Princecraft?...

[justrfb]

Hello All.
I noticed there are threads on brands of pontoon boats. We bought and took delivery of a Princecraft Vantage 20L. Any opinions on Princecraft? Please be gentle, remember, it is already sitting in my driveway waiting for the maiden voyage. Thanks for your answer.

Sincerely,
Rich

[MPosey519]

It's alright, but far below the standards of an '87 Riviera Crusier.....



If it floats on aluminum logs, no matter what brand, it's the best boat out there!

[justrfb]

OK... Dumb question I guess, sorry. I guess I am looking to hear it is the best boat on 2 toons and I am going to be so happy. Which I already am... I can't wait. Thanks for all the help I have gotten so far... I am on a few specific forums and this one is definitely the most lively and informative. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Rich

[Capt Sully]

Rich, Welcome aboard. when you're not on and enjoying your pontoon, this is the next Best place to be.

[Cycleman07]

Since nobody else will give you an honest answer to your question (slackers) ...Princecraft is a solid middle of the road builder. They have been doing it a long time which is good and seem to back their product with a good warranty. What makes them middle of the road is they build their boats with 24" on center cross members not 16" like your Bennington, Harris, Premier, South Bay etc. The higher end manufacturers use stainless screws and through-bolts and usually offer as standards a lot of what Princecraft calls upgrades, however the cost of the higher end manufacturers products is reflects this.

Overall you should be very happy with your purchase! A lot of memories will be made and you should have years of trouble free boating. Enjoy. Now we need pictures!

[Old Dog]

Hello All.
I noticed there are threads on brands of pontoon boats. We bought and took delivery of a Princecraft Vantage 20L. Any opinions on Princecraft? Please be gentle, remember, it is already sitting in my driveway waiting for the maiden voyage. Thanks for your answer.

Sincerely,
Rich

Here is a link to your Princecraft Vantage line although I don't see a 20L model >>> http://www.princecraft.com/aluminum-boa ... eries.aspx . I have the Princecraft Vectra 21-2S model with a 60HP BF (Big Foot). If you select any model you will see tabs that will show the available options.

Have fun on your maiden voyage!

[Mosnowman]

Hello All.
I noticed there are threads on brands of pontoon boats. We bought and took delivery of a Princecraft Vantage 20L. Any opinions on Princecraft? Please be gentle, remember, it is already sitting in my driveway waiting for the maiden voyage. Thanks for your answer.

Sincerely,
Rich

My opinion is enjoy it! The best pontoon is the one you are driving! Welcome aboard!

[LC Marine]

We have a Princecraft Vantage 23 with Merc 115 4-stroke which we have beaten up for 4 years as a watertaxi. (Toronto, 5 month season) I'd say it has held up quite well to some serious abuse. Approximately 2000 hours on it, sometimes loaded with 13 people, plowing through wakes. Looking to buy 2 more from the factory, as we have the Pan-Am games here in 2015, and it will be crazy for transportation. Good boat.

[ROLAND]

Rich, congratulations on the new toon... would love to see some pics if you have any.... enjoy that new boat my friend.!

[justrfb]

Thanks All. I really appreciate your answers. I will get pictures soon but it hasn't been a nice experience so far I am sad to say... We had it out for the 3'rd time yesterday. The boat is beautiful but the Merc 75hp 4 stroke hanging off the back is not well and it is frustrating the heck out of my wife and I. We bought the boat used from a local marina. It is a low hour, 2007 boat and engine. With the cover off the engine, it still looks and even smells brand new so for it not to be running right is frustrating, like I said... Symptoms... It starts good, idles good, runs good... Tach's at 5800, doing about 22 1/2 MPH and then... Instantly, tach drops to 5000, rough running, a few moments later, 4200, 3400... Bring it back to idle, wait a few moments and then start all over. Tach 6000, 23 MPH, everything humming along perfectly then... 5200, 4400, 3600... Between maiden voyage with tech from marina and 2'nd time out, they said they fixed it. "Changed a broken vacuum hose in the fuel pump. Changed the oil because it was sucking raw fuel into the crank case..." Direct quote from them, and they wanted to charge us $300.00 for the "repair" too!!.... I am discouraged and my wife is ready to sell it. Any suggestions please?... I have done a fair amount of research, pulled the plugs yesterday when we got back, they appear to be fine. I am at a losss... Thanks.

Sincerely,
Rich

[MPosey519]

Vented fuel tank issue? Maybe a little gunk in the carbs? If gas tank's vented well, maybe try running some sea foam through the gas tank and see if that clears it up

that's what's helped me so far, prior to the carb rebuild I've got to get done

[GXPWeasel]

Give what MPosey said a shot, and I will also add to maybe replace all of the fuel lines. If the engine and boat all look that new, and are low hours (much like ours was/is) then that means its sat for a while, several times. The ethanol in modern gas will eat the rubber fuel lines, and cause them to go bad quickly. Replace the fuel line from the tank, to the engine. Maybe when your engine is running WOT it is sucking fuel enoght, and the lines are weak enough, that it's collapsing the fuel lines, and starving the engine.

Remember, boats like to be used, and from my experience, the more they are used, the better they work/run. If they sit for long periods of time, that's when things go wrong.

[Bamaman]

When you say the rpm's start to drop, does the throttle also drop?

My new boat wouldn't hold the rpm's steady, and I just adjusted the screw slightly on the throttle binnacle. It holds the rpm's now.

Whatever the problem, it's probably nothing major. You'll get to the bottom of it promptly.

[ROLAND]

Rich... hang in there man... try not to get too discouraged... remember, boats are expensive ( BOATS -= BREAK OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND )...... I'm not mechanically inclined so I would just find a "highly recommended marine mechanic" to check it out....maybe you can do some of the work yourself to cut down on expense... you mentioned your wife is already to sell it... been in the same boat ( sort of ), only it was me.... nothing mechanical, but I was having a hell of a time loading onto the trailer... got to the point that after one weekend I told my wife if somebody would give me 50 cents and a cup of coffee, they could have it..... posted my frustration on this board just like you did, and all the guys told me the same thing I told you... hang in there, it will get better with time... and they were absolutely right.... your issues with your boat will work themselves out..... may cost you a little bit, but once it done, you and your family will love having that toon... good luck with it all..

[steveiam]

I had a similar situation when I first bought mine, and I can just tell you what I did.
My toon came from an individual, we took it for a test ride at the local lake AND I had a certified mechanic check it out before I bought it. Similar life of low hours and had been sitting a while, a local home builder bought it for his Dad and put it in a slip but the Dad just didn't use it, only took it out about 3 or four times a year for 3 years.
I probably didn't test drive it enough when we went out cause from the first time I had it out for an extended time it would "act up" when I would go to full throttle.
I have to admit that the mechanic found no problems with the boat but on his checklist one of his recommendations was to replace the fuel line, it had an Attwood "mercury" fuel line and he said he just didn't like to have the Attwod products when you don't have to. The actual Mercury fuel line was around $60.00 or so and the Attwood looked pretty new so I did not take his advice on this.
I put in all new fuel and was using highest octane when I did put new fuel in.
I loved the new toon but I was frustrated with the problem similar to what I read you were having.
I too used sea foam twice as it made sense and seemed to run better when it was running right so I kept on hoping that something would just clean itself out.
I kept thinking it must be the carbs since it had sat in the slip for so long.
I went by and spoke with a boat shop mechanic and he said it didn't sound like a carb problem to him and he asked about my fuel lines but I still thought my Attwood was fine.
I finally broke down in frustration and went to Bass Pro and bought the proper factory fuel line.
BAM!
That was the problem and I haven't had a problem since. (with my boat anyway)
That is my story, don't know if it will help you but maybe it will help some one else that reads this while searching for a problem they may be having.