Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

hanks for the help so far.

I am looking at a 22 foot pontoon and have seen a 2016 Premier that I like with the 3/4 middle tube and a 150 Evinrude. What I like best, apart from knowing the build quality is excellent, etc. is that I find the Premier seating absolutely the most comfortable, better than Bennington and any other. I figure this is important if spending a lot of time on the boat!

I am not 100% sure about the shorter center tube, because we are in shallow water in our bay. Dealer says we only need 18" of water with the motor trimmed up. Just until we get out into deeper water.

Will be using it for pulling a tube and kneeboarding, possibly skiing in the future.

At local boat show yesterday and saw the Bennington 22 SSRX Premium. The 2016 Premier has a regular L-shaped couch and sunpad/changeroom at the back. We are boating at the cottage so I think the change room is unnecessary and I like having full use of the rear of the boat with the two couches where you can lie facing front and back. My wife likes the second captain's chair. I think my budget will only allow the twin elliptical package, which is supposed to give better buoyancy and better shallow depth usage.

Right now, I am not pulling skiers but want to have the option. I have read about the difference between the twin elliptical handling, that you can't turn as tight at higher speed, and I also wonder about the comfort level for passengers due to the different handling in turns.

Both great boats. Hard to decide. Neither option perfect. Advice??

I have the 24SSLX (F150 Yamaha) with the Express Tube (3/4 length). As far as I can tell, my Express tritoon is exactly as fast as their full length, more expensive SRS tritoon. At a dead rest in the water, the Express Tube does sit a little lower. But once underway, it rides great and corners just fine.

Bennington's twin elliptical tubes are faster 2-3 mph than the Express Tube or the full length tritoon with lifting strakes. They're great for running in a straight line (cruisers), but with any two tube boat in tight turns will have the outside toon digs into the water. Any tritoon will handle better. Another disadvantage of the twin ellipticals is the price--high.

Just about every recommendation you'll receive will be buy the most horsepower you can afford. I'd say 150 hp is where these boats get really performing--as they're much stronger than 115 hp motors. I too love the extended rear deck which makes it so much easier dealing with skiers and docking the boat.

Premier is one of my favorite 4 brands, and you cannot go wrong with them. I prefer to stay away from the Evinrude motors unless it's a G2 model as we don't have any supporting dealers in our area. I still prefer Yamaha and Mercury motors for availability of service and parts just about everywhere.