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Help pick tritoon

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Pbakk

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Hello, I am looking at upgrading from my 2019 22 GSR quad lounger pontoon with Yamaha 115, Ultra Legs / Sea Legs used in freshwater ~5,000 acre lake. Top speed with current setup is about 24 mph. It plows through the water but is comfortable. With adults sitting in the front, we have had an occasional wave come over the front and water rushing down the center of the floor.

Currently looking at 2024 tritoon 22SXSB (swingback) with Yamaha 150 and wondering if we would like it. We might add Ultra Legs / Sea Legs which would add weight. Attach is the build sheet. It has a list of almost $90k and sale price of close to $60k which seems attractive.

We would use it for occasional tubing, but +90% just cruising. Most of the time we would have 3 people, but several times a year we would have 6 adults, two young grandkids, and a dog.

Another option is a 2025 22 SXSR, 150hp, which is a year newer but would cost $3k more.

I would appreciate any feedback regarding this setup. Is the swingback louder from engine noise standpoint? Do people use the swingback seat for cruising (seams like a bench seat might not be comfortable while cruising). Any missing options? Dealer says upgrading to 200hp isn’t worth the $4k for additional 4mph. Thanks.
 

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Myself , I would get the 200 , you will never buy HP for as low of a price than you will at the initial time of purchase .
On my 2014 R23 it came with a 150 ,in 2015 I wanted to upgrade it to a 200 . The cost of the labor to change the controls made it cost prohibitive .
 
We love our deluxe swingback. We started out with the lounges in the stern, they were great if it was just the two of us, but underway others wanted to be by us and be part of the conversations so they would try and sit places they couldn't or shouldn't. While cruising people can it on the swingback bench set up and the engines are not too loud for conversations to flow. With the deluxe we can store the backrest for the bench and put the back of the seat up and passengers can now have a lounge seat facing forward and relax, and once again be part of the conversation. The 3k upgrade for the deluxe swingback we would gladly pay for again.

As for the conversation of larger motor. We went we the motors we did, twin 300's, due to fuel consumption at cruise speed. The boat would be fast enough with the twins for our water sports. But, if I was to do it again, yeah I think I would go for the biggest motors available for the simple reason, never wished I had less.....
 
We debated between an SR and SB layout back in 2017. We ended up going with the SB for various reasons. We have been extremely happy with our choice. So…there’s our bias. ;)

I do not think the SB set up will have any impact on motor noise compared to SR. I just don’t see the layout impacting that at all, or too much, in any particular direction.

We LOVE the looks, utility, and flexibility of the SB layout; both for ourselves and our guests. The SB would be my recommendation.

SB PROS: Lots of storage underneath it. Flexibility on seating facing forward or backward. Awesome lounge for laying out. Still provides a good bench seating area facing straight forward.

FWIW: Being able to layout on a nice lounge is FANTASTIC! Honestly, over the last few years, my wife and I have really enjoyed just ankoring and laying out on our own to some music on the lake. So peaceful and tranquil! Separately, for our kids (young adults), nieces and nephews, and any of their friends, the SB lounge is their favorite spot as well.

IMHO, the fact you would save $3k on top of getting a more preferred layout, is a slam dunk. Given your usage and stated boating crew, you have ample seating either way.

As for motor. Hmmmm… I tend to lean into buying as much as you can afford based on advice above: HP is always cheapest out of the gate at boat purchase.

For you, obviously a 150 does everything you want. So, really there are no worries with that 150. Likewise, you mention considering slapping on some Ultra-Legs or Sea Legs like you have on your current boat. Those typically impact performance by a very consistent -3 to -5 mph at WOT on a tritoon. So, a 50HP jump from a 150 to a 200 HP motor would likely net you “normal” 150HP performance much of the time IF you upgrade to Ultra legs or Sea Legs. So, perhaps the 200HP upgrade proof’s you with an eye towards “legs”? If you don’t add legs later, you simply have a zippier boat. :cool:
 
On my last point above, we have a 24’ SSBXP SPS with a 200 HP Mercury Verado Pro. That level of performance really suited us (errr…me!). I liked the handling, power arc, hole shot, all of it. :p

After adding Sea Legs in our 3rd year with the boat, I missed the responsiveness I previously had and wished I had the SPS+ hull and a 250 HP motor. Not sure if that is food for thought on you debating a 150 v 200 and whether or not you’ll add Ultra Legs or Sea Legs later. But figured I’d toss it out there based on my “regret” with our set up due to adding our Sea Legs in 2019 on our 2017 Bennington.

…and tempering that, it matters NOT in the least to my wife. For her, anything above 20-30mph is simply not her preference. If I had a 115HP back there, she’d be perfectly fine with it, and enjoy the fuel savings. LOL So, again, different food for thought on that item.
 
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Lots of great advice above! Oh, and with a tri-toon you can virtually kiss the possibility of water over the bow away. You’d have to be on some pretty big water to have that ever happen.
 
Michiman said:
Lots of great advice above! Oh, and with a tri-toon you can virtually kiss the possibility of water over the bow away. You’d have to be on some pretty big water to have that ever happen.
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Ha! Thought of some pontoon/tritoon videos going through Haulover!!!
 
Pbakk said:
I hate to admit it, but the color of the VMax cought my eye given the color of the tritoon.
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Congratulations on making your decision. I hope you are as happy with the SB layout as we are. We really do love it!

Also, no doubt the color of the VMax would add to how much this boat will already stand out. :cool:

On a practical level, it will also be a more performance oriented motor in regards to gearing and its responsiveness. Our Verado was the Mercury “performance” motor, and I certainly think it was worth the extra cost for its responsiveness.

And like that VMax, the black Mercury with sticker colors really pops on the back of our boat (smoke gray with black ascent strip). It may seem silly, but having a motor match and play off a pontoon’s color scheme really makes it stand out and pop.
 
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