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Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:49 pm
by Tical001
Hello all!
I am new to the forum and this will be my first boat purchase. I could not find too much info on these boats so I was hoping to get some info from the forum. The List price was $36,220. This came with a 50 horse merc 4 stroke EFI. I was able to get an intro price of $26,995 since this 2012 model is the first year for the Excursion I upgraded to the 90 horse for an additional $1745 and added the snap in carpet for $550.
I will upload some pics in a couple hours when I get to a computer. Im not sure what kind of room I have for neg, if any. It has 2 pontoons comes with a ski bar and rear ladder, hrydraulic steering, fuel water sep, small utility sink with hand pump. The seating is beautiful with endless storage, 4 speaker stereo with sat and aux input and some nice finishing touches that makes her pretty sweet. Please let me know any input you may have or question. Pics to follow shortly!

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:53 pm
by Bamaman
Xcursion is a new line of pontoon boats, and a sister line to Palm Beach. Palm Beach has a number of different products, from inexpensive to plush. Xcursion's internet site has not been built, and it's unclear where this line of boats will compare to Palm Beach--and other brands of pontoons.

Therefore, it's hard for anyone on this site to give you any advice on purchasing an Xcursion pontoon. $36K list price sounds a little high for a pontoon with a 90 horsepower motor, but the final stated price is in the ball park. It does sound pretty nice if it's got the sink, etc.

Have you done any comparison shopping for all other brands in your retail market? Being an informed buyer is the key to negotiations.

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:03 pm
by dockholiday
Welcome and congrats on the new toon. Tell us a little about yourself like where you hail from and which lakes you may be boating on.
doc

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 7:53 pm
by Tical001
Thanks for the correction, Xcursion. I did not buy it yet, I just put a deposit on it. They just got 4 of them in Monday morning and I didn't wanna lose it. The 23 RL was the only one with the lounge chairs in back and the others were 21'. I am from central MA and will be using in various lakes around central MA and up in the Lakes Region of NH. The intro price of 26,995 only included the 50 HP, it was additional $1745 for the 90 HP, all in all with another $1800 or so in taxes it was around $31,000. I am starting to do some comparison now, I had no idea what the boat was going to like till yesterday. I was debating the engine upgrade, I thought it was a good idea, however a friend who owns a pontoon boat said it was not worth it??? From what I have read they say you never here someone saying they have too much HP.

I have a couple more pics I'll put in next post. Sorry for all the pics, just want some experts to take a look at it and see if it is worth the $ or should I look at another brand. I'm glad I came across this forum, seems like great group of people.

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:01 pm
by Tical001
Here are the remaining photos. Thanks again!!!

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 12:36 am
by ROLAND
I really don't know anything about that line of pontoon so I can't comment to quality,, but from the pics you posted, she looks gorgeous...love the color and the seating really looks plush... nice helm as well...I think you made a wise decision to upgrade to the 90 hp motor... good looking boat.

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:11 am
by johnathan
Wow
The seating looks top of the line to me ! If it was me and I cold swing even more HP I would do it. 90 is better but you are just above 1/2 max HP .I have always herd go for max allowable HP.Beautiful boat but try to test drive a few and see what you need and want! Rent one try it for the day.You won't lose the boat they can and will build more ! I have never herd of a boat with a 50HP retailing for $36220 .That is just an inflated number to help with the final price.You know make you think you saved money !

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:19 am
by Ray Jr.
I don't know anything about that brand but we really love our Premier. We bought from Matt at Winnisquam Marine in NH they are a first class outfit to deal with and I highly recommend you check them out. They will definately treat you right. tell em the Heaths sent you.
http://www.winnisquammarine.com/
If you are going to be using it in the Lakes Region they are on lake Winnisquam, they have plenty of boats in stock and if you are willing to wait till rental season is over you can buy 1 of their rental boats (ours is one of last years rentals) you get a very good discount on the boat, but get full as new warranty. We have bought 2 pontoons and a fishing boat from them and have been treated great every time. low book on ours is 8-9k over what we paid them for it last fall, and it was in excellent condition, they even throw in first winter storage and winterization free.

and I would go with at least a 90.

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 8:48 am
by Tical001
Thanks for all the info. Ray I will heading up to Albany, NH to do some camping this weekend and Winnisquam Marine is on the way. I will let them know you sent me. I am so excited about this purchase, and am having a great time researching on this site and hearing all the great stories. Can't wait for some stories of my own.

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:50 am
by 1roadking
You can see benningtons at channel marine as well. Plus irwin marine sells Berkshire pontoons made by the same company. I looked at specs and warranty on Berkshire and they looked very good. I bought a bennington and really like it.

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:47 am
by dockholiday
Dang I absolutely love it. Color scheme and all. If that's not the one you put the deposit on.......go for that one. May be too late to dicker for a double bimini, but try to scrape together enough to go near max hp. That boat deserves it. Hope you put the deposit on something like a credit card. Lots easier to get it returned if something happen to the deal. I sometime use the card rather than cash for the reason.
doc

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:18 am
by devolg
Take it from a guy who builds these boats.... Xcursion Pontoon is located in Elkhart, Indiana. They are not a sister line to Palm Beach, they are a sister line to South Bay & Berkshire (all Forest River Companies).

Great choice on the RL by the way! My favorite of all our models.

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:45 am
by Ron Burgundy
Tical001 wrote:I was debating the engine upgrade, I thought it was a good idea, however a friend who owns a pontoon boat said it was not worth it???
I would be interested in hearing why your friend dosen't think the HP upgrade was worth it. You have a lot of big heavy furniture on that boat and you are going to want at least 90HP on the back of that rig. It you want to put that ski bar to use you will probably need even more than 90. Very good looking boat though!!

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:44 pm
by Road Glide
Great Layout. Congrats!

As far as the horsepower issue goes.....

Horsepower is like women and beer. Some is fine, more is better and too much is just right!!

Re: Just put a deposit on a Forest River Excursion 23 RL

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 7:51 am
by Ray Jr.
Tical001 one other thing I didn't think to mention is if you buy from Winnisquam Marine and register the boat in NH then you wont have to pay Mass sales tax on it, and NH doesn't have a sales tax. That should save you a good chunk of change right there.