Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

We're thinking about moving from runabouts to pontoons and we're looking for experience.
I found a good clean 2010 Premier 225 SunSation LTD PTX with a 4.3 MPI Mercruiser with a Bravo 3.
Does any one have any experience with this setup, or something close to this setup?
Thanks for any info or recommendations you can provide.
Mike

Most pontoons and tritoons have outboard motors, and there are just a few 4.3 I/O's around.

The Mercruiser 4.3 is one of the best inboard outboard engines there's ever been. It's quick (on v hull boats) and has a reputation for dependability.

I would suggest you first do an in water demonstration to see how well it performs and rides. If you can come to a price agreement, you should have a qualified marine mechanic carefully check out the engine on a scanner and check the compression. Then, have him determine the condition of the three bellows--over the drive shaft, the gear shifting and the exhaust. He should also do a vacuum and pressure test on the lower unit to check the condition of the seals.

You might ask the owner if he has any documentation on the last time the water pump impeller and the lower unit has been serviced. If it's not had a water pump impeller in the near past, that'd be the first thing to do--and change the lower unit grease. And while you're at it, have the trailer bearings closely checked, cleaned and repacked. You don't want any surprises.

What he said and if you live in a cold climate you will need to winterize the I/O each winter. An outboard is winterized when you pull it out of the water.

Just a note, the Sunstation is one of Premiers "value" lines of pontoons and is built with 24" on center cross members. That is kind of an Odd combo having both the PTX and 4.3L I/O options on the value based chassis. I've seen may Sunstation and Explorer (value) premiers with triple tubes and strakes but never seen one with PTX or an I/O but then again I/O comes with the PTX tube as the PTX tube was the purpose build center tube for I/Os before the decided to put outboards on that tube.

rancherlee wrote:Just a note, the Sunstation is one of Premiers "value" lines of pontoons and is built with 24" on center cross members. That is kind of an Odd combo having both the PTX and 4.3L I/O options on the value based chassis. I've seen may Sunstation and Explorer (value) premiers with triple tubes and strakes but never seen one with PTX or an I/O but then again I/O comes with the PTX tube as the PTX tube was the purpose build center tube for I/Os before the decided to put outboards on that tube.

I agree, that's a weird combo. When I read the post I assumed you had the wrong model. I've never seen an i/o on a entry level model. but there it is.

The boat is at a local dealer.
http://images0.boattrader.com/resize/1/ ... ?t=1175506

I did a NADA lookup on the boat and it is below the NADA price.
We're planing to do a walk through and water test this week.

I'll let you know what I find!

I currently have a 5.0 mercruiser now in a bowrider.
Love the boat but my wife has some medical issues and is having a hard time getting in and out of the boat.
We've talked about a pontoon a lot
I think it's time if I can find the right one.

Having had multiple boats over the years with both I/O and outboards I would never go back to an I/O again. Maybe I'm too old but the maintenance and winterization issues are hands down easier on an outboard. Drop a wrench, socket or small part when you're working on your I/O and watch it disappear into the deepest darkest corner forever and you'll wish you had an outboard right then and there. Now, add in maintenance on bellows and gimbals and such and you'll soon be a believer. I love the sound of a healthy V-8 firing up but I soon got over it now that I can barely hear my engine running and can actually carry on a conversation while underway.

I fully understand the issues about the I/O.
I was looking for a outboard also.
We're just having a tough time finding what we want that is also in our price range.
Although the local dealer will fully winterize, clean and shrink wrap for $500.00 which isn't bad considering.
i Have just changed the bellows, gimble bearing and u-joints on my current ride.

rancherlee wrote:Just a note, the Sunstation is one of Premiers "value" lines of pontoons and is built with 24" on center cross members. That is kind of an Odd combo having both the PTX and 4.3L I/O options on the value based chassis. I've seen may Sunstation and Explorer (value) premiers with triple tubes and strakes but never seen one with PTX or an I/O but then again I/O comes with the PTX tube as the PTX tube was the purpose build center tube for I/Os before the decided to put outboards on that tube.

I have a 2010 225 Sunsation LTD, PTX It is 16 on center, not 24, all the Sunsation models we looked at were 16. The 2008 225 Sunsation LTD we had before the 2010 was also 16 on center. They may have lowered the Sunsation model to their value line, but in the 2010 vintage it wasn't, and I am quite sure with the PTX package it automatically upgrades to 16 on center even if it is todays value line.
Here is a link to the brochures for Premier all years from 1993-2014
http://www.pontoons.com/resources.php

Ray, how do you like your Premier 225?
How does is run with the 150?

We love it, with the 150 I have reached 34 MPH on gps with 4 adults, 2 kids, a full fuel tank and a full load of beer and gear in slight chop. I could gain some more speed by raising the motor but we use ours for tubing a lot and the lower motor setting keeps the prop from cavitating in tight turns.
We have also reached 26 mph on gps fully loaded with 9 large adults(220-350 lbs each) and 5 kids plus all the rest of the stuff, it still got up on plane with no problems.
I remember someone on here had a PTX with the 4.3 I/O and if I recall right they said they were able to run mid 40's with it.
Everyone that has gone out with us always comments on how great it rides and how comfortable it is. They are amazed at the handling /performance.

Thanks Ray!
You just backed up what I've been reading and seeing on YouTube
We're going to test ride it this week sometime.
The tough part is that my wife doesn't want to spend the $$$
But because of her health, she can't get in our runabout
I have some convincing to do.
She a stubborn lady. LOL

that's a good looking boat. my friend who owns a ptx says they are all 16 on center.

mbhenry1955 wrote:Thanks Ray!
You just backed up what I've been reading and seeing on YouTube
We're going to test ride it this week sometime.
The tough part is that my wife doesn't want to spend the $$$
But because of her health, she can't get in our runabout
I have some convincing to do.
She a stubborn lady. LOL

That is another great thing about a pontoon, they are so easy to get on and off, and the stability to move around on as well. My wife had a bad knee, and before the knee replacement she could not stand or move around in a v-hull because of the rocking, but had no issues with the toon at all.
There is a good chance the test ride will help with the convincing, it did for my wife. We had the same floor plan on the 2008 Premier 225 Sunsation Ltd, it was a 2 log with a 90 on it and I was interested in the upgrade to the PTX, but she was skeptical about it, until we went on the test ride. Then she was all for it. She even enjoys driving the PTX, other than taking it off the trailer and beaching it back beside the ramp, she wouldn't even drive the 08.

Another big plus for the Premier in our opinion is the seats are extremely comfortable, after spending all day out on the lake you really appreciate that.

Hope it all works out for you

Thanks, I hope she says yes!!!!!