MSRP Expectations

[JohnO]

When I bought my Manitou I sent a quote request to every dealer within 500 miles (Because my local dealer wasn't interested in selling me the $40K+ boat I wanted enough to make me a suitable counter offer)

I did my homework and came up with an expected base price of about 35K based on previous reviews and published prices (for last years model). So I listed my boat and options and offered an acceptable amount.

The responses came back in a range from 36K to 44K (my local dealer's price). I figured 8K is an awful lot of gasoline. And even if I have to haul the boat a few hours for any repairs etc (which I have NEVER had to do in the 8 years I've had it) I would still be way ahead.

I ended up buying at Casey's Cove Marina on Crooked Lake in Northern Indiana. About 4 hours from home. We took the boat back once to have a couple add-ons done that were not ready when we first picked it up. Other than that I've never been back to Casey's. (Pity kind of as the folks up there are some really neat people. Casey is the dad, his daughter Bridgette did most of the work ) . I ended up spending about 4K over the boat price as I added a trailer some captains seats up front, a second bimini, a trolling motor and mount, and a couple versa-trak ladders (which I highly recommend btw)

Most of the issues you will have with a pontoon will be motor or instrument related. All of these boats are built pretty well and there's not a whole lot that can go wrong on a pontoon warranty wise. So the odds are that your local marina should be able to take care of any issue. Just make sure you have a service center near by for your brand of motor.

Feel free to shop around and if you find a better price, let your local guy know what price you found and give him the option to match it. I feel it's only fair to give him the chance for your business since he is local. My guy wasn't at all interested (I don't believe he even carries pontoons anymore to be truthful)

[Capt. Dan]

I should add that there is one complicating factor...
My current boat is in his storage lot andi have no trailer. The other dealers are all local and will go pick it up if I deal wit hthem. I know I can try to sell it on my own, but we live three hours away and my work schedule complicates my ability to try to see it on my own, so I'd prefer to just trade it in.
I will however reach out to some other dealers to see what they are willing to do.
Thanks all.

[tms0425]

Not sure where you are located, but JohnO is right. I looked at Manitou and Bennington, ended up deciding on the Bennington and we're extremely pleased with it. That said, Bridgette and her husband at Casey's Cove were awesome to deal with, worth a call and a road trip, if needed. Out the door price was almost a wash. I almost felt bad not buying from them, but the Bennington actually met our needs better and our Bennington dealer here (Dry Dock Marine) is great too.

[LadyGT]

I visited a marine dealer who sold Encores yesterday. She said she shipped new boats everywhere even to other countries. I was not sure to believe the last part, but she was transporting one to TX. My point is try broadening your search to other states. It maybe cheaper even with the transportation cost.

We are going to look at a boat in SC because we could not find what we wanted in our home state.