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21 SLX or SLX SPS

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66cuda

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Location
Marne Michigan
Hey Everyone,


I've been lurking and researching here for a while now and wanted to join up to get some opinions. I'm in the process of helping my Dad pick out a new pontoon. After a lot of shopping I believe we narrowed down to the 21 SLX line. Dad's on a little inland lake in Michigan that is just over 100 square acres. During the peak boating times there tend to be a fair amount of ski/wake board boats on the lake and it can get a little choppy for a smaller lake. The primary use of the boat is going to be puttzing around the lake with friends and family. When the grand kids get a little bigger he wants to be able to take them tubing.


The dealer has a few 2016 SLX's that they are willing to deal on, the two that we're looking at are as follows:


21 SLX, 90 Mercury, metallic white with bronze accent panel, Napa beige interior, "G" Helm, fish finder, full vinyl floor, kicker speakers, docking lights, maple table, Tilt Steer


21 SLX SPS Tritoon with 115 Yamaha, Black, no accent panel, sandstone interior, "G" Helm, full vinyl floor, kicker speakers, docking lights and tilt steer.


We have a test ride set up this week with similar boats to compare, but I wanted to see what you guys thought. on the Tritoon they like the added versatility of having the tri and being able to tow the grand kids as well as have a boat that is a little more stable. They really do not like the sandstone interior though. on the other boat the love both the exterior and interior colors, however they worried it wont have enough power for the grand kids when they get older and the wonder about stability on those busy days on the lake. 
 
My vote is upgrade know to 150 and all set for power to pull the grand kids, I had a 115 on mine and I had to upgrade after first season. Just my 2 cents worth. Enjoy
 
Get the SPS!
 
Another vote for SPS. And if he can swing more hp make it happen. I am another who sold a 115 hp boat after 3 months. Not trying to spend his money, just sharing my experience having owned one and initially buying it for occasional water sports as well.
 
Also, think resale or that fact that you may own it one day. (Cuz he gave it to you as a Birthday present)
 
Get the SPS, and you'll never wonder what could have been. If your Dad will ALWAYS be on that 100 acre lake, the 115 HP will be functional most of the time, depending on size of tubes and grandkids. From experience, I'd recommend the 21 SLX with SPS and 150 HP unless it is a total burden to spend for the bigger motor. That combination is FANTASTIC, from a performance, comfort, economy, etc, etc standpoint. Look at my signature below. In my opinion, we could not have bought a better boat for our uses. Totally happy! Good luck!
 
150, SPS.  Horsepower and handling, cant beat it.
 
Our first pontoon, not a Benny, was a 2 log with a 90hp. Was fine for pulling the kids on a tube. Could pull a skier if they weren't too big or knew what they were doing. We had it on Lake of the Ozarks one time. Big rollers off the cruisers. Not matter what I did, I could not keep the waves from coming over the bow.


We now have a 21SLX, with a 150 and SPS. Pulls anyone on anything. Had it on LOTO also. Did great. Never had an issue with the big waves.


If traffic on his lake is as you say, busy and lots of waves, no question, get the SPS. If he can swing the 150, do that also. No one ever said they bought too big a motor.


Brian
 
Thanks everyone for all the input.


we're really looking forward to getting out on the lake Thursday to go for some test rides. When we first started looking at new boats I would have told you you were crazy if you thought we'd ever consider a Tri as that seemed out of our budget (not that i really knew what it was) and more boat than we needed. But here we are.


i'm not sure what the top end of dad's budget is and if a 150 is possible or not, but i'll make sure I really that the general conciseness is it's great to have. 


He's not really worried about resale on this boat, the sales guy tried to sell him on that as well and he responded that he'll be lucky to live for another 15 years. I don't think he'll take this boat to any other lake and I don't think they'll move off this lake so I think no matter what they choose to do they'll be happy. especially when you consider the last pontoon they had was 25 years old and only had a 25hp.


After our last conversation i think he's pretty much sold on the Tri, he just really isn't a big fan of either the exterior or interior colors. so the question really becomes is it worth the savings to buy the one on the lot or is it worth the extra $3-$5K to order a '17 with the interior and exterior color, and possibly engine, that they like.
 
I vote for the SPS too! This late in the season i'd just order what you like.( only my opinion) Sounds like your Dad is buying his last boat so as much that savings may seem significant now, not liking something every time you get on it will be worse! You can prioritize what you like and don't like and may find a few things you didn't know existed cause they weren't on the showroom floor....... Besides that you have that much more time to let us help you spend your money! :)  
 
Have him pick the one he likes with a tri and stick a 150 on the back.
 
We ordered a 2075GL this past May. I had looked at the 21SLX...very nice boat. But I wanted matching length lounge seats in the front. I had to upgrade to the G line to get them. We wanted to pull tubers but we knew we were mostly gonna cruise the lake (we had sold our Tahoe deck boat with a 200 Merc because we were rarely needing the HP). We had a 90 HP Yamaha put on the Benny. Our lake is 3 miles long, gets choppy on the weekends. There was one weekend we had some water come over the bow...combination of being fully loaded, wind chop and boat chop. Other than that, we had a summer of fun with tubers, cruising and I even got up on one ski (135 lbs.) and my brother got up on 2 skiis (190 lbs.) My concern for an older gentleman getting a new boat is him having one that is too much for him. Jumping from a 25 HP to a 150 is huge. There is about a second out of each weekend that I question whether we should have gotten tritoons and more engine, but the rest of the minutes and hours are spent enjoying what we have and the money we saved. BTW, it WAS money well spent to order our boat and get what we wanted by upgrading to the G and getting all the colors, etc. we wanted. Even though the equivalent G boat (to the 21SLX we saw) was about $3000 more, I saved a thousand by NOT getting all the other upgrades and accessories we didn't want (chrome speakers, bimini lights, LED floor lighting, etc.) The net was about a $2000 upgrade. I know I would always be lying up in the front with a friend (giving the longer lounge to my guest) while my husband drove the boat. I didn't want to always be looking back at the person across the way and craning my neck back....so I got what I want and I love it. Think about how you all will use the boat for the most of the time and get what feels comfortable! Order what you want and get it next spring! You'll save by not storing it this winter, too!
 
Good advice DD 
 
Not much difference in the 90hp - 115hp.   Get the boat you want.   Many other 16 boats out there from other dealers that you can find.   A lot cheaper to upgrade to 150 now.  I started with a 90hp then after reviewing with this forum i got the 150 Yamaha.  Couldn't be happier and the wife is also happy.   If he's not happy with the color don't settle.  He will always question himself.    Be a good son and chip in a few bucks to help the old man out.  
 
FYI you will probably need to get the hydraulic steering with the 150hp engine.   We can spend your money!
 
DD2075GL said:
We ordered a 2075GL this past May. I had looked at the 21SLX...very nice boat. But I wanted matching length lounge seats in the front. I had to upgrade to the G line to get them. We wanted to pull tubers but we knew we were mostly gonna cruise the lake (we had sold our Tahoe deck boat with a 200 Merc because we were rarely needing the HP). We had a 90 HP Yamaha put on the Benny. Our lake is 3 miles long, gets choppy on the weekends. There was one weekend we had some water come over the bow...combination of being fully loaded, wind chop and boat chop. Other than that, we had a summer of fun with tubers, cruising and I even got up on one ski (135 lbs.) and my brother got up on 2 skiis (190 lbs.) My concern for an older gentleman getting a new boat is him having one that is too much for him. Jumping from a 25 HP to a 150 is huge. There is about a second out of each weekend that I question whether we should have gotten tritoons and more engine, but the rest of the minutes and hours are spent enjoying what we have and the money we saved. BTW, it WAS money well spent to order our boat and get what we wanted by upgrading to the G and getting all the colors, etc. we wanted. Even though the equivalent G boat (to the 21SLX we saw) was about $3000 more, I saved a thousand by NOT getting all the other upgrades and accessories we didn't want (chrome speakers, bimini lights, LED floor lighting, etc.) The net was about a $2000 upgrade. I know I would always be lying up in the front with a friend (giving the longer lounge to my guest) while my husband drove the boat. I didn't want to always be looking back at the person across the way and craning my neck back....so I got what I want and I love it. Think about how you all will use the boat for the most of the time and get what feels comfortable! Order what you want and get it next spring! You'll save by not storing it this winter, too!
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Thank you DD, great advice and I appreciate the insight.

Spar-Toon said:
Not much difference in the 90hp - 115hp.   Get the boat you want.   Many other 16 boats out there from other dealers that you can find.   A lot cheaper to upgrade to 150 now.  I started with a 90hp then after reviewing with this forum i got the 150 Yamaha.  Couldn't be happier and the wife is also happy.   If he's not happy with the color don't settle.  He will always question himself.    Be a good son and chip in a few bucks to help the old man out.  
Click to expand...
 
Don't buy either, because it's never a good deal if you don't like what you had to settle for. Never had a pontoon, but I love my tri-toon and once you take that test ride, so will you! However, if you dislike the color, subconsciously I think you'll never really be happy. 


Keep shopping because these two don't sound right based upon your comments. Good luck with whatever decision you/they make...
 
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