Which options on new toon?

[sunnyside]

The Yamaha 225 uses Premium gas so that is an extra operating cost. The 200 is the same block just less HP and uses regular gas.
Someone said you might want to consider Suzuki. I had a 150 Suzuki for 15 years and it was a very good motor if you have someone who can service it. Suzuki customer service is non-existent but they do make a good product. Since G3 is owned by Yamaha I had a choice between a black Yamaha and a black Yamaha. I do like the Yamaha but am sure I would have been happy with a Honda or Suzuki.
For skiers who are use to a v hull, a pontoon is much easier to get up behind because it starts on plane and doesn't have the drag. My 225 will pull two adult skiers slalom skiing at 35 with no problem. You will not regret getting a bigger engine.
We have a changing curtain that we never use, center tube storage which is a must and plenty of seating. A ski poll is a must along with led lights. Dual battery or a portable jumper is a must. Goo

Hmmm, glad to know the 225 requires premium gas and the 200 takes regular, especially with the price of gas. There are no Suzuki or Honda outboard dealers in our area. Only Yamaha, Evinrude and Mercury outboards within 100 miles. Hopefully I will have enough info soon to decide between the 150 and 200 hp engines. I'm leaning towards the 200 based on input from owners here on the forum and my wife likes the 150 due to initial cost and fuel economy. Thanks for your input.

[sunnyside]

The pontoon boat was ordered several days ago and the dealer received a delivery date today of August 28 -- hoping to have it for Labor Day. It is a 2013 South Bay 522 CRTT (Trifecta Pkg) with a Yamaha F150 4 stroke engine and 14-1/4 x 17 SS Reliance Prop plus lots of options as suggested above. As equipped, top speed should be around 40 mph at wot with 2 people as per the dealer who obtained test data info from both South Bay and Yamaha.

Now the waiting game begins. Many thanks to all for your suggestions. Stay tooned.

[curtiscapk]

[Bamaman]

I was out this windy afternoon in my Bennington 24' SSLX with the Express Performance Hull, Yamaha 150 hp and Reliance 15 pitch prop. My engine is in the second hole--about 3/4" above the lowest transom setting. The posted weight is 2492 lbs. w/o engine. I was running exactly 6000 rpms and 39.5 mph GPS in windy conditions. I'm satisfied that I'm prop'd right.

South Bay publishes a 2160 lb. weight for your boat, and a 17 pitch prop would be good for the low 40's. You'll want to put a few hours on your boat before really laying the throttle on. Just make sure your dealer has a 15 pitch Reliance to switch you into if needed. (My dealer had to order the 15 pitch prop.)

[Mosnowman]

Congrats on your new toon! I just became a toon owner this summer as well. A couple of things I did after the fact that may be on your mind....

I ordered another factory single bimini to mount on the front. I run with the back single open and use the front when coving out in the hot Mssouri sun. I think this was my best investment though factory bimini's cost an arm and a leg. A lot of ideas on here for cheaper, but since it was a brand new boat I wanted it to match.

I didn't order the changing room option...instead I bought a pop up shower from Cabelas/ Bass Pro for about $50 bucks. Only used it once all summer so I'm glad I didn't order that option.

Porta potty - never used it....lake pee in the cove...I did buy the potty our military uses as it is very portable and no liquids! The PETT toilet for $90 bucks at basspro.


The guys and gals here are fantastic resources for us newbies! Have fun!!!

[pond tuuunes]

Congrats on your new toon, it sounds like a toon you will be very happy with. JT

[sunnyside]

I was out this windy afternoon in my Bennington 24' SSLX with the Express Performance Hull, Yamaha 150 hp and Reliance 15 pitch prop. My engine is in the second hole--about 3/4" above the lowest transom setting. The posted weight is 2492 lbs. w/o engine. I was running exactly 6000 rpms and 39.5 mph GPS in windy conditions. I'm satisfied that I'm prop'd right.

South Bay publishes a 2160 lb. weight for your boat, and a 17 pitch prop would be good for the low 40's. You'll want to put a few hours on your boat before really laying the throttle on. Just make sure your dealer has a 15 pitch Reliance to switch you into if needed. (My dealer had to order the 15 pitch prop.)

I'd be happy with 39.5 mph max speed. And, I agree with having to go thru the break-in phase before really testing it. Dealer seems confident about the prop selection but I'm pretty sure he will try others if there is an issue. Dealer received the 3 bunk trailer and engine this past week. Eleven days and counting until boat delivery.

[sunnyside]

I ordered another factory single bimini to mount on the front. I run with the back single open and use the front when coving out in the hot Mssouri sun. I think this was my best investment though factory bimini's cost an arm and a leg. A lot of ideas on here for cheaper, but since it was a brand new boat I wanted it to match.

I didn't order the changing room option...instead I bought a pop up shower from Cabelas/ Bass Pro for about $50 bucks. Only used it once all summer so I'm glad I didn't order that option.

Porta potty - never used it....lake pee in the cove...I did buy the potty our military uses as it is very portable and no liquids! The PETT toilet for $90 bucks at basspro.


The guys and gals here are fantastic resources for us newbies! Have fun!!!

I considered ordering a double bimini with the boat but wasn't too keen on it and my wife didn't think it was necessary. Think I'd prefer two singles like yours if we decided to take the plunge. Didn't get a porta potty --- will wait and see how it goes. There are toilets at all the boat launches. IIRC the changing room comes standard with 2013 model and pkg/options we chose. We are extremely anxious to get the boat --- eleven days and counting.

[sunnyside]

Congrats on your new toon, it sounds like a toon you will be very happy with. JT

Thanks again to you and all others for input. We're looking very forward to having fun with the kids and grand kids --- picnics, cruising, tubing, skiing.

[dockholiday]

Congrats on the new toon. How long have the 2013 models been out? Just trying to get a feel for when manufacturers come out with the new models. When I bought in 08 the 09's came out a few months after I bought, so my two month old boat became a year old boat. Not a big deal if you plan to keep one awhile though. Sort of agree with the 15 pitch also, not that all props in a give pitch are the same, but I tried a 17p first and could only get 5300 at wot max. Went to the 15 and it jumped to 5800 or better and picked up almost 2mph. That's a really nice toon enjoy

doc

[sunnyside]

Congrats on the new toon. How long have the 2013 models been out? Just trying to get a feel for when manufacturers come out with the new models. When I bought in 08 the 09's came out a few months after I bought, so my two month old boat became a year old boat. Not a big deal if you plan to keep one awhile though. Sort of agree with the 15 pitch also, not that all props in a give pitch are the same, but I tried a 17p first and could only get 5300 at wot max. Went to the 15 and it jumped to 5800 or better and picked up almost 2mph. That's a really nice toon enjoy

doc

Wife and I went looking at the 2012 models late July to early August -- heard dealers are looking to discount prices quite a bit before the new 2013 models arrive. The South Bay dealer had just returned from the 2013 dealer show when we were looking at the 2012 models. He showed us pictures and options which are standard starting with 2013. Worked up a price that wasn't much more for the 2013 so that's the direction we went. Dealer did not have 2013 literature, just pictures and info sheets from the show. Hence, he did not require any money down until we see the boat August 28 and confirm.
Thanks for the well wishes -- stay tooned.

[dockholiday]

Congrats on the new toon. How long have the 2013 models been out? Just trying to get a feel for when manufacturers come out with the new models. When I bought in 08 the 09's came out a few months after I bought, so my two month old boat became a year old boat. Not a big deal if you plan to keep one awhile though. Sort of agree with the 15 pitch also, not that all props in a give pitch are the same, but I tried a 17p first and could only get 5300 at wot max. Went to the 15 and it jumped to 5800 or better and picked up almost 2mph. That's a really nice toon enjoy

doc

Wife and I went looking at the 2012 models late July to early August -- heard dealers are looking to discount prices quite a bit before the new 2013 models arrive. The South Bay dealer had just returned from the 2013 dealer show when we were looking at the 2012 models. He showed us pictures and options which are standard starting with 2013. Worked up a price that wasn't much more for the 2013 so that's the direction we went. Dealer did not have 2013 literature, just pictures and info sheets from the show. Hence, he did not require any money down until we see the boat August 28 and confirm.
Thanks for the well wishes -- stay tooned.

Sound like you did it right.........I wasn't even looking at when the new models would come out, and should have waited the few months till they did........Still came out okay..just wanted to point that out for future buyers,especially if they like to trade every few years............
doc

[sunnyside]

The new 2013 South Bay 522 CRTT finally came in a few days ago --- just could not walk away from the deal. It has the Trifecta package (full tritoon, lifting strakes, aluminum underskin, sea star power steering, 52 gal fuel tank, deluxe console) with F150 Yamaha engine and triple bunk tandem axle trailer. Currently going thru the prescribed breakin with 6 hrs on the meter as of today. Tried WOT briefly and achieved exactly 40 mph gps at 5700 rpm's with the Yamaha Reliance 14-1/4 x 17 SS prop. This was with a full load of fuel (52 gal), two passengers and some misc gear. I suspect it will do slightly better with a few more hours. My wife and I are very happy with the new toon.

Again, many thanks to all who provided input. More later......... stay tooned.

[woolznaz]

Congratulations!!!! Big South Bay fan here. That sounds like a great boat and you did your research. Enjoy it!

[pond tuuunes]

The new 2013 South Bay 522 CRTT finally came in a few days ago --- just could not walk away from the deal. It has the Trifecta package (full tritoon, lifting strakes, aluminum underskin, sea star power steering, 52 gal fuel tank, deluxe console) with F150 Yamaha engine and triple bunk tandem axle trailer. Currently going thru the prescribed breakin with 6 hrs on the meter as of today. Tried WOT briefly and achieved exactly 40 mph gps at 5700 rpm's with the Yamaha Reliance 14-1/4 x 17 SS prop. This was with a full load of fuel (52 gal), two passengers and some misc gear. I suspect it will do slightly better with a few more hours. My wife and I are very happy with the new toon.

Again, many thanks to all who provided input. More later......... stay tooned.

pics?