Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

[bruceb58]

Thinking about buying a used pontoon for use at Big Bear Lake in California. Thinking about a used 20-22 foot one in the $10K region.

I am very familiar with the quality of fiberglass boat brands but have no idea how the brands stack up to each other.

For Fiberglass boats, if Cobalt was top of the line, Sea Ray middle line and Bayliner lower line, how do the various pontoon boat brands compare in quality?

If I am buying a used one, other than condition of the outboard motor itself, what are other things that need to be looked at?

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

Why do you want a Pontoon boat?

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

Probably for the same reason other people want one.

They are pretty bullet proof. Make sure the pontoons don't leak and the floor feels solid, look for any damage.
You can usually tell how someone keeps their stuff just by looking at it, the upholstery, carpet, etc'.
You should be able to find something for that price. Good Luck.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

Why do you want a Pontoon boat?

Because I can't see keeping my 24' cuddy cabin boat up at this lake. The lake isn't very large and wouldn't do any skiing on the lake. I would just leave it up there in a slip.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

Bruce, you really can't go wrong with any of the Party Barges built within the last 10+ years. As stated above, the condition of the interior & health of the motor are the main things. Premium brands may be constructed a bit better, ie: through bolted deck hardware vs. screwed in, but for normal use, it really won't matter. Newer barges will have the larger diameter tubes, 24-26" vs. 19-23", larger beams, 8 1/2' vs. 8'. changing/bathrooms, better stereos, roto-molded seat bases vs. wooden, ect. There really isn't anything that can hide from a good inspection. No rotten transom, floors & stringers to worry about. People will be able to help out better once you think you're getting close & can post some pics. As for engines, I would stick w/ the 4-strokes or newer DFI 2-strokes. Good luck !!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

How is the quality of the Parti Kraft by Godfrey? I am looking at one that is a 2000. Would that pretty much mean it has a wood floor?

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

How is the quality of the Parti Kraft by Godfrey? I am looking at one that is a 2000. Would that pretty much mean it has a wood floor?

Bruce, probably 90% of all pontoon boats were / are built w/ some type of marine grade / pressure treated floors. I'm not familiar w/ Parti Kraft / Godfrey toons. Never saw one down here in our local waters, but I think they were once affiliated w/Sanpan. One of the older makers of toons. Hopefully someone will chime in shortly. One other recommendation if I may, I'd stay away from I/O powered barges. Power & economy are great, but servicing can be challenging at best in the very tight confines.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

I have a 1999 18' Godfrey Parti Craft. We have had it for a couple of years and have had no issues with it at all. I am not sure but the floor looks to be coated underneath with fiberglass. It is a solid boat. It was re-powered with an 06 Honda.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

I have a 1999 18' Godfrey Parti Craft. We have had it for a couple of years and have had no issues with it at all. I am not sure but the floor looks to be coated underneath with fiberglass. It is a solid boat. It was re-powered with an 06 Honda.

Thanks for the input. The one I am looking at is re-powered with an 07 Honda.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

If this possibility has been re-powered check to see that the steering clears well in both directions. Mine doesn't. I've learned to live with it and missed it when checking out the boat.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

How is the quality of the Parti Kraft by Godfrey? I am looking at one that is a 2000. Would that pretty much mean it has a wood floor?

Hey Bruce, Overall The Parti Kraft pontoons are actually pretty well constructed and were designed to last a long time.

Godfrey marine did not take too many short cuts on the construction side of the build in both the flooring and internal design of the toons. The toons should baffled and well construction.

The overall performance and handling of the Parti Kraft is a perfect fit for lakes like Big Bear, Arrowhead, Canyon lake. Hardin Marine Arrowhead sold a ton of them to the three mentioned lakes back in around 2000.

The only down fall to Godfrey marine was (probably still is) their parts department was ran like a 1940's car dealership. No real system to find and order parts. You had to either verbally tell them what you needed or fax in a handwritten parts order sheet and wait to see if the part needed came in was correct or not. It was a 50/50 if you got the right part or not.

So when it comes to small accessories like hardware latches, locks, hinges, switches, colored matched gauges, things of that nature you'll be mostly on your own at finding them.

The people at Mile high marine in big bear should know the Parti Kraft models pretty well if you happen to walk in there and ask about them.

What type of engine power are you think or mostly seeing for sale?

Oh and by the way, this is just as good of a spot as any to ask about them.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

Grins and welcome to the dark side Bruce

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

What type of engine power are you think or mostly seeing for sale?

One I am looking at has a 75HP Honda.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

One I am looking at has a 75HP Honda.

That's a nice smooth quiet engine with good performance. I'm sure you will like it. The only problem is in this area is, there are not a lot of Honda dealers to buy quick OEM parts from so you may want to fine a trustworthy source beforehand.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

My honda 40 runs nice. Quiet and smooth. Starts at the touch of the key.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

OK...that one is sold...too bad.

Next up are a few Sun Trackers(2005 through 2003) with 60 HP 4 stroke Mercs

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

OK...that one is sold...too bad.

Next up are a few Sun Trackers(2005 through 2003) with 60 HP 4 stroke Mercs

Around here, Sun Trackers out number most brands 3 or 4 to1. You should be golden. On the 60 hp. Mercs, look for the "Bigfoot" designation. Uses the larger, beefier lower unit from the 90 - 115 models. Good luck !!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

On the 60 hp. Mercs, look for the "Bigfoot" designation. Uses the larger, beefier lower unit from the 90 - 115 models. Good luck !!!

That's what they all seem to have.

 

[ahicks]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

Just bought ours recently (07 Sweetwater/50hp Honda). Would like to add that we were advised on several occasions that with all else being equal, to look for/give preference to fuel injected engines over carbed versions? Reasons were ease of starting, fuel economy, and more than anything else, less maintenance.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Pontoon Brands Quality -- First time Pontoon Purchaser

Bruce, the Godfrey boats are put together better than Suntrackers, but Suntrackers are fine (I have one), and if you buy one it will most likely have the aluminum decking instead of plywood. As that coon ask guy says:laugh:, pretty much any recognizable brand will serve you well for many years provided it hasn't been abused too much. That's one of the nice things about toons.