Pontoon Boats -- Which one would you buy?

[TheCarDudes]

OK people. Talk about getting thrown a curve ball. Having just purchased our Howard a few months ago I thought I would hit the show and pick up a few goodies for the boat. We were just checking some other cool boats out at the show and before you know it, three of us were talking about going in on a 28ft pontoon boat.
We are considering the Bennington or the JC. Maybe even the Playcraft. Any input here on what you guys have seen or own?

[HM]

fag

[LuckyStrike]

Go to www.hotpontoonboat.com:D

[RiverToysJas]

You need a deck boat AND a pontoon boat? :eek: Maybe you need to travel with less cr@p! ;)
RTJas :D

[LuckyStrike]

You need a deck boat AND a pontoon boat? :eek: Maybe you need to travel with less cr@p! ;)
RTJas :D
Hey Jas how ya doing..?

[little rowe boat]

Sell the Howard and then buy 1 of each.

[RiverToysJas]

Hey Jas how ya doing..?
Doin' great AJ! Haven't seen you on this forum in a while! We'll have to hook up out on Mohave again this year!
RTJas :D

[Not So Fast]

Do a search, this has been played out in fine detail before ;) NSF

[LuckyStrike]

Doin' great AJ! Haven't seen you on this forum in a while! We'll have to hook up out on Mohave again this year!
RTJas :D
Cant wait...I might throw her in lake Pleasent this weekend..Mid 70's
Drop me a line on that run in March if its still on.

[rivergoer]

the big one from evolution pontoon boats...they are all really cool looking and not over the top in pricing:D

[LAFD]

i wouldnt go into partners with two other people just doesnt work.

[SHAKE-YO-AZZ]

28 BENNINGTON is the way to go

[Todd969]

28 BENNINGTON is the way to go
That's what I told him. For their needs it has all the right goodies.
For my needs the JC works better.
Good luck guys.

[HocusPocus]

the big one from evolution pontoon boats...they are all really cool looking and not over the top in pricing:D
i checked with them when i bought mine, they didn't have anyone on the west coast selling them and if you wanted one you had to either go to ohio or pay for shipping.

[2Driver]

We have had 2 JC Tritoons with the Mercruisers. They are superb built boats. Check out their web site and be sure to look at the section on hull differences where they show the competition.
We even stayed on ours at Powell for 7 days, ran the lake, skied. I think we towed to almost every lake in those boats. Great quality.

[TheCarDudes]

28 BENNINGTON is the way to go
That is the one we left the deposit on.

[SHAKE-YO-AZZ]

That is the one we left the deposit on.
good choice

[TheCarDudes]

You need a deck boat AND a pontoon boat? :eek: Maybe you need to travel with less cr@p! ;)
RTJas :D
Actually we bought the Howard more for ride quality and safety as I believe it is one of the best choices for Havasu, especially for a family. We bought it for its performance and speed, not because it is a deck boat. We travel very lighly in that boat. It already has 2 built in ice chests. The only thing that gets brought on board is sun screen and towels. I hate a messy boat.
Don't get me wrong, the fact that it is a deck boat was the iceing (sp) on the cake.
The pontoon boat will be home base in the coves. Just some place where 3 or 4 families can hang out for the day, eat, relax, lay out ... all that good stuff on the party barge. If a couple of boats want to do some speed runs, we don't have to pack up camp to do so.
Just what works for us. And trust me, the cr@p is kept to a MINIMUM.

[dicudmore]

Actually we bought the Howard more for ride quality and safety as I believe it is one of the best choices for Havasu, especially for a family. We bought it for its performance and speed, not because it is a deck boat. We travel very lighly in that boat. It already has 2 built in ice chests. The only thing that gets brought on board is sun screen and towels. I hate a messy boat.
Don't get me wrong, the fact that it is a deck boat was the iceing (sp) on the cake.
The pontoon boat will be home base in the coves. Just some place where 3 or 4 families can hang out for the day, eat, relax, lay out ... all that good stuff on the party barge. If a couple of boats want to do some speed runs, we don't have to pack up camp to do so.
Just what works for us. And trust me, the cr@p is kept to a MINIMUM.
that sounds like a pretty good plan--only question...who do you pay to drive the toon out there to the cove?

[2Driver]

of course you know a house boat will be next. :D

[TheCarDudes]

of course you know a house boat will be next. :D
We already did the house. Bought it back in October. That's where the Howard hangs out. Our only regret now is not buying a big enough garage for the pontoon boat too if were were to go ahead with the deal.

[Familycat]

My dad just purchased a Bennington last week. Nice build quality for a patio boat. I hear the JC's are nice too. Rob "Eliminator for Life" works at a JC dealer in Madera.
Rick

[TheCarDudes]

that sounds like a pretty good plan--only question...who do you pay to drive the toon out there to the cove?
I'm sure you have figured out the main two people are myself and Blane. The third guy is kind of up in the air right now. We have a couple of other options for the 3rd partner or we might just do it between the two uf us. Both of our wives can drive the pontoon boat as well as one of my two sons.

[ChumpChange]

I'm sure you have figured out the main two people are myself and Blane.
:eek: :eek: :eek:

[V-DRIVE VIDEO]

Get the one that goes 82....

[Boatcop]

I did extensive research into pontoon boats for our Dept. After looking at just about everything out there, we ended up with a Crest (http://www.crestpontoonboats.com) (Not Crestliner).
Everything through bolted (s/s-nylock), rather than self tapping screws. Complete underside shield (no wood exposed to water)
Very well built, overall.
You can see them at H20 Marine in LHC.

[DMOORE]

I know it is not a "real" pontoon, but have you looked at a Hurricane. It has a planing type hull, similar to a tri-hull. A friend has one, and this boat really works well. With 8 people onboard and a 90 horse Honda this boat will do 40mph all day. The other thing is the way the boat handles. It is a great all-around family pontoon style boat.
Darrell.

[Zaairman]

My vote goes for the Playcraft Powertoon Xtreme with the I/O 496 or a 300HP outboard :)
http://www.playcraftboats.com/image/Xtreme11695.jpg

[Warlockjer]

We are happy with our JC:)

[Sigus]

My vote goes for the Playcraft Powertoon Xtreme with the I/O 496 or a 300HP outboard :)
http://www.playcraftboats.com/image/Xtreme11695.jpg
I am with you on this. Also they are now packaging them with twin Honda or for a real thrill go with Suzuki's. 70 MPH solid toon! Kind of spending but what a way to go.

[dumbandyoung]

Im to young to own a pontoon boat. I hear you can pick up some hot grannies in the channel though....as long as you roll through before 4pm.. they cant miss bingo. ;)

[mrs.rvrluvr]

My vote goes for the Playcraft Powertoon Xtreme with the I/O 496 or a 300HP outboard :)
http://www.playcraftboats.com/image/Xtreme11695.jpg
I agree, the playcrafts are nice

[shueman]

This one....http://www.manitouboats.com/main/ (Manitou)

[3 daytona`s]

Im to young to own a pontoon boat. I hear you can pick up some hot grannies in the channel though....as long as you roll through before 4pm.. they cant miss bingo. ;)
Since your girfriend dumped you,may want to:idea,buy the pontoon,get yourself a blue hair and consider your self lucky :idea:

[dumbandyoung]

Since your girfriend dumped you,may want to:idea,buy the pontoon,get yourself a blue hair and consider your self lucky :idea:
hey she didnt dump me.... she cheated on me... get it right!...haha

[Jordy]

hey she didnt dump me.... she cheated on me... get it right!...haha
Must have had to go somewhere else to get what she was missing out on at home. ;) :D

[TCHB]

I have a 25ft Bennington with a 225 Honda on the back and love it. It will almost touch the 50MPH mark with two on boad in pretty lumpy water.
The Manatou is the fastest, best handling toon boat right now with the same HP. It runs about 5mph faster than all the others with the same power.

[STRETCH]

:D :D
http://www.playcraftboats.com/speedrecord.htm
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/STRETCH-SJ/PBSPEED2108416xx.jpg
never wanted a toon:sleeping: really...but that one looks like fun....

[TheCarDudes]

Speed is a consideration but not very important. We have other boats for that. I am primarily looking for quality and amenities.

[dicudmore]

Speed is a consideration but not very important. We have other boats for that. I am primarily looking for quality and amenities.
Speed? Its a pontoon...its all about comfort and relaxing. The good thing is you both have good running boats when it comes time for speed :D

[Todd969]

Speed? Its a pontoon...its all about comfort and relaxing. The good thing is you both have good running boats when it comes time for speed :D
Exactly, why do you need to go that fast on a floating living room?
.

[TheCarDudes]

I couldn't agree more. We do have to get there in a REASONABLE amount of time, just don't have to be the first one there. (Not the last either though).
Like Todd said, it's a floating living room. Comfort, not speed.

[shockwaveharry]

Exactly, why do you need to go that fast on a floating living room?
It's gunna suck having a 35mph pontoon though... twice as long to get wherever you want to go.
I've never liked pontoons, always just dismissed them out of hand, until last weekend. I checked them out because my bro wanted to and I saw a 26 footer with big, super cushy seats and a 350 MAG MPI. Ended up sitting in it for almost 2 hours, thinking how easy it would be to build a killer stereo, neon lighting, underwater lighting, Auto Meter carbon fiber guages, Livorsi controls, ProCharger or a Whipple, huge hydraulic bimini, ice machine, BBQ...

[YeLLowBoaT]

I would say, buy which ever one comes with:
a keg frig, with tap and a striper pole. :D

[Havasu Carrera]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290078667484&rd=1,1
Found this beuty on e-bay !!! You could save 20k and its real cushy!!!
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p161/HavasuCarrera/P1010097.jpg
KIller stereo to!! Should go for around 6500.00 so you can keep your HOT BOAT!:D

[INSman]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290078667484&rd=1,1
Found this beuty on e-bay !!! You could save 20k and its real cushy!!!
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p161/HavasuCarrera/P1010097.jpg
KIller stereo to!! Should go for around 6500.00 so you can keep your HOT BOAT!:D
Nowhere NEAR being big enough, but thanks for finding and posting :D

[INSman]

:eek: :eek: :eek:
Don't be a hater Mr. black Porsche ;)

[Zaairman]

I think I found your boat then...
http://i11.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/9e/1d/6b_12.JPG
http://i6.ebayimg.com/02/i/07/9e/6c/5b_12.JPG
http://i14.ebayimg.com/03/i/07/a1/61/38_12.JPG
34' Evolution Pontoon with a 275 HP Merc Verado on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MASSIVE-34-Evolution-Power-Boat-275hp-VERADO-34-Deck_W0QQitemZ320079201260QQihZ011QQcategoryZ63684 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). Keggerator included. If you want something smaller, then here's (http://motors.search.ebay.com/evolution_Boats_W0QQa39717ZQ2d24QQa6ZQ2d24QQalistZ a6Q2ca3801Q2ca39717Q2ca38QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcom pareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfgtpZQQfpos Z63301QQfposZ63301QQfposZ63301QQfromZR2QQfsooZ2QQf sopZ2QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQgcsZ1807QQlopgZQQlsotZQQpf_ queryZevolutionQQpfidZ2561QQpfmodeZ1QQreqtypeZ2QQs acatZ26429QQsadisZ200QQsaprchiZQQsaprcloZQQsargnZQ 2d1QQsaslcZ2QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZunknown) a list of all of their boats on ebay, including that 24' with the 350 Chebby.

[UnionJack]

Jc

[AZJD]

Too bad Kachina doesn't make one! They would have my vote for sure!:D

[Baja Big Dog]

You didnt mention a Rhino, we need to know if your a baller of not!!!:idea:

[KoolPop]

Playcraft, all the way!!