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Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 11:23 am
by dmclone
I live in Iowa and I'm not seeing a lot of dealers that have good inventory or are willing to deal. Anyone have any recommendations of dealers in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. that offer decent prices? I'd like to buy local but I'm seeing $5k+ discounts on a 30k toon if I leave the state.
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 11:56 am
by curtiscapk
DM
try here
http://www.midwestmarineboats.com/
just south of KC I have never bought from them but a lot of people swear by them.
One guy bought a 50k boat and had it shipped to Cali.!

Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 12:00 pm
by redbeard
curtiscapk wrote:DM
try here
http://www.midwestmarineboats.com/
just south of KC I have never bought from them but a lot of people swear by them.
One guy bought a 50k boat and had it shipped to Cali.!

+++1

Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 12:03 pm
by dmclone
I was looking at buying a used one in the range of 20k but now I'm thinking of going up to 30k. Do you think I can get a good/new pontoon with at least 115hp in this price range?
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 12:14 pm
by curtiscapk
yep give them a call not sure what they have left or there is always mylist!
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/search ... k=&maxAsk=
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 12:15 pm
by ToonGuy
dmclone wrote:I live in Iowa and I'm not seeing a lot of dealers that have good inventory or are willing to deal. Anyone have any recommendations of dealers in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. that offer decent prices? I'd like to buy local but I'm seeing $5k+ discounts on a 30k toon if I leave the state.
What are you looking for as far as options, brands, etc?
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 12:16 pm
by curtiscapk
you could try anglers port but I think it may have a little bit of a service issue...
http://www.anglersportmarine.com/Boat-Listings
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 12:25 pm
by dmclone
ToonGuy wrote:dmclone wrote:I live in Iowa and I'm not seeing a lot of dealers that have good inventory or are willing to deal. Anyone have any recommendations of dealers in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. that offer decent prices? I'd like to buy local but I'm seeing $5k+ discounts on a 30k toon if I leave the state.
What are you looking for as far as options, brands, etc?
Unlike cars, which I normally know exactly what I want, I have no clue what I want in a pontoon. Most of the time I'll be on Saylorville lake, usually 4 adults, I like the 2 backwards facing loungers, I want decent power, be able to pull a tube, everyone tells me I want at least 115hp, probably 22-24feet, and possibly a tri-toon. I've liked the Bennington and Harris pontoons that I've looked at but not set on a brand. I wan't real impressed with the interior of the Party Barge I looked at Bass Pro.
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 12:32 pm
by dmclone
Here is one thing that annoys me.
#1 No prices on the web sites
#2 Email them to get some kind of price range
#3 Tells you to go to their website
I know the boat manufactures don't like these places to list sale prices but it's a little ridiculous.
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 1:29 pm
by Ray Jr.
I know this is a long way from your area but I know they are great to deal with, and they have shipped/delivered all over the country, and even to Australia, Last summer the owner personally hauled a Premier, 32 x 10 wide with twin 300 verados to the gulf for delivery.
http://www.winnisquammarine.com/used_boats.html
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 1:44 pm
by ToonGuy
dmclone wrote:ToonGuy wrote:dmclone wrote:I live in Iowa and I'm not seeing a lot of dealers that have good inventory or are willing to deal. Anyone have any recommendations of dealers in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. that offer decent prices? I'd like to buy local but I'm seeing $5k+ discounts on a 30k toon if I leave the state.
What are you looking for as far as options, brands, etc?
Unlike cars, which I normally know exactly what I want, I have no clue what I want in a pontoon. Most of the time I'll be on Saylorville lake, usually 4 adults, I like the 2 backwards facing loungers, I want decent power, be able to pull a tube, everyone tells me I want at least 115hp, probably 22-24feet, and possibly a tri-toon. I've liked the Bennington and Harris pontoons that I've looked at but not set on a brand. I wan't real impressed with the interior of the Party Barge I looked at Bass Pro.
I don't keep up with new boat prices, but you have a slightly contradicting statement here..."AT LEAST a 115, and POSSIBLY a tri-toon" doesn't leave much over lap. My guess is you could get a 2 log, 115 in the range you are looking at. How ever, MOST 2-log toons are not rated for any more then the 115 (nor would I want bigger on a 2 log), so that leaves you looking at tritoons. And getting in to a 150HP or more tritoon in that range may be difficult.

Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 1:55 pm
by hootowlhollow
we got our Tritoon at Hawkeye marine in Dubuque, ia. Had a great experience there and plan on getting other boats as well. they took great care of us and the prices were the best we found on a bennington. I'm sure there are other dealers with other manufacturers out there cheaper but these guys really went above and beyond for us. We looked all around Des Moines and never really found the right fit in a dealer. Ask for Tyler He took care of us. Pm me if you need the number
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 2:18 pm
by Bryden24shp
A.J. at Hawkeye will take great care of you. If interested in saving a lot, Lake of the Ozarks dealers really make some awesome deals this time of year, Martys, Tri-Town and All About Boats. Look at Boatcrazy.com they have a lot of good deals from all the LotO dealers. Lakeside Motorsports in Michigan is where I got the best deal on my Manitou in 2007, they took almost $15k off the price, The boat was dealer list at $44K I bought it on the trailer for $31K, the trailer was included in that price, it was a 2007 Hoosier, listed at $2800. Call Neil, he will treat you right.
http://www.lakesidemotorsports.net/ They are about 7 hours away from eastern Ia.
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 2:36 pm
by dmclone
Thanks for all the tips.
Any opinions on Encore Bentley toons? The one I looked at was a 24 foot cruise w/115hp.
Re: Buying in the midwest
Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 9:08 am
by curtiscapk