Shopping for my first pontoon boat

[tooned_in]

If there are any NH tooners out there with dealership recommendations then please pass them along. I'm not totally fixed on buying from a dealership and will definitely consider private sales as well. I just know a lot of folks don't want to deal in private sales so they just trade in to the dealer.

Also, any other good online sources for browsing available inventory. So far I've just looked at CL and boattrader. I think that I found my ideal boat (so far) on boattrader but its a wee bit out of the budget. But something similar only 5-8 years older and maybe a bit less luxury must be out there. It would be good for me to have some more time to save for it anyway.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2010- ... -102359991

This one seems to incorporate basically everyone's recommendations.

90 HP - check
22' - check
rear ladder-check
small walkout platform at the front - check
And the seating arrangement looks ideal for what I want. I don't think that I've seen snap in carpeting on any other toon listings so far. That must be an upgrade feature. I'm assuming that is so that it can be easily replaced? Or maybe so it can be removed when the boat is docked to prevent it from the weather?

I'm guessing that boat dealers are willing to deal just like car dealers. That is part of the reason that I'd love to find something that I can afford to pay cash for. I've found when you can walk in somewhere and make a cash offer they know you are serious and ready to buy and are more willing to cut a deal and make the sale.

[Ezgoing]

The arguments you are hearing for the 90 hp motor are the same arguments I heard from the salesman when I bought my pontoon. First he tried to convince me I needed the biggest, most expensive pontoon on the lot, just in case I decided I wanted to use it for parties or skiing.

Then he tried to convince me that I needed the largest engine the pontoon I choose would carry.

He finally accepted that I only wanted the pontoon for fishing and that I was not going to buy something that was too big to get back into the timber and fish. I wanted an even smaller model but it came with a six gallon gas tank, which was unacceptable.

As I started to leave he finally realized I knew what I wanted and that was all I was going to buy.

So the first thing to decide is why you want this pontoon and how you expect to use it.

Do you want to run up and down the lake as the fastest pontoon on the lake or take it out on big lakes or the ocean?

Do you want it to pull water skiers?

Do you want it to hold large parties of friends?

From your first post the answer to those questions are no. You want it to take quiet lake side cruises with your family and maybe occasionally a few friends.

So a 20' pontoon with a 50 hp motor will probably be more than adequate for your needs, especially as that fits best into your budget. It's better to buy what you can afford and will use than to buy a boat that takes all your money for the payments and sits in the garage from lack of money to operate it.

I have had my Sun Tracker Bass Buggy DLX 18 for over a year now. I bought it with a 40 hp motor since the difference in speed between the 40 hp and the 90 hp motor was 4 miles per hour. I don't miss those 4 miles per hour. This pontoon works perfectly for getting me back into the timber where the crappie are often found.

So first decide how you will use the pontoon. Once you have decided on length and brand, check the specs to see how it responds with different motor sizes. You might find the difference between the 40 and the 90 hp motor is just 4 miles an hour, as I did.

But buy something that will suit your needs and not the needs of other people. Buy something that will leave you the money to use it every weekend. That big motors cost a lot more to operate than the smaller motors.

Besides you can always save some of the gas money you are not spending each week and trade up in a few years if you decide you now need something bigger. LOL

[pete43906]

I think the price is pretty on for the both of them. You could pick up a trailer new for 2.000 or less. My trailer was 1690 new with one axle. I hear all this talk about motor size and had to chime in on my Suntracker bass buggy I bought new 2 years ago. My motor is a mercury 9.9 hp!! The lake of our choice has this size limit and we don't put it in anywhere else. The thought of using these larger motors is always on my mind when trying to get out of a fast approaching storm. She is a putter and when she's loaded with gear, people, cooler and grub she's a barge. But we love her and get her out often.

[ron nh]

That boat trader listing is a nice boat but you can get one brand new with a trailer for that price, not exact same model but for what your looking for that boat is way overpriced. here in NH irwin marine consistently wins customer service awards, I dont know what they have in stock but great reputation. there are so many marinas in lakes region you can get a feel for who is a bullshiter and who isn't. alot of them are selling last years rentals now. to just put around they are great, with the short season and how expensive they are for weekly rental some have very few hours especially the larger motors since you need a boating certificate for anything over 25hp. good luck!

[ron nh]

quick follow up, just checked irwins inventory, they must like to haggle because their used prices are terrible.

[tooned_in]

Thanks for the dissenting opinions on motor size. Its interesting that the top speed is only a few mph higher, but I'm sure that just like a car you also get more torque (thrust?) and probably better acceleration. Still I'm no ruling out a 50 HP motor for now. I really think if I want to do water sports down the road that a pontoon may not be the best choice anyway. For now its getting out on the water with friends and family and cruising around the lake.

What do you guys think of this one? Its a bit far, but looks like a pretty good value. Its a 2008 20' Sylvain Mirage with a 50 HP 4-stroke. I don't know how this mfr compares to the Harris, but 6 years newer with an asking price of only $1500 higher and all the same specs seems like a no brainer. Of course its a Merc vs. Yamaha also and I'm not sure which motors are better regarded (probably depends on who you ask).

http://www.monadnockboatstore.com/new_v ... ov=3968929

Not a lot of inventory this time of year. But I'm not in a rush so I can wait for the right boat.

[Gonefishing]

Looks a lot better then then the others. How is the interior? Myself i would consider it over the others.

[Ezgoing]

Thanks for the dissenting opinions on motor size. Its interesting that the top speed is only a few mph higher, but I'm sure that just like a car you also get more torque (thrust?) and probably better acceleration. Still I'm no ruling out a 50 HP motor for now. I really think if I want to do water sports down the road that a pontoon may not be the best choice anyway. For now its getting out on the water with friends and family and cruising around the lake.

What do you guys think of this one? Its a bit far, but looks like a pretty good value. Its a 2008 20' Sylvain Mirage with a 50 HP 4-stroke. I don't know how this mfr compares to the Harris, but 6 years newer with an asking price of only $1500 higher and all the same specs seems like a no brainer. Of course its a Merc vs. Yamaha also and I'm not sure which motors are better regarded (probably depends on who you ask).

http://www.monadnockboatstore.com/new_v ... ov=3968929

Not a lot of inventory this time of year. But I'm not in a rush so I can wait for the right boat.

Price appears to be a little less than low retail. But that is not counting any extras that might be on the boat.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/2008/Sy ... 946/Values

[Coldbrew]

Hi tooned,

You might want to check out Winnisquam Marine. http://www.winnisquammarine.com/ They take in a lot of trades and won't try to sell you anything you don't want. I've bought 4 boats off of them and have always been happy.

I also deal with West Shore Marine up in Bristol because I'm on Newfound Lake http://www.westshoremarine.com/ They're also good people and have a lot of used boats in stock.

Good Luck and have fun looking

[r.karjala]

Having owed boats with a 50 and 100hp motors I would recommend getting the boat with the most motor possible.

Our current boat is a premier with a 220hp inboard. The purchase was a stretch 5 years ago but we have never regretted it.

Just my opinion.

[Bamaman]

Sometimes the mph is not that much different between motors. But the smaller motors have to be run to death to get the top speeds. The higher hp motors may even get better mpg due to not to being run at full throttle.

Larger motors especially cruise quieter and easier while carrying heavier loads (people).

Another issue with smaller motors is that they often come on boats with 19" toons. I see them all the time on the water plowing through the water attempting to carry 8-10 people--overloaded. There's no substitute for 25" toons as they're easier to push in the water.

[Reiner]

My main reason for the 150 HP Mercury was efficiency while cruising and noise. The first thing people notice is the quiet operation and not to have to scream to overcome the engine. Speed was not the concern. I plan on trips in excess of 100 miles so efficiency is a factor.

[landlockedsailor]

Welcome to tooning! Whatever you buy, I know you'll enjoy it.

I see that Swain Lake is 350 acres boasting great fishing. Smaller engine probably okay for that? (You experienced tooners on smaller lakes chime in, I'm far from expert.). We have a 60hp pushing a 21' and it's a slow ride. 17.5 mph tops. But, we're fishing pretty close to home, within 5 miles, so we don't need speed as much as the guys going way down the lake.

But, if you have big family or lots of friends you want to take out, you'll need more HP and roomy layout. And you'll be amazed at all the extra shit everybody brings on board for their day on the water. HP and more room again.

Buying the boat/engine is just the 1st part of the purchase. Lots of stuff out there you'll want/need to buy for the boat. Lines, fenders, anchor(s), life vests, ad infinitum. Leave a little $ for that! And don't forget the beer/wine budget!

Keep us posted on your progress!

[Seon]

.. Ideally maybe I'll come across and older boat that has been repowered with a bigger 90 HP motor.

Good luck with that. I've been searching for one for the last three months with no luck.

[tooned_in]

I hear you Seon. I was hoping to get a good deal buying off season, but there are so few boats available in the price range I'm looking for. Everything seems to be nearly new or old junk. Just not much for sale. I'm still on the hunt though. No rush....lakes are going to be frozen by the end of the week