Let's talk TriToons: And no...not gonna flip this one with Nutology
 

So, dad wants a tritoon boat.... really bad. He's been wanting one for years. I'm kinda on the fence about it, but he's wanted one for a long time. Yes, either of us could afford to buy it on our own, but he asked if I wanted to go in half and then whatever. I don't know yet. At this point, I'm leaning towards no, but I will pay for storage, insurance, and SeaTow if he absolutely must buy it.

we're looking at a Barletta Tritoon 25' with a 200 Merc 4stroke (pictured below, same layout). It's a decent price with the trailer. Comes with a decent stereo, Garmin GPS/Fish Finder/Depth Sounder, but no HF radio. That's an easy install, but I'd rather have the factory do it. We have a test drive scheduled for Saturday and I'll see how we like it then. Regardless of what I choose to do, I think the old man is going to buy it anyway.

Any of y'all have experience with these boats? I've done plenty of time on the water with regular pontoons. The tri's are supposed to be a much better ride and better handling.

https://www.barlettapontoonboats.com...a-pontoon-boat

Build Your 2024 Corsa 25UE

https://images.boattrader.com/resize...20231750_1.jpg

The writer approves

RV > boat, and both suck.

I wouldn't buy one new ever. The prices on all new pontoons are crazy. I would buy a used pontoon for a fraction of the new price.

We don't want anything used as we are tired of turning wrenches and fixing shit. Pay a bit more for new and have the warranty take care of it. This model has a 10 year warranty for the boat (everything) and the Merc has I think a 3-4 year warranty.

I don't have enough time to do a lot of travel to make an RV worth the $$$ and don't give a shit about camping/GLAMping.

Looks sweeeeeeeeeeet, babes would dig it, so I am a YES as long as same babes will bang!!

Damn, I just did my research, $100+K,,, I think used should be an option, or make firends with someone that has one.

Nah, the one we are looking at comes out to about $86K. You forget all the dealer incentives. Plus, if you finance through this dealer, they give you back the fee the bank gives them for steering financing to them. Here's the Beauty.... they use VyStar. Guess who else can walk in and get a Vystar Loan without going through the dealer? It works out getting extra money taken off the final bill financing through them with the same rates we would normally get (either of us).

You will take a massive hit on a 86 thousand dollar pontoon boat.

I know, but dad wants to spend his money on one. He's old and retired. Can't take his money with him so why not?

How does it stand up to a waterski attack?

Much better than a Bronco, from what I hear.

With three hulls, it should do 125+mph and withstand the wave that sunk the Poseidon.

Impressive.

Dad should go for it, life is short! :seasix:

I still have checks with their old name. They’re still using the old JNAVY phone number too.

As for the boat? Probably, just so you can spend more time with dad while he’s here.

I would get one if I were on a lake or just in the back bay. Dont think Id want to take one out on the ocean though.

Since he’s in Jax, my assumption was St Johns river.

We'd be on the St. John's River and either put in at the Navy Base or keep it on a friend's boat lift across from a popular spot called Doctor's Inlet.

TBH, the St. John's can get rough very fast and vary dangerous if you don't pay attention. What a lot of people don't take into account is it's ALWAYS worse at night and they still like to haul ass, but some of the marked channels still aren't safe especially at low tide.

Minimal experience with boats, lots of experience with both parents, whom I no longer have. Do anything you can to enrich your relationship with them and to spend quality time with them. When they are gone, they are gone forever.
I treated my dad to a great RV trip to his favorite places the year before he died, and took my mom on several trips cross country to see people she thought she'd never see again before she died. Looking back, boy am I glad I did.
Boat, whatever....just spend time with your dad while you can.