Newb here, wife just approved my purchase of a pontoon boat.. Need guidance.

[j0n52]

I am looking at either a Crest 200 I 2015 model with a 60 hp Suzuki motor, an Avalon 21 ft GS with a 60 hp Evinrude or a slightly used Sweet Water 2086 with a 70 yamaha all 2015 models


I need feedback on the motors and if they alone should be a deciding factor on selection?
These boats will all be about $400 of each other with a trailer.
I am in FL and plan to store it in freshwater on a lake and trailer it weekends to the intercostal.

Thoughts?

Each has the salt water package and 25" logs with comparable amenities except the Sweetwater is previously titled and 4 months old.

I can use any guidance. This is my first pontoon buy on a limited budget and yet this will be my retirement boat for fishing, cruising and letting the family boat weekends together.We have access to jet skis and a ski/bass boat and a flats boat so pulling a skier is not a factor.

It seems the articles I read indicate the Evinrude is cheaper on maintenance and fuel but it is not a 4 stroke; Yamaha is better for resale but I hope not to need to sell it anytime and has the balance of a 3yr warranty; Suzuki I am told is quieter and more fuel efficient for a 4strokesome say it is as good as or better than a Yamaha without the price or name recognition.

Reliability is key and I dont want to be stranded..... All the boats seem to have comparable warranties but is there a key deciding factor to consider?

in advance thanks

I have succumb to paralysis by analysis and cant decide.

[Moser]

First welcome to the forum and to pontoon boating.

I'm not going to help you much I'm afraid, but I think your motors are all about the same as far as reliability is concerned, there is nothing at all wrong with the Etec 60, I would love to have one hanging on my boat.

I have always been a fan of Crest Pontoons, but I haven't looked at new ones in a few years so I can't say much about any of the ones you mentioned.

The 70 Yammy power plant may have a tiny edge with the 4 stroke and extra 10 HP. There are many forum members running 4 strokes and doing there own maintenance, I don't think there is a lot more to it than there is to taking care of a garden tractor or 4 wheeler.

Which ever rig you choose, choose it and don't look back. Be happy with what you get, forget about the others and get busy enjoying the pontoon lifestyle.

Once again, welcome to our forum.

[j0n52]

well things changed the sales service staff wasnt really impressing me much at the other place, so I went down the road to a more attentive father son operation and....

Cool Just put deposit on a new pontoon.... need feedback
I pulled the trigger after 8 months of searching and research.

I am getting a 21ft Avalon Gs Cruise with engine upgraded from a 60 to a 90hp evinrude along with the prop that gives better torque (pontoon prop it says) from evinrude and a tandem axle trailer.

The boat comes with:
full vinyl flooring
table
individual seat covers
saltwater upgrade anodes
platinum package upgrade (25" pontoons)
depth finder
changing room
35 gal fuel tank
LED running and dock lights
radio
10' bimini top
heavy duty aluminum ladder off the back

etc

plan to keep her in a fresh water late and trailer her to the coast once or twice a month to the river/intercoastal waters



Any words of wisdom for when I take delivery in a week?

[Moser]

If you are not completely comfortable towing, launching, operating and recovering the boat make sure the dealer goes along to walk you through all of those things. I would want them to accompany me on the shakedown cruise anyway just in case something pops up. If you haven't discussed this with them don't be surprised if they say that is not part of the service.

That sounds like a very nice boat with adequate power, I hope you enjoy it for many years.

http://waypointmarinegroup.com/new-b...lon-gs-cruise/

[BuckeyeBoater]

Get it on the water with the dealer and have them show you everything about it, make sure everything works as it should.
Get all the freebies you can.
Sounds like a nice set up...enjoy.

[j0n52]

thanks everyone, one week and counting. I am excited and plan to heed all your advice.

Thanks

[drive2boat]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new pontoon. Sounds like a winner to me!!!

[Capt Sully]

Welcome aboard

[stickman]

Ahem... seems everyone above is forgetting something.

PICTURES! We need pictures. Well, technically we don't need pictures, but we love pictures.

Congrats on the new boat. Get her wet and enjoy!

[austa]

stickman nailed it! We'd love to get a pic of you with your new toon for the forum section of PDB magazine! Could you email a picture to austa@harrispublishing.com as soon as you can? Congrats and thanks everyone for such top-notch advice!!