While I understand the logic of buying your last boat I am old enough to hope that isn’t the case and I still have a couple more in my future . That said I do get the meaning and want a boat that fits all of my needs today. I have attached a sheet on one that my preferred marina sent me that I like the looks of. While it doesn’t have everything it will be available in time for this summer. I realize it is up to me to decide what fits but I am looking to see if there are some items that are missing based on the needs I stated. one concern is the seat next to the pilot seat and if it is in a position that allows my wife and I to talk without having to look backwards. I am off to look at a few boats to get a feel for the size. Unfortunately we are at out home in VA so I can’t visit the marina in Maine. Thoughts?
Looking for my first pontoon
- Thread starter Spf720
- Start date
If you are in Va., you should go to Lake Norman Marina in Charlotte and drive off with one. They have plenty there for the taking. Biggest dealer on the east coast. Also, there is a boat show in Greensboro next weekend. See a lot of boats there.
The reason I will be buying in Maine is that I want to be in that marina and they are only offering slips if you buy your boat from them. I kept my SeaRay there for a few years and found the marina to be a good fit. I do plan on attending a few boat shows and am off to a couple marin’s today to get a feel for the different boats.
Vikingstaff
Moderator
The RBR is a cool set up for entertaining on the water. However, if you are trying to maximize seating, I really think its one of the worst options you can go with.
VERY MINIMAL seating the entire back half of the boat. Guaranteed you would not have seating for the number of people you mentioned before; literally not enough seats. It also is probably not the most grandkid friendly layout compared to other options.
Linking a video of a dealership doing a walkthrough of an RBR. Not the identical boat your preferred marina dealership is pitching to you, but darn close.
Personally, I’d keep looking. I’d narrow down the layout(s) YOU want and let the dealership know to narrow down around that. No use making TOO many compromises on something between 100-150k just to get on the water this summer. Seems to me better options would be out there.
Walkthrough Example of RBR floor plan
Thanks for the video and your input, this is what I asked for. I agree on the limited seating and am trying to juggle different scenarios of how the boat will actually be used. While I would like to think having everyone on board will be a frequent event the reality is it will be a couple days out of the summer. Most of the time it will be 2-8 people. We also tend to take the boat to different locations and sit while we swim and make lunch. In our limited time on rental pontoons swimming, tubing, eating took up much more time than having everyone seated, especially the kids. As someone mentioned I need to be sure to get a boat that fits the way it will be used the majority of the time and not the occasional time everyone shows up.
i think I have now entered the justification zone.
I went to a couple marinas today and they only had smaller boats. At least I ruled them out and think I need to be at least 25’. As has been suggested I need to go where I can see the boats and not just pictures.
i think I have now entered the justification zone.
I went to a couple marinas today and they only had smaller boats. At least I ruled them out and think I need to be at least 25’. As has been suggested I need to go where I can see the boats and not just pictures.
FightinIrish
Well-Known Member
completely agree with VikingStaff on the layout. I don't think the RBR really suits your needs as described. I have a quad bench 23 and love it. Best way to maximize space
Vikingstaff
Moderator
Based on this part of your reply, maybe that 25RBR would be a good set up then…? Certainly a cool set up for cruising, lounging around, swimming, tubing and wasting lunches. Certianly enough room to sit 2-8, and the ESP hull has tons more weight capacity than the layout has seating. No worries there either.
Aside from the actual layout, the rest of the boat is awesome: ESP hull, 250HP motor (I’d see if they can swap out for an even bigger HP motor with that ESP hull), Luxurious R-series tritoon, Simrad G07, power assist steering, in floor storage, some cool RGB lighting all over the place, etc… It really is a solidly spec’d up boat.
OOC: I cannot read the fuel tank capacity - too blurry. What is it? Those high HP motors can be thirsty, and the ESP hulls have larger fuel tank options than my SPS Tritoon hull.
Enjoy the search! You aren’t going to go wrong in your price range.
I agree on the motor and wonder if they would switch it out to a 300hp. Says it has a center tube fuel tank. Not sure of the capacity but for the extra $1800 I would hope it is sufficient. Not decided yet and looking forward to checking some out in person.
Potomacbassin’
Well-Known Member
Absolutely do your due diligence on the fuel capacity question. There is a forum member here that ran into a range issue and was considering add-on tanks, when the factory upgrade would obviously been preferred.
My F250 at WOT burns 20-21 gph, but with my 52gal upgrade and a more conservative cruise I can get 120-140 miles per tank. That could be 1 trip or 5, but the added benefit is less trips to the fuel dock. If you're trailering probably less of a concern.
My F250 at WOT burns 20-21 gph, but with my 52gal upgrade and a more conservative cruise I can get 120-140 miles per tank. That could be 1 trip or 5, but the added benefit is less trips to the fuel dock. If you're trailering probably less of a concern.