Lets talk side piece, what pontoon would you buy?

[LakeFever]

Thinking about a new do all family truckster. Looking for a fun day boat that rips, handles some chop, pulls skiers, can fish from, and take grandma and grandpa out for a cruise. You guys know the deal im curious what you all like and why. Trash talk welcome as long as its about pontoons this is the 2023 side piece pontoon have at it thread

Something like this works for me


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af-fOTWJ5wY

[Riverratt]

I own a Lowe SS210CL tritoon with a mercury 150 pro xs 150 and love it.

[mikesufka]

Premier or Bennington up here …. I’d love one but hard to stomach $150,000 plus for my third or 4th boat - lol

MDS

[hellbents-10]

I don’t think I could! It’s like a minivan to me, I would rock a suburban but not the minivan!

[LakeFever]

LOL I've had some dang good times out on a toon in my drinkin years lemme tell ya. The toons I've been on were mostly low powered slow turkeys but still fun for what they were. BBQ's, tiki lights, live music, late nights, lots of bikinis, sometimes out til the sunrise.... good times. Wish I remembered more of it all :rolleyes:

The newer tritoons that run 50+ are more in the Suburban category. Dont forget I still own a couple streams and a pile of V6 power for other future projects. Need one to cruise the lakes with the extended family that aint gonna cause heart attacks

[hellbents-10]

Now those are some good points! We still have the big ol searay for the family days and nights.

[Riverratt]

Mine runs around 39mph on GPS with 4 large adults and 2 coolers.

[Riverratt]

515367

[JPEROG]

We had John Hice's girlfriend on the Toon and her quote was "why do have all of the other boats, we should all sell everything and just take this on the runs as a group". I had to tell her to stop being so practical, "this is still boating" lol... I vote for a PlayCraft--very strong, great performance, and a family owned/run business.

Joe

[LakeFever]

I like those playcrafts but my wife doesn’t so thats out. I did a bit more homework and see that Manitou was acquired by BRP and i dont really care for the new interiors on those. Im likely going to end up in the 22-4’ range 150-250hp. Most likely a 150xs on a 22. Going to look at the used market too we are in no rush i take my time checking details out as i know you guys do too which is why i posted about it. If i ended up with a 40-50mph rig that would be fine

[John S]

Not sure of your budget, but I'd say Premier and Bennington lead in build quality.
mikesufkaWhat did that Premier with the twin 'Zukis run that our former fearless (cult) leader set up? I think he added some strakes to it to get some air under it. To

[mikesufka]

Not sure of your budget, but I'd say Premier and Bennington lead in build quality.
<!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: dbtech_usertag_mention -->@Mike S (https://www.screamandfly.com/member.php?u=13116)<!-- END TEMPLATE: dbtech_usertag_mention -->ufka What did that Premier with the twin 'Zukis run that our former fearless (cult) leader set up? I think he added some strakes to it to get some air under it.

Don’t know the boat - there are several big twin outboard pontoons up here - I think they run ~ 60 mph? Don’t really get it - if a pontoon did an easy 30 mph, that would be plenty to get around up here - maybe have a top speed of 45-50 mph …. I’ve thought about buying one but Jen thinks I’d be bored quickly. I’m actually looking for a 28 Gar Wood, so the pontoon will maybe be on my list in another decade or two :)

MDS

[largecar91]

I love my Playcraft

[David]

A pontoon would be of no use to me. A 28 Gar Wood would be marginally useful, but I could look at it all day.

[JPEROG]

Not sure of your budget, but I'd say Premier and Bennington lead in build quality.
<!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: dbtech_usertag_mention --> @mikesufka (https://www.screamandfly.com/member.php?u=537) <!-- END TEMPLATE: dbtech_usertag_mention -->What did that Premier with the twin 'Zukis run that our former fearless (cult) leader set up? I think he added some strakes to it to get some air under it. To

I had a 25' Premier "no comparison in build quality to a PlayCraft". Go to LOTO for a week and drive around to the welding shops that fix tri-toons for a living. If you demand strength and performance you will end up with a playcraft.

We have boated the great lakes for 45 years of my life and there is no better proving grounds for a boat then West Michigan or LOTO. PlayCrafts are made at LOTO for LOTO abuse.

The built in swim steps and vast number of custom options are also a great feature. We have a new 26' single on order that is predicted to run in the mid eighty mph range.

515387515388515389515390515391515392

Joe

[LakeFever]

The Mrs likes the look of that one Joe, they need to update their website lol. Will definitely look at one of those. I was speaking to a buddy of mine he swears the Legend toons are top notch build quality. They look good, price is on the high side. I dont really have a budget this is probably gonna be a one and done deal for us. I am concerned about some of the other drivers so i will probably stay lowish on power no matter the hull

[4Speed]

I purchased a 22' Godfrey and am very happy with it, it has twin tubes with a 90F 4-stroke. I runs about 26 MPH. Speed wasn't a big factor as I have a STV. At the time they offered about the thickest aluminum tube on the market and largest 2 tube diameter as well as the best warranty (I got the boat show deal). The floor, table and seats are held in with bolts and self locking nuts with washers, unlike some of the cheaper units where they used self tapping screws. I went with the individual seat covers as opposed to the "play pen" cover. Wished I had got with the play pen as there is about 200 less snaps. Mine has the upgraded interior which if you want comfort its the way to go.

[CUDA]

Does anyone know anything about a 24 foot Spectrum ?

Was thinking about an aluminum screen encloser

My skin is fried, don't care about speed on the party barge, shade is good

looks like potential




https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t45.5328-4/311711682_6019200611433181_7869540158936487324_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p960x960&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c48759&_nc_ohc=yyr_j7G2FKkAX875qP8&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCK01dKJA6gPN0VEnmWPMEU0rCRGFijgkiQrzJgx5ufIQ&oe=63EE700F


https://scontent-mia3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t45.5328-4/320763586_6151633748220431_7183844537128242898_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p960x960&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c48759&_nc_ohc=s2M7GGS7eVUAX-Dueuz&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-2.xx&oh=00_AfDvlkOlv9MtUbgbdfiGmKyn2WGiEedbKAhQmQvIg2T4mg&oe=63EE87D6

[doug7488]

Looks like it might work
More of a Cat bottom than toon
Interested in real info if anyone is familiar with them

[CUDA]

That's why I like it, 30 years years ago I welded corner pieces on my 24 ft toon like they they do

now, I was thinking of welding a 8 inch wide 12 ft pad on each side to get lift, I was just wondering how solid these boats are, everything I could find about the

manufacture has been positive, just wondering about any knowen Issues?


|________

[donmac]

also like the Lowe 210ss! only ran one with the 115merc. very nice cruisin boat! good quality interior!

[LakeFever]

The Lowe is on the shortlist. We are going to test drive a few this summer

[Riverratt]

Love my Lowe. The soft seats are what sold me. Nice boat for the price. I got the rear convertable lounge and love it

[LakeFever]

Ya they look great. I like Sylvan too, and initially was pretty well set on Manitou but im not sure there now. As much as they talk style with the new formed aluminum skin im not struck on it. Regardless i’ll drive one too and see

[Jimboat]

how 'bout this one?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3phZgeBcGiE

[LakeFever]

That clip is awesome it never gets old. I see things with speed as power to weight and have always shied off building speed with vehicles that come with weight handicaps. I always loved BBC chevelles but when time came for me to build a hotrod i chose a Bbc nova instead. Same deal here with the pontoon i want enough power to cruise decent speeds but really dont care if its the fastest toon on the lake. I’ll leave those funds for the streams or some other speed focused build. Plus as mentioned i have to consider other drivers like my kids and family/seniors. So its going to be just enough power to cruise 35-40 but not much more.

[Riverratt]

I looked at the Sylvan, Sweetwater, Bennington, Berkshire. And Lowe since that is what was around me. The Lowe had softer seats then the Sweetwater and Sylvan. The Berkshire and Bennington were just over priced.

[LakeFever]

Riverratt your doing a great job selling me on the Lowe :D

[Riverratt]

515657515658515659

[PaulR]

I would suggest a South Bay 925 Sport. When I was looking I wanted something that looked different, most pontoons basically look the same. The sport just looks cool IMO, my favorite part is the rear facing seat, you can’t sit in it when moving because it’s technically outside of the railing. I found a used South Bay 922 Sport with a 200 Verado and it runs 37. I love the way it gets on plane and goes!! I’m looking to repower with a 300((rated HP) but might go with a 350 or 400, I think it can handle it no problem. FUN BOAT!

[Riverratt]

I would suggest a South Bay 925 Sport. When I was looking I wanted something that looked different, most pontoons basically look the same. The sport just looks cool IMO, my favorite part is the rear facing seat, you can’t sit in it when moving because it’s technically outside of the railing. I found a used South Bay 922 Sport with a 200 Verado and it runs 37. I love the way it gets on plane and goes!! I’m looking to repower with a 300((rated HP) but might go with a 350 or 400, I think it can handle it no problem. FUN BOAT!

The rear facing lounges are getting popular. One reason we went with the Lowe convertible lounge is because the rear lounge is split so half can face forward and half backwards if they want plus it has rails around it so it is legal while running.
515704

[JohnR]

I love my $5000, 20 year old pontoon. No stress or worries about tapping a dock or anything and insurance is cheap but I get the feeling you're looking for something new and nice. LOL.

[LakeFever]

I love a good project but this one needs to be turnkey we have a ton going on at the moment.

[CUDA]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcSULzGJSXH_uVHtTe_abvsXSKKD0yleteRyy_I3vU4ZcwcXV2FqeijmyWvM6e4ikDuJ2DqQ5sTS_30ci ldcvG1BoZW0MKlXEiwm1xVcHitV

[aj06bolt12r]

Why not a center console bay boat decked out with nice seats and sunning pads n whatnot.. That would still be fun to operate too.

[mikesufka]

Why not a center console bay boat decked out with nice seats and sunning pads n whatnot.. That would still be fun to operate too.

Be great - a nice newer Sunsation CCX 32 with twins is North of $300,000 - this stuff is not cheap :) The new ones are $400,000.

MDS

[aj06bolt12r]

Be great - a nice newer Sunsation CCX 32 with twins is North of $300,000 - this stuff is not cheap :) The new ones are $400,000.

MDS

Oh yeah, that's huge money.. I was talking more a-long the lines of like a 24ft single outboard bay boat. Still overpriced these days but what isn't...

[LakeFever]

Center console doesn’t really fit the bill for my goals. Awesome boats, just not a floating living room lol

[Velocity72]

We had a 22’ South Bay tritoon with a 150 Yamaha. Affordable and 40 GPS. Kept it for 3 years and sold it for what we paid for it - aluminum being a commodity, etc. Just ordered a 22’ Bennington with a 150, a few more accessories, and 43 GPS. If you stay in the 22’ range with normal accessories you’ll be in the $50’s and $60’s. Bigger boats, bigger horsepower, you can get into triple digits real quick.

We really enjoy a tritoon. It handles more like a “boat”, can pull a slalom skier up out of the water, and haul around the family and friends. We usually end up in a cove hanging out and swimming. Fun times.

[LakeFever]

Yep that’s exactly the size we are looking at thanks for the info