Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

[brooksville_rebel]

Hello
Hope this is okay in the forum. If not please move to proper one but I didn't see a buying question one.
The wifey wants to get a pontoon boat. As a kid her dad had one and they go out every weekend. Been out on it myself till he sold it. I'd prefer a boat were we could go out farther (we live in Florida north of Tampa) and scuba dive but she's the boss. I know it. Anyways I know nothing. Nothing at all about them. I tried to find a blue book on pontoons but nada and all seem to list other types of boats but not them. At least that I could find.
Shes been looking at a co workers boat. Its a 1994 Palm Beach pontoon boat. It has a Mercury 45hp motor that they say pushes the boat just fine. Boat has a new stereo, new floor, 2 new batteries, new fuel tank and fuel lines. The trailer has new carpet and wood. Also new boalts. Last week they replaced the leaf spring and the trailer is ready to roll. They also have 2 spare tires for the trailer. The boat is currently in the water at their house. Said the only thing this boat needs is new seat covers and someone who can adjust the carbs , they just dont seem synced to him. . They use this boat every weekend so they say. My wife says the co worker is always saying they were out so believe that. They are asking 3200.00 I have only seen pics and boat seems to look decent. Not shiny and bright like off the lot but not neglected looking either. Plan on going to view in person this weekend.
Anyone got a place to check blue book value ?
Does price seem fair with the trailer ?
What questions should we be asking about the boat and its maintenance and anything else ?
I have seen some pontoons with bigger HP and some smaller so is a 45HP good for this 22footer ?
If its out of the water when we go to see it should he be willing to start it up ?

Any advice on buying one and what we should look for would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mark

 

[njm_T160]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

From what you describe 3200 seems like a fair price. As for the motor size, it all depends what you plan on doing with the boat. If you want to pull a tube with it, a 45HP would be a little small. If, however, all you want to do it putt around on it I think it would be fine. I have a 21ft. with a 40HP on it it is serves my purposes pretty well.
Good Luck!

 

[brooksville_rebel]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

Thanks.
Putting around. Let the kids fish. maybe tow a tuber but not like zoom zoom fast. But right now the kids are too young for that.

Thanks

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

Make sure you go for a ride before you buy it. 45hp is a small motor and if a storm comes up it will take you all day to get in.

If the toon was stored in the water, make sure to check the bottom of toon to see if it has any salt damage, salt water is hard on a toon after all those years.

The price doesn't seem bad if it's in nice condition.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

IMHO, I would keep looking. The carbs probably need rebuilding rather than adjusting. New seat covers and a carb job will significantly add to the purchase price and you would still have a low-powered, 15 year-old boat.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

When I bought my toon I was told and thought the same thing about the carbs. Especially after reading about the Honda carbs needing cleaning quite often. I had a wrench come over and he adjusted them to the point of about 80% better. I then added a good fuel filter / water separator to the fuel line and the motor runs near perfect. Each trip out it seems to run smoother. I was very surprised and delighted. Now this might not be the norm but I felt it needed to be said. As for the age and motor size if the boat is in good shape the price is fair. It would be a good start in the toon world. You can always upgrade if you all like it. Check the logs well and definitely have it run when you look at it. Preferably take it out on the water for a test ride. Shake the boat on the trailer and listen for water in the logs. Good luck.

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

...it's always a good idea to check the engine compression at the very least before buying. This can save you a world of troubles. Compression should hopefully be over 100 for each cyl and ideally around 120, with not much more than 15 percent difference between cyls. I agree with lakegeorge about the motor being too small. You would not be able to pull ski tubes with any amount of fun if you are thinking about that kind of stuff. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

"needs new seat covers" = needs to be reupholstered, which will probably cost 1500 bucks or so. 22 footer with a 45 will be pretty slow, as has been mentioned, and I'm always skeptical when someone says "just needs carbs adjusted" or "just needs a tuneup" as if they're in a position to know that's all a poorly running older outboard needs to be ship shape. Not saying the admiral's co-worker is a liar, but think through it objectively. Without even stepping foot aboard you know the boat needs new upholstery and is under-powered by an outboard with issues the extent of which are unkown, not to mention the fact that the toons are likely caked with untold layers of performance impeding crud that will be extremely difficult if not impossible to remove. You'd very likely be into this rig for a couple grand in addition to what you paid for it by the time you got her into decent shape. Sounds like an excellent way to ruin the relationship with the co-workers. I beseech you to keep looking. Welcome aboard.

 

[depty933]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

Some good advice here. 3200 for a good running pontoon that needs re-upholstery is fair. One that need both re-upholstery and unknown engine work. I'd keep looking. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

+1 on the keep looking, I'm trying to think of who made a 45 hp motor, no one in the last 30 years I think, and then either Merc, (OK,) or Chrysler, (out of business and hard to find parts for). The motor could run as described and need $1000 in work right now. Seat covers absolutely = reupholstery, $1500 minimum. '94 might also still be wooden seat bases which you really don't want. Also, welcome aboard sir.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

I suggest you check out http://www.pontoonforums.com and join the forum. Then, re-post your posting there. There are a large specialized bunch of pontoon owners there offering great advice.

You should look for a boat with a much larger engine. You could spend substantial money on this boat--in addition to the purchase price. Most people with pontoons prefer the largest engine the boat is rated for, or one size smaller.

For two pontoon boats, I generally suggest:
20'--go for a 50 hp or 60 hp big foot.
22'--go for a 75 or 90 hp
24'--go for a 90 or 115 hp
25'--go for a 115 or 150 hp

Children grow up, and they are bored putting around at 10 mph in an underpowered boat. For safety, a boat needs to have a reasonable amount of power and speed--in case a storm comes up.

 

[brooksville_rebel]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

Thanks all for the info and welcomes.
Alot of good info and points.
Was going to go look at it this weekend but they sold it before we could.
Guess it wasn't meant to be on this one. And from the sounds of things a good thing.

Thanks
Mark
Semper Fi Devil Dogs

 

[depty933]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

Just out of curiousity, and since Imus brought it up, what kind of motor was on that pontoon at 45 HP?

 

[brooksville_rebel]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

It was a 1995 70hp Force Mercury Outboard used only in freshwater

 

[brooksville_rebel]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

Wifey found another boat being sold by a Marina. Its a 1986 Aloha 24' with a 1986 Mercury 60hp two Stroke (this is not a force engine either) . They said the motor runs great and has 125 compression on all cylinders.
The carpet is in ok shape but is definitely worn and is torn on the back deck. The Bimini is in good shape and so is the mooring cover.

It comes on a newer Shorelander Single Axle Galvanized Trailer which they told her was a great trailer.

It was said to be taken out to the Gulf but they guy lived on the river so was docked in fresh water and after coming back from the bay was run through the fresh water. Guess that is a good thing. ??

The marina is asking $3800. Wifey likes it cuzs it nice and roomy. Been out of the water like a week. Floor seemed solid. One battery
that looked new. Has tilt and trim and that works too. Boat is what I would call basic which seems good less to go wrong.
Being a newbie boater just seems alot considering what we have seen on sites for sale and been looking at. Tho I must admit its had
more roomy space than the others we've looked at.
I looked up Aloha and seems like good boats today but couldn't find any info that far back on them. Nada doesn't seem to have much
for blue book values on pontoons or I am not searching properly on the site.

Feedback would be appreciated.
THanks
Mark

 

[lncoop]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

Aloha is a good brand. They're made by a john boat manufacturer here in Arkansas (Waco). The main things that jump out at me are the trailer; a 24 footer needs two axles, and the power plant. Tubing behind that sixty horse will be an exercise in boredom for all but the littlest tikes. In terms of pricing, I wouldn't even bother with NADA. Unless you're looking to buy new or close to it it's next to useless. Used boat prices are all about comps. Off hand $3800 doesn't sound too bad. How's the upholstery?

 

[brooksville_rebel]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

Not sure what you mean by comps ?
The upholstery is okay. No rips or tears. Needs a good cleaning and so does the Bimini. It looks like a 25yr old boat to me. Not bad looking 25 either. Not one that has sat in someones yard under a tree or in the middle of the yard getting sun dried.

Thanks
Mark

 

[lncoop]

Re: Newbie questions on buying used Pontoon

Comps = comparables. Just like houses and cars only more so, boat prices are based on comps. There's really no other viable option.