Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

After lurking here for years. I was a member and had to re join as I could not remember my pass word. Mr. Herb had to help me (several times) to get back in. A very patient man, he is. (THANK YOU).

Well, the story. I tried to buy a new pontoon boat back in about the 2008 - 2010 range in the Ft Myers FL market. I wanted a Benny, or really more so, a Premier or Manitou. I'm from MI. But the new boat dealers greed stopped me cold! I came down to FL in 2001. My family (father & uncles) were in the car and Boat business in the 90's so I have an intimate knowledge of the car & boat markets and the mark ups there of. More of a mark up in the boats. (you'd choke if you knew how much).

As the family (luckily) got out before the "Great Recession". I found myself on the outside looking in. But, with the knowledge of what these robber barons really are paying for these boats. And not like the Detroit suburban market that I came from there was only one dealer of each brand that I was considering in the greater Fort Myers/cape Coral/Naples market. So, No competition between same brand dealers. I refused to be bent over in half and loaded from the rear.
They really have us by the short kinky hairs here. I could save thousands by buying out of state but due to some manufacture none compete agreements and the shipping costs the savings were negated.

So... I bought a used 18' Sea Cat. My last three boats before leaving MI were all Sea ray's in the 30's + size range. as I am now retired and trying to live on my S.S. (entitlement). I can no longer afford to feed fuel and maintain toys in that previous price & size range. Simplify your life my divorce attorney said. I really tried to make a go of that little cat. But, at my age (72) the boat was just to small.... I know have it for sale.

To make a long story short (please?) Last week I found a 22' Premier Cast a way (4 fishing seats) with a 115 Honda and 4 wheel trailer. The rig is a 2012 with only five (5) hours on the motor. It has Sea Star steering, trolling motor, Ski tow apparatus, and play pen cover. The boat has very plush seating.

The Lexus of pontoon boats. I got it for 23K. Crossing my toes & fingers because I have not seen it in person. A leap of faith in the sales man in WI. I have to pay $2,600 to have it shipped on a flat bed truck (1,400) miles. I've got lots of pictures via e mail. If I could figure how to post them, I will. I'm like a little kid waiting for Christmas! I'll keep you posted with pictures when it gets to Ft Myers. Going into rack storage. My towing days are over (bad back).... Finally (almost) a pontoon owner.

Rascal

Congrats on the toon. I use photobucket and it is easy to use

Sounds like you found a cherry. You'll love it!

Thank you people....

I'll take mucho pictures when its delivered from WI in about a week.

Fellow Premier owners.... Is it OK to coat the seats with 3M 303 protectant.
Premier advertises that the seats are made with "Nano Block" technology.

Per Premier: "It forms a protective barrier against abrasions, grease, grime, suntan oils, and even gasoline. Even the toughest stains like ball point pen, permanent marker, mustard and ketchup are no match for NANO BLOCK- just use the NBT clean wipes and watch the stains disappear".

I'm skeptical...

Rascal

Post pictures, hope you got a great deal.

Congrats Rascal! Sounds like you found a great deal. Please post some pics when you get a chance.

I'm still trying to get it delivered from WI. I've given deposits to two different transport companies and had both of them cancel on me!

It appears that most of the transport companies are ass over elbows busy bringing snow bird cars down to Florida, where I stays at. And to compound the problem, I have to have it rack delivered as the trailer does not have any brakes. I have had lots of offers to bumper tow it. Every red neck in the country has a pick up. Very few have a flat bed truck.

Yesterday, I found a gentleman with a flatbed that offered to bring it down on Dec 9 th. I sent him a deposit. Today he emails me asking if its Ok to bring my boat down on Dec 16. After agreeing to my contract, he's agreed to take a 30' cruiser to southern CA first (more money). I told him, OK, do it, but I let him know that I'm not over joyed about it. I think that he cares less what I think or feel. I am at his mercy and he has my deposit and I do not have another shipper in line to move my boat. My boat is not as good a deal as I thought it was after adding 3K for shipping to the price. Live and learn.

Your word or a contract means nothing to the younger generation?

Rascal

So now I'm a redneck with a pick up , I like pick up trucks they have made me money over the years and my Cummins is not your daddy's pickem up truck.

So why can't it be towed without brakes, I towed a 40 enclosed trailer for years with no brakes, you just have to have a truck with balls enough to stop it, for two thousand I would have drove up, checked the bearings, replaced the ones that needed it or all, just not to have to do it on the side of the road and had a few spare tires, but that was before it got cold and snowy.

Hope they get it down to you soon

Yep, I sold my Starcraft on Sept. 29. The buyer has gone through 3 shippers either not showing up, or showing up and being incompetent enough for me to kick them out...lol.

He hired a 3rd shipper 3 weeks ago, still no show. Says his truck broke down in Florida...

I gave the buyer one more chance to get it shipped or he can pay for a local storage facility until he finds a shipper who will show up.

Hey Herb maybe you can go into the boat delivery business. You have two boats here that are waiting to go somewhere.

RAD Transport, Elkhart IN. 574-266-1330

HandymanHerb wrote:So now I'm a redneck with a pick up , I like pick up trucks they have made me money over the years and my Cummins is not your daddy's pickem up truck.

So why can't it be towed without brakes, I towed a 40 enclosed trailer for years with no brakes, you just have to have a truck with balls enough to stop it, for two thousand I would have drove up, checked the bearings, replaced the ones that needed it or all, just not to have to do it on the side of the road and had a few spare tires, but that was before it got cold and snowy.

Hope they get it down to you soon

It can be towed without brakes. But several states that it would pass through are "rock" hard on my 3,750 pounds of boat/trailer with zero, nada, zilch for brakes. State cops will give the driver a $200+ ticket.... and IMPOUND THE BOAT AND TRAILER!

Florida is a real stickler. Over 3,00 pounds and they want (demand) brakes on both axels. They might let you slide around town if you have brakes on at least one axel and y'all talk nice to them. But, Pull on to I-75 and your ass (and wallet) is grass. I know of more than one that got nailed. I mean not just a ticket... A towing company is called and your boat is taken to their impound lot.... By, By.

Its sits in the towing company's impound lot at about $100 a day until brakes are installed (2K) on the trailer or a new trailer (4K) with brakes is supplied. They just love to catch a nice new shiny 40K toy and "brakes these here rules". A lot of aggravation just to save a couple $$ to flatbed truck it. And, if it had brakes, I would still not have it bumper towed. I do not want the stones of the pick ups tires hitting my nice new tunes (LOL). Its a 1,400 mile tow from WI to Cape Coral FL.

Its much more prudent to have it towed on a flatbed. Never owned a pick up in my 73 years living up in the Burbs of MI. But, If I did, It would be a diesel. I had several boats up on Lake St Clair in MI all diesel's. And my pappy was a trucker, nothing but diesels, I love the sound of a GMC 6-71 Blower...

Kind regards,

Rascal