Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Just got a 2012 G3 LX3 22SE Sun Catcher with a Yamaha VF225. This is my third pontoon in 20 years and replaced a 1996 Misty Harbor Skitoon with a 150 Suzuki 2 stroke, owned since new. I'll try to post pictures later of the SkiToon and the LX3.
I looked at a number of boats and there are some great boats around and decided on the Sun Catcher. I wanted a performance boat that was at least equal to the SkiToon, 45mph, but that cost less than my house and the G3 seemed to fill that need. I have not seen many G3's but they seem well built and being owned by Yamaha, adds some stability to the company.
My other water toy is a 1993 24' Sea Ray 240 Bowrider, MerCruiser 350hp 454 block. Both boats are on lifts so I don't have to trailer either one and we can use the G3 for tooling around and the Sea Ray for skiing and such.

I should add that I am a Texan trapped in Oklahoma

Crap another OKIE!

Just kidding welcome aboard! Lotsa your neighbors on here too!

Welcome, glad to have you on board

Welcome to the forum!

Where is the best place to buy a toon

Bucks 3:

The best place to buy a pontoon depends on where you live. Let us know your location, and someone will probably know a quality dealer in your general vicinity.

Skudrunner:

Tell us about that VF225 Yamaha SHO--the new generation 20" 4 stroke that's as light as a 2 stroke?

What do you think about it? How does it perform? How's the fuel usage?

Yamaha SHO is a large sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite fishing tournament series, and they're certainly the best looking motor of any brand. (Most fishermen continue to run Merc Optimax 250's due to sponsorship.)

On paper, it looks like "the boss".

bucks3 wrote:Where is the best place to buy a toon

That's like asking, "how do you get to carnigie hall?"


Anyway, good luck in your search!

skudrunner.. congratulations on the new G3... man that thing sounds like a hoss... We came very very close to buying a G3 20 footer when we were shopping boats 2 years ago... we were looking for a good toon for family cruising but mainly to fish off of... If the local bennington dealer hadn't made me a better offer than I was able to get the G3 for there would be one in my driveway.. I liked it that much. Of course our benny is a scaled down version compared to your new toon... don't forget to post some pics and congrats again on the new boat.

I have very little time on the VF225 and most of what I would compare it to is a 16 year old 150EFI 2 stroke. Of course with G3 being owned by Yamaha the engine brand choices were limited, Yamaha or Yamaha. I like Yamaha, but would have been satisfied with Yamaha, Honda or Suzuki, no offense to any other brand. After 15 years of running a Suzuki 150 2 stroke very hard, skiing with two kids and a full figured father, I am convinced of Suzuki's reliability. The only issue I had with it was a broken ground wire after 10 years of abuse.

My initial impression of the VF225 is it is very quiet, have to check the tach to make sure it is running, very little vibration and starts easily and quick. That doesn't provide much information but I plan to run it through it's paces this weekend and have a better feel for the boat and motor after spending some time with it.

Welcome to the forum.. gonna have to call you an Okie ... when in Rome ya know

Welcome aboard

I added my location on my profile for the "smartasses" out there...Eastern Shore Maryland...Thanks

Upper Eastern Shore here (Chesapeake City)

Hey Ed! I live just north of Ches City near Brantwood. Where is the best place to buy a toon?
Thanks