Maybe my turn for new boat time

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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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

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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

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bruceb58

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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.
 

alldodge

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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

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Jul 10, 2017
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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

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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. :LOL:
 

alldodge

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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

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Mar 18, 2009
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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. :LOL:
Except barnacles
 
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