Best Tritoon for the money?

[RaceTec]

what size motor do you have ?

We have the 150, and love it, could use more power but that is as big as they would install...

 

[Lavey29]

How do you like the floor vs carpet? does it get gritty? What model did you get? sorry for all the questions I appreciate all the info.

There are other options for a toon besides carpet or floors in the boat that will stay cool on the feet and be easy to maintain.

 

[MrMayhem]

I have a similar textured floor on the Avalon, and it's hot as hell!

 

[Lavey29]

I have a similar textured floor on the Avalon, and it's hot as hell!

Its called Luna flooring and I think it stays much cooler then the typical darker colored boat carpet we are used to in the past. However, I keep the double biminis up at all times so there is a lot of shade to keep it cool.

 

[Waffles]

My next upgrade on my 04 is woven vinyl like the newer toons. It looks a million times better and it's a hell of a lot easier to maintain.....it's just expensive as fuck lol

 

[satellitemike]

this one looks like it stacks up pretty well for the $.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/boa/6198263578.html

 

[BWT]

this one looks like it stacks up pretty well for the $.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/boa/6198263578.html

That looks nice, does any one have any feed back on this brand? Montego Bay.

 

[Thunderhead1]

That looks nice, does any one have any feed back on this brand? Montego Bay.

See Post #49 , said it best right there.

 

[BWT]

See Post #49 , said it best right there.

I agree, I just don't want to buy something that is known to fall apart day one.

 

[Lavey29]

http://www.pacificmarinecenter.com/s/search/inventory/type/Pontoons/sort/best-match


Jack is the owner of this place and a good guy to deal with. Here is their current inventory list

 

[Singleton]

I read Premeir was going BK.

Filed in Minnesota. They had revenue of $55M in 2015 and due to a bad acquisition they are now in Chapter 11.

 

[BWT]

http://www.pacificmarinecenter.com/s/search/inventory/type/Pontoons/sort/best-match


Jack is the owner of this place and a good guy to deal with. Here is their current inventory list

Thank you, I am in that area quit often for work.

 

[bajaleo]

Filed in Minnesota. They had revenue of $55M in 2015 and due to a bad acquisition they are now in Chapter 11.

When I was at Horizon in LHC a couple of weeks ago, I looked at a Weeres (owned by Premier I believe), and was impressed. They seemed like a good value for the money. But I wonder how any warranty work would be handled with a deal like this?

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Someone else's...

 

[Ace450x]

With the current state of the used market, we looked quite a bit. I really wanted a Bennington, however the dealer experience was less than spectacular, I'll just leave it at that.

For the money, the Sweetwater by Godfrey was a great option. We were actually a day or two away from buying one, when I found my Howard. Yep, I know, completely different direction, but I have always wanted one and had to have it.

For a little more I think the Avalon is a better option, however the lack of a dealer in SoCal steered me away.

 

[Checkmate21]

Having a good dealer a reasonable distance from you is probably more important than the brand of boat that you buy. Every boat and motor can experience problems and will need service.

 

[Thunderhead1]

I agree, I just don't want to buy something that is known to fall apart day one.

I went ahead and picked up the suncatcher yesterday.... The brand is owned by Yamaha ...its not knock your sox off fancy or loaded with luxury options.... it does seem to be well built ... By that I mean its through bolted everywhere , Full skin underneath and its a tritoon . Had faux teak flooring and descent grade vinyl on the seats. Even the 4 speaker Jensen stereo wasn't horrible.. not going to make your ears bleed by any means but I was surprised. Fully expected an AM radio sounding effect.

on a tandem trailer with brakes... the trailer is absolutely nothing fancy.... has brakes on it though...

This fit our needs as a backup boat while the Eagle is being repaired.... 40k + fees was a fair price for a fair product IMO.

 

[MrMayhem]

Congrats Where's the pic?
You at the landing this weekend?

 

[Thunderhead1]

Congrats Where's the pic?
You at the landing this weekend?

We are out here... you??

here is quick pic snapped after we took delivery...

 

[MrMayhem]

We are out here... you??

here is quick pic snapped after we took delivery...

View attachment 571093

It has a bar!!!!
Coming on the 5th to the 10th. We need to hang out. I'll drive by to see if you are still around.

 

[Thunderhead1]

It has a bar!!!!
Coming on the 5th to the 10th. We need to hang out. I'll drive by to see if you are still around.

We will be here!!!! First rounds on me!!

safe travels... till then...Cheers!

 

[TCHB]

Just got done working Windsor this morning and noticed more and more toon boats being launched. I saw at least 10 new toon boats. It looks like the wake board and toon boats are the new thing on the water.

 

[MrMayhem]

You got it!

 

[BWT]

We are out here... you??

here is quick pic snapped after we took delivery...

View attachment 571093

That is nice.. What size motor?

 

[Thunderhead1]

That is nice.. What size motor?

Yamaha Vmax 150SHO 41 MPH with fuel and 1 person...

Loaded up for the day , fuel coolers etc... will know in a couple hours...lol weve been breaking it in yesterday afternoon and, today we will see what shes got ...

iam hoping for mid 30's.... if its there then I will still be happy... anything less and I will call it a total disappointment.

 

[RandyH]

We love our Premier. 23 footer. I should have gotten more power. The 150 merc purrs like a kitten but a 200 would have been the way to go with three tubes and the PTX bottom. Sad to hear about the bankruptcy. I have little respect for business men that use it to run from their mistakes and leave suppliers and creditors holding the bag. Even if they make it out the other side I won't do businessmen them again.:grumble:

 

[YoPengo]

Going to look at this one today. It is a 2015 Avalon 2565 with a Merc 250. I can't figure what model it is ... maybe a Catalina? Owner says it has the rear loungers. :thumbsup Was his father-in-laws... Passed away in December. Only 65 hours.

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

We will be listing ours for sale soon......(pics won't upload this morning)

 

[riverroyal]

Going to look at this one today. It is a 2015 Avalon 2565 with a Merc 250. I can't figure what model it is ... maybe a Catalina? Owner says it has the rear loungers. :thumbsup Was his father-in-laws... Passed away in December. Only 65 hours.

View attachment 571835

yes catalina....nice set up. Find a shipping guys to buy mine yet? PM me the price on that one

 

[YoPengo]

yes catalina....nice set up. Find a shipping guys to buy mine yet? PM me the price on that one

He is asking $42K with a trailer (Trailers are rare in this area) and he is 15 minutes away.

 

[riverroyal]

He is asking $42K with a trailer (Trailers are rare in this area) and he is 15 minutes away.

seems fair. that bimini will rattle. theres grommets I think that will fix it.

 

[BWT]

He is asking $42K with a trailer (Trailers are rare in this area) and he is 15 minutes away.

That sounds like a good deal..

 

[Bobby V]

Going to look at this one today. It is a 2015 Avalon 2565 with a Merc 250. I can't figure what model it is ... maybe a Catalina? Owner says it has the rear loungers. :thumbsup Was his father-in-laws... Passed away in December. Only 65 hours.

View attachment 571835

Not on the boat I hope. :eek

 

[gmnhra]

personal experience
2007 25 foot Premier, Volvo duoprop (300 hp). we put over 700 hours on this thing...left it in a slip 363/365, started every time, comfortable ride..zero issues. sold it in October thinking it was "just time" or put money into upholstery and motor...

bought a brand new 25 bennington with 350 verado (motor gets thirsty over 5k rpm). the new "textured vinyl" upholstery is beautiful and comfortable but it is a bitch to keep clean. boat rides very nice in Saturday havasu chop..runs 45 mph..
as stated by others the "sea grass" flooring is beautiful but it gets f'ing hot
verado power steering has been a problem from day 1. sun country service, is not the greatest
my other comment is that under the helm, the wiring looks like 8 year olds did it. total rats nest...not what you expect from a six figure boat...

shop all of them and compare pricing and features. don't be afraid to "make offers". all they can say is "No" (and then call back 30 minutes later to accept the offer..)
forget all the stupid shit like underwater lights, toon lights, interior cycling mood lighting, bimini mister system, etc...
get the biggest motor offered. my cruise speed is 35 mph but it is really nice to have some throttle left to pass others and/or get out of the way of idiots..

still miss my Daytona, but pontoon boating these days is not too bad

 

[outboardrick]

personal experience
2007 25 foot Premier, Volvo duoprop (300 hp). we put over 700 hours on this thing...left it in a slip 363/365, started every time, comfortable ride..zero issues. sold it in October thinking it was "just time" or put money into upholstery and motor...

bought a brand new 25 bennington with 350 verado (motor gets thirsty over 5k rpm). the new "textured vinyl" upholstery is beautiful and comfortable but it is a bitch to keep clean. boat rides very nice in Saturday havasu chop..runs 45 mph..
as stated by others the "sea grass" flooring is beautiful but it gets f'ing hot
verado power steering has been a problem from day 1. sun country service, is not the greatest
my other comment is that under the helm, the wiring looks like 8 year olds did it. total rats nest...not what you expect from a six figure boat...

shop all of them and compare pricing and features. don't be afraid to "make offers". all they can say is "No" (and then call back 30 minutes later to accept the offer..)
forget all the stupid shit like underwater lights, toon lights, interior cycling mood lighting, bimini mister system, etc...
get the biggest motor offered. my cruise speed is 35 mph but it is really nice to have some throttle left to pass others and/or get out of the way of idiots..

still miss my Daytona, but pontoon boating these days is not too bad

I have a Playcraft with the 350 Mag and B3, and have friends that have them also. Also have friends that started out with the same boat but with an outboard and once they get a few people on board the outboard cant pull the weight well. Have you found that to be true with the new supercharged 4 stroke outboard?

 

[YoPengo]

I have a Playcraft with the 350 Mag and B3, and have friends that have them also. Also have friends that started out with the same boat but with an outboard and once they get a few people on board the outboard cant pull the weight well. Have you found that to be true with the new supercharged 4 stroke outboard?

I had a Playcraft and would love to find another. There is no inventory. I just test drove the Avalon with the Merc 250. The boat is a quad lounge not a rear lounger... Think I like it better. Looks to have an upgraded Stereo. Going to make him an offer. [emoji1303]

 

[gmnhra]

yes. definitely
2 people, full fuel, half the bimini up, 48 mph...wot
4-6 adults, full fuel, full bimini, maybe 40 mph wot
yesterday, 10 adults......barely 35 mph wot

 

[riverroyal]

personal experience
2007 25 foot Premier, Volvo duoprop (300 hp). we put over 700 hours on this thing...left it in a slip 363/365, started every time, comfortable ride..zero issues. sold it in October thinking it was "just time" or put money into upholstery and motor...

bought a brand new 25 bennington with 350 verado (motor gets thirsty over 5k rpm). the new "textured vinyl" upholstery is beautiful and comfortable but it is a bitch to keep clean. boat rides very nice in Saturday havasu chop..runs 45 mph..
as stated by others the "sea grass" flooring is beautiful but it gets f'ing hot
verado power steering has been a problem from day 1. sun country service, is not the greatest
my other comment is that under the helm, the wiring looks like 8 year olds did it. total rats nest...not what you expect from a six figure boat...

shop all of them and compare pricing and features. don't be afraid to "make offers". all they can say is "No" (and then call back 30 minutes later to accept the offer..)
forget all the stupid shit like underwater lights, toon lights, interior cycling mood lighting, bimini mister system, etc...
get the biggest motor offered. my cruise speed is 35 mph but it is really nice to have some throttle left to pass others and/or get out of the way of idiots..

still miss my Daytona, but pontoon boating these days is not too bad

my faux teak vinyl doesn't get that hot. You can walk on it no problem.
NO verado steering issues either.
Wiring, yes, they are production line like motorhomes. My dealer did go through some of it prior to delivery and clean it up, mainly the boat to outboard hoses etc.

What speed are you seeing wide open and rpm's?

 

[MissHavasuCig]

personal experience
2007 25 foot Premier, Volvo duoprop (300 hp). we put over 700 hours on this thing...left it in a slip 363/365, started every time, comfortable ride..zero issues. sold it in October thinking it was "just time" or put money into upholstery and motor...

bought a brand new 25 bennington with 350 verado (motor gets thirsty over 5k rpm). the new "textured vinyl" upholstery is beautiful and comfortable but it is a bitch to keep clean. boat rides very nice in Saturday havasu chop..runs 45 mph..
as stated by others the "sea grass" flooring is beautiful but it gets f'ing hot
verado power steering has been a problem from day 1. sun country service, is not the greatest
my other comment is that under the helm, the wiring looks like 8 year olds did it. total rats nest...not what you expect from a six figure boat...

shop all of them and compare pricing and features. don't be afraid to "make offers". all they can say is "No" (and then call back 30 minutes later to accept the offer..)
forget all the stupid shit like underwater lights, toon lights, interior cycling mood lighting, bimini mister system, etc...
get the biggest motor offered. my cruise speed is 35 mph but it is really nice to have some throttle left to pass others and/or get out of the way of idiots..

still miss my Daytona, but pontoon boating these days is not too bad

I bought my latest Bennington from them in 2015. 2550 RSR with 300 Verado. The motor was way too (as low as it would go) low when I took delivery. The boat would only run 42 MPH. I raised the motor one hole (about an inch) and got a high of 49.7 on GPS. I think the motor is actually still low, and am thinking of going up another inch. I am running a 17 which should run about 52 MPH, but I am down over 400 RPM's. Their head mechanic said they set all the motors all the way down. Just FYI (this is actual MHC's husband posting BTW). Did they deliver your boat with the motor low? Just wondering.

Edit, as far as the Verado steering, Mercury says to use AGM batteries because it draws a lot of power. My boat came from Sun Country with a POS Interstate. I put dual Odyseey's in the boat before it ever touched the water and have had zero issues. I have read of people having problems with the steering using regular wet cell batteries.

 

[MissHavasuCig]

I have a Playcraft with the 350 Mag and B3, and have friends that have them also. Also have friends that started out with the same boat but with an outboard and once they get a few people on board the outboard cant pull the weight well. Have you found that to be true with the new supercharged 4 stroke outboard?

My last boat was a 28 Bennington with a 350 Mag. The Verado on my new boat has no problems with weight, and actually pulls harder once the boost from the supercharger comes on.

 

[riverroyal]

I bought my latest Bennington from them in 2015. 2550 RSR with 300 Verado. The motor was way too (as low as it would go) low when I took delivery. The boat would only run 42 MPH. I raised the motor one hole (about an inch) and got a high of 49.7 on GPS. I think the motor is actually still low, and am thinking of going up another inch. I am running a 17 which should run about 52 MPH, but I am down over 400 RPM's. Your boat with a 350 should run faster IMO. Their head mechanic said they set all the motors all the way down. Just FYI (this is actual MHC's husband posting BTW).

Edit, as far as the Verado steering, Mercury says to use AGM batteries because it draws a lot of power. My boat came from Sun Country with a POS Interstate. I put dual Odyseey's in the boat before it ever touched the water and have had zero issues. I have read of people having problems with the steering using regular wet cell batteries.

2 interstates in mine. wired together. Im getting plenty of RPM. So Im assuming the height is ok? I went up 1 prop size and lost about 300 RPM, gained 1 MPH

 

[gmnhra]

I bought my latest Bennington from them in 2015. 2550 RSR with 300 Verado. The motor was way too (as low as it would go) low when I took delivery. The boat would only run 42 MPH. I raised the motor one hole (about an inch) and got a high of 49.7 on GPS. I think the motor is actually still low, and am thinking of going up another inch. I am running a 17 which should run about 52 MPH, but I am down over 400 RPM's. Your boat with a 350 should run faster IMO. Their head mechanic said they set all the motors all the way down. Just FYI (this is actual MHC's husband posting BTW).

Edit, as far as the Verado steering, Mercury says to use AGM batteries because it draws a lot of power. My boat came from Sun Country with a POS Interstate. I put dual Odyseey's in the boat before it ever touched the water and have had zero issues. I have read of people having problems with the steering using regular wet cell batteries.

thanks for the info
the power steering issue is that after 30 minutes of drive time, the slightest movement of the helm and you hear "fluid bypass" like when you hold steering cranked full to one side. it is irritating at best...they replaced the helm...same result..
my internet searches seem to implicate that the return line is too short and that the fluid is getting too hot. sun countries response was "oh I'll call merc and ask about that"....then "can you measure the length of the return line?" arggg...

I have not even opened the battery boxes to wee whats in there...good tip...

I agree on the motor height. mine is lowest position possible...who messes with setup on a pontoon??? based on your comments, I think I will raise it one hole and see what happens..

 

[riverroyal]

thanks for the info
the power steering issue is that after 30 minutes of drive time, the slightest movement of the helm and you hear "fluid bypass" like when you hold steering cranked full to one side. it is irritating at best...they replaced the helm...same result..
my internet searches seem to implicate that the return line is too short and that the fluid is getting too hot. sun countries response was "oh I'll call merc and ask about that"....then "can you measure the length of the return line?" arggg...

I have not even opened the battery boxes to wee whats in there...good tip...

I agree on the motor height. mine is lowest position possible...who messes with setup on a pontoon??? based on your comments, I think I will raise it one hole and see what happens..

My Avalon is set at the highest hole. I do know there is bad ass jack plate available for it now. It was something I considered, but if it doesn't make a huge diff then it may not be worth it. Plus Im guessing a bigger prop would be needed, that's more money thrown in

 

[MissHavasuCig]

thanks for the info
the power steering issue is that after 30 minutes of drive time, the slightest movement of the helm and you hear "fluid bypass" like when you hold steering cranked full to one side. it is irritating at best...they replaced the helm...same result..
my internet searches seem to implicate that the return line is too short and that the fluid is getting too hot. sun countries response was "oh I'll call merc and ask about that"....then "can you measure the length of the return line?" arggg...

I have not even opened the battery boxes to wee whats in there...good tip...

I agree on the motor height. mine is lowest position possible...who messes with setup on a pontoon??? based on your comments, I think I will raise it one hole and see what happens..

That sucks about the steering, I have not had any issues. With your motor raised I bet you will be well over 50MPH. Jim thought I was crazy for wanting to raise my motor until I told him the results. Lol...

 

[MissHavasuCig]

My Avalon is set at the highest hole. I do know there is bad ass jack plate available for it now. It was something I considered, but if it doesn't make a huge diff then it may not be worth it. Plus Im guessing a bigger prop would be needed, that's more money thrown in

I looked into jack plates, but Bennington will void the lifetime hull warranty if you use one.

 

[riverroyal]

I looked into jack plates, but Bennington will void the lifetime hull warranty if you use one.

Oh, not Avalon. Hmmmm, maybe I should try it

 

[MissHavasuCig]

Oh, not Avalon. Hmmmm, maybe I should try it

The last time I messed with jack plates was on my 28 Skater, and the speed gain was impressive (from 109 to 122). I am sure the gain on a pontoon would be much less, but I still think it would be cool to try it.

 

[RandyH]

I had a Playcraft and would love to find another. There is no inventory. I just test drove the Avalon with the Merc 250. The boat is a quad lounge not a rear lounger... Think I like it better. Looks to have an upgraded Stereo. Going to make him an offer. [emoji1303]

This guy sells a lot of playcraft in the Midwest. I believe this was his own personal lake boat. https://waterloo.craigslist.org/bod/6174965906

 

[YoPengo]

This guy sells a lot of playcraft in the Midwest. I believe this was his own personal lake boat. https://waterloo.craigslist.org/bod/6174965906

Link does not work.

 

[MrMayhem]

Why are we trying to make our toons go faster? I like mine at about 30-35 mph and set the stereo on kill. It's a great experience.