Soon to be tooner from PA

[ilockmup]

Hi everybody,
I am getting ready to buy my first pontoon. I currently have a bow runner. I got my choices narrowed down to a couple but I'm leaning towards a suntracker 24 Fishing barge or a sweetwater 2486 FC. I have pros and cons about each. Please answer a couple of questions to help me decide:
1. I want to tow teens. Would a 115 be sufficient for that size to get a decent tow going
2. Any pro/cons you can give on either
3. If you had one option that you wished you would have had, what would it be.

I really enjoy the forums. Thanks in advance for the help

[Bamaman]

If you're wanting to be into water sports, I'd suggest you go a 22' or 24' tritoon with lifting strakes and a 150 hp motor. The 115's are no where near as powerful as the 150's, and the bigger engines come alive on a boat with strakes.

Cannot say anything bad about these brands of boats. I prefer to negotiate with a dealer to get the lowest price--rather than go through Tracker's one price sales methods. They charge too much for prep and delivery, and you can get into an entry level model of a luxury brand for the same or often less. There again, I know of a dozen brands I'd be perfectly happy owning.

I like the rear facing lounger and extended rear deck. I'd be just as happy not to have marine carpet--going for the vinyl deck.

[smltooner]

Welcome to the club.
You can't beat a SunTracker.
If you want to tow teenagers, so they will enjoy it (higher speeds), get the biggest motor that you can afford.

[RcgTexas]

Welcome!

Yep, the straked boat with three legs is better. and the 150 is the smallest I would get although I got a 135 it was a good deal and it does well on my "KNOT NORMAL" tritoon

I like the rear facing lounger and extended rear deck. I'd be just as happy not to have marine carpet--going for the vinyl deck.

Me too, not so much the rear lounger but for sure the bigger back deck and if at all possible the vinyl floor. Don't forget a tow bar as well.

[ilockmup]

Thanks for the advice. Looking forward to the day that I can say I'm a full fledged "Tooner" vice a wannabe

[badmoonrising]

You can't beat a SunTracker.
.

Yep. Welcome !

[Ddancers]

Hi ilockmup

Here's a link on this forum to My Sweetwater 240 DF 2015.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19905

During peak season you can config your Sweetwater options on their online site and get a suggested price that most dealers will beat by at least 15% or more. Right now there site still has the 2014 models on it, but most layouts have changed a bit for 2015.
I opted for a 115 HP mainly because of cost, but my other consideration was what was I mainly going to use it for. I figured 65% of the time was fishing for that a 90hp would be plenty, 20% was cursing and no one likes to do over 12 mph usually. Then maybe 15% grand kids would be on board and sometimes tubing. When they do tube the admiral will likely demand it's not over 20 mph so I guess the point is think on what you will really be using it for and if it's tubing at higher speeds then the 150 hp is best. It's always nice to get bigger anyway if cost is not that big a factor, then you never have to ask should I have. Going from 90 to 115 for me was less than $900, so even though I don't need it I figured I'd kill the should have syndrome. I think the 150 hp was 3.5 k or more cost with the recommendation to do hydraulic steering for another 1.2K +. I just couldn't justify that in my case.
I have no problem not having hyd steering .
The new layout on Sweetwater 240 have overall improved for fishing in the aft section, not nearly as tight. I've had other fishing boats, but this toon is not lacking in fish ability and it's total versatility out does anything I've ever had. (Love It)
Because of this I'm sure your be glad you purchased a pontoon regardless of brand, but do give the layout your full consideration.
And yes by all means go vinyl.

[Gonefishing]

I Have an excursion 23x RFC and l love it. 115 Yamaha on it and has plenty of power to pull family on a tube. Also has the rear fishing center which is great. Two fishing chairs, live well and tackle center. Only thing I wish I would have gotten from the start is the double bimini top which I added.

[Ddancers]

Hi Gonefishing

Yea I ordered the double, but still waiting for it to be installed by dealer. Should have it next year.
I did however have a raw water waste down installed which is real nice for fast cleanups.