What pontoon brands offer YAMAHA outboards?

[Gvec]

Hey everyone, I am looking into pontoon boats and I am trying to avoid buying a Mercury motor. The two popular brands, Low and Tracker, both only sell with Mercury motors. Does anyone know of a pontoon brand that allows for a Yamaha option?

Thanks!

 

[The Rooster]

Re: What pontoon brands offer YAMAHA outboards?

Hey everyone, I am looking into pontoon boats and I am trying to avoid buying a Mercury motor. The two popular brands, Low and Tracker, both only sell with Mercury motors. Does anyone know of a pontoon brand that allows for a Yamaha option?

Thanks!

I almost hate to ask but, what did Mercury do to you ? There are plenty of dealers that will hang whichever outboards they carry on your barge. Shouldn't be that hard to find one reasonably close to you. Good luck !!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: What pontoon brands offer YAMAHA outboards?

Bennington Pontoons try your yellow pages or here Bennington Marine Dealers

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: What pontoon brands offer YAMAHA outboards?

Bennington is the largest purchaser of Yamaha motors in the U.S. They also offer 4 other brands of outboards, but most boats deleivered have Yamaha's.

Bennington has stepped out as the leader in the industry with 20% of the pontoon market. And they have 4 different lines of boats from nice to really nice.

See BenningtonMarine.com for a great website.

 

[Gvec]

Re: What pontoon brands offer YAMAHA outboards?

I almost hate to ask but, what did Mercury do to you ?

Just a preference. My Family always had Yamaha and never had major problems. Knew people with Johnson's, Mercs and Evinrudes and they all had problems.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: What pontoon brands offer YAMAHA outboards?

Any of the major brand motors will do a good job for you on a pontoon. The main thing is that most people prefer 4 stroke motors, as they suit how pontoon boats are commonly used better than 2 stroke motors.

I've had a 115 hp Yamaha since they came out in 1985, and it's been great. Yamaha caught Mercury with their guard down 27 years ago, and they simply ate Mercury alive in the retail market. This year, I changed over to a F150 Yamaha, and it's a honey.

I certainly wouldn't be afraid of a Mercury outboard, as they're often available for less money. My Yamaha was $2000 more expensive than the new Mercury 150 FourStroke, but I especially wanted the Bennington boat that was equipped exactly as I needed.

My local dealer carries Lowe Pontoons, but the seats are hard--like a rock. Pontoon boats are not created equal, even though they look alike. Aluminum undersheeting can cover up manufacturer shortcuts.

My preferred boats are 22' to 24' tri hulls with 150 horsepower 4 stroke--Harris, Bennington, Manitou or Premier. There are also another dozen of really premium brands of pontoon boats anyone would be proud to own.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What pontoon brands offer YAMAHA outboards?

Ask any pontoon dealer if they will sell you a "No Pre-rig" pontoon. What that means is you get the very same boat you would get if you ordered one with an engine, except a "No Pre-rig" will not have the engine or throttle/shift controls. You then go to any Yamaha dealer and order whatever engine you want. For warranty purposes the dealer will need to install the motor. If the boat dealer will not order a pre-rig boat, walk away. I've done this many times to get exactly the boat and the motor I want. Alumacraft is one manufacture that does offer No Pre-rig boats.

 

[5150abf]

Re: What pontoon brands offer YAMAHA outboards?

If I may let me correct you Bamaman, we are the largest buyer of Yamaha outboards in the WORLD, I was pretty surprised to learn this but no other single purchaser buys more Yamaha outboards than Bennington, pretty crazy.

We are actually not aligned with any engine maker, the engine you get on your boat is dependent on which dealer you buy it from but yes the majority are Yamaha.