Looking to buy my first pontoon

[ScottE]

Hello - this is my first post here. This is an interesting forum with a lot of great info. Glad to have found this place.

I'm looking to buy my first pontoon after looking at well over 150 of them at the Boat Show last weekend. Based on price and bang for the buck, we've decided to go with Sylvan.

Here are the specs -
Sylvan - Mirage 8522 LZ with LE Package Upgrade (22 Foot) - $20,990
Two RPT (Revolutionary Planing Technology) Tubes - $1,100
150HP Mercury Motor - $5,000 (upgraded from the 60hp it comes with)
Triton Drive-On Pontoon Trailer (2 axels) - $2,900

Total estimated pricing with tax will be around $32,000

I've been told with say 4 people in the pontoon I should be able to reach speeds in the low 40's mph range.

Also considering upgrading the stern boarding area with Synthetic Teak Flooring, adding a ski tow bar, and possibly adding SeaStar Hydraulic Steering (wondering how much this is actually needed).

I'm looking for any comments or concerns from the pros here - anything I'm missing or have overlooked. Thanks in advance.

[1roadking]

For that much money, I would go for a tritoon. Better ride and handling. The 150 is a great engine for a 22 footer. Is it the new 4 stroke?

[Rascal]

I've been looking at that model, that's too much for that boat. You can do A LOT better.

Make them an offer that's a least 25% of the MSRP (list) price, that's the norm in these hard times. Personally, I'd make them an offer of 30% (or more). After they go ballistic, you walk out the door, they' l chase you out to the parking lot with a counter offer.

Rascal

[ScottE]

For that much money, I would go for a tritoon. Better ride and handling. The 150 is a great engine for a 22 footer. Is it the new 4 stroke?

Where can I find a 22' tritoon with a 60hp Mercury included for $20,990?

Yes, the Mercury is the new 4 stroke.

[cwag911]

Whatever you decide to buy, get the power assisted steering.

[ScottE]

Whatever you decide to buy, get the power assisted steering.

Yeah, I was wondering how important this is, and how expensive it will be.

[brianD]

I have a 225 with just hydraulic (not power assist) and at speed, it's HARD to steer because of fighting the torque of the motor. I would expect that the 150 would be similar.

[bassn386]

I've got the Yamaha 225 with hydraulic steering and I have never experienced torque steer, even punching it to the wall from a standing start. Could be the 32" center tube absorbs some of that.

[lakerunner]

I love the Sylvan toons. The RPT logs really work well. There are a few on my lake and I talked with one running a 115 on a 22. He was really surprised by performance.

[ScottE]

So wait, hydraulic steering and power assist are two completely different things? I thought perhaps they were just two different terms the basically describe power steering for a pontoon? So what exactly do I need to make the steering easy, like in a vehicle?

[dockholiday]

Welcome to the board
There are two basic steering systems that most toons come equipped with Bay Star and Sea Star.
Typically the Bay Star is for hp less than 150 and Sea Star is for 150hp and above. From there you can add the power assist to the Sea Star if needed. I like the feel of my sea star just the way it is with the 150hp. Some have said their boats are hard to steer even with the sea star and have added the power assist. Guess I would ask the price of the power assist on the sea star and find out if they would honor that price if you felt the need to add it later. Never really thought that much of the steering until we had a pretty in depth thread or two on it. Guess cause all my boat have steered well and didn't know I had the sea star until after I bought the boat.
doc

[ScottE]

Welcome to the board
There are two basic steering systems that most toons come equipped with Bay Star and Sea Star.
Typically the Bay Star is for hp less than 150 and Sea Star is for 150hp and above. From there you can add the power assist to the Sea Star if needed. I like the feel of my sea star just the way it is with the 150hp. Some have said their boats are hard to steer even with the sea star and have added the power assist. Guess I would ask the price of the power assist on the sea star and find out if they would honor that price if you felt the need to add it later. Never really thought that much of the steering until we had a pretty in depth thread or two on it. Guess cause all my boat have steered well and didn't know I had the sea star until after I bought the boat.
doc

Thanks for some clarification. But it still seems to leave some gray area on what I really need. I ultimately want to buy what I need and not have find out later that I wish I would have gone with this or that.

So please, anyone else with input, I'd greatly appecriate any info you have to offer. I find it's best to get info from the real people using the stuff over those that are paid to review products.

[gramps]

I'm quite surprised that the dealer didn't recommend Hyd steering to you. Just about every motor mfg. says that you should get it if you have a 150hp eng.

[PlaynDoc]

I'm quite surprised that the dealer didn't recommend Hyd steering to you. Just about every motor mfg. says that you should get it if you have a 150hp eng.

When I was choosing which motor.... 90, 115, or 150, the stealership said that with the 90 & 115, no hydraulic steering help was needed, but did recommend something like that if I was considering 150. I chose the 115. Since I have only 2 logs, no lifting strakes, I couldnt see any benefit to the 150hp. It wouldnt increase my speed by much, and the expense was certainly different. I guess it would give me more pulling power with tubes, etc., but again... still not justified.....

[ScottE]

I'm quite surprised that the dealer didn't recommend Hyd steering to you. Just about every motor mfg. says that you should get it if you have a 150hp eng.

Yeah, I was talking to the dealer today and he basically said "oops, yeah I should have mentioned you'll need hydraulic steering".