Looking to buy my first pontoon

[ScottE]

Scott: Like Dave Ramsey says, "Eat beans and rice, then rice and beans."

A $4300 credit card bill is not that much in this modern day time. My last zip code in Atlanta was holding an average $6500 balance for every adult person. It just costs a bunch to live in this day and time.

I put some high dollar expenses like car and boat insurance on a credit card that pays me back with travel miles. I do pay it off each month, however.

Just keep on plugging away.

Yeah, $4300 isn't a lot of debt, but it was still 70% of my total available credit, which is bad. Ideally for a good score it should be between 10-20%. Got it down to $2200 now. Plan to get it down to 15% of my available credit by end of this summer. Also have one late payment on my report that should drop off next month. So I'm hoping I'll be all set.

[ScottE]

I think the Power Assist steering is standard with the 300 hp motor. I have it on my Manitou with the Etec 250 HO and it is great. Was a standard with the 250 also. The Manitou is a great handling boat and I've not had any issues or breakages on the boat. I did have a seam on one of my seat cushions split. I do not have any Manitou dealers close to me; contacted Manitou, sent them a picture. They are sending me a new complete seat cushion. Works very well for me. Have not had anything loosen up, no pontoon issues, nothing, nada. Looked at the Explode but bought the Oasis SHP for the loungers, better fit for our boating. Still have the high performance with the floating living room.
Our boat will run 46 mph (GPS) full of fuel, gear and 6 adults and handles like a ski boat. 25 is a really big pontoon (IMO) but you should be able to get about the same as our boat with the 300 I would think, maybe a little better w the Explode.
We also have the side ladder mentioned before, it is great. If not standard, get the center toon storage.

Well I know hydrallic steering is mandatory on I believe anything over 90HP. But power assist is an add on.

Great to hear your Manitou is working out well for you and that you're getting good warrantly service.

I get to ride along in a Premier Grand Majestic this past weekend with PTX Performance toons and a 300HP Merc 4 stroke. It handled like a sports car on water. So smooth on the water. The toons cut through the wakes of other boats really nicely. It was a nice experience for me finally ride in a high performance pontoon.