Help... Pontoon newbie, need some advice!

[d4ster3]

Hey guys, Im looking into purchasing a used pontoon and was looking for some advice, so I figured this is the place. The pontoon is a 91 Playbuoy Yachtsman 28 ft with a newer looking Mercury 90 hp motor that was purchased rebuilt 3 years ago and has been ran 3 times since then. The boat is in fair shape, but i think a good cleaning will go a long way. It has been sitting underneath a carport out of the weather for 3 years. The decking is not great.. Its flimsy in spots but not rotting... I think someone screwed the owner over and used 1/2 inch instead of 3/4. It will need to be replaced soon, but i think it will make it through the summer. The interior is in good shape.. it was also replaced and just needs cleaning, bad. Only bad thing is, it doesnt have a trailer. I can either try to find a used trailer, or pay $700 for a slip at a nearby marina and have them come get for me. We ran a compression test last night and all 3 cylinders were within 5 lbs of each other. So here are my questions..

1. I offered $2k, the owner wants $3k. I think I can talk him down to around 2500. Is this a good deal?
2. Should I look for a used trailer or just buy the slip and let them deal with it? If I should look for a trailer, how much should I expect to give for a used 28 ft?
3. Will it fit on a 24 ft trailer? We want to pull it out just to clean it up, drain the motor, etc.. My neighbor has a 24 ft trailer that he thinks will hold it.. Will it?


Thanks!

[hotairgypsy]

1. I offered $2k, the owner wants $3k. I think I can talk him down to around 2500. Is this a good deal?

i would have to see pics of it to really see how hard i would negotiate it... but definitly play the game

2. Should I look for a used trailer or just buy the slip and let them deal with it? If I should look for a trailer, how much should I expect to give for a used 28 ft?

i always look at the long haul...what will the slip cost you after 2 years vs trailer...does it cost you anything to store the boat on a trailer somewhere else other than the water

3. Will it fit on a 24 ft trailer? We want to pull it out just to clean it up, drain the motor, etc.. My neighbor has a 24 ft trailer that he thinks will hold it.. Will it?

I have a 24' toon on a single axle trailer...i also have a second toon(junk one) which is a 28' and the trailers look dif. the 28' trailer looks a lot beafer and it is a double axle vs the 24' is on a single

[d4ster3]

thanks for the reply...

what should i expect to pay for a 28 ft trailer? a local dealer quoted me $2400 for a new one.. seems high

my neighbor trailer is a double axel 24 ft.. do you think it will hold the 28 ft toon?

[hotairgypsy]

i have seen used for 2000+ range. i would guess you could get the 28 on the 24' trailer but i dont feel warm and fuzzy about having 4 feet hanging off the back. what part of the country are you in?

[margaritaman]

Four feet plus the motor is too much overhang on the trailer. You can try and replace part of the bunk to extend the trailer.

[exospex]

I bought a brand new galvanized Karavan bunk trailer three years ago for $2800. It's a storage trailer, so it doesn't have any brakes. It's for our 24' AP. I don't think $2400 is a bad price.

[lakerunner]

How long is the trailer tongue? If long enough to move winch stand forward a little you can split the diff in hang over front to rear. Just be sure you can turn short with it. That is a good price for a new 28 trailer and I would go with that.