Purchase Advice

[Brian - NC]

Hello. I am a new member and hope to tap the collective pontoon intelligence of the group.

Purchased a home on a lake in western NC last month. The lake is moderate to small, 720 acres but not place it is particular wide. 27 miles of shore and very deep.

I would like to purchase a 20 foot pontoon boat. I feel this size is right for my family and intended use. The boat will primarily be used for cruising the lake at slow speeds. I am thinking 60hp or 70hp would be more than plenty. I don't need every bell and whistle and would like to keep the cost low, say under $17 or 18K. that said, I really like the "living room style" comfort and blue tooth will both be a big hit with my wife, sons and in-laws

I attended a boat show this weekend. There were a lot of pontoon manufacturers represented all explaining why there boat is the best. Manufacturer I talked with include Bennington, Bentley, Star Craft, Aqua Patio and Crest I think I am more confused now than before I attended!

I like the Agua Patio and the Bennington. To me they felt most solid and Bennington seems to have a great warranty.

Please let me know what are considered the best value pontoon boats available. I am willing to give up many of the features for a good solid comfortable boat. A boat I can keep a long time. I have also considered buying a 1 to 3 year old newer used model.

Any advice, insight or recommendations are greatly appreciated,

with kind regards,
Brian

[old jim]

Even though I have a Tracker, from what I have read on this forum
the Bennington line of boats is first class all the way. Also a 20 footer
and a 60 horse motor will do nicely for your lake. Regards, old jim

[NonHyphenAmerican]

720 acres is one and an eighth square mile. That's a fairly small lake.


The lake I toon on is 8000 acres, or about 12.5 square miles.

My 22' toon has a 90hp Yamaha and it does quite nicely.

So I'd think a 60hp would put you from one side of a 720 acre lake to the other lickety split.

Toons come in Fish, Cruise, or Fish & Cruise layouts.

So once you decide what you'll be doing most, you can find a layout that suits your needs.

If you like to fish and it doesn't have a live-well (two on mine), and plenty of room for fishermen to face the water, you'll probably won't like it as much.

Same would be true if you want to "Cruise" and the layout uses up lounging space for livewells and fishing seats.

Even buying a new boat, you can probably stay in your budget with a 20' Fishing Toon and a 40-60 hp motor would be more than enough to scoot around the lake and fish.

[ROLAND]

Hello Brian... from what you posted I think a 20 footer with a 70 will do you just fine... don't get me wrong, extra hp never hurts, but I've always thought that if you don't plan on pulling skiers or tubes, and all you want to do is fish and cruise, why pay extra for a bigger outboard.... Personally I'll tell you that you can't go wrong with the bennington.. they do have a great warranty, but there are alot of other manufacturers out there that sell really quality boats... we have a 2010 Bennington 20 sfi with a 75 hp yamaha... won't set any speed records, about 23 to 25 tops, depending on the water.. but plenty fast enough for us to cruise of just hop from one fishing hole to the next... I haven't priced a toon in 5 years, but I can tell you my set up, new including a single axle trailer was just under 21K otd..... have fun boat shopping...

[brumbyvet]

You might want to look at Sun Tracker boats also. They have a good selection of boats that would meet your needs exactly. Good luck with the search.

[RcgTexas]

First Welcome to the forum!

For what you seem to want to do 60=70 hp is more than enough. and I don't think you will need the upper end of those horses much at all.

[Bamaman]

You would do well with any of the major brands of boats. I like Bennington, but it may exceed your budget. The Bentley might better fit your budget. I would suggest looking at the dealers in your retail market--stay close to home.

And if you can swing a single axle trailer, get one. Those with trailers can easier do maintenance on their boats, and can even take their boats to larger waters. Boats that are kept out of the water also age better.

Over in East TN, there are a bunch of great lakes, including Douglas and Norris Lake, that are worth seeing.

[Brian - NC]

Thanks to all for the great insight so far.

I just found a "leftover" 2014 Sweetwater 2086 C3 that appears to be a pretty nice deal....while still being new.

Does anyone have experience with Sweetwater pontoon boats. It's part of the Godrey Boat group (Sanpan, Aqua Patio...)

Again, my thanks,
Brian

[NonHyphenAmerican]

Brian, If the pictures I found of that boat are correct, that's a "Cruiser".

Depending on the price, and if you're not an avid fisherman, that's probably a good "Family Boat".

Some sample illustrations


Fishing:




Cruising:





Fish & Cruise

[MH Hawker]

Ask around and make sure its not a limited hp lake, a lot of small ones are

[Mark72]

Great find I like the cruiser layout the best

[Brian - NC]

Thanks for the pic Non Hyphen!

yes its the cruiser model, It is actually the 2086 C3

As Always, thanks to all
Brian

[PlaynDoc]

brian... which lake in western nc?

[babock]

My boat is on Big Bear in CA. It is 7 miles long with around 15 miles of shore line. I bought a used 2006 21' Sun Tracker with a 90HP motor and it is perfect for this lake. I needed the higher HP since this lake is 6800 ft.

My boat was a little over 6 years old when I bought it and I paid half of what the original owner bought it for. Engine only had 70 ours on it and the boat was in excellent condition.

[Brian - NC]

PlaynDoc,

It's Lake Lure. south of Asheville,

Brian