Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

[muskiemike12]

Hey everyone,

The last 2 years the wife and I have been looking to get a pontoon for our family. Last year we found the one we wanted at Cabela's, but couldn't get financing for the craft. We saved our money from the sale of my bass boat and over the last year so we could buy with cash. We looked high and low for used pontoons, but couldn't find any that we really liked that we could afford. We finally we did find a used one, but the deal fell through. We went back to Cabela's to see what they had. Low and behold they had a floor model left from last summer, identical to the one we put money down on last year. A Lowe Suncruiser SF 214. Needless to say the deal was smokin hot! We picked it up and hung a 1979 90hp Mercury on the back. The motor had a 17" pitch and was unsure on which prop to get. I ordered a Rubex 4 13" from iboats. I couldn't have guessed better on my selection. It runs right at 5000 rpm's at wot and 26 mph. From what I have read the operating range of that motor is 4500 - 5000 at wot. Now I just need to get some time off work so I can enjoy it.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Looks awesome Mike. Nice place on the lake. Seems to have the vinyl flooring option, perfect for all those "muskies" you'll be landing. Good luck !!!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Good stuff Mike, and I agree the place looks really cool. Be sure the throw up some pics of those big Muskies.

 

[Water logged]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Way to go Mike. Looks like you got a nice setup there. Now go out and get some muskie and northerns, but don't forget to do some liesurly cruising also. What lake are you on there?

Glenn

 

[5150abf]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Glad to see they are still making the Suncruisers, that is where I got my start way back in 87, the factory was in New Paris Indiana, then they were bought by OMC during their take over the world phase and moved to Elkhart until the OMC went belly up.

The original crew for Bennington was all the old Suncruiser guys, we had something like 200 years experience on the our fist day.

They have changed alot since I was building them but still a nice boat and I am sure you will enjoy it alot.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Nice setup, We had a 1994 Lowe that we sold on 2007, when we moved from Mi. to Ga and we never had a problem with it.

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Thanks guys! It is fully carpeted. The 2012 models have a vinyl option for the bow and stern fishing areas. The lake is Big Pine in Aitkin County MN. It is like many of the over 200 lakes in the area, about 900 acres in size with a max depth of 80 feet. It has both large and smallmouth bass, bluegill, perch, walleye, northern pike, rock bass and crappie. No muskies, unless they make their way up a stream from Mille Lacs, which is how the smallmouth got in there, I think. Every year there is a boat parade on the lake, Aug 4th this year. It is tons of fun as everyone decorates their pontoons and boats. Last years best decorated "float" was 4 guys dressed as KISS rocking out on the water with the music blasting! It will be fun cruising the shoreline and enjoying a beverage. The best part is it can be enjoyed by everyone up there, no matter their age.



A pike with ahold of a 12" bass at boat side from July 2010. I guess the pike to be 44" and around 26 pounds.

 

[rschap1]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Congrats
I have a 2003 22 foot Suncruiser myself.
75 hp 2 stroke.
Got it last fall and have only had it out a few times, but evryone at home loves it.
CONGRATS and ENJOY

 

[Water logged]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

I've done some waterskiing on Detroit Lake and Lake Bimidji, but never hit big Pine. I lived in SE MN and usually hit the Mississippi.

Glenn

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

I went to college in Winona. Pool 5a and 6 are my favorite spots on the Miss.

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Tonight is the night I get to take her out! My wife and her parents have had it out a couple of times already. I have been working every day so I haven't had the chance to make it to the cabin. I got tomorrow off and the weather is suppose to be fantastic! I'll post some pics next week.

 

[IslandManMitch]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Sometimes it pays to wait. In this case you got what you wanted at a better price. You must be paying the Preacher.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Muskiemike12,
I know the feeling about taking the pontoon boat out and seems like forever. We'll for me things keep happening that have prevent me from taking my 20 foot pontoon boat out but supposedly; next weekend, the wife is wanting to take it out for the first time this year. I cannot wait, LOL.

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

It was much more than I expected! Had a wonderful time Saturday on the Suncruiser! We took it out for a hour right after breakfast and had some fun. I then started rigging the electronics and trolling motor. I got that all done by 2:00 pm. Went out for a couple of more hours. Came in for dinner. Sirloin, twice baked potato and brocolli, Yum! Then back out again till 7:45. Then had to button her back up and head home to work Sunday moring.

I did find that with a heavier load my top speed was 18mph. 26mph was with a very light load. Rpm's stayed in the operating range, but I did not gain any speed going over 4000 rpm's. 3800 rpm's @ 16mph seemed like the sweet spot and I should get great gas mileage there.

Next trip will be Memorial day weekend!

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Some pics from Saturday.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Muskiemike12,
Looks like you had some fun on that pontoon boat and your daughter looks like just like my young daughter fishing off the back of the toon.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

View attachment 146338View attachment 146335View attachment 146333Some pics from Saturday.

They don't get much more cute than her. She's a poster child for toons !!!

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Thanks everyone! My daughter loves it. She would only last a hour maybe two in the boat, but she was in it for well over 4 hours straight on Saturday. Love having the bimini top too. Shade is always good on a sunny day.

That old Merc runs like a Swiss watch! I mean it idles like a dream at 650 rpm's in neutral. I trolled for 1.5 hours at under 2 mph and the thing never sneezed, hiccuped or coughed once.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Yeap, I am with you, Muskiemike12, I am finally going to take my pontoon boat out this Saturday and spend the day out on the lake. I still have to get my Lake Bowen permit sticker for the boat but will probably get that either Thursday or Friday. Boy, I am itching to go out on the lake.

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: Proud owner of a new Suncruiser 214

Hope you have a wonderful time this weekend Bubba!