Buying advice for 1st Pontoon

[RReaume]

Hi Everyone I am new to pontoons. I am currently looking at buying by first pontoon. I currently own a 26 foot cruiser that I am trading in. There are 3 models I am looking at seriously any input would be great. 1. Harris Flotebote 250 (XTR package) Grand Mariner SL single lounger with 300 Mercury Verado. 2. Avalon 25 (5x7 package) Ambassador Entertainer or J-bench with 300 E-tec. 3. Manitou (SHP package) 25 SES rear bench with 300 E-tec. (all 3 boats are tritoons and will be set up with their own version of the tight turning radius package)

I will be using the boat on the Great Lakes but mainly Lake St. Clair in Michigan.

Anyone own these models what motor do you have and what is the top speed at WOT.

Pros Cons to Verado vs E-tec
(Which motor would all of you recommend)

Is any of these brand pontoons better than the other because they all have the same warranty.

FYI : The Harris Flotebote is sold right across from the marina where I keep my boat. The others are approximately 25 miles away.

All input welcome.
Thanks
Roy

[nathan]

they are all good boats. Just make sure you get the one that best suits your needs. I prefer the verado but that is just my opinion. but they both have warranties so you should be covered. as for top speed I would think you should be able to see 30-40 out of them with the 300 on it. good luck on your decision.

[cwag911]

They're all nice boats but also take a look at Bennington. Great toons and great customer service. Also a 7 year bow to stern warranty. Take a look here: http://club.benningtonmarine.com/

[Nautical]

They're all nice boats but also take a look at Bennington. Great toons and great customer service. Also a 7 year bow to stern warranty. Take a look here: http://club.benningtonmarine.com/

Cwag beat me to it but he owns one and I don't yet so that's okay!

I did a lot of the same research that you did and I'm narrowed down to the Manitou and the Bennington with a 250. I'm okay with any of the big 4 hanging off the back (Yamaha, Evinrude, Mercury and Honda).

[RReaume]

Looking at the Bennington too have not had it quoted yet but it will have to be the same price as the others for me to consider. All models mentioned above are 65K out the door.

The Bennington I am looking is the 2550 RCB with ESP and a 300hp with all the same options as the other brands. Will have it quoted this week.

[Bamaman]

I'm too a Bennington owner, and am sold on them as a company. Right now, sales volumes are increasing only at Bennington and at the Berkshire companies--if that tells you anything. The rest of this segment of the marine industry is flat in retail sales. Bennington continues to make floorplan and option changes every year, and they're actively listening to their customers. That's why they're #1 in sales.

There are some Mercury motors on Benningtons, but very few ETEC's. ETEC's are mostly on Manitou's, who has an affiliation with Bombardier's marine division. Of course, Bennington is affiliated with Yamaha and is the largest purchaser of their motors. You'd have to go to the boat engine manufacturers' websites to see about their engines' performance tests on tritoons.

When you get in this price range, you want to really make sure that the boat you purchase suits your present and future boating needs. That means you should go to the lake with any of the boats you're interested in, and feel them out "by the seat of the pants." Unfortunately, you don't have much time to personally test the boats with the Fall coming fast.

Good luck to you.

[foster brooks]

buy what you like, their all good, the guy that shows up at the sand bar in a $10000 weres is doing the same thing that a guy that comes in a $80000 bennington...... drinking

[Cycleman07]

http://www.southbaypontoon.com/product.asp?page=sb900s

[BobL]

http://www.southbaypontoon.com/product.asp?page=sb900s

I always wondered.....does that "tower" fold for transportation or going under low bridges or sitting in boat lift? My Mastercraft's wakeboard tower folded but it was not very easy to put up and down and nothing you wanted to do by yourself.

[schmeg]

buy what you like, their all good, the guy that shows up at the sand bar in a $10000 weres is doing the same thing that a guy that comes in a $80000 bennington...... drinking

Not all of us go to the sand bar, and not all of us drink. Some do use there boats for floating living rooms and or water sports. If everybody went to the sandbar to drink, there wouldn't be so many choices in boats.
With that being said, it's good advice to know exactly what your needs are for a floor plan go with that manufacturer. My latest toon is a new Sanpan, but if I had to do it again, I would go back to Bennington. My last boat was a Bennington and we never had a problem with it. I wish I could say the same about this boat. It's nice, but it has had issues (quality control).

[Cycleman07]

They fold but not sure how easily

[RReaume]

Just priced out a new Bennington 2550 RCB with 300 yamaha. I will let you know when I get the quote back. Set up a test drive on a 25' with a 225 for Sunday at the Metro Boat show. I am hoping the price comes in the same as the others I think I will go with the Bennington, with all the reviews I have read, Bennington is at top due to warranty and customer satisfaction. I will keep you posted.