Which would you choose Starcraft or Manitou

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Bobplanet
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Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2016 9:15 pm

Which would you choose Starcraft or Manitou

#1 Post by Bobplanet » Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:07 am

Starcraft SLS5 with 350 Verado or Manitou Encore 25 with 300 Yamaha(f300xca)?

Which would you choose?
I can get the Starcraft (with similar options for about 8k cheaper)

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Bill S.
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Location: Peoria, AZ

Re: Which would you choose Starcraft or Manitou

#2 Post by Bill S. » Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:30 am

They are both really nice toons, but if you can get pretty much get the same boat with bigger motor for 8K less, well i would do the starcraft.
Bill & Janelle Shaw
Peoria, AZ
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ron nh
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Re: Which would you choose Starcraft or Manitou

#3 Post by ron nh » Mon Dec 12, 2016 2:20 pm

You may be able to get the Starcraft MX series with a 200hp for the same price, Much nicer interior, will hit 40mph. I do like the SLS but the Manitou will handle much better. but for 8K I'd go starcraft for sure. Plus, If you're financing, 8k could turn into 20K.
2015 Qwest LS 818XRE Tri-toon w/mercury 115.

Bamaman
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Re: Which would you choose Starcraft or Manitou

#4 Post by Bamaman » Tue Dec 13, 2016 11:13 am

I hate to tell you, but Starcraft is a second tier manufacturer of pontoons. (I have one.) I've not looked at them in the last year or two (at the boat show), but there was a visible difference in welding and workmanship last time I looked at them.

Manitou is a first rate pontoon company and probably #1 in high performance toons--along with Harris, Bennington and Premier. Yes, they may cost a little more, but the quality is there. And they're the brands that hold their value so well.

Going with such horsepower, you're making a very serious investment. And that much horsepower really deserves the highest quality of a tritoon underneath it. For that reason, go with the Manitou.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

Bobplanet
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Re: Which would you choose Starcraft or Manitou

#5 Post by Bobplanet » Sun Dec 18, 2016 12:11 pm

Thank you for the input. Still trying to decide.

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zoom650
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Re: Which would you choose Starcraft or Manitou

#6 Post by zoom650 » Sun Dec 18, 2016 1:53 pm

Hey man, do what I did. Gave my acceptable choices to the wife and let her pull the trigger.

She got to choose between Premier, Bennington, Crest, and Harris. No Manitou dealers were close to us, but they could have been serious contenders.

Its all her fault now.

;)
Michael and Laura
'12 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew Ecoboost
'14 Harris Solstice 220, P3 tritoon, Mercury Verado 150, Enertia 14p.
prior boat: '02 Century 2600CC, twin Yamaha EFI 200's, full instruments.

Bamaman
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Re: Which would you choose Starcraft or Manitou

#7 Post by Bamaman » Sun Dec 18, 2016 7:11 pm

When we were replacing our Starcraft pontoon, I too gave the wife the authority to make the decision.

The Benningtons, Manitous and Premiers were far above other brands at the Nashville Boat Show. We did hold off until July to buy it, however.

My Bennie was less expensive than the comparable SunTracker.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

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