Newbie needs advice on which Pontoon to buy

[bgw]

I am ready to switch from a bowrider to a pontoon boat. I have looked a few different used boats and I am down to 3:
They are all in pretty good condition some slightly better than the other but not by much. I will rank them in order of condition but like I said they are all pretty close.

1. 2005 Bentley 24 foot cruiser with a mercury 60HP $9995
2. 2003 Aqua Patio 22 Ft with a Yamaha 40HP $10,200
3. 2004 Sweetwater Tuscany 2486 60HP Yamaha $8995


Any Help would be appreciated.

[layne4]

Those are all quality boats, probably wouldn't go wrong with any of them. Do you know what kind of hours are on them?

[captain kurt]

My vote is the Mercury 60 hp Bentley 24 ft @ $ 9995. Its the newest, largest size best hp. All with a good reputation.

[slingshot]

All of those are good boats. I'd spend more time checking out the motors. check fluids and compressions after you take them for a good long test run.

[BrianP]

How many hours are on them? What shape are the boats in?

[mjlyn]

Don't know if you are able to test drive...............only thing that stands out to me is all of those are gonna be SSSSSSLLLLOOOOOOOWWWWW.

If you want to pull kids on a tube or anything like that you're gonna need more power.

If you're just cruisin you'll be fine.

I have a 20ft Lowe Suncruiser with a Merc 60 4 stroke. 17mph max with just me. Put 4 or 5 friends on board and im down to 12 or so. That's still ok, but couple times last summer we had some pm thunderstorms move in, and its hard to get back to the dock quickly or out of the way of the storm doin 12mph. Just something to think about.

At the lake we're on the storms usually come from the West, but the marina is on the West side of the lake. So by the time you see the dark clouds coming, you have to drive towards them to get off the boat. Sometimes you can move north or south and get out of the way, but no matter what it stinks going 10 or 12 mph trying to get outta the way, especially when the lightning starts.

[limulus]

I agree about the speed. We have a 2007 Bentley 240 with a 115HP and 24MPH is the fastest I've seen. It will pull a skier and also Big Bertha Tube.

[scfishnman]

Boats 2 and 3 are both manufactured by Godfrey Marine. I have had good experience with their products (two pontoon boats and one fishing boat). However, current condition of the boats and the hours and care of the motors are the most important issues to consider. Good luck on your purchase.

[FloterBoter]

big toon + big motor = big fun