2 used boat options

[fergusmj]

Hey All,

I'm Mike and I've been browsing the forum for a while as I'm looking to buy a pontoon boat. I was hoping I could get some input from you all. I'm looking at 2 boats right now and would like your input and thoughts.

Boat 1: 2005 Startcraft Elite 226 (22') with a 2005 115HP Mercury 4 stroke (no trailer) for $14,500
I would have to buy a trailer over winter or right when I buy it. (about 1,600)

Boat 2: 2004 Crest Classic III (25') with a 2009 135HP Honda 4 stroke (with trailer) for $18,000

Both boats are 25" double toons

Do you think there would be a big performance difference between the 115HP on a 22' and 135hp on a 25'?

I havent negotiated on the 2005 22' yet, but the people seem pretty firm on the 18,000 price for the 25' Crest.

I don't think I need the 25', however, I got excited when I found out it had a 135hp motor

I primarily am looking for a pontoon boat to relax on but can also go tubing with occasionally.
I will store the boat at the lakes Marina, so I would rarely actually travel with the boat.

I look forward to reading more throughout these forums as I get a boat and continue to learn.

 

[crb478]

Re: 2 used boat options

Personally I would go for the Crest with the Honda and trailer, more room, more horsepower, and it should handle rough waters better with the extra length. If you boat in a tight area the 22' may be more to your liking though. I would probably take them both out and decide which one fit your needs best and which one seemed to be taken care of the best. I expect that top speeds will be very close. I like the Honda 135 and hopefully it will have been cared for properly. Ask for any service record from either you are seriously considering.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: 2 used boat options

I would go with the Crest and the Honda engine. I believe the Honda is a much better engine than the Mercury, I own the Mercury and that's just my feelings.
I also like the extra HP, yes there will be a difference. Trailers are easy to sell if you don't want one and that will lower the cost of the package to you.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 2 used boat options

The Crest has more horsepower, but it's also a bigger boat. I'm no expert, but I can't imagine a 25 footer with a 135 being any faster than a 22 footer with a 115. That said, I think if someone forced me to choose I'd probably go with the Crest, especially since it won't be trailered regularly, but I really think you'll be happy with either one assuming they're both in good condition, so I agree that the thing to do is determine which one will best meet your needs. The 22 footer has a slight edge for watersports since it's shorter but gives up a little passenger space and ride quality in rough water. The 25 footer can handle a bigger crew and rougher water but is a marginally less agile. Neither will let you down with regard to any of those concerns though. How big is your lake? What kind of water conditions are typical? How many do you expect to have aboard on a given day?

 

[Malibu Rudder]

Re: 2 used boat options

I agree go with the Crest because it has more space. You can never have too much room. I have a 26ft pontoon with a 115 on it and while I would like more speed...in reality my pontoon is not designed to handle much more. She runs around 28 with 2 passengers and a full tank of gas. Tubing is comfortable but a 150 would be more to my liking ...if it would turn in a shorter distance. In reality, unless you go with a tritoon the 135 hp would be plenty. My guess is both boats will go approximately the same speed depending how you set it up. The lighter boat would be faster with the 135 of course.

 

[Malibu Rudder]

Re: 2 used boat options

The number one decision factor is to decide which one has been serviced preventively, regularly and has had the most tender loving care. Covered, stored, cleaned regularly with the proper products and protectant etc etc.

 

[fergusmj]

Re: 2 used boat options

Hey All,

Thanks for the comments. As far as I know, both have been maintained regularly and covered. The Starcraft is actually at the lake on a boat lift year round and the lift is covered. I'm going to look at that one on Sunday. The Crest I'm not sure about as I don't know it's history. The Crest 25' may be sold anyway, so I'm waiting to hear back from the seller if another person that looked at it already was going to buy or not.

The trailer is definitely a benefit for the Crest, as I will need one no matter what. Our lake has a "valet" program where you can call ahead and they will have your boat in the water waiting for you when you get there and then put it away when you are done for the day, but they have to have a trailer to keep it on to move it from the storage location to the water.

I'll keep everyone updated as to how it goes. Hopefully this weekend I'll be purchasing a boat

Does anyone have input on the prices and the better deal?

The Crest 18K price sounds pretty firm, but I haven't discussed any pricing on the Starcraft boat yet, so hopefully I can get it down to around 13.5K at least.

Thanks.

 

[fergusmj]

Re: 2 used boat options

So I also just found 2001 Bennington 2575RLX with tritoon option and a 115HP Merc 2 stroke with trailer for 10K.
I'm thinking this may be the direction I go as long as it is in fairly decent condition. This would leave me some good $ for any small things that needed replaced plus the potential to add up to a 225HP outboard later since it has the sport package that ups the HP capability.

I think this may give me the best "for now" option as well as the ability to upgrade the motor later and already having the Tri-toon is a huge plus.

 

[crb478]

Re: 2 used boat options

I just turned my pontoon into a tritoon and could not be happier. Better ride and holds more weight, about the same speed in my case, but I can tell a bigger motor would really wake it up. I would go with the Bennington if it has been well cared for and the seats and everything else are in good shape. You can tie up a lot of money repairing seats/carpeting/electronics ect. But at 8000 less that is the price of a pretty new motor already thrown in. Still make sure it is set up for your needs, mine has 4 doors which I love, some only have 2 which can be a pain when docking and the door is on the other side.

 

[Pjaudon]

Re: 2 used boat options

I was always told that you buy the motor and the boat is free...Honda....

 

[fergusmj]

Re: 2 used boat options

Thanks everyone for the input. I ended up going a completely different route. The Bennington sold before I could get there to pick it up. The other 2 were nice, but not really what I wanted. I ended up just buying a tri-toon chassis (toons, crossmemebers, deck, transom) and am going to spend the winter building this pontoon the way my wife and I want to. In the end, we're expecting it to be probably around the same cost as the Crest, but it'll be an almost brand new boat.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: 2 used boat options

Congratulations. Sounds like quite a project. If its in the 22'-25' range, I think you'll appreciate stepping up to V6 power, 150 hp or so. Please be sure to share pics of your build when you can !!! Good luck !!!

 

[fergusmj]

Re: 2 used boat options

Here's some pics in the current condition. Got the chassis and the railing/fence, but nothings installed yet. Waiting to get the carpet on the front 2/3rds before I try and put the fencing down. Probably will actually wait until I get all of the furniture ordered and receive too so I can make sure everything will fit right.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: 2 used boat options

Damn SouthBays are taking over the waterways !!! Love that faux teak on the back deck. I can just picture that 300 Verado hanging off the back.

 

[fergusmj]

Re: 2 used boat options

Willing to take a donation for the Verado