Tips on buying a new Pontoon

[Quay]

Hello all,
I am in the market for a new pontoon. This will be my first boat purchase. What type of markup do these dealers work off of? I am looking at boats with MSRPs around $35K. With no negotiation at all they are down to $29K-$30K range. My business 101 sense tells me there is quite a bit more room here. I've spoken to quite a few dealers, but plan to buy either a Bennington or Sweetwater Premium and these are the prices I am seeing. I know there are a ton of variables, but any general thoughts or strategies? I would like to have one in the water by mid August, but willing to wait to get a better deal.

[lovemx]

I don't really know how much markup there is but I just went though going to several dealers and pricing boats. Here is what I found. The longer the boat has been on thier lot the more they will come down. If it is a 2011 or 2012 and 2013 or 2014's are on thier way they will come down more. If they are overstocked with a specific size motor they will deal on that. I would ask them before any negotiating how much to upgrade HP. Then I would negotiate them to what I thought was their bottom dollar and use that savings to upgrade HP. Hope that helps. By the way I ended up buying used off of Craigslist.

[BobL]

Depending on the MSRP of the boat, it is usually in the 25%-35% range (gross margin for the dealer - note that markup is a different calculation than gross margin). Margins on options and trailers can be higher. I have found seedealercost.com to be fairly reliable info. Here, for example is a good list of an Encore/Bentley boat and options:

http://www.seedealercost.com/products/m ... Slug/boats

SCROLL down for the options.

As stated, what the dealer is willing to do is based on their current stock levels, time of year, older models in stock, etc.....

[bassn386]

You should have a general idea of length, motor size (get the biggest you can afford/that's rated for the boat) and accessories. If you are looking at Bennington, then also look at Premier, South Bay, and the like.
You need to know how you are going to use the boat and the kind of water you'll be using it on most of the time. Many people make the mistake of getting less than they need and regret the purchase. If you've been following this forum you already know that almost no one on here wished they'd gotten a smaller boat/motor.
If you've never owned a pontoon before, go to the local marina and talk to lots of folks who already own one, especially those with a toon similar to the one you are looking for. Talk nice to them and some of them may even take you out for a little ride.
Good luck!

[Quay]

Thanks for the help. Maxing out the HP is definitely the theme I am getting. Planning on a 24 footer with a 115, but the 150 is tempting. Although buying a boat and being fiscally responsible don't belong in the same sentence, I am trying to keep the cost in line. Afraid with the 150 HP and adding lifting strakes/possible third tube will price it out of control. Is a 150 with 2 tubes and strakes a good setup or at that point should you just add a third tube? My daughter is 12, but I sense the need for more speed down the road.

[tms0425]

Perhaps Bamaman will weigh in on this thread or ping him, but the Bennington S with the 3/4 express tube and Yamaha 150 or maybe the Merc 4 stroke 150 might be a very good option. He has the Yamaha 150 but has been very happy with his boat. That Merc is really value priced (~$10k), very solid performing with great torque, low maintenance and they're selling the heck out of them for pontoons. We have several on our lake now using them for tubing, skiing, and such with great results.

[bassn386]

Quay, tell us how you'll use the toon. That may prompt some additional suggestions.
Also, tell us where you're from and where you'll be using the boat.

[Quay]

I will be using it on Lake Norman NC. Decent size lake and busy, so it can be a little rough sometimes. I have a friend with a 22 footer with 2 toons and a 115 and it gets along fine. I plan to cruise and relax, but my daughter plans to tube and I suspect will move up to skiing and kneeboarding. As she gets older, I would think her need for more speed will increase.

[Bamaman]

Tritoons with 150's are pushing high $30's or low $40's. They're great performing at around 40 mph.

Like was said, the Merc 150 FourStroke is available for less $ than the Yamaha's, and performance appears about the same.

Like was said, don't get hung on a specific brand of boat. There are many comparable brands of boats I'd be proud to own.

I don't really know if many twin toons are rated for 150 hp. It seems most are rated at 115 hp. I think 150 hp would be a waste of money on a twin toon boat unless it had lifting strakes.

Try to buy local if you can, but sometimes it pays to drive a little to save a lot. And the internet is a great place to shop--if just for relativity.

[Quay]

Thanks for all the help. Time to buy a boat!

[Bamaman]

Quay: I know where you can buy a new 2012 Bennington 22SSL w/115 hp Yamaha for $30. He has a G model for just a little more. PM me if you're in the Mid South.