Hard time accepting that I am getting old

[Bigbore500r]

So what is the preference for "higher performance" toons these days? I/O power (Playcraft....etc) or a 350 Verado hanging off the back?
What should one look for when picking a pontoon boat with decent performance? Who are the "go to" manufacturers and those to stay away from?

I know i've ready about lifting strakes, height of the actual pontoon itself....etc. I realized I know alot about fiberglass boats but never really payed attention to pontoon boats, and they have my eye right now as well

 

[Sigus]

So what is the preference for "higher performance" toons these days? I/O power (Playcraft....etc) or a 350 Verado hanging off the back?
What should one look for when picking a pontoon boat with decent performance? Who are the "go to" manufacturers and those to stay away from?

I know i've ready about lifting strakes, height of the actual pontoon itself....etc. I realized I know alot about fiberglass boats but never really payed attention to pontoon boats, and they have my eye right now as well

The Playcraft from what I am told was looked at as the Corvette of toons. I think some of the newer ones have caught up. Mine is up on the step around 12MPH and scoots right along to 45. It has the 6.4 350 which was only produced for a couple years. Our next toon will be twin wackers.

 

[riverroyal]

Knowing I was spending 70 to 90k. I started with a 60k budget but I just didn't like the looks of everything in that range. They just looked old, dated. It was narrowed down to bennington, avalon and South Bay. Also nordic, which was so close I left a deposit. (Not a toon)
The bennington was great but, for equal to the avalon it's was 20k more. I could not find the added cost. The South Bay was nice, but just didn't look current. So we test drove the avalon in havasu, at got water. They had this toon ordered, about 6 weeks out. So we left the deposit. Seamless from there.

The outboard was for simplicity, very little maintenance. Average mpg, not amazing though. Resale, looks, more deck room with the rear loungers which was a must have. I added a big stereo and modified the storage cover. That's it.
My insurance dropped 500 a year from my magic.
Avalon won't do a 350 on 25' or less, although is did hear it's coming soon. First pic is 27" ambassador, with 350. Mine is 25' ambassador with the 300. The 25 is huge, I can't imagine the 27.
It will go 45mph no matter what the water is like. The roughest day and it's fine. My wife rides on the lounger in the worse water. I'm happy with it. It is a production line product, so think rv for some stuff.
We wake board every trip, very friendly for that.
My toons were acid washed then shark skinned. I wanted a more even color, which aluminum is tough to due. Polished was close, but the spot would have made me insane
Floor never gets so hot your can stand on it, it's does heat up a bit.
Hardest part to get used to is the silence

 

[sirbob]

Some great pontoon vids here...

http://www.avalonpontoons.com/about/videos/

 

[TCHB]

Now we can be toon buds up there Tony :thumbsup

Yes that will be fun. I know you will keep the toon boat up just like your old boat. Clean!

 

[YoPengo]

This would be the killer set-up.

 

[HavaToon]

This would be the killer set-up.

View attachment 497353

It can be yours. It's for sale at Horizon in Havasu.

 

[TPC]

That one looks super bad ass! Whats the selling price on an Avalon like that with say, a 300 or 350 horse motor?

Right at the moment the biggest motor Avalon will put on it is a 150.
Didn't get a price.

[video=youtube;LtEMGGfW9F0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtEMGGfW9F0[/video]

 

[Lavey29]

View attachment 497319 View attachment 497320

This is what happens when you turn 71! Been going to Parker since mid 1960's, been thru it all. Enjoy the hell out of the Toon!:cool

Right on, I hope I am still floatin at 71 like you :thumbsup

 

[Lavey29]

Looks familiar View attachment 497325

Sweet, I almost went with the white primary color also...How long you had yours?

 

[Lavey29]

I have been in performance boating for as long as I can remember. About five years ago I got the inch for a toon. Wife always said we had to be old to get one. Three years ago decided to start pushing a little on the toon deal. My first mistake was telling her she was now qualified as old and would look ok on a Pontoon.:eek

After many flowers and jewelry I was permitted to start looking. My goal was to buy a cheaper toon and see if we liked it, a deal came along on a great used Playcraft that I just couldnt pass up. After running the boat for a year I feel in love with it and decided to rebuild it from the toons up. It came out awesome!

We have been using the toon now for a couple of seasons along with keeping the fast boat for the occasional speed runs. We are now thinking its time to step up the game on a new pontoon and sell the Playcraft. OP your Avalon has me inspired, I am going to start looking at those a little closer.

Super nice boat you have.

Thanks, there are a lot of nice toon builders out there but my choices came down to Bennington and Avalon. Just liked the overall look of Avalon better and seem very satisfied with the quality of the boat thus far and the Merc 350 is terrific and quiet.

 

[Lavey29]

So what is the preference for "higher performance" toons these days? I/O power (Playcraft....etc) or a 350 Verado hanging off the back?
What should one look for when picking a pontoon boat with decent performance? Who are the "go to" manufacturers and those to stay away from?

I know i've ready about lifting strakes, height of the actual pontoon itself....etc. I realized I know alot about fiberglass boats but never really payed attention to pontoon boats, and they have my eye right now as well

I went with the 350 Merc so as to have the best top end I could get and the quiet reliable motor. I have a 5 year warranty included with the engine.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Right at the moment the biggest motor Avalon will put on it is a 150.
Didn't get a price.

[video=youtube;LtEMGGfW9F0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtEMGGfW9F0[/video]

Oh I see, because it isn't the higher end model. Catalina is around a mid-grade for Avalon

 

[sirbob]

The Ambassador model on the web site looks really nice - I could go for one on those with nice big twins.

 

[Lavey29]

The Ambassador model on the web site looks really nice - I could go for one on those with nice bigs twins.

They do rig them with twins but honestly it might be overkill for the intended purpose of the boat.

 

[Lavey29]

Knowing I was spending 70 to 90k. I started with a 60k budget but I just didn't like the looks of everything in that range. They just looked old, dated. It was narrowed down to bennington, avalon and South Bay. Also nordic, which was so close I left a deposit. (Not a toon)
The bennington was great but, for equal to the avalon it's was 20k more. I could not find the added cost. The South Bay was nice, but just didn't look current. So we test drove the avalon in havasu, at got water. They had this toon ordered, about 6 weeks out. So we left the deposit. Seamless from there.

The outboard was for simplicity, very little maintenance. Average mpg, not amazing though. Resale, looks, more deck room with the rear loungers which was a must have. I added a big stereo and modified the storage cover. That's it.
My insurance dropped 500 a year from my magic.
Avalon won't do a 350 on 25' or less, although is did hear it's coming soon. First pic is 27" ambassador, with 350. Mine is 25' ambassador with the 300. The 25 is huge, I can't imagine the 27.
It will go 45mph no matter what the water is like. The roughest day and it's fine. My wife rides on the lounger in the worse water. I'm happy with it. It is a production line product, so think rv for some stuff.
We wake board every trip, very friendly for that.
My toons were acid washed then shark skinned. I wanted a more even color, which aluminum is tough to due. Polished was close, but the spot would have made me insane
Floor never gets so hot your can stand on it, it's does heat up a bit.
Hardest part to get used to is the silence

What is "shark skinned" on the toons?

 

[Lavey29]

Great looking Toon Lavey29.:thumbsup
One of the best things l've found as l've gotten older is, it's nice to slow it down a bit to smell the roses so to speak. l to have enjoyed fast boats and cars and still do but, l've also now found the enjoyment of slowing down the pace and having conversations with friends when going somewhere instead of going from A to B at breakneck speed.

Is it getting old, maybe yes, but l like to think of it as having a more mature attitude regarding life. Mind you l would never sell my Blown Sanger, Blown Sleekcraft Ambassador, my Fastlane 40 and Corvette, l haven't gotten that old yet. :thumbsup

That is a terrific mindset to have :thumbsup

 

[sirbob]

They do rig them with twins but honestly it might be overkill for the intended purpose of the boat.

Ya but that Ambassador in the video with twins hauling ass looks like he is walking on water!

It never about what you need - it always come down to what you want ![emoji12]

 

[Lavey29]

To some degree, yes but if you want to go fast keep your big block cat hull. I think the toon is geared much more towards cruising. I could actually talk to my family now while we were boating down the lake, it was so quiet on board.

 

[DickieB]

Right on, I hope I am still floatin at 71 like you :thumbsup

Yep, still having fun, try to stay off the water on big weekends and other busy times..........not quite like it used to be but still enjoyable. Now my kids and grandkids are taking over...........

 

[riverroyal]

What is "shark skinned" on the toons?

More or less painted on. It's a metal protection coating. It keeps the aluminum from staining and discoloring. I'm told you should reapply every 3 years. I don't leave mine in the water so it should go longer. Without your toons will discolor, change colors and etch badly. I strongly recommend. There are few shops in havasu that do the process. It's clear, so if you polish the toons it is strongly recommended. Mine were 'washed' to try and get them all one color, then shark skin. Shark hide, might be a few other name.
Did I you get it from got water? They have a guy. If not I believe Arizona reflections or adrenaline do it. It not that expensive.

 

[HavasuHaulin]

After owning a toons for over 15 years and currently own a playcraft i/o it's always best to have the tops down when docking or putting on the trailer, and like 2ff said you have to drive it on the trailer fast, and there like driving a long truck 3 point turns in tight places...lol

 

[GMD]

Very nice. They are relaxing for sure. You will get used to the wind moving you around a little. I found that when boating in the 5mph areas is to add a few hundred Rpms and it will give you a lot more control.

 

[throttle]

Very nice! Congrats!

 

[Lavey29]

Very nice. They are relaxing for sure. You will get used to the wind moving you around a little. I found that when boating in the 5mph areas is to add a few hundred Rpms and it will give you a lot more control.

Yes for sure that is what I needed to do also to get some response in tight places.

 

[Lavey29]

Very nice! Congrats!

Thanks Cam

 

[Lavey29]

More or less painted on. It's a metal protection coating. It keeps the aluminum from staining and discoloring. I'm told you should reapply every 3 years. I don't leave mine in the water so it should go longer. Without your toons will discolor, change colors and etch badly. I strongly recommend. There are few shops in havasu that do the process. It's clear, so if you polish the toons it is strongly recommended. Mine were 'washed' to try and get them all one color, then shark skin. Shark hide, might be a few other name.
Did I you get it from got water? They have a guy. If not I believe Arizona reflections or adrenaline do it. It not that expensive.

I will research it,,,thanks...picked it up from Pacific Marine in Madera and had it delivered to the house. Hey did you have that done as the boat was being put together or can they do it after the toons are already attached to the frame of the boat?

 

[RiverDave]

That toon is straight gangster!! I love it!

 

[brgrcru]

nice toon, but Fuck that , bunch of old farts. the faster you go, the less wrinkles.

 

[Waffles]

I will research it,,,thanks...picked it up from Pacific Marine in Madera and had it delivered to the house. Hey did you have that done as the boat was being put together or can they do it after the toons are already attached to the frame of the boat?

You can do it after the fact. Its probably easier to do with with the toon off the trailer since youll have access to the surface thats sitting on the bunks.
Im going to do this next right after i skin the entire underside of the deck.

[video=youtube;vhW1O-SOL28]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhW1O-SOL28[/video]

 

[Music to my Ears]

Nice toon Marc, congrats. Hope to see it on the water soon![emoji106]

 

[riverroyal]

I will research it,,,thanks...picked it up from Pacific Marine in Madera and had it delivered to the house. Hey did you have that done as the boat was being put together or can they do it after the toons are already attached to the frame of the boat?

Is a great guy. Talked with him a few times.

 

[Lavey29]

Nice toon Marc, congrats. Hope to see it on the water soon![emoji106]

Thanks Kurt, yes we need to get together soon again on the water that would be nice... :thumbsup

 

[Lavey29]

Is a great guy. Talked with him a few times.

Yes he was very reasonable to work with there

 

[Lavey29]

That toon is straight gangster!! I love it!

Thanks Dave :thumbsup

 

[underpressure]

I'm right there with you! Enjoying the Nordic, but can definitely foresee a toon in the future That's a bad azz toon you got!

 

[Devious_Chris]

This thread inspired me to take my dad down to Got Water and speak with Vaughn yesterday. The Avalon Toons are very nice and that Ambassador is nothing short of stunning!!!!

 

[Lavey29]

I'm right there with you! Enjoying the Nordic, but can definitely foresee a toon in the future That's a bad azz toon you got!

Thanks, it is still weird getting used to not having the speed and coolness of the deck boat but overall the family really enjoyed the experience on the toon much better I think. I was not as worried at all about keeping stuff spotless clean, you can park these things on a volcanic island pretty much and not hurt them.

 

[Lavey29]

This thread inspired me to take my dad down to Got Water and speak with Vaughn yesterday. The Avalon Toons are very nice and that Ambassador is nothing short of stunning!!!!

Thanks, I sent you PM regarding my buying research and experience just so you could have some more info as you check them out.

 

[TOBTEK]

WOW...... nicely done. You stepped WAY up. You and the Fam will Love it. Glad you bought from Jack, Really a great guy. :thumbsup


Now order a slide for the kids.

 

[TCHB]

WOW...... nicely done. You stepped WAY up. You and the Fam will Love it. Glad you bought from Jack, Really a great guy. :thumbsup


Now order a slide for the kids.

View attachment 498406

SJP needs a slide like that to get out of the rear of the DCB.

 

[TOBTEK]

SJP needs a slide like that to get out of the rear of the DCB.

I'll bring it right over, if I get to come along in his Whip :thumbsup One of the (if not Best) best looking new DCB's made in a LONG time. Behind mine of course....LOL

 

[Lavey29]

WOW...... nicely done. You stepped WAY up. You and the Fam will Love it. Glad you bought from Jack, Really a great guy. :thumbsup


Now order a slide for the kids.

View attachment 498406

Thanks Toby, wow that slide thing is totally cool

 

[Tamalewagon]

Nice pick up Marc. :thumbsup

 

[KAP]

Congrats Marc:

I know you will have many new memories on your new boat.

Once you get some hours on it the docking will be a piece of cake.

Wind is the real culprit but it is like flying a plane start on one side and drift it in to the trailer.

You will have 5 years of trouble free boating with your outboard. Lastly, the speed guys can fly past but you can relax and take it easy stop and barbeque all on the water.

Once again congratulations on your new ride.

KAP

 

[Lavey29]

Thanks Kap, the family is really enjoying it and as you can see below the electric wine (tequila) rack is a nice option.

 

[RiverDave]

A guy showed up at the sandbar in parker with one of those slides. Every kid at the sandbar was going nuts over it. It looked like an ant trail from the rear swim ladder to the top of the slide, and you could see all the wives looking at the program with envy.. Their was most likely quite a few conversations on the way home about selling boats and buying that exact program..

 

[YoPengo]

A guy showed up at the sandbar in parker with one of those slides. Every kid at the sandbar was going nuts over it. It looked like an ant trail from the rear swim ladder to the top of the slide, and you could see all the wives looking at the program with envy.. Their was most likely quite a few conversations on the way home about selling boats and buying that exact program..

Exactly... My wife is all over me for another toon. I'd sell the Hallett tomorrow if I had a place to store a pontoon inside. The Hallett fits in my garage with a break away trailer.

 

[RiverDave]

Exactly... My wife is all over me for another toon. I'd sell the Hallett tomorrow if I had a place to store a pontoon inside. The Hallett fits in my garage with a break away trailer.

are we gonna have another talk about giraffes? lol

 

[rightytighty]

Is a great guy. Talked with him a few times.

FYI- I have lived in this area a long time. Glad your deals have gone well. But beware. Google "Fresno State point shaving", if curious. Vartainian is owner of Pacific. Transferred to sisters name after "incident" but what ever.

Good guy??? Umm....maybe?