| Name: |
racquetman
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/19/2006 6:47:46 PM
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1. Bennington vs Harris vs JC pontoon. ( reviews/opinions/costs/warranties)
2. How do the dealers/marinas on Lake Martin compare with sales and service?
Thanks!
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/19/2006 7:17:29 PM
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Now we're talking, I'm in the market and would like to have input also.
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| Name: |
Feb
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/19/2006 8:26:35 PM
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I have been doing some research but not ready to buy just yet. J.D. Powers rated Bennington with all categories as top rating the best with Harris just one notch behind in Quality & Reliability. Sanpan was third best.
Then you have to decide length, HP, inboard vs. outboard, tritoon or just two, and etc. Those are personal type things based on use, number of occupants, and etc. I suspect I will want less than 24 ft. and probably more like 22 ft. I will most likely want and outboard 4 stroke with around 115 HP. I imagine based upon this I will wiant a two tube. Three tubes are more prevalent on larger boats and may give a better overall ride but have more drag and eat more gas.
I think most of the above is accurate to some degree. I would think Bennington and Harris are very competitive overall, and it might depend upon the deal you get.
Check this out:
URL: J.D. Powers
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/19/2006 9:27:57 PM
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Not sure how much faith I would put into J.D. Power (I've always heard their ratings go to the highest bidder), but in my looking around from the overall quality standpoint, I'd rate the pontoons in the following order: Harris, Crest, JC, SanPan, Bennington and I'm not sure about the Manitou. The Bennington and Manitou push the high performance--local Bennington dealer even has a 24 ft, with Merc 496HO Bravo III (425 HP) in stock. I'm definitely looking for a tri-tube, probably with Honda or Yamaha 200.
Would love to find a year or two old, little used one, if anyone knows of one for sale let me know.
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/19/2006 9:35:24 PM
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Feb - Spent the money and get the tritoon, resale value and a lot smoother ride.
All major manufacturers make the tritoon in 22 feet and up.
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| Name: |
Clearwater Marine
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/19/2006 9:53:10 PM
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The Manitou has recieved this years jd powers and for the fourth year, the csi (Consumer satisfaction index) award and has the ONLY tri toon on the market that will do 50 mph AND turn in its own wake at full throttle. I know because I just bought one this summer. It is powered by a Honda 225 4stroke and hauls the mail..........which also got the jd powers and csi award according to the internet! It is also available with a 350 mag and bravo outdrive but i was going for the gas mileageso I went for the Honda........
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/19/2006 10:21:03 PM
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I was looking at a Manitou late in the season after I show their video on their website, just curious as to your thoughts with say full tank of gas and 7 people on board:
Slalom skiing and tubing ability?
What is the top speed with the 225 4 stroke?
Cruisng speed at 3500 RPM?
Ride in rough chop?
Where did you purchase yours and where do you have serviced?
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/20/2006 9:11:18 AM
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Thanks for your info. Couple of questions: What feature on the Manitou made you buy it over other brands? Since you've owned it a while have you noticed any deficiencies in the boat? If you put it on a boat lift, how do you accommodate the larger center tube (it has a 'V' shaped hull)?
Does it come with SEAT BELTS? Doing a 180 degree turn at 50 MPH will throw any unsuspecting passengers around or out of the boat. LOL
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| Name: |
ridgeman
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/20/2006 7:00:29 PM
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QUICK LIKE
Have 2004 manitou and trailer 90 four stroke 20ft for sale e-mail me if
interested.
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/20/2006 7:07:16 PM
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Thanks, but I'm looking for a 3 tube with more power.
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| Name: |
Clearwater Marine
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/20/2006 11:53:57 PM
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I decided on the Manitou after I drove the san pan and the bennington, there was no way to even compare the ride. As for the harris, I just sold mine . The construction and lack of rattles on the manitou were far more solid than my harris ever was. With 6 people and all five dogs this boat still chugs along at 46 mph by the gps onboard.It leans into turns just like a ski boat even with a load of friends on board. From what I have read on the boat it is even the only pontoon ever certified by the american waterski assoc.. I burn about 2.5-3 gallons of fuel per hour at 3600 rpm with the 225 honda(about 34 mph) with an average load of 5 people. It snatches up skiers on one or two skiis as good as my mastercraft, and is quiet as can be. The only boat I drove that even came close in performance was a bennington, but half way through a wide open turn, it quit leaning into the turn and rolled outward, even dumped the salesman in the floor! I have found no defects in my boat so far, and lake martin dock co says just raise the bunks on the boatlift 5 inches to accomidate the center tube......hope this info helps. I love the boat and I never thought I would say that about a pontoon boat...
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Clearwater ????
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Date:
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10/21/2006 12:18:35 AM
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Where did you purchase and where serviced?
Do you still have Mastercraft as I was thinking of selling both my Mastercraft and Harris and have one less boat to maintain, but whole family slalom skis. You still use Mastercraft for skiing, etc?
You give test rides, - lol.
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I bought it at mitchells marine, and they do all the maint.on all my boats. the mastercraft is for sale... the boat is in storage for the winter, but I saw mitchells had one to testdrive last week, they might still have it.
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3 toons = more lift. You will plane out quicker and at lower speeds, thus saving gas and getting better stability while you do it.
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| Name: |
Tallyman
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| Subject: |
Clearwater ????
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Date:
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10/22/2006 10:36:11 PM
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I bought a Crest 25 foot with a 135 four stroke Honda from Harbor Pointe this year. I love it. The service has been great. The motor is quiet. I don't know how fast if goes, but it is fast enough for me. It is also economical.
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a 4 stroke is the only way to go. I've had a 2 stroke and currently have a I/O....my next one will be a 4 stroke tri-toon.
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| Name: |
BamaBob3
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/24/2006 2:14:54 PM
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I've been looking around too.
URL: Bennington Web-site
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| Name: |
BamaBob3
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/24/2006 2:15:35 PM
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URL: Sanpan
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| Name: |
BamaBob3
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/24/2006 2:16:40 PM
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URL: Crest
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Pontoon sales and service
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Date:
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10/24/2006 3:08:16 PM
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Maybe we could all get together and do some "group purchasing"!
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Group Purchase - Good Idea !!!
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Date:
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10/24/2006 4:30:01 PM
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Probably would work OSMS as long as we all agree on the same Manufacturer.
I am in for a Bennington or Manitou, but probably leaning towards Manitou for sking ability, etc. Would have to say though the Bennington brand would probably have better resell value over the Manitou in the long run.
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| Name: |
Clearwater Marine
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| Subject: |
Group Purchase - Good Idea !!!
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Date:
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10/25/2006 12:04:01 AM
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check out nada, another reason for the Manitou purchase.....
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Group Purchase - Good Idea !!!
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Date:
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10/25/2006 9:33:06 PM
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Is Clearwater the dealer? Man he is sold.
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Group Purchase - Good Idea !!!
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Date:
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10/25/2006 9:35:39 PM
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Maverick--can you imagine any two people on this forum agreeing on ANYTHING. BTW, I'm possibly game on the Manitou--have you looked at one yet?
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Group Purchase - Good Idea !!!
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Date:
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10/25/2006 9:59:55 PM
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No not yet, but at lake Saturday and may call Mitchell Marina and go look.
Wonder if they have any 2006's they want to move.
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Group Purchase - Good Idea !!!
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Date:
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10/25/2006 10:14:05 PM
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Don't think they had any 06's, but they have started getting in some 07's. Had a top of the line 24 ft there w/Honda 225. Let me know what you think.
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| Name: |
racquetman
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| Subject: |
Group Purchase - Good Idea !!!
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Date:
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10/26/2006 7:23:07 AM
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Anyone know how the new prices compare ... apples to apples ... ie., two pontoons, tritoon, outboard motor, warranty, etc? Looking at Manitou, Bennington, and maybe one other!?
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Group Purchase - Good Idea !!!
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Date:
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10/26/2006 1:05:39 PM
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Based on my research last year I would say in terms of JUST PRICE and not options, quality, etc. the order would be as follows:
Bennington
Harris / JC
Manitou
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
MAVERICK
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Date:
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10/26/2006 6:18:36 PM
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Your price listing--Bennington cheapest or most expensive?
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| Name: |
Feb
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| Subject: |
Lot of Interest
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Date:
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10/26/2006 7:51:22 PM
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We should have a chat room discussion since I think there is a lot of interest here. Maybe Maverick will call a meeting when ready. I am learning a lot from this thread.
I for one have a lot to learn. I bet life cycle cost and owner satisfaction are bigger factors over initial cost. Not discounting importance of initial cost.
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Lot of Interest
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Date:
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10/26/2006 8:24:35 PM
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Chat sounds like a good idea. Mavrick???
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Live Chat
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Date:
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10/26/2006 9:54:40 PM
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Im on Live Chat right now.
Think Bennington highest price, then JC/Harris ,etc.
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