Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I am looking into getting into the water next season. I had it all lined up to purchase around xmas time, then take delivery in spring.
My Manitou dealer said "You have to order by Aug 9th to get a 2011 at 2010 pricing." He said Id have to put a deposit down but that he wouldnt order the boat until February and then Id take delivery in spring.
Now I havent water tested the Manitou yet, I was suppose to last week but we have been at a No Wake up here due to recent storms. I surely do not want to order without the water test.

But my thing is do you think I should jump on the 2010 pricing or do we think I can get better deals in the dead of winter in the offseason?

Thank you in advance

There is always room to negotiate, shoot him a low ball offer and see what happens? I dont imagine they are getting many new orders right now and the sooner they get the order the cheaper they can make the boat!

Manitou's are one of the top toons out there. What model and hp are you looking at?

Think I would call/email a few dealers to get pricing for comparison. Sales really slow down starting in Aug an by Labor Day people are not looking for boat, so he is probably being truthful, but wouldn't hurt just to see what others are offering. The more info you have will help leverage you into a good deal. Sure would want to test drive one or one very similar before ordering. Ask what changes will be made for the 2010 to the 2011 model also. Good Luck
doc

I am looking at the 20ft Encore with a 75hsp Evinrude Etec.

In our area we have a dealer for each pontoon maker, no one double dips so I am kinda stuck. I have been pricing the South Bays too in the area however to get the same hsp on a south bay it will cost just the same as a Manitou. So Id rather buy the higher quality boat for the same price.

You might want to check out a Premier. We love ours.

I agree... no way do I commit to buying a boat that I haven't demo'd with a lake run..... but as already stated by someone else, they do make a fine product.... but since we're all pitching our boats, check out the Bennington 20 SFi..... got our's with a 75 horse 4 stroke yamaha, 25" toons, vinyl flooring ( great if you want to fish ) live well, etc... we absolutely love it... you can send me an email if you want to get into specifics about ammenities on the boat and total cost... whatever you do, good luck..... oh, and just a thought, you might get a great deal in the dead of winter if you go to some of these boat shows they have... just a thought.

The sales person may be telling the truth in that the Manufacturer will only offer 2010 pricing until 8-9-10, but I don't see why you couldn't have more negotiating power in the Nov. through Feb. months because not nearly as many people will be purchasing boats then. Personally, I would wait. You have a plan to not purchase until Dec. then stick to it. There is always another boat out there. You should be able to find what you want in Dec. as well.

I'll second Ray Jr.'s thoughts on checking out Premier. We love ours too and feel it has the most comfortable seating on the water.

We bought ours without a test drive, but didn't have much choice as dealers didn't have much in the way of inventory and what was around didn't have motors hung on them and wasn't the configuration we wanted anyway. Last fall and spring around here was brutal for finding boats in stock.

There are no Premier dealers on the water in my area. I tried already

We bought our 20' Oasis with a 90 e-tec w/out a test ride and took the test ride/demo in the spring. One thing to keep in mind, if you wait until Dec to buy/order and pick up in the spring you really have the same scenario; you're most likely not going to be able to test drive in winter. I will say this from my experience, we loved our bi-toon Oasis. We just sold our '09 Oasis and will be picking up our 24 Encore SHP with a 250 e-tec tomorrow. We loved our bi-toon, but I can't imagine there's a great deal of performance difference between other 25" two log toons. However, in the three log world, there's a world of difference. Believe it or not, I drove the SHP twice before taking the plunge and also drove a Moomba LSV. While I can't say the SHP is a direct competitor, but for our needs, what I give up with the SHP over the Moomba regarding performance/water sports, I more than gain in real world uses. Long story, but if you think about it; regarding the test drive you are going to be in the same boat in Dec. I think anyone would be happy with the Manitou, but will honestly say the dealer is a big part. For example, I didn't give a great deal of consideration to the Premier PTX do to the dealer in my area. Best of luck

I figured that much about the testing but I am more concerned with when do I have more power to negotiate? Do I take the 2010 pricing next week or do I think I can get a better deal come dec?

You would have a lot more flexibility on pricing if your willing to take a 2010, is something new on the 2011?

I have seen some great pricing during the winter boat shows, but we have a ton of dealers so that might vary by area.

dont be afraid to price at another Manitou dealer farther from your house, use the price to leverage the dealer near house.

I can say that I am happy with my 90hp ETEC and 24ft manitou oasis.... of course more HP and a third log would be better

I wouldn't pay 2010 asking price just to lock in the 2010 price... I think you stand just as good of a chance of getting a discount off of the 2011 price during the middle of the winter as you do getting a discount off of the 2010 price right now.

It's just up to you if you want to put a deposit down on a boat almost a year in advance.

I personally would hold off and look for a deal on a leftover 2010 next spring if saving money is most important to you.

If getting the exact boat you want with all of the options you want (custom order) is most important, I'd hit the boat shows in the winter and deal with them on a 2011 then.