The Only High-HP Pontoon Under $90K in Atlanta — Godfrey Monaco with Honda V8 350

Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine just published their independent test of the Godfrey Monaco 235 SFL — and the results are exactly what we expected. A fully loaded Monaco with the Back Porch package, Midnight Package, iMPACT+ tubes, and a Mercury 250 V8 hit 43.2 MPH and earned praise for its handling, family features, and overall build quality. PDB's conclusion: a genuinely impressive boat.

We agree. We've been selling Godfrey Monacos at Lake Lanier longer than most dealers have been stocking them. And as a 2026 Godfrey Platinum Dealer — Godfrey's highest sales ranking — we can tell you something PDB's test didn't cover: the Monaco isn't just an impressive boat. It's the best value in the pontoon market, and it's not particularly close.

What PDB Confirmed

PDB tested the Monaco 235 SFL loaded with nearly every available option — heated/cooled helm seat, Simrad GPS, SeaStar power assist steering, full RGB lighting, Clarion Gold stereo, and the complete Midnight Package. As tested with a Mercury 250 V8: $122,264.

Their key findings:

• 43.2 MPH top speed with Mercury 250 V8
• 4.5 seconds 0–20 MPH — strong hole shot for a 25'9" boat
• iMPACT+ hull "effortlessly banks in tight turns"
• Family features throughout — pop-up changing room, sink and faucet, spacious stern lounger, lockable glove box
• Base price with standard engine: $46,265

That base price is the number that matters most. Because it tells you what the hull actually costs before you start adding engines and options.

What PDB Didn't Cover: The Honda BF350 V8 Changes Everything

The Mercury 250 V8 is a capable engine. But it's not the engine we'd recommend on this hull — and it's not the engine that makes the Monaco the value story it is.

The Honda BF350 V8 on a Monaco iMPACT+ hull hits 51+ MPH. That's nearly 8 MPH faster than PDB's test boat. On the same hull. With the same three-tube platform. The difference is 100 horsepower and a 5.6-liter V8 that was built specifically for performance applications like this one.

And here's the part that surprises most buyers: a well-equipped Monaco with the Honda BF350 V8 comes in under $90,000 on almost every build we configure.

Not a stripped-down base model. A properly equipped tritoon — iMPACT+ center tube package, quality upholstery, Bimini top, boarding ladder, stereo, hydraulic steering — with 350 horsepower and 51+ MPH capability. Under $90,000.

We've Looked at Every Pontoon in Our Market

This isn't a claim we make lightly. As a Godfrey Platinum Dealer, we track the competition closely. We know what Barletta, Bennington, Premier, Manitou, and every other major brand is selling in the Atlanta market and at what price points.

The conclusion is consistent: no other pontoon brand in our market delivers 51+ MPH performance for under $90,000 on a well-equipped build.

Here's why:

Competing brands charge more for the hull. A Bennington or Barletta tritoon with comparable tube specs and finish quality starts at a higher base price before you add the engine. By the time you're at 350 HP with a full option package, you're well over $100,000.

Competing brands charge more for the engine. Some brands are exclusive to one engine manufacturer, which removes your ability to shop the best value. We offer Honda, Mercury, Yamaha, and Suzuki — and Honda's BF350 V8 is priced competitively against the Mercury V10 350 while delivering comparable or better real-world performance.

Godfrey's iMPACT+ hull is genuinely engineered for high HP. The 29-inch center tube, lifting strakes, and reinforced transom aren't marketing language — they're the reason this hull performs the way it does at 350 HP. You can put a 350 HP engine on a hull that wasn't designed for it, but you won't get the same result.

What "Platinum Dealer" Actually Means for You

Godfrey awards Platinum Dealer status to their highest-volume dealers. We earned it for 2026. Here's what that means in practical terms:

More inventory. Platinum Dealers get priority allocation from the factory. When a specific model or configuration is in high demand, we get it first. That matters during peak season when popular builds sell before they hit the lot.

Better factory pricing. Volume relationships translate to competitive pricing that we pass through to buyers. We're not marking up to cover low volume — we're moving boats efficiently and pricing accordingly.

Faster custom orders. Our direct factory relationship means custom orders move through the system faster. Most builds arrive in 6 to 8 weeks. During peak season, that lead time matters.

Deep product knowledge. We've sold and delivered more Godfrey Monacos than any other dealer in the Atlanta area. Our team has been on the water in every configuration we sell. When you ask us which tube package, which engine, which prop — we have real answers based on real experience, not brochure copy.

The Builds We Recommend

Based on what we've sold and what performs best on Lake Lanier and Lake Norman, here are the configurations we recommend most often:

Best overall value: Monaco 235 SFL — Honda BF350 V8 iMPACT+ Center Tube 2.0, quality upholstery package, Bimini top, boarding ladder, stereo, hydraulic steering. Under $90,000. 51+ MPH. This is the build PDB tested with a Mercury 250 — but with 100 more horsepower and a lower as-tested price by skipping the luxury extras that don't affect performance.

Best fully loaded: Monaco 255 SFL — Honda BF350 V8 Add the Back Porch package for two extra feet of stern space, full enclosure, entertainment center, and premium upholstery. This is the boat PDB tested, essentially — but with Honda power. Comes in around $95,000–$105,000 depending on options.

Best entry performance: AquaPatio 235 — Honda BF250 For buyers who want tritoon performance without the Monaco price tag, the AquaPatio 235 with Honda BF250 delivers 45+ MPH and a luxury finish for under $80,000. It's the most popular build we sell.

Best family boat: Sweetwater 2486 — Honda BF200 For families who want a great pontoon without the performance focus, the Sweetwater 2486 with Honda BF200 is a well-built, well-equipped boat for around $62,000. Reliable, comfortable, and easy to operate.

Order Yours Today

The Godfrey Monaco is the best-performing, best-value pontoon in the Atlanta market. PDB Magazine confirmed the hull. We've confirmed the pricing. The Honda BF350 V8 confirms the performance.

We have Monaco inventory at both our Lake Lanier and Lake Norman locations, and we build custom orders to your exact specification. Most builds arrive in 6 to 8 weeks.

View Lake Lanier inventory | View Lake Norman inventory | Contact us to start your build

Or call us directly:

• Lake Lanier / Atlanta: (678) 725-3749
• Lake Norman / Charlotte: (704) 574-2103

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Carefree Boat Sales is a 2026 Godfrey Platinum Dealer with locations on Lake Lanier (Gainesville, GA) and Lake Norman (Mooresville, NC). We are an authorized Honda Marine Premier Partner and carry Mercury, Yamaha, and Suzuki outboards.