New pontoon - new to me but used - firsrt time poster

[Bama CRUISER]

It's a 2008 Suncruiser by Lowe (3 toons with Lifting Strakes). I know Lowe hasn't been popular here.
The dealer sold it to this rich older lady whom I bought it from. She had it on her 8 acre lake and never used it much. She had the extended warranty on the motor until 2013 that I transferred to my name for $50.00. Just found out Lowe will not transfer their pontoon. The trailer is a duel axle with hydraulic brakes. The pontoon has the full playpen cover, Ski Bar. tilt steering, 6 speaker janson cd system, ext.
The boat was dirty and the downside is the motor is only a 60 HP ( Merc bigfoot EFI).
Why would they only put a 60 hp on a 3 toon with lifting strakes?
Anyways I got it for $17,000 and the book value is well over $20,000.
What's your honest opinion on the pontoon
From Alabama
Pics below

[Bama CRUISER]

Here's some more pics

[Bama CRUISER]

here's my old pontoon Boat

[HandymanHerb]

Welcome, Glad to have you with us, looks like a nice toon and I'm with you on the small engine and the lifting strakes.

I thought you had to have at least a 115 to get use out of them.

[Bama CRUISER]

several dealers told me that the lifting strakes would help the 60HP but they might be hyping their own product

[HandymanHerb]

Or like a lot of saleman, don't know shit about product they are selling, some of the guys will jump in later, must be on the water right now...

[jafo9]

looks like a nice find. get it back out of the water and get the muck off those toons. is that logan martin? i agree, you are underpowered. good news is you have a functional toon so you can shark the classifieds while you are waiting to fine a motor for a repower.

[dockholiday]

Welcome
Look like new. Whats the sticker say for max hp. Need at least a 150 to get her going good. Since it is an 08 toon wouldn't go much older on the motor. The new dfi do pretty well far as fuel economy.
doc

[lakerunner]

Looks great. I bet the reason she bought a small motor was because it was on a small lake. You did good I think on money and I would find a buyer for the 60 and re power with min 115

[Bama CRUISER]

looks like a nice find. get it back out of the water and get the muck off those toons. is that logan martin? i agree, you are underpowered. good news is you have a functional toon so you can shark the classifieds while you are waiting to fine a motor for a repower.

Yes it's on Logan Marin now. I got my mind on a 4 stroke but they are hard to find around here 90 - 150 hp. I may just sell it if I'm not happy with the power on it next spring or summer and buy a new one.
I thought the third pontoon would help keep the toons out of the water and it would help on the speed?

[revslev]

Great looking toon, looks like you picked up a really good buy. Welcome to the world of toons. I am fairly new to tooning as well, came from the speedboat world. What I have found about tooning, the only limit to what you can do, is your imagination..........toons are WAY more fun than speedboats.

the rev

[mikeherb]

You've already saved a bundle on the boat so I would use that plus the used value of the 60 HP to upgrade the motor before buying new. You're going to spend a hell of lot more than $17,000 to buy new, and as I've said on here before, new boats mold and fade just like the used ones. They just do it for a lot less money.

Great buy and welcome to the forum.

[Bama CRUISER]

You've already saved a bundle on the boat so I would use that plus the used value of the 60 HP to upgrade the motor before buying new. You're going to spend a hell of lot more than $17,000 to buy new, and as I've said on here before, new boats mold and fade just like the used ones. They just do it for a lot less money.

Great buy and welcome to the forum.

Thanks ;; I'll try to upgrade next year on the motor but for now I'm enjoying the nice cruising speed and that's not at full speed for this boat. Next summer it may be underpowered when pulling the grand kids on the tube and such.
Can't beat the gas millage and quietness of the 4 stroke motor.

[Bama CRUISER]

You've already saved a bundle on the boat so I would use that plus the used value of the 60 HP to upgrade the motor before buying new. You're going to spend a hell of lot more than $17,000 to buy new, and as I've said on here before, new boats mold and fade just like the used ones. They just do it for a lot less money.

Great buy and welcome to the forum.

How much more would I have to spend to up grade to a 90 or 115 hp 4 stroke EFI with the trade in of my 60 HP 4 stroke EFI with a transferable warranty through 2013? Also the best way to go about it?

[martys]

Nice boat. You found a great deal. You will have to increase hp (115 - 150) for pulling tubes and water skiing, but if your just cruising around, stay with the 60. Check your nameplate for max. hp. This spring we bought our first pontoon ....... I should have bought it years ago.