pontoon boat

RUGMAN · 08-16-2015, 06:52 AM

I am new to boating and pretty sure We are going to buy a used pontoon boat this fall. Looking at Bennington, Starcraft, South-bay ect. How do you decide. Looking for thoughts and recommendations as to quality of these or others. would love some guidance.

Dave R · 08-16-2015, 07:38 AM

Condition is more important on a used boat than brand. I will only buy "cream puff" used boat and highly recommend you do the same. Boats that have been lovingly maintained are a pleasure to own. Boats that have been neglected are a pain to own.

There's no such thing as too much power on a boat. Get the biggest engine you can afford.

I like to have a good canvas package to enclose the cockpit on those days when the weather turns to crap. It can also extend the boating season extensively.

thinkxingu · 08-16-2015, 08:44 AM

Where are you located? If near Moultonborough, I'd be glad to meet with you, show you ours, and go over what we've figured out in one year of pontoon ownership (too much to list here).

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

pjard · 08-16-2015, 09:20 AM

Ditto offer from me, I'm in Gilford.

Dad sold the C * C · 08-16-2015, 09:44 AM

Premiere is also a good line and Irwins is now the local dealer for them. Something I didn't realize is that not all Tri-toons are the same; some are the performance types, that turn sharp and bank a bit in the turns. then there are non "performance" Tri-toons, these stay more level during a turn but don't turn as sharp. Both handle chop very well and ar very stable. You will pay more for a "performance" tri toon such as Premire's PTX, in our case we went with a plain tri-toon.

As others have said you can get good deals as Marinas try to sell their rental fleet. Yes I know, do you want something that may have been used hard? Ask, I have seen some that go into service in the middle of summer and are really good deals.

Good luck and have fun looking,

Greene's Basin Girl · 08-16-2015, 10:56 AM

I would try to purchase a tri-toon. They handle the chop great on the windiest of days. We purchased our Harris FloteBoat at Melvin Marina and we love it. We travel all over the lake from our place in Green's Basin every weekend. If you are going to be on Winnipesaukee I would get a boat that is 23 feet or longer.

noreast · 08-16-2015, 03:13 PM

Buying used, the motor will be your biggest expense so have it checked by a pro for sure. as has been said I don't think brand is as important as layout (personnel preference) and condition. Alot of rentals are way under powered. But some are in great condition, I wouldn't rule one out. All brands have entry level and high end, just know which is which. Try to get the most hp the boat can handle or you'll wish you had. Happy shopping. quick edit. one way to tell build quality is underneath, best are built 16" on center cheaper models are 24". and get at least a 25" tube if your buying a boat over 20' long.

chasedawg · 08-16-2015, 05:10 PM

Maybe I can help. I researched and test drove the pontoon market for two years. I have a pretty good idea what each pontoon has to offer for quality, performance, ride and resale value. What is also important is to know that the dealer will cover you for any used boat issues. Like others have said on Winni only buy a tritoon. I know of some great deals out there right now that I wish I was in the market. I am very happy what I purchased two years ago.

PM me if you want me to share with you what I learned.

Nedlam · 08-23-2015, 02:20 PM

I have a Regency 25.4 footer and love it.

SAMIAM · 08-24-2015, 08:04 AM

Bennington has a 7 year bow to stern warranty........they pay actual shop labor rates to the dealers so they are always happy to do warranty work.

08-16-2015, 06:52 AM	#1
RUGMAN Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: weirs beach, Posts: 300 Thanks: 39 Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts	pontoon boat I am new to boating and pretty sure We are going to buy a used pontoon boat this fall. Looking at Bennington, Starcraft, South-bay ect. How do you decide. Looking for thoughts and recommendations as to quality of these or others. would love some guidance.

08-16-2015, 05:10 PM	#8
chasedawg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melvin village Posts: 522 Thanks: 512 Thanked 314 Times in 148 Posts	used pontoon purchase Maybe I can help. I researched and test drove the pontoon market for two years. I have a pretty good idea what each pontoon has to offer for quality, performance, ride and resale value. What is also important is to know that the dealer will cover you for any used boat issues. Like others have said on Winni only buy a tritoon. I know of some great deals out there right now that I wish I was in the market. I am very happy what I purchased two years ago. PM me if you want me to share with you what I learned.

08-23-2015, 02:20 PM	#9
Nedlam Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pontoon I have a Regency 25.4 footer and love it.

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08-16-2015, 07:38 AM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,984 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	Condition is more important on a used boat than brand. I will only buy "cream puff" used boat and highly recommend you do the same. Boats that have been lovingly maintained are a pleasure to own. Boats that have been neglected are a pain to own. There's no such thing as too much power on a boat. Get the biggest engine you can afford. I like to have a good canvas package to enclose the cockpit on those days when the weather turns to crap. It can also extend the boating season extensively.

08-16-2015, 08:44 AM	#3
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,210 Thanks: 1,167 Thanked 2,048 Times in 1,271 Posts	Where are you located? If near Moultonborough, I'd be glad to meet with you, show you ours, and go over what we've figured out in one year of pontoon ownership (too much to list here). Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

The Following User Says Thank You to thinkxingu For This Useful Post:
RUGMAN (08-28-2015)

08-16-2015, 09:20 AM	#4
pjard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 635 Thanks: 490 Thanked 194 Times in 101 Posts	Ditto offer from me, I'm in Gilford.

The Following User Says Thank You to pjard For This Useful Post:
RUGMAN (08-28-2015)

08-16-2015, 09:44 AM	#5
Dad sold the C * C Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 273 Thanks: 119 Thanked 62 Times in 40 Posts	Premiere is also a good line and Irwins is now the local dealer for them. Something I didn't realize is that not all Tri-toons are the same; some are the performance types, that turn sharp and bank a bit in the turns. then there are non "performance" Tri-toons, these stay more level during a turn but don't turn as sharp. Both handle chop very well and ar very stable. You will pay more for a "performance" tri toon such as Premire's PTX, in our case we went with a plain tri-toon. As others have said you can get good deals as Marinas try to sell their rental fleet. Yes I know, do you want something that may have been used hard? Ask, I have seen some that go into service in the middle of summer and are really good deals. Good luck and have fun looking,

08-16-2015, 10:56 AM	#6
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	I would try to purchase a tri-toon. They handle the chop great on the windiest of days. We purchased our Harris FloteBoat at Melvin Marina and we love it. We travel all over the lake from our place in Green's Basin every weekend. If you are going to be on Winnipesaukee I would get a boat that is 23 feet or longer.

08-16-2015, 03:13 PM	#7
noreast Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 648 Thanks: 316 Thanked 120 Times in 93 Posts	Buying used, the motor will be your biggest expense so have it checked by a pro for sure. as has been said I don't think brand is as important as layout (personnel preference) and condition. Alot of rentals are way under powered. But some are in great condition, I wouldn't rule one out. All brands have entry level and high end, just know which is which. Try to get the most hp the boat can handle or you'll wish you had. Happy shopping. quick edit. one way to tell build quality is underneath, best are built 16" on center cheaper models are 24". and get at least a 25" tube if your buying a boat over 20' long.

The Following User Says Thank You to chasedawg For This Useful Post:
RUGMAN (08-17-2015)

08-24-2015, 08:04 AM	#10
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,891 Thanks: 334 Thanked 1,673 Times in 584 Posts	Bennington has a 7 year bow to stern warranty........they pay actual shop labor rates to the dealers so they are always happy to do warranty work.