On Feb 16, 1:55*pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:36:33 -0800 (PST), wrote:
Well, the Columbia, SC boat show was this past weekend, and my wife
has been after me to buy a new boat, so we went on Saturday. *I had no
intention of pulling the trigger, but they were dealing on the '08
models.

I bought a Premier pontoon with their PTX performance package and a
225 Yamaha four stroke. *The boat is not rigged yet, and depending on
a conversation with the dealer tomorrow I may bump it to a 250. *I
want it to be a mid to upper 40mph boat, and want to make sure the
motor will get it there.

The PTX package is pretty amazing as well. *Check out the video at:
http://www.pontoons.com/ptx_performa...vantage_video/

Modern pontoon boats are nothing like your grandpa's pontoon. *Now
they'll run, turn, and perform pretty much like a conventional boat,
and still offer the best ride on the lake. *However, if you want to
spend well over $50k on one it's pretty easy to do so.

Funny thing... I know the dealer we bought it from, and all the
salemen that work there. *When we walked up to the Premier boats and
started looking, a lady I didn't know came over to show them to us.
She only had to speak a few words and we knew she wasn't a local. *It
turned out to be Betty Menne, the wife of Bob Menne, the owners of
Premier Boats. *Really nice lady. *They're located in Minnesota, and
when I remarked that she was lucky to get to come to a warm spot for a
show, she laughed and said "That's because I make the show schedule!"

Very nice boat! *Those inboard strakes really make a difference.
Did you do a test ride?


Not for this particular boat, but I've been looking and kicking the
tires for several months now. I'm not an impulse buyer... and that
drives my wife crazy.

I currently have a Bennington tritoon with the lifting strakes on
inside and outside of all three toons. That's what the comparison
boat in the video is. Bennington actually now has an elliptical
center toon setup in a similiar fashion to the PTX. We just both
really liked the layout and quality of the Premier better.

On Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:09:58 -0800 (PST), wrote:



I currently have a Bennington tritoon with the lifting strakes on
inside and outside of all three toons. That's what the comparison
boat in the video is. Bennington actually now has an elliptical
center toon setup in a similiar fashion to the PTX. We just both
really liked the layout and quality of the Premier better.

Have you looked at the spec sheets for the 250 Yamaha versus the 250
ETEC?
Hard to figure why the MPG differences, but maybe I'm misreading or
misunderstanding something.
Looks like tested weight was about 1000 lbs heavier for the Sunstation
with the Yammie.
Are you considering these sheets when you choose your engine?
Or are they to be taken with a big grain of salt?
It looks like you can squeeze real good MPG out of these boats at
loafing speed, but I'm surprised at the difference on the sheets.
Just curious if you look at this stuff.
I'm not sure what to make of it.

--Vic

On Feb 16, 2:38*pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:09:58 -0800 (PST), wrote:

I currently have a Bennington tritoon with the lifting strakes on
inside and outside of all three toons. *That's what the comparison
boat in the video is. *Bennington actually now has an elliptical
center toon setup in a similiar fashion to the PTX. *We just both
really liked the layout and quality of the Premier better.

Have you looked at the spec sheets for the 250 Yamaha versus the 250
ETEC?
Hard to figure why the MPG differences, but maybe I'm misreading or
misunderstanding something.
Looks like tested weight was about 1000 lbs heavier for the Sunstation
with the Yammie.
Are you considering these sheets when you choose your engine?
Or are they to be taken with a big grain of salt?
It looks like you can squeeze real good MPG out of these boats at
loafing speed, but I'm surprised at the difference on the sheets.
Just curious if you look at this stuff.
I'm not sure what to make of it.

--Vic

I did look over those spec sheets. I'm like you... I don't quite know
what to think of their results. They certainly got much better
performance out of the ETECs, and I know the Yamaha is heavier, but
I'm surprised that there was as much of a difference as they are
showing. One thing I did notice is that for the ETEC horsepower
rating, it says "factory tuned". Maybe ETEC gave them a ringer for
the test?

I really want the quiet operation and fuel efficiency of a four
stroke. But meanwhile, if I'm going to spend the money I want it to
have the performance I'm looking for at the same time. That's the
reason for the waffling on which motor.

I'll have a better idea when I get over to the dealer tomorrow. I
think I'll call the factory for some input as well.

Not for this particular boat, but I've been looking and kicking the
tires for several months now. I'm not an impulse buyer... and that
drives my wife crazy.

I currently have a Bennington tritoon with the lifting strakes on
inside and outside of all three toons. That's what the comparison
boat in the video is. Bennington actually now has an elliptical
center toon setup in a similiar fashion to the PTX. We just both
really liked the layout and quality of the Premier better.

Congrats on the new boat!
I'd seen the video before and am amazed at how they move. Does your
Bennington move like that? Do you know what year the strakes came out?

On Feb 16, 3:16*pm, "mmc" wrote:
Not for this particular boat, but I've been looking and kicking the
tires for several months now. *I'm not an impulse buyer... and that
drives my wife crazy.

I currently have a Bennington tritoon with the lifting strakes on
inside and outside of all three toons. *That's what the comparison
boat in the video is. *Bennington actually now has an elliptical
center toon setup in a similiar fashion to the PTX. *We just both
really liked the layout and quality of the Premier better.

Congrats on the new boat!
I'd seen the video before and am amazed at how they move. Does your
Bennington move like that? Do you know what year the strakes came out?

Nope, the Bennington turn flat, just like the comparison boat in the
video. Ours is a 2000 model, so they were out then. It seems like JC
pioneered the tritoon concept, but I don't know about the strakes.