Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hey! I'm from West Virginia and my wife and I are thinking about buying a pontoon, probably not until next season unless a deal comes along too good to pass up.

The only boating experience I've really had is the "haze gray and underway" kind courtesy the US Navy

Been lurkin around here and doing some research and reading on things...lots to learn.

We're mainly looking for cruising family time with some tubing with our 7yr little girl and her friends.

This place seems to be a pretty cool spot on the interwebz! Thanks for havin me!

Jamie

Welcome to the forum. As you have probably seen in your lurking there is a lot of knowledge here so ask away!

Thanks!

Stopped by the only local boat dealer today...he has 1 new pontoon, an Encore Bentley 200 Cruise SE (2012 model I believe, can't recall now)

$19,995 with Hustler trailer and he was "throwing in" the cover. 60hp merc engine (said he could put a 90 on it but would have to get one in).

Welcome that is a great price!! Get the 90!!!

And your daughter will be doing this by labor day!

welcome

rook, welcome to the group.... so are you gonna pull the trigger on that bentley? That's a nice looking toon. As for the motor, I would say if the price difference isn't "substantial" I would opt for the 90 as well... but having said that I have a 75 hp on the back of my 20 foot boat and it moves us along at a comfortable speed... tops out at about 23 to 24 mph... plenty fast enough for me and the wife, but we don't pull skiers... now I have pulled a tube a couple of times and the 75 did "ok" with that.... I would say if you're going to regularly carry alot of passengers then I would certainly opt for the 90.... If I've read it once on this forum, I"ve read it a hundred times... better to have the extra power and not need it than to need it and not have it..... Let us know what you decide to do...and again welcome!

Didn't pull the trigger on the Bentley....my wife and I both liked it very much and the price seems good but it's the first and only toon we've crawled around on.

We're going to hit a couple of boat shows this summer/fall and a couple next February and visit some other dealers to make sure we get "the" one.

We've just about pinned down the price range we want to stay in, we've checked insurances and have taken the state boating safety course, sold my motorcycle and trying to sell hers (they aren't really family friendly toys) so we're well on our way. I'm still researching things and learning a lot, she's still keeping me in budget on mock builds

Next spring should be the buying time unless we find the exact right one for a great price.

This site is just a wealth of information!

Rook, first of all, Welcome. Pontooning is the most family friendly way to boat (unless you can afford a yacht and someone to operate it for you).
If you look at a Bentley again, do an extra special inspection of the powder coating on their railings. There have been several guys posting here who have had issues with it.
I'll also chip in on the power. Get as much power as you can afford and also give careful consideration to three logs and underskinning. You'll also see that topic discussed many times here.
It wouldn't surprise me if you don't start seeing ads for used boats start to pick up at the end of the season. If you do go used, have someone familiar with pontoons check out the decking and have a mechanic look over the motor.
Good Luck!

Welcome! Run rated horsepower, get underskinning, and at least 25 inch logs. And if you have questions--ask us. I didnt know what underskinning was but I am sure I got it. Waves hitting the crossmembers between the logs in the pic really is a bummer. My boat is faster and smoother riding with it for sure.