Good price?

[NewToToons]

We are new to toons... and Bennington.
Looking to buy used and came across a, 2011 2275GCW Tritoon. 2011 Yamaha vmax sho with just under 200 hrs. Very well maintained, no visible damage, rips, stains. 1. What questions should I be asking/red flags to look for? and 2. What’s a fair price? Thank you

 

[Vikingstaff]

We are new to toons... and Bennington.
Looking to buy used and came across a, 2011 2275GCW Tritoon. 2011 Yamaha vmax sho with just under 200 hrs. Very well maintained, no visible damage, rips, stains. 1. What questions should I be asking/red flags to look for? and 2. What’s a fair price? Thank you

Sounds nice. Inventories are limited, so finding a nice gently used Bennington is always great. Thoughts on your questions:

1) Questions/Red Flags: Do a detailed inspection of the entire boat as best you can. If out of the water, look underneath it, scrutinize the pontoons, trim, rub rail, panels, flooring, furniture, etc... Any signs of repairs, welding, fabric patching, re-stitching of seating, etc... None of that is necessarily a deal breaker, but at least lets you know how well cared for and solid the boat has been over the last 10 years and 200 hours. Are the pontoons clean or do they have scum build up? Clean is great, and build can be cleaned, but nice to know if you need to do it. Even the slightest build up on the pontoons severely impacts performance. Are you able to run a diagnostic check for codes on motor at a dealership? If so, have that done. Are you able to water test it? For me that would be essential to buying a used boat to ascertain how well it runs, steers, handles, etc...

2) Price: Lots of variables for price. NADA guide will help provide better guidance on price. To do so accurately, you need to know all the options on on it (there is an overwhelming array of options and layouts, and they matter in regards to price), and the specific Bennington tritoon hull - there are two different full length tritoon hulls: SPS and ESP. Those things really mater when estimating price, as does specific motor HP.

That said, a GCW is a nice boat and layout. An SHO is a fun motor, particularly if it is fairly high HP. 200 hours isn’t bad at all for the age. If its been covered, cared for, and well maintained, it should be a great pre-owned Bennington. Good luck! I hope its a great boat, and the right one for you.

 

[NewToToons]

Thank you. This was helpful. The motor is 200 HP., We will water test and inspect in person for sure. The photos look very favorable for cosmetic condition, the boat is kept at a marina but on a hoist, seems like a meticulous owner. New cover and Biminis as of last month. Inquiring about the hull. Thank you again for weighing in, it’s been helpful!

 

[Vikingstaff]

Thank you. This was helpful. The motor is 200 HP., We will water test and inspect in person for sure. The photos look very favorable for cosmetic condition, the boat is kept at a marina but on a hoist, seems like a meticulous owner. New cover and Biminis as of last month. Inquiring about the hull. Thank you again for weighing in, it’s been helpful!

Sounds nice. I have a 200 HP Mercury on an SPS tritoon. It’s an awesome combination. That fact its been kept up on a hoist and is in meticulous conditions seem like very nice indicators to me that someone took care of it. They even invested in a host for that purpose.

Perhaps one other question. Did they maintain and service it, or did a dealership AND at what intervals? For example, I have mine stored and prepped seasonally at a local boat dealership. Thus, if I sold it, I could provide all paperwork on winter prep, spring prep, and any work done on it through it’s entire ownership. If they‘ve done the same, you could ask for that paperwork too.

I hope it pans out for you. Good luck!!!

 

[NewToToons]

OK! That’s all good info too! We are going to see it at the dock today.

they have a scheduled service on Wednesday so we plan to schedule water test for after that. We will ask for a diagnostics report while it’s at the dealership getting serviced.

They did say, “Engine was completely serviced in summer of 2020 including new lower unit”

The current owners have only had it since last season. The previous owners were an older couple who kept it in meticulous condition.

To me, it seems like a red flag that someone would only keep a boat for a year but maybe that’s nothing. They said they are now more interested in purchasing a bow rider.

We really appreciate your feedback, we previously owned a technical poling skiff, but now with 2 little ones, it’s time to move on to a fun family boat!

 

[Vikingstaff]

OK! That’s all good info too! We are going to see it at the dock today.

they have a scheduled service on Wednesday so we plan to schedule water test for after that. We will ask for a diagnostics report while it’s at the dealership getting serviced.

They did say, “Engine was completely serviced in summer of 2020 including new lower unit”

The current owners have only had it since last season. The previous owners were an older couple who kept it in meticulous condition.

To me, it seems like a red flag that someone would only keep a boat for a year but maybe that’s nothing. They said they are now more interested in purchasing a bow rider.

We really appreciate your feedback, we previously owned a technical poling skiff, but now with 2 little ones, it’s time to move on to a fun family boat!

I hear you on the red flag. However, it very well may not be too. Different boats are better suited for different sorts of uses or people. They might have loved the look, thought they’d love pontooning, and then found out they don‘t. Do you know if the current owners are experienced boaters OR are they people that had renewed free time on their hands working from home due to covid and were brand ”new” boaters? Something like that could be why someone has been a very short term owner too: inexperienced, but it sounded nice. Then the experience didn’t live up to their expectations, or available time, etc...and now they are moving on.

Do you know why they had to have the lower unit replaced? Another potential item to inquire about, but also likewise nice that it has a new lower unit.

 

[NewToToons]

Awesome info... I’ll check back in tonight after we get more info and view the boat.. really appreciate your time

 

[NewToToons]

@Vikingstaff is there a way to look up specs from a “VIN” number/serial number

 

[NewToToons]

The boat is in remarkable condition. Hard to believe it’s 10 years old!

A things Toons need cleaned, there is a dinner plate size dent in the rear or starboard side pontoon, and a small dent on the rub rail on the other side.

the sellers seem very much on the up and up, like u said... pontoon was just not their deal (their older kids want to wakeboard)

they said they have the owners manual but beyond that don’t have much spec info. He said his impression is that when it was purchased in 2011 it had all the bells ans whistles offered at that time. (Upgraded Lighting, Speakers, etc)

cover and Bimini are literally weeks old.

The trailer looks awful but we plan to keep it at a marina most of the time.

How worries should we be about the electrical ans electronics being 10 hrs old?

they are asking 38,000 (includes trailer)

 

[NewToToons]

Update: owner says “traitor is in great mechanical condition the color is just faded”

 

[Vikingstaff]

With the hull ID number you can actually reach out to Bennington and get a copy of the original spec sheet. Not sure how quickly that happens - maybe fast with a phone call and them potentially emailing it to you.

Assuming the trailer is in great shape like they said, maybe just give it a quick paint job to spruce it up and you’ll be good to go. I don’t trailer or have one, so that’s not my area of expertise, but many on here are road warriors and trailer a lot. I hear a lot about packing the bearings and having good tires in the posts on here.

As for electrical, if its all working now, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. If its been somewhat lightly used and in great conditions, I lean towards it’s probably fine.

New that’s about a $90,000 boat depending on final price negotiations and options. 10 years is a bit for the price, but likewise you are getting a GCW with a 200HP SHO made by Bennington. I’d have to believe you are good for a nice 10 year run of solid ownership yourself with it.

 

[lakelifeMN]

That’s a great looking boat for the age. With the tritoon and a 200 you will still have many years of enjoyment ahead of you. Good luck.

 

[NewToToons]

Awesome, great tip on the hill number. I’m on it Thanks!

 

[Jack M]

@Vikingstaff is there a way to look up specs from a “VIN” number/serial number

Here is the link to contact Bennington with your Hull ID

Submit an Inquiry | Bennington

Use the form on this page to submit an inquiry to the team at Bennington about models, boats, dealerships and more.

www.benningtonmarine.com

 

[Michiman]

Welcome! I certainly wouldn't be afraid of a ten year old boat that's in good condition. I sold my previous boat at ten years for just a few grand less than I paid for it. She was properly maintained, looked and ran great as does this one appears to be.

 

[NewToToons]

@Vikingstaff do y’all have a phone number for Bennington?

 

[BigD]

(888) 906-2628.

 

[NewToToons]

@Vikingstaff got the specs!!!

 

[Vikingstaff]

@Vikingstaff got the specs!!!

Fantastic. That was fast.

Looks like a great build. ESP with 200 SHO on a GCW. That’ll be a great pontoon!

 

[NewToToons]

Thanks to @BigD for the phone number! Super helpful guys!