Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

HI everyone! Thanks again for being such a huge help, this forum is amazing!

Anyway we are getting ready to pull the trigger on our first toon since the deal we had going last year never worked out. Below are the details on the boats and wanted to get everyone's feedback. Are they decent prices, are they good boats? Etc... We will not be trailering the toon.

Option 1 (used from dealer, former rental boat) (in stock)
2011 Premier Sunsation 220
25" tubes, ski bar, carpeting, changing room
currently has a 90 hp Yamaha and we can pick it up for $19,000 with no trailer
If we upgrade to a brand new 115 hp Yamaha the price jumps to $23,000 again no trailer
Dealer is throwing in a free slip for the first year

Option 2 (new) (in stock)
$25,000
2014 Premier Sunspree 220
115 hp Yamaha
Vinyl flooring no carpeting
changing room
25" tubes
Ski Bar
No trailer
Slip included

Option 3 (new) (boat must be ordered and will not be here until July)
$26,000
2014 Sweetwater 2286
115 hp Yamaha
25" tubes
Snap in carpet
Upgraded stereo
Changing rooms
Lifting Strakes
Ski Bar
First year slip, first year winter storage and shrink wrap

I'd say start with the rental unit in an on water demo. See if you're satisfied with the 90 hp motor before going for the 115 hp models.

Given your three choices, I'd take #1 for a starter.

To give you some comparison, check this out.

http://www.shadycreek.com/boat-details.aspx?id=838


I've personally been on and seen this boat. It's in nice shape.

I agree with Bama! Test drive the '11. If it feels under powered to you and you feel the 115 is a must. For the extra grand, I would go with option #2. Both brands are fine. I own a Premier, but I am totally impartial to them. Not crashing on the Sweetwater at all, very nice boats, as well. But the '14 Premier is in stock and has all the options you'll need. Why waste 1/2 your summer waiting for Sweetwater.
Thats my thought, anyway!
Take your time, think it out, try not to loose too much sleep over it. I know how stressfull (but fun) boat shopping is.
My last purchase was bought on NEEDS, its not my preferred brand. But it fits our family needs. We stretch the season out as long as we can, so this was a major player when we purchased the S-Series. Think of things with a passenger view, too.
Have fun and feel free to ask all the questions you want! We are here to help!
Bryan

Thanks so far and keep the feedback coming!

The Premier 2011 is a $4k jump if we upgrade to a new 115 which I think we would do because it is a rental and the engine warranty only has 5 months left.

On the sweetwater the good news is the dealer will let us use a demo boat on weekends until our boat gets here

as far as the 2014 sunspree, great news it's in stock but the concern I have is it's really trimmed down along with all premier seat brackets being plastic

Those that have premier do have issues with the seats? All of the brakcets on the rental are literally broken and the seats fall off when you remove them.

Douglas4315 wrote:Thanks so far and keep the feedback coming!


Those that have premier do have issues with the seats? All of the brakcets on the rental are literally broken and the seats fall off when you remove them.

Never had a issue with my seats. But then you must remember, that is a rental, they get used and abused. Kind of a good proving ground for weak spots. But when you own it, you'll treat it more gingerly. Kinda like tossing me the keys to a 'Vette! I'll drive it like I stole it!

In my experience, the single most overlooked item on new pontoons is strakes. Get 'em.
I wish I had known to insist on them.

BobG wrote:In my experience, the single most overlooked item on new pontoons is strakes. Get 'em.
I wish I had known to insist on them.

Could always add some TAP fins....
I know, I know.......

Not sure if you are a youngin or not? If so I would think you would want to go 115 at a minimum if you want to tube and ski behind it. I agree with the advice Bama stated...give it a try to see if it is going to give you the speed you want.

Personally I would be a little skeptical of buying a rental due to the potential abuse the boat endured. I would definitely check it out structurally and get a good look underneath at the toons for big dents or repaired welds. If you decided to upgrade to a new engine I would then go with option #2 since it would be two grand extra for a brand new boat. In any event I think 90 is best if you like to put put around...anything else you will need more power....

Bryden24shp wrote:

BobG wrote:In my experience, the single most overlooked item on new pontoons is strakes. Get 'em.
I wish I had known to insist on them.

Could always add some TAP fins....
I know, I know.......

Tell the dealer option 2, but only at $23k. You new boat and bigger engine for what the used with the larger engine would cost. Not sure where you boat, but the 90 would seem under powered to me?

I think we are eliminating the possibility of the former rental boat, although it's nice not sure I want to spend $23k on something that has been beat on for two years.

One thing I forgot to mention we will always usually have 8 people and sometimes 9 on the boat so the 115 is necessary

You asked for opinions and since it is your money, I am happy to provide mine.

First, you have to compare apples to apples. With that being said, you have a $2k-$3k decision to make (using the figures for all 3 to have new 115hp motors). At that price difference, I would take options 2 or 3 (all day long) over option 1.

Next, you may question yourself in a few years on the 90hp motor. NOTHING wrong with that boat/motor combo but if you look at my signature, I have upgraded from a 90 to a 115 to a 150 over the last 6 years. If you look at the majority of the opinions on this forum, they will say "get the biggest motor you can afford".

Next, I had carpet in my Bentley, went with snap out and vinyl underneath (removed the carpet after the first use) in my SouthBay, then opted for only vinyl in my Xcursion. Based on my use, Vinyl wins hands down (it looks like the rental has carpet).

Next, Strakes are nice (did not have them on my SouthBay or Bentley but have them on the Xcursion) but not deal killer.

Next, the shrink wrap and storage is nice but not a deal killer.

Lastly, I don't like rentals because odds are, at least half of the users did not know what they were doing and 90% did not give a crap about the boat at the end of the day. NOT knocking rentals at all and if I had to get a rental, it would be a pontoon because most of the potential problems will be easy to see (via a visual inspection).

In summary, it seems to be a no brainer to spend $2k-$3k to get a boat that is new, has a 3 year model year advantage, and is pristine. I guess if I had to vote for only one option (and using your checkbook), it would be #3. On the other hand, if you are sweating the $$ difference, then go with option 1 and 90hp and enjoy!

I purchased a 2011 rental boat from my local marina last fall. It is a 2011 Aloha 25' Sundeck with a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke. I was comfortable with the rental because the marina operator takes very good care of his equipment and the boat still looks like new. The engine had 360 hours on it which was a little more than I was expecting.
With that said, I just recently upgraded the motor to a new 150 Yamaya 4 stroke (which is what it is rated for) along with Seastar Steering system. That made a huge difference especially since this is a twin toon boat and it is a heavy boat.
If you know the marina operator, I wouldn't always run from a rental. That's my $.02.

Ok folks so I did the wrong thing or.......did I do the right thing? I went back to the dealership today to put a deposit on the order for the sweetwater 2286 and brought the wife and kids with me. Now guess what happened? That boat was $26,000 plus taxes and now the wife and kids want a different layout and the cost went up big time to $37,500, yes $11,500 more than my budget which I thought was out of range. I really need some advice now that we are in the $40k range for a boat! Do we look at some thing else?

This is what's loaded on the sweetwater Premium 220 SL
150 hp Yamaha (exciting)
Triple Toons
Upgraded upholstery
Vinyl floor
Snap in carpets
Raised helm for captains chair
ski tow bar
Hydraulic steering
docking lights
Playpen cover


http://www.echobaymarina.com/new_galler ... ov=3487171