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PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 7:36 pm
by parker23
I am looking for the 5 best pontoon boats on the market. I looking for a 22ft like fishing boat with a 115 four stroke motor. I will be running in salt water [ rehoboth and indian river bay ] I am also looking for good service. Thanks

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:50 pm
by Bamaman
If you're looking for good service, you need to first shop for a dealer you feel comfortable with close to home.

Then come back with the brands sold in your retail market and we'll tell you which ones are good. There are a few brands that stick out in the retail market, but there are another dozen brands of perfectly decent boats I'd be proud to own.

If you're going to be fishing in big water, you probably want to go a tritoon of 22-24'. 115 hp will push them, but 150 hp is much, much more motor. The price difference is negligible when buying new.
.

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:42 am
by parker23
I most brands larson, crest, bennington, starcraft, avalon, tahoe, premier south bay harris manitou aqua patio sun tracker I need to stay with the 2 pontoons with a 115 My wife can't drive the tritoon

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 8:04 am
by Bamaman
Bennington, Premier, Manitou and Harris are my favorite brands. The others are good too. I am unfamiliar with Larsons.

Tritoons drive exactly the same as a 2 toon boat. But tritoons are much more seaworthy in handling and their ability to handle large waves. Bennington has a twin toon with elliptical toons that's exceptional performing.

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:48 pm
by ron nh
Yeah, If she can drive a pontoon a tri-toon will be a piece of cake, Most likely will have hydraulic steering. I wouldn't get hung up on brand, like Bama said, local good dealer and boat layout will be more important. Goggle individual brands problems, I think you'll be surprised how RELATIVELY trouble free they are.

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 2:34 pm
by parker23
I was told that tri-toons you had to bring on plane? A 2 pontoon plows through the water I had a 23ft parker and she could not drive fast enough to bring on plane. The dealer around here are telling me a tri-toon has to get on plane

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 1:49 am
by Bamaman
Tritoons or two toon boats with lifting strakes on the toons have the capability of getting the nosecones out of the water. You can get another 10-12 mph and much better fuel mileage out of the boat. That doesn't mean you have to run with the engine trimmed up so far, however.

Don't believe everything a boat salesman tells you as sometimes they're wanting to move aging inventory that might not really suit your needs best.

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 5:31 am
by parker23
that why I am hear trying to find out I guess I'm going to take a ride and let her drive to see if see is ok I been looking at some pontoon with 27 pontoons My wife needs to drive slow and we been on a pontoon and see does fine I am going to find someone to take us on a tri-toon to see

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 6:53 am
by badmoonrising
I highly recommend Carlisle's Marine in Smyrna, fantastic service and staff. I bought my first 2006 Tracker Party Cruiser 32 at Bass Pros Shops. Boat was great, Bass Pro wasn't. Bought my 2013 Party Barge at Carlisle's. Had one minor warranty issue in the 4years I've had it and Carlisle's sent me to a repair facility close to my house and paid the bill the day it was repaired. No towing back to Smyrna, which was great. I'm in Chesapeake City, MD and 1 1/2 from them.

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 7:33 am
by Gonefishing
Forest river maker of South Bay and excursion are great boats. The excursion x 23 rfc is what I have and love it. Has a 115 Yamaha on it. Two rear fishing seat, tackle center, live bait tank, plenty of lounging seating, fish/depth finder. Fresh water sink, table and grill. Bought mine new in 2013 with trailer for less then 33,000.
I also use it in salt water as I live on the east coast and fish the river that is salt water. Just have to rinse and flush after use.

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2017 7:21 pm
by parker23
thanks I'll look at them

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 3:02 pm
by parker23
I still didn't what you guys think the 5 best pontoon boats are

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:40 pm
by teecro
[quote="parker23"]that why I am hear trying to find out I guess I'm going to take a ride and let her drive to see if see is ok I been looking at some pontoon with 27 pontoons My wife needs to drive slow and we been on a pontoon and see does fine I am going to find someone to take us on a tri-toon to see[/quote]

You can drive a pontoon or tritoon at any dam speed you want... RPM wise we drive our tritoon @ 3.0K all the way to WOT @ 5,800 RPM With that being said my wife drove the 18 foot pontoon better than the 24 foot pontoon simply due to the size difference...

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:44 pm
by teecro
[quote="parker23"]I still didn't what you guys think the 5 best pontoon boats are[/quote]

Bennington is one of the best and Berkshire/South Bay are right there as far as I'm concerned...

Re: PONTOON BOATS

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:05 am
by ROLAND
There are a lot of good boat manufacturers out there.. I can only atest to one since it's the only pontoon I've owned. I have a Bennington and have never had any issues with it at all.. and I bought mine in the fall of 2009.. Good luck with your boat shopping.