Newbie needs a little help

[Phil in SoCal]

Ok guys, Im new to the Pontoon thing and am looking for a boat (had a nice Eliminator but not any more). I have limited funds (less than 20k) and have found 3 I am interested in. One is a 04 Crestliner 24' with the 4.3 I/O asking 19k, One is an 01 Playcraft Tritoon 26' also with the 4.3 I/O asking 18k and the last is a 96 Ercoa Flagship 23' with a 98 175 on it asking 10k but needs new upholstery. No idea on hours on any of them.

I am a family of 6 and really want to have a max speed of at least 35mph and prefer to cruise at 30 or better.

What do you recommend? Are any a good deal? What is the benefit of a Tritoon over a Pontoon? Any other info would be great.

[FloterBoter]

a family of six plus friends will want a 26' to 28' boat.
i often wish our 28' was bigger.

hire your own mechanic to check out the boat you might buy.

[HandymanHerb]

Welcome Phil, glad to have you on board.

A tri toon will give you more flotation and with your family, I say get a tri-toon and the 26 should be a good size for you, I let others that know about that brand fill you in .

[dockholiday]

Tritoon with a 150 will get you 36 to 40 mph depending on the prop and weight. Forgot to add get lifting strakes if possible, they will aid in getting the mph you are looking for. ss prop would also help in that area.
doc

[lakerunner]

min 24ft 3log min 150 hp

look at first two forget third

[mike]

Go with the tritoon! But take it out for a test drive first... Sounds like a nice boat! Welcome and post up pics if you get it...

[Phil in SoCal]

Well, going to Lake Havasu to look at the Playcraft tri toon tomorrow. It doesnt look quite as nice as the Crestliner and is only a grand less.

This is the Crestliner


And this is the Playcraft

[HandymanHerb]

The Playcraft is plain jane and could use some graphics to class it up, the Crestliner looks sharper, maybe if you can try both with a full load of the family and see the differance, but the reason the Playcraft is only a 1000 cheaper is the extra pontoon.

[Phil in SoCal]

The Playcraft is plain jane and could use some graphics to class it up, the Crestliner looks sharper, maybe if you can try both with a full load of the family and see the differance, but the reason the Playcraft is only a 1000 cheaper is the extra pontoon.

The tritoon is an 01 and the crestliner is an 04. The interior is much better in the crestliner as well. Is the 3rd log that much better?

[HandymanHerb]

Flotation wise it will handle a bigger load and you won't have to worry about balancing the load as much as with a 2 toon model, kids like to sit up front on mine but it will cause me to plow the water and you can submarine deck like that, so I only let them sit in the front seats if I'm poking along.

But I let the guys with tri toons jump in as I never even ridden in one yet

[OldePharte]

The comparison is a bit apples to kumquats. 24 feet vs 26 feet and 2 tubes vs 3 tubes.

That said, I would say it would depend on 1) the body of water you boat on. 24 vs 26 could be very important. Where we are, a 24 footer could be a rougher ride and you'll bury it easier than the 26; 2) do you need the extra space that you get on a larger toon and an extra tube and a smoother ride in large wakes?

I'll agree that the Playcraft is plain jane. Having seen a lot of these where we boat, it looks like someone redid/removed all the graphics. It ain't pretty. I doubt that I would but it and I am in the market for a triple tube pontoon. Whereas the Crest liner is very pretty. Maybe looks is the most important consideration for you.

[mike]

Do you know if either has underskinning, plywood or aluminum deck? Personally, I would go with the tripple... There are probably lots of people on this board who wish they had an extra toon.

[FloterBoter]

if you want the tritoon, tell them they have to add the factory decals before the sale.
then throw them a really lowball offer. tough time to sell stuff...

[Phil in SoCal]

Well I looked at the Playcraft today. Too beat up. It was a rental boat with 2550 hours. Yes I said 2,550. It does have a new engine and drive, new deck and carpet and new skin but the rails are beat to crap re welded with sloppy welds and the toons are beat as bad. I did however get to ride in it and I liked the ride so Im closer to knowing what I want. Now to find one in my price range.

[OldePharte]

So now looking for a different triple tube or 26 footer or both?