Going to buy a pontoon...

[Wet_Dream]

Hi All,

Pretty sure I am going to buy a new pontoon. We currently have an 18' bowrider, but with 3 kids on board it's just too cramped. Here are my options and I want some opinions. Would like to make a deal in the next day or so...

2010 Suntracker Party Barge 240 with a 90hp Mercury 2 stroke; New boat. $21,000 is price with trailer and mooring cover.

2011 Bennington 24SLi, 115 Mercury Opti Max; New boat. $27,000 is price with trailer and mooring cover.

2011 South Bay 23, 115 Mercury 4 Stroke; New boat. $27,200 is price with trailer and mooring cover.

All boats are equipped well enough to meet my needs. All prices are OTD minus my trade which ranges from 8700-9200.

Suntracker is most aggressive on pricing, however, biggest boat with smallest motor. My kids like to tube and two of the boys are learning to ski.

Thoughts?

Shawn

 

[5150abf]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

Look at all 3 in, on and under the boat see how they are built and compare warranties and I think a clear winner will come out, look for through bolted rails and deck, screwed on is a cheap way to do it and doesn't last as long and then how much weld is on the tubes and do they use M style bracekets which give you 4 points on cantact with the tube.

There are huge differences between the boats you have chosen, Suntracker is considered an entry level boat, Southbay is just above that and Bennington is regarded as the best by most people and I will add now that I work for Bennington in the weld shop so I could be a bit bias but not really.

As our most recent ad says, Comparing a Bennington to any other boat is like comparing apples and oranges, they are both fruit but that is where it ends.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

Hey Shawn, Welcome. Unless you will be constantly boating in Lake Erie, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Atlantic ocean to the Bahamas, all your choices should serve your needs, as well as many other brands. Dealer location and support would be high on my priority list as well. Can't argue with (5150), Benningtons are top notch, and to some degree, you get what you pay for. I do believe SouthBay's quality has gone up some since Warren Buffet bought the company a few years ago. Whatever gets you and the family out there safely is the main thing. Good luck, and keep us informed.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

No brainer from those selections. The Bennington!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

Benny.

 

[Wet_Dream]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

All,

Do you think the Party Barge 240 with a 90 HP 2 stroke will pull around a tube ok and get my kids up on combo ski's? The price difference between the boats is substantial.

Also, anyone have any insight as to what dealer cost is on the Party Barge? It's hard to know what a "good" deal is.

I realize the Bennington is the "best", but I'm having a hard time ponying up the extra $$.

Shawn

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

You won't do any skiing with a 90 except in very ideal conditions. Try to negotiate a 115 on the Party Barge if you are nearing your budget max.

 

[badbird]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

Hi All,

Pretty sure I am going to buy a new pontoon. We currently have an 18' bowrider, but with 3 kids on board it's just too cramped. Here are my options and I want some opinions. Would like to make a deal in the next day or so...

2010 Suntracker Party Barge 240 with a 90hp Mercury 2 stroke; New boat. $21,000 is price with trailer and mooring cover.

2011 Bennington 24SLi, 115 Mercury Opti Max; New boat. $27,000 is price with trailer and mooring cover.

2011 South Bay 23, 115 Mercury 4 Stroke; New boat. $27,200 is price with trailer and mooring cover.

All boats are equipped well enough to meet my needs. All prices are OTD minus my trade which ranges from 8700-9200.

Suntracker is most aggressive on pricing, however, biggest boat with smallest motor. My kids like to tube and two of the boys are learning to ski.

Thoughts?

Shawn

Shawn

I would really look at construction and decide, I also think a 90HP 2 stroke is very small on a 24' pontoon, I also think the 4 stroke would be the better choice for the engine

If I had to choose I would either go Bennington or South Bay I think both are very nice and built to last


Just My .02
Ron

 

[Kitchen363]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

If the kids are going to ski and tube go for the benny or the southbay with the bigger motors. Can you get lifting strakes with either boat?? That would be a great option to have for the extra speed. Also make sure they throw in a ski bar on the deal if your buying new. That is a must have!!

 

[Wet_Dream]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

I think i am going to take the Sun Tracker out of consideration due to the smaller motor and the fact that the closest dealer is 100+ miles away. The South Bay has a 4 stroke and I am going to take a look at it today. From a warranty perspective the southbay and bennington are created equal...

Shawn

 

[badbird]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

I think i am going to take the Sun Tracker out of consideration due to the smaller motor and the fact that the closest dealer is 100+ miles away. The South Bay has a 4 stroke and I am going to take a look at it today. From a warranty perspective the southbay and bennington are created equal...

Shawn

Shawn

both the Bennington and South Bay are very nice boats, BTW what model is the South Bay?

Ron

 

[Wet_Dream]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

Shawn

both the Bennington and South Bay are very nice boats, BTW what model is the South Bay?

Ron

The South Bay was either a 522CR.

 

[Wet_Dream]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

I bought the Bennington...Pickup on Thursday evening.

Shawn

 

[lncoop]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

Nice. Just in time to watch fireworks from the boat.

 

[57 starcraft]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

Hi there , i know this is off subject but i am new to the site and can not figure out how to post a new thread with out going to a forum ??? Any help would be great

 

[5150abf]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

Congrats, good they has one in stock, alot of our dealers are selling every boat they can get and can't run stock boats.

Get up some pics and let us know what you think of it.

57 Starcraft, as soon as you navigate to the main page there should be a button at the top left of the page that says "start new thread".

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Going to buy a pontoon...

I have a 24 ft StarCraft with a 90 hp two stroke Merc. And I have no problem pulling a raft. and I love doing figure eights while pulling. It's and 07. I may be selling it at the end of the season. My wife is having problems with her legs and it's very hard for her to get in and out of the boat. It's just the two of use. I'll be 70 in October.