Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Looking at purchasing a new Sylvan 822 LZ, 24' with a 90 HP 4-stroke. Having trouble finding pricing information to compare against what the dealer is asking for? Any thoughts, links, advice on how to negotiate the best deal? Sorry, neophyte here. Thanks in advance.

You may very well need to contact other dealers and ask for their pricing on the same model with same trim package and engine. Boats are not like cars where you can get a solid market MSRP, a lot of that is dealership controlled and allowed that way by the manufacturer to give the dealerships the control. Also be aware you are going to be in a much better position by purchasing from a dealer that is close to your for service and warranty issues. Many on here, and other forums have complained that their local dealer is not working hard for them with warranty issues back to the MFG, when they traveled out of the area, or even out of the state to save some money on their purchase. Caveat (IN MOST CASES) the dealer who sold you the boat is going to be the dealer who is going to take the best care of you after the sale. My story; I told my local dealer I could travel to Tampa and save $1500 on the same boat, he said "Ok" but that's a long way to travel for service and warranty work, I said.. what? your a forest river dealer and you have to honor my warranty issues, he said; Yes we will, but you have to understand we are swamped with service all the time, and "our" customers will always take precedence over non-customers. I think the bottom line is, if you can find something locally that fits your budget and needs, stay local you will be happier later.

Totally agree stay local customer service customer service if boat is down I would rather wait a few days rather than weeks till we get down that way I have had a few issues they came and took it in the morning by that afternoon it was fix and back on the lift. I do not see the savings in the end for a $ 1000/$1500 driving a few hours away.

You can get usually "sticker" pricing from the manufacturers website if you build the configuration you want. Of course those prices usually don't include taxes, dealer prep, delivery, etc. But if you can negotiate a deal that has an ALL IN price of about 20% less than sticker price, you're doing pretty good.

Some brands/models will sometimes have fairly fixed pricing and there isn't much room to negotiate. Sun Tracker (Bass Pro Shops brand) is a good example of that, but there still is usually some room.

FlounderPounder is also 100% correct about buying local. I always say , pick your dealer, then pick your boat. You'll be glad you did.

Elload wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:20 am

Looking at purchasing a new Sylvan 822 LZ, 24' with a 90 HP 4-stroke.

Sorry for the thread jack but are your certain you want a 90hp on a 24' boat?

We cruise at 13 and top speed is 22, fast enough for us on the ole girl

Now a 24 ft new tritoon? At least a 150, if not 2 250's

If you are on a smaller lake bigger isnt better, you pulling folks behind it?

buying local is VERY important for service reasons.....that being said.....Consider different brands to compare pricing and negotiating.....
I got about 20% off my Harris because the local Bennington dealer was more aggressive. The Harris dealer wanted the business more....
However, service is a longer drive for me.....which sux.... but I got the boat I wanted at the right price......

bansil wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 11, 2019 4:04 pm

We cruise at 13 and top speed is 22, fast enough for us on the ole girl

My first boat had a 90 on it but it was a 20' and I was happy with the performance. I, like you, cruise in the mid-teens and rarely go over 3/4 throttle unless I am trying to out run weather. If I were to limit myself to 90hp then I would be looking at no larger than 20'. Just my $0.02 based on experience with my last 3 pontoon/tritoon boats.

That top speed is at wot trying to beat storms, score? Storms 2 dry underwear 1

An extra 60hp would of kept my draws dry the other 2 times

Pricing. Wow. It ain't easy given how the market works.

I went to the Atlanta and Tampa boat shows and noted the drive-out price vs the suggested retail and back then it was about 14% off MSRP. That's what I offered when I ordered my boat. The dealer accepted so quick it made me think I cut myself short. I will say, my dealer threw in Sharkhide to the underside at no cost, so kudos to them for that.

I recommend you be more aggressive. At least 18% or 20% off sticker.

P.S. - A 90hp on a 24 footer is too small unless you're just putting around on a small lake.