Who makes the best pontoon boats?
 

I have a friend who asked me to help him pick out a pontoon boat. I have no experience with these types boats, can someone tell me who makes a decent one?

Thanks OSO

My gf's family has a "Bentley" brand 'toon. It's pretty nice for a party barge.

I've seen and worked on a ton of them. My recommendation would be Bennington.

I just went through this debate. It came down to Bennington and Premier. I bought a Bennington. There's a few little issues that have come up, but overall I'm happy with it.

Hey Brad, tell your friend to go visit Mountaintop Marine on Highway 378 in Lexington. It is my understanding that the owner of Bentley Pontoons (based in Lexington as well) also owns Mountaintop, so they can offer the best prices. Bentley is not the top, or most expensive brand, but they are pretty solid boats with a variety of options.

Bennington all the way... we used and abused mine for 5 years and never broke a thing. Several other OSO members have them up here on LG and are extremely happy with the product

Try looking at the Hurricane deck boat, little faster the the pontoon,just picked one up.22 ft with a 150hp yam.

Bently's are good boats, a little plain without some of the frill's that the high $ brands have. The newer models with lifting strakes run decent with a 150 or 175. My parents have had a 24' with a 115 for 5 years now and it has been solid. They're getting ready to upgrade in the offseason and will go with a Southbay. Best blend of luxury and performance I've seen. Test drove a 25' with a 250 Merc Opti and got 51 on gps.

I would love to have a pontoon myself but it would definatly have to have a big block on it. In all seriousness if I was gonna buy a new pontoon I would put out the extra money to get a tri-toon!!

Thank you all for teh feedback.
Foushe
I have a neighbor that has a tri-toon with a 350 I/O.

That would prolly work for me. It would have to have exhaust lol. How fast is it?

Great point about the tri-toon. I wouldn't own a party barge with only two pontoon's. Makes a HUGE difference, especially when you have it loaded down.

As far as I/O, there are several around here with 496s. For my uses the outboard works better. Way less draft, easier maintenance, less fuel, cheaper, and not much difference in performance. On the Southbay's you have to remove the fuel tank to change the water pump impeller. Not something I want to deal with. Plus, after a few minutes the "cool factor" of having straight exhaust on a 'toon gets old and you end up using the silent choice. I'm an I/O guy on performance boats but for the 'toon I'm sold on 4 stroke outboards.

Check out the Tahoe Pontoons. They have come along way and offer I/O as well as tri toon options. We just became a dealer after years of working with the Godfrey products.
Tahoe is a top notch product.

Check out playcraft pontoons. They run well at loto and will do 80+ with promax 300s. They also do I/O up to 525. They also make mild models too. If they holde up to loto they will do well anywhere.

We have a 2575 RLI Bennington and it is a nice boat. A 250 Yamaha was installed initially. However, it didn't have enough power to get on top and plane. Plus, the CG left the bow in the water. Therefore, the 250 was traded for a 350 which helped the CG, but not enough. Plus, the engine skag was way to low for trailering and shallow water. We first suggested a trim tab that would move the CG aft and provide clean water to a raised prop shaft Ht....Bennington Engineering vetoed that idea.... We then requested approval for installation of a 6" set back hydraulic jack plate....Again, Engineering vetoed that idea....(Reason, jack plates had not been tested) We then did our own CAD work, ran our own stress numbers, ordered material and installed a transom gusset system that would probably help most pontoon boats....As the fasteners were tightened it became obvious why Engineering was reluctant to approve a jack plate. The whole transom moved into alignment...The overhung load from a 350 is plenty, if not to much without a gusset system...The 6" Hyd. jack plate was then installed....Completely different boat, carves inside, rides bow high over chop, feels solid and runs 55-56 mph.

Bennington, South Bay, JC.

As I think you found out, Bennington engineering is pretty conservative. And, they really don't have much experience with high performance - if one can actually use that phrase in the same sentence as "pontoon boat." As your thread on the old M-00 boat clearly showed, you know your stuff from an engineering standpoint. We have to remember though that 99.999% of the "tooners" out there don't need the kind of performance some of us do. So, even the best pontoon boats are way past their limits at anything over 50 MPH.

PS: Working the whole thing out on CAD was udderly (sorry, I couldn't resist) cool, but beyond what most folks can do. That must have gotten somebody's attention at Bennington!

You put some thought into your post, Thanks ! Somehow, the adage seems appropriate, "Pet the cow and get the calf".:party-smiley-004:

The only drawings Engineering saw were the trim tab and trailer. (We also designed the Roadrunner trailer that's under the boat.) Two build attempts were made and then this one, still a little off, but close.

Engineering was told we had done something to the transom, by the dealer. However, no one has seen the installation. We belive the dealer knows, because it got back to us that a customer had asked about the "HD Transom System" on a Bennington w/350 Yamaha he had heard about.

We were surprised to learn flex was not coming from the bow, but the transom.

Another observation has been demographics of "Tooners", Cruisers, Ski Boats, Small Pleasure Boats and even some Low End Hi performance. There is some common denominator that applies to a those groups. The reaction from most, when this thing zips past them is not only hilarious, but opportunity.

In summary, the reaction is comparison of features and benefits to what they own vs. what they didn't know existed.

Captains Choice on 378 sells bennington.

CcanDo,
In your bag of computer modeling software, do you have anything for hydrodynamics? That's a class that wasn't offered where I went to college, but I have this weird thought. Pontoon boats obviously weren't built for speed and I don't think anbody's going to argue that. But a tube is a pretty lousy hydrodynamic shape as far as I know. Has anybody ever looked at lifting strakes and / or steps for a tooner to gain more speed by reducing drag? Just a weird thought ...

Steps on a toon, now that would be wild!

Bentley is made by encore boats. They also make the elite and the top of the model the prestiege. If you really want to purchase a bentley, let me know. I can guarantee that you cant buy it any where else cheaper. Wish you the best. Andy

I'd have to say this one is my favorite.

http://www.boattest.com/boats/Boat_video.aspx?ID=764

But for a wet bar, grille, etc... this Party Craft is my favorite layout of all time in a toon.

http://www.iboats.com/Parti_Kraft_ce...r/nb/moi121299

No, we don't have that software.

The wetted surface on a typical tube is usually wet from one end to the other. In fact, some are deeper in front.

Bennington has installed lifting strakes as an option.

The trim tab would have served not only to provide clean prop water, but, a controllable step as well. Purpose also, would definitely influence CG , ride attitude and wetted surface. Theory includes the ability to lengthen/shorten tube length by raising/lowering the tab. The single trim tab would would be designed into the center tube ahead of transom.

Center tube is 14" longer than the other two. Therefore, a 30" trim tab (hinge point 30" from transom) should be expected to do a lot of work. Especially, subject to overhung load.

Wow. Lots of info there. I have a new 2550 RCW with a 250 verado on it. I'm still messing around with the dealer getting everything to work right and have yet to do any performance testing yet. I hope I don't see the need to go to the extent you did for more performance.
I'd be curious to hear more about the trailer as I think the one that I got with it is undersized.

Many brands offer lifting strakes as an option. Seems to make a big difference as long as you have enough horsepower.

I was thinking they should raise the middle toon on a tritoon to reduce drag at speed, but provide flotation at rest/slow speeds. kinda like a centerpod on west coast cats (DCB, Eliminator)

Congratulations on your new boat !

We'll take a couple pictures of the boat on the trailer and post them in the next few days.

Performance was just some part of our objective. However, it may sound like performance or speed was the total mission.

No, the boat didn't feel right, ride as expected, run as advertised and the *@#^ skag was dragging the bottom when on the trailer and in the water.

Now it is a different boat, feels right, rides right and pride of ownership is expediential to the speed. And, the *@#^ skag is where it belongs....up off the bottom.

The dealers and said trailer manufacturer spoken with don't hold pontoon boats in highest esteem. They expect the trailer to get the boat to the local lake where it will live, at least for the season. Then, perhaps, haul it home at the end of the season or not, period.

We wanted a trailer capable of safely going to Lake Of The Ozarks for the Shoot Out or where ever. Plus, it needed to be user friendly to load. (As you know, a pontoon boat can be a hand full to load in a little cross wind.) And, the trailer needed to be somewhat aesthetically acceptable.

Structurally we finally got there, though it does have a crown in the frame rails. Loading is acceptable by design spreading bunk spacing for the center tube and 3 EA. 2" schedule 40 pipe for guides/side. Pipe is covered with 2" ID/6" OD, covered dock bumpers. Pipe was cut to length with the front being shortest and back being tallest. Purpose, to allow the bow to clear without interference.

Speaking of pontoons....the family just picked this up a Mahopac Marine yesterday. It is a Tohoe Sierra Sandbar...LOADED! Tri toon, with the rough water package and a 200 merc, should have no problem getting us to the party on time! (or maybe we are bringing the party....?) I was skeptical, but I told my dad that if you had to get a 'toon, I was glad he got this one!

I work at Moose Landing Marina in Naples, ME. We are one of Godfrey Marine's top-selling dealers and Godfrey is the Number One manufacturer of pontoon boats in the industry. They manufacture Sweetwater, Aqua Patio, San Pan and Parti Kraft pontoons. They're all great boats, so even if you can't buy one from us, buy one from one of our other dealers.

I've been looking into pontoons as well. Looks like bennington is the nicest, but also most expensive. Premiere, manitou look good too. 24' and enough outboard (150-200?) to pull large skiers would do it for me.

http://www.evoboats.com/

A buddy of mine has had one of these on the river now for two seasons. This is the party whenever he pulls up. He has a tri-toon, with I believe but not for sure, a 225 salt water Mercury Outboard. The whole setup is sweet and custom. Everyone that sees his boat loves it. He has bazooka tube waterproof speakers mounted underneath the boat between the toons and it sounds great, espescially when he pulls it up on a beach, the sound just projects. If you want a wild, one of a kind, great tri-toon with lots of options that will turn heads then an Evolution Powerboats pontoon or tri-toon is it. I have friend with a two year old Bennington and another with a two year old Bentley and they just love the look of the Evolution. They are great boats and well built.

I just bought a Playcraft Powertoon Extreme, it has the lifting strakes on it, w/ the Verado 300, I love it, the only thing is the 300 has a 17p Vengance prop, I would think it needed a bigger prop, but i havent started testing yet.....

A few more...there is nothing like the reclining chairs in the back of the boat, throw your feet up, grab a drink and relax! Thanks again to Tom and the rest of the crew over at Mahopac Marine, they really did a stand up job getting this custom build together with plenty of summer to spare!

my brother is a supervisor for Triton ind. they build Manitou here in Michigan. check them out.

PlayCraft
 

There is really only one brand that has led in Performance Pontoons and it's PlayCraft and their Xtreme line of tritoons. The hull is 3 ushaped Pontoons that are foam filled with huge lifting strakes. They have heavy duty cross members on 16" centers and the floor is one SOLID sheet of 5/8" plywood -thats right one big 8 1/2' X 27' long sheet of plywood. They are a custom builder- if you want three 350hp outboards they will build it. They really have no limits on their hp rating. They will powder coat every piece of exposed metal on the boat including the pontoons any color combination you want. The interiors can be arranged any way you want including Flexsteel lounge seats. They also make IO's singles up to 525HP or dual IO's at 525hp each- that's right a 1050hp dual IO pontoon boat!
On top of that they have the best swim steps in the business-built into the pontoon.
Their website does not do the boat justice- You need to go to the following link to see the real good photos-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...07839119235179
check out the photos of the LOTO shootout last year-one of their boats did over 91mph.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...119235179&op=6

Picking up my second one in September- also with a 300hp Verado,a beautiful powdercoated 27' red and white one with dual bucket seats.

Jim

I've been on several toons besides Playcraft at the shows here and I have to say Playcraft was the best. First-rate vinyl and stitching, great helm layout. I've haven't ridden in one yet but would love to.

Is Playcraft married to Merc inboard power? I would love to see what the Ilmor 725/Indy package could do with this hull.

Catmando
 

In my dealings with Playcraft on my second boat I found that while Mercury is a major supplier they also sell every major power brand there is. They really don't care. Suggest you call them-phone is on their website-

http://www.playcraftboats.com/contact.htm

To me there are only a few great pontoon boat builders- Premier,
Bennington, Southbay ,JC and PlayCraft.
My biggest beef with anyone that compares pontoon boats is that few people look at how the hull is constructed. The reason why Playcraft is the best performance pontoon is hull structure. Everyone looks first at the topside of the boat instead of doing the research on the structure. Well when your sticking two 300hp outboards or big block IO's in a pontoon boat it better be built right as you run across the lake at 60mph with family.
I've seen a few of the other mfg. with big motors on them. After a couple of years they were having major structure problems.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is you need to be an informed buyer. It's like walking into a nice home for sale and not checking the foundation. Do yourself a favor-If your spending big $$$ check out the product from the bottom up.

Having had a place at LOTO since 1985, I've had a number of different pontoons. All of the older ones were two log and slow, Even had one with a small V6 in it for quietness, but slow. When I finally decided I wanted to be able to go a bit faster I began looking at some of the tri-toons. Was looking at a Playcraft at a boat show, back in 1997, and they told me that the boat would run 50MPH. I almost called him a liar, thinking there was no way. Anyway, the next year I began considering a few boats that I thought were "performance" oriented. Of course Playcraft was on the top of the list. I checked out the other two, and Playcraft last. The dealer told me when I called to make sure I came down for a test drive on a weekend, or I wouldn't appreciate how good it really is. So I did, and was blown away. They are the first ones to patent and add the lifting strakes to the bottom of the tubes. It does two things. Brings the boat up out of the water for performance and also adds stability, as they resist movement either up or down. Anyway, was blown away by the ride and the performance. None of the others I looked at could begin to compare or compete. Bought my first one, then next year traded for another one when they came out with all plastic furniture. I have a 200EFI Merc, and love it. It runs 50MPH on my GPS with two people in it. I've lost count at the number of friends that bought a Playcraft after riding in mine. Got rid of my offshore boat last year, and was considering buying a new Playcraft with an I/O and thru the hull exhausts. After I talked to the dealer I got talked out of it, because of all the issues with costs for repairs. The new hot dog setup is with the new 300 Verado. Playcraft has extended the back log a foot so almost acts like a jack plate and adds some performance. The new ones are gorgeous with the powder coating options. Another feature that almost makes it the only boat to buy is their patented design for their rear ladder. There are steps cut into the right rear log, with long steps down from there. Absolutely the best on the market today. Good luck. John.

lakeluvr what about twin 250s? Or could you do triple 200s?