Maybe my turn for new boat time

[tpenfield]

Actually . . . there are a few 310 BR OB's listed on Boat Trader . . .

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/202...A1csezZ1IpqI_oy5BVu4_d4N_tbGb5EwaAmgoEALw_wcB

Half the price of new . . .

 

[Scott06]

I bought my 2025 Bennington Pontoon last August 30% off list. Boat sales are currently WAY down.

I always pay cash for boats....cars too for the most part unless they are offering a really low interest rate which ios less I am making in a money market account.

that is the sensible thing to do. a few years back toyota was doing 3% or so for certified used. Basically used it as a cash flow spreader 1-2 years.

in northern climates no sense making payments on something you can only use 3-4 months a year.

 

[bruceb58]

that is the sensible thing to do. a few years back toyota was doing 3% or so for certified used. Basically used it as a cash flow spreader 1-2 years.

in northern climates no sense making payments on something you can only use 3-4 months a year.

Both of my boats only get used from May to October. In my mind, its makes no sense paying high interest on a boat ever...no matter how much you use it.

 

[alldodge]

Actually . . . there are a few 310 BR OB's listed on Boat Trader . . .

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/202...A1csezZ1IpqI_oy5BVu4_d4N_tbGb5EwaAmgoEALw_wcB

Half the price of new . . .

Have been watching it and it's a slight "maybe". Hours are ok but it's been bottom painted and probably spent it's life sitting in saltwater except during the winter. There was a 2024 model in FL that was 20K more, but it's gone now

 

[bruceb58]

Have been watching it and it's a slight "maybe". Hours are ok but it's been bottom painted and probably spent it's life sitting in saltwater except during the winter. There was a 2024 model in FL that was 20K more, but it's gone now

I would never buy a boat with bottom paint...unless I was going to be moored in salt water which would never happen.

 

[redneck joe]

I would never buy a boat with bottom paint...unless I was going to be moored in salt water which would never happen.

Algae growth in the south, freshwater, can be quite the sight to behold.

 

[flashback]

Algae growth in the south, freshwater, can be quite the sight to behold.

yes it can!

 

[alldodge]

Either way my point is, it's not on a lift. I've had paint removed and re-painted but don't really want to do that again, but would be willing if cost was lowered enough

 

[jlh3rd]

interesting comment about bottom paint.
I did my pontoon after seeing pontoons that operate on the chesapeake without paint. What a mess.
And a lift cost vs me repainting every two years doesn't work.

but curious why someone wouldn't buy a boat that's been bottom painted.

 

[Pmt133]

Esthetically I hate it. That being said the bottom of the 84 was sanded for it so it'd look worse without it now.

I've witnessed first hand the fouling that occurs in our reservoir and it puts to shame anything I've seen and dealt with in the brine.

 

[alldodge]

Dealer used a rattle can to repaint the gear case, and paint surface is a bit rough. So my guess is build up will happen much faster on it. Other than that it's back in the barn just before snow starts

$100 parts and $200 labor to change water pump and gear lube in other lower

 

[redneck joe]

Esthetically I hate it. That being said the bottom of the 84 was sanded for it so it'd look worse without it now.

I've witnessed first hand the fouling that occurs in our reservoir and it puts to shame anything I've seen and dealt with in the brine.

Except barnacles

 

[Pmt133]

Except barnacles

True. But I don't really get those in the bays.

 

[bruceb58]

interesting comment about bottom paint.
I did my pontoon after seeing pontoons that operate on the chesapeake without paint. What a mess.
And a lift cost vs me repainting every two years doesn't work.

but curious why someone wouldn't buy a boat that's been bottom painted.

I don't keep my boat moored in salt water. Bottom paint slows the boat down and looks horrible.

 

[jlh3rd]

when I was in fresh water, no paint.
Now I'm in the upper Chesapeake, brackish, I've seen a pontoon unpainted that was covered in barnacles. Talk about looking horrible and slowing a boat down, that would do it.
not arguing, it's a choice.

 

[dingbat]

Last boat had bottom paint. Current boat does not.

Believe it or not, the bottom paint was far easier to maintain. Used BottomKote paint. If the paint was stained above the water line, hose it down and hit it with a scotch-brite to reveal fresh paint.

The problem with the no paint bottom is the staining. We have heavy tannin content year around, but particularly in the Spring. The unpainted bottom would come out of the water after Spring Striper season heavily stained a dark, tea color.

Usually took two applications of bottom cleaner to remove the stain. Had to do it 2-3 times a season to keep it looking half decent. Made worst by the need to protect the trailer (galvanized) from the effects of bottom cleaner.

 

[bruceb58]

when I was in fresh water, no paint.
Now I'm in the upper Chesapeake, brackish, I've seen a pontoon unpainted that was covered in barnacles. Talk about looking horrible and slowing a boat down, that would do it.
not arguing, it's a choice.

I said I would never buy a boat with bottom paint...that is my choice since I don't need it! since I am either always in fresh water or in salt for just a day