Farewell Benny

[mtudb24]

Signed the paperwork today on the new Yamaha AR 220. Sad day to sign the title over on the Benny to the dealership. I hope it gives the new owners as much joy as it has for our family. Crazy on how many boats this dealer has. This is 1 of probably 4 more sections of rack stored boat plus pole barns they have boats in.. Was lucky enough to find my actual boat in the masses. They will be installing all my accessories like GPS / Chartplotter with HD side scan sonar, tower mount rod holders, Tower speakers, cockpit and bow covers, trailer guide on bunks, and a few other goodies before we pick it up on May 4th.

Had an incredible run with the Benny from 2011 until 2024. Even made Pontoon and Deck boat magazine back in the day. Wish circumstances were different, but it is what it is and will enjoy the new boat.
Hope to stay active on this site and give any advice or insight I can on anything regarding Bennington toons and my experiences over the past 13 years. I have enjoyed this forum and have learned so much from all of you. I really appreciate all you have given me over the years.
Todd

 

[Jack M]

Todd ,there are other former Bennington owners that are active on the forum ,you will always be welcome here .

 

[Michiman]

Congratulations on the new boat! Hopefully it’ll allow you to get around fluctuating lake levels.

 

[Vikingstaff]

Looking forward to your participation in this forum for years to come Todd. You had a great run with your 2011 Bennington. I am sure its eventual new owners will enjoy it greatly.

Hopefully the new boat will meet your needs well with the fluctuating water levels. Enjoy the summer ahead! We’ve been up to our lake house all week and with this weather, we are getting antsy ourselves for warm summer weather. Not there yet, but getting closer by the week.

 

[lakeliving]

Enjoy the new boat. I used to live a couple miles from Wonderland Marine

 

[SEMPERFI8387]

Todd, I know how you feel after giving up owning a Jeep after 12 years or so.
Just make sure not to hammer the throttle in a shallow draft with the jet. Ask me how I know! LOL!!!

 

[BigKahuna]

Jack is right Todd! I'm a former Benny owner but I still stick around here and throw my 2 cents in every now and then! You'll always be a part of our/this group!

 

[mtudb24]

Todd, I know how you feel after giving up owning a Jeep after 12 years or so.
Just make sure not to hammer the throttle in a shallow draft with the jet. Ask me how I know! LOL!!!

Thanks Daril. I'll keep that in mind for sure!! Still miss the Jeep?

 

[Nautical]

Me too ... owned two but no current Benny.

 

[Julianna]

Good luck Todd! Hope to see you around

 

[mtudb24]

Dealer sent me pics of the 7" Garmin UHD side scan sonar / GPS install last night. Picked up the boat today.. May the 4th be with me (HAHAHA).
About a 3 hour tow from dealer to our cottage. Had to buy a new 2" ball and solid 2" drop insert rated for 10K pounds since my current stuff was only rated to 5K pounds. New boat is 5200lbs dry weight on trailer so didn't want to chance it. Got it to our barn storage until I get the dock ready with new bumpers and get the boat waxed and speakers and rod holders installed.

 

[Michiman]

Pretty sweet! I especially like the swim-up seating.

 

[Vikingstaff]

Looks like a very nice boat. I agree, love those rear swim up/sit un the water seats that you can attach to the rear. Pretty neat.

 

[Joeb14]

Very nice. My first boat was a seadoo utopia with twin 155 hp. That thing could get on a plane very quickly. Drawback was it would occasionally suck in a rock or more commonly a dock or waterski rope that got sucked into the impeller. I became proficient at removing the jet pump assembly and untangling the rope. Learned to buy extra shaft boots so my weekend wasn’t ruined waiting for a ten dollar part to arrive.

 

[BigKahuna]

Yup cool seats in the back!

 

[mtudb24]

The fun thing is the swim up seats are reversible so you can set on the swim deck and have a table with phone holder and drink holder

 

[mtudb24]

Only have left to wax the boat before it goes in the water. Got the new 3D raised registration numbers installed, the name on the stern (from our kids who grew up with the movie Flush Away where the boat was named the Jammy Dodger) and the tower speakers installed along with a few other upgrades. Vinyl coated danforth anchor, chain, and blue rope. Got the new dock bumpers installed and enjoying a cocktail looking over the bay on Saturday Night. Happy Memorial Weekend day to all!

 

[Vikingstaff]

That looks like nearly the perfect canal access spot for getting on The Bay. What a fabulous location!

 

[mtudb24]

That looks like nearly the perfect canal access spot for getting on The Bay. What a fabulous location!

Thanks. Its close to the best of both worlds. Couldn't handle putting a boat on a lift in the bay and watch a storm beat it up, but yet have a nice canal / safe boat docking space and a nice view of the bay. However, the guy in front of us, who has a direct view of the bay and a lift for his boat and jet skis, has the ultimate set up.