Selecting between two pontoons

[Scoot]

I've got a friend who's looking at a South Bay 420CR13 and a Sweetwater 2086 pontoon. He's trying to figure out which one is a better pontoon for he and his family to use. Any thoughts or experience with either or both would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[vermilionfox]

I think either 'toon would work well for his family. Looks like the South Bay has nore room inside the fence. What kind of motors on each one?

[Scoot]

He's trying to decide between the two brands and also trying to decide between a Yammy 90 and 115. He'll be pulling skiiers, tubes, etc., so I think he's leaning towards the 115.

[BoxMN]

I have South Bay 522F, but with merc 60 hp 4stroke. Bro-in-law has similar sized Premiere with yammie 90 hp 4stroke. Speed is honestly not that different. If I wanted more than my 60 (which can tube a couple tubes, and wakeboard, but not great at skiing) then I would go 115 for sure. The difference between my small 60 and a 90 is not big enough for price difference, IMHO.

As for quality, both are good. Look at the bracing, make sure they are 16" crossmember spacing on center versus 18" or even 20" on some. The skinning on the underside, even on my "non-performance" version, goes quite a way up, to help keep the water "under" the pontoon and not hitting floor. This helps performance for bigger motors, but also keep water where it should be - under the floor not getting into joints.

Also small stuff like the quick detatch bimini connecters, and the Duetcsh electrical connectors (Caterpillar large road machines use these) are top quality parts.

My 22' (actually about 23' and change) with 60 merc bigfoot goes 21.x gps mph with two people and a dog, and about 20ish with bunch of people. Bro in laws gets about a 2 mph gain over mine.

I like everything about mine except that the antenna on stereo is not great wehre I am. Still trying to figure that one out.

I really like the rear deck, outside the rails, on mine - its about maybe 2' deep. Makes filling gas easy, putting on cover easy, fishing from it, setting coolers on it, hooking tow ropes, lots of good stuff - that is one feature I would NOT be without on a toon.

If he is going to ski/tube a lot, I would highly recommend a factory ski pylon. I don't have one, and didn't want one, but for tubing it is a huge advantage. Adding one after the fact means removing the under skin to bolt it properly, something most won't want to to. (I did it because I had the NOT install the seat bases, as I wanted to locate them in my preference, and that was worth it to me, but the underskin removable and reattach is something most won't know how to do, have tools to do, or want to do. Didn't take long, but I have air riveter, pry bars, and not afraid to drill holes in a new boat haha!)

Another bro/sis-in-law have Sweetwater for about 8 years now and very happy with theirs also.

If he is getting it new, do himself a favor and put Sharkhide on the toons before he gets them wet. Only place in MN to get them is in Outing I think, but it is worth it. $60 per quart, and that will do more than one full pontoon (two toons), but less than two. Easy to apply and keeps the toons clean and oxidation free, and easy to clean in the fall.

Good luck! I love mine! If he can swing it, I think the 500 series has more room for the 20 footer, not sure of price difference. Oh yeah, the vinyl floor is awesome option, I am huge fan of vinyl. People think it looks just like carpet but it cleans out great. They also have the "teak" vinyl option, but that was too much $$ for me... but it looked great!

edit - hey Vermillionfox, thanks for the sharkhide info you gave me when I bought mine! Working great on mine and bro-in-laws. Also using the Aerospace 303 Protectant, and will be putting another coat one this weekend. Loving the new pontoon, can you tell

[Wanderer]

He's trying to decide between the two brands and also trying to decide between a Yammy 90 and 115. He'll be pulling skiiers, tubes, etc., so I think he's leaning towards the 115.

As soon as you through "skier" in there, I say 115. And he absolutely will want the ski pylon.

We have 20 foot toon with a 90 Yamaha 4 stroke and it's got plenty of get up and go but it works when we pull a knee border or tuber and get into turning to make the ride more interesting. It really does do fine overall but I'd like a few more horsies.

Getting that rope up and keeping it off the water will make the riding a lot more fun plus its just way easier to attach/detach the rope and just plain manage the whole experience.

[Scoot]

Great stuff- thanks guys.