two tube with a 115 or less is fine. However as soon as watersprts enter into the picture, handling is as if not more important than speed, thus a tri toon is a must. And as everyone says get as much horsepower as you can afford. Never know when a storm wil come up and you need to motivate.

I would think that for a 22 ft you would be in your budget, 24ft may be tough. Probably closer to 40gs