Sharkhide - Yes or No?

[Nautical]

I purchased my current boat used and it has not had Sharkhide lately (or possibly ever). The boat I owned with the Sharkhide is long gone. I only had it for a couple of seasons and the Sharkhide may have helped a little. My second Bennington didn't have it and the toons did seem to get a little worse a little faster.

 

[Jgedeon]

This was the Sharkhide application from the factory. Boat delivered Sept 20th 2023, pictures taken Oct 14th 2023.

 

[NCLakeGuy]

Wow! What did the dealer say? Like Boeing, need some QA at factory

 

[Jgedeon]

Wow! What did the dealer say? Like Boeing, need some QA at factory

The dealer pulled in some contacts at the factory and last Saturday I spoke with one of the Bennington Reps that was a the local boat show, which our boat was actually be used at since the dealer didn't have any on the floor and some people were interested in the model. The rep and us walked the boat and we showed them all the QA issues.... There is a decent list. He was shocked at things and says he is taking it up the chain. To be honest, since the damage is done, I am not really sure what they can actually do that will make it the way it should have been. I was also not impressed it looks like they did a single shark hide application with the skirting still on. To me it would have been more efficient and better results if they would have done the application before installing them on the boat during the build. Don't get me wrong, we still love our Benningtons there is a reason we boat another Bennington, but QA and pride in workmanship just isn't there right now it seems.

 

[NCLakeGuy]

Please let us know the responds from Bennington. As Goldenrod24 said early in this thread

The opinions expressed here are not intended to make owners feel bad about their boats. Rather, because many of us have developed strong opinions based on real world experiences, we'd like future owners to learn from our experiences prior to a purchase.

Bennington boats are excellent overall but there can be bumps and all current and future owners need to understand what to expect when the unexpected happens.

 

[BigKahuna]

This was the Sharkhide application from the factory. Boat delivered Sept 20th 2023, pictures taken Oct 14th 2023.

That's one thing about aluminum pontoons and Sharkhide. If whoever is applying it misses a spot you will find out! That's why I apply at least 2 coats. If you miss an area the 1st time you shouldn't miss it the 2nd time!

 

[Jack M]

I have had some of those marks on the inside of mine on all 4 of my Bennington's . Most are from the "carpeted fork lift " .On & off the truck and other work done , anytime a fork lift was required .

 

[Jgedeon]

Please let us know the responds from Bennington. As Goldenrod24 said early in this thread

Bennington boats are excellent overall but there can be bumps and all current and future owners need to understand what to expect when the unexpected happens.

I completely agree, ordering a boat isn't like ordering a car. There isn't a boat manufacturer out there where the dealer isn't doing some clean up or corrections when the boat arrives at the lot. There is a reason we bought another Bennington. It's just the issues we found on delivery and the dealer is working to correct were mainly easy issues to identify and could have been corrected before leaving the plant.

 

[Timdelta]

My factory shark hide application was done well either. I may ask for it to get fixed, I pointed it out on delivery and we agreed to look issue at 100 hr mark.

 

[Vikingstaff]

My factory shark hide application was done well either. I may ask for it to get fixed, I pointed it out on delivery and we agreed to look issue at 100 hr mark.

I had a similar situation in one squared off area on ours when we bought it. Was told the same thing by dealer. Never happened. I’ll leave it at that. Still a thorn in my side!

 

[Michiman]

This was the Sharkhide application from the factory. Boat delivered Sept 20th 2023, pictures taken Oct 14th 2023.

Yikes! Maybe Sharkhide should make the product pink when you put it on so a person could see everything they miss.

That said, I wouldn’t be very happy about having to pay for a poorly done job, but I’ve gotten over how my tubes look and just concentrate on keeping the rest of the boat clean and shiny.

 

[SEMPERFI8387]

My factory shark hide application was done well either. I may ask for it to get fixed, I pointed it out on delivery and we agreed to look issue at 100 hr mark.

At 100 hours you’ll probably end up with tarnish spots. I’d touch it up now vs. waiting.

 

[NCLakeGuy]

This was the Sharkhide application from the factory. Boat delivered Sept 20th 2023, pictures taken Oct 14th 2023.

Any response from a Bennington person who definitely monitors these posts? I have not seen one just curious. I would hope they want to responded to the great audience.

 

[Vikingstaff]

Bennington itself doesn’t directly monitor the Club Bennington Forum or posts within it. They rely on us volunteer moderators to properly manage the forum to foster a great online community per the terms of use policy for the forum.

Any response from a Bennington person who definitely monitors these posts? I have not seen one just curious. I would hope they want to responded to the great audience.

 

[JohnnyRay]

QA and pride in workmanship just isn't there right now it seems.

Might be the "Polaris" effect...

 

[Angela & Michael]

Hi All,


Small upgrade charge but I know sometimes products like this can have pros and cons. My question is whether to add sharkhide from the factory? Why or why not?


Thanks.

If you boat in fresh water, definitely yes. In salt water,no. On Rehobeth and Indian river bays, you need bottom paint to protect your boat, so it’s not of any use unless you do top of toons only. It works well but does require maintenance every year. I’ve not heard from any salt water boater that likes the stuff. If there are any, please speak up.

 

[Timdelta]

I’m in Sarasota Fl area and I have it. Boat looks brand new (except where factory folks missed). I keep boat on a lift and spray it off every time after use and spray it from time to time anyway. We get heavy salty air all the time. I would get it again, just make sure it’s all covered with product.

 

[LaurencetheAdventurer]

..

 

[Julianna]

I received my QX without the sharkhide aplication from the factory nor the dealer. The streaks I had on the boat after the break-in period made be sick. So after throwing a fit with the dealer, he sent me the sharkhide kit and a check for $500. I almost had to laugh.
I’m thinking of putting Vanguard on instead. I think it will look even sharper with the black Vanguard strips.
‘Hope everyone is well on the site. You guys are awesome.
‘oh I also received the doomed numbers to go on. Will def look sharp

 

[Kim in Central FL]

My "sharkhide" is black - was that typical for years ago? (2016 model). It rubs off on my hands!!! Photos of these newer boats appear same as toon color.