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[dockholiday]

Check boattrader in your state an the surrounding states .http://www.boattrader.com/browse/state
Even if you don't find one you are interested in, you can get familiar with the pricing. Guess the main thing is to get what you want from the start. It is much more costly upgrading motors later than just getting the right one out of the chute.
doc

[aquahollic]

I have been watching boat trader, and honestly not coming across the amount of used boats I thought I would, and the new ones mostly say "call for price" which is an instant turn off for shopping for a pontoon they could at least give you an idea of price before you call, so that you know whether to call or not. Anyway Im very overwhelmed with all the choices in boats new v used etc. My budget isn't going to allow me to spend alot on a new boat like 20k, on a used one I really don't want to go over 15k ish. That's just to keep my payments where I need them to be able to travel and enjoy it when I want.

[aquahollic]

Hey I do have a question, I don't see alot of you guys with inboards on pontoons is there a reason for that?

[Ron Burgundy]

If you want a new boat you can probably find a Sun Tracker in your price range. http://www.suntrackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3345

Personally, I wouldn't buy a new boat because they depriciate so much as soon as you drive it off the lot. Some people just love the idea of being the original owner and having a warranty which I can understand.

I shopped for about three months before I finally found my boat. I used craigslist.com and was able to find a ton of boats for sale. You may want to consider expanding your search area. Pontoon boats are very popular in my area of Florida... Tampa/Clearwater. It may be worth a drive if you can find the right boat.

If your thinking about purchasing a used boat I would spend the money for a pre-purchase inspection. It is well worth the money and peace of mind in my opinion. Someone once told me that in reality you are "buying the motor and the boat is free." Meaning that you can fix just about anything on a pontoon boat for realitively cheap EXCEPT the motor. Make sure it is solid.

[aquahollic]

Hey I appreciate that, I have been vigorously looking now for about 2 months and more hard core over the last few weeks trying to beat the spring fever. I do keep getting alot of feedback about triple toon v standard which has diverted some of my attention. In my simple way of thinking when it comes to a pontoon (and I may be wrong never owned one YET) the 25ft g3 im looking at should perform well I would think just from the size of the pontoons themselves, is a triple toon really the best alternative? And I agree I really don't care to buy a new boat at all I would rather have used as well.

[Ron Burgundy]

You will be fine with the standard two toons. The only reason I wish for a tritoon is because I spend all my time in the Gulf where it can get pretty choppy sometimes, and I would like the added stability.

[aquahollic]

Thats Prob gonna be an issue for me also I recently moved from the Gulf shores area where I stayed on the water alot in the icw etc, and there are def some days when its rough, and I will be using my next purchase there too.

[curtiscapk]

Gulf Shores! We vaca at Dauphin Island every summer and do to gulf shores one day of the week for wild woody!...Well except for last year fuckin oil workers....


Maybe we'll hook up this summer.

[aquahollic]

I cant wait to move back myself, I recently changed jobs to and moved away and ready to change again and go back, I love hanging on the boat there...

[dockholiday]

The pro's as I see it are the new ones will be warrantied plus you get a better interest rate on a new boat. Think my payment is 250 month based on roughly 25k. The downside is the first two years are the worst far as depreciation. Then again if you plan on keeping one say 5 years it is worthwhile. Plus, a new motor will be more fuel efficient. They seem to be getting better an better every year with the noise an economy. Another advantage is you can get exactly what you want. Think if you keep looking you can find what you want an at the right price new or used. Even with the price increases the last several years, the interest rate should be better now than when I purchased mine in 08.
doc

[aquahollic]

Definitely considering a new purchase, looking at both options, I really seem to be wanting more and more out a boat the more I look it seems, I guess everyone goes through that, but I do have a budget I need to stick with. I want to go through my credit union for their interest rates, but the length of time they finance is boats is limited which brings that payment up.