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20' w/ 150hp?

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Cap'n Mel

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Lake Sunapee, NH
I am purchasing a 20' Bennington. I cannot go any longer due to slip restrictions.


I want the stern radius interior setup


I want 150hp


The 20' G series w/SPS allows 150hp but the stern radius interior is not available


The S series has the interior I want but maxes out at 115hp, even with all same the performance/handling upgrades that the SPS package has (XL package, XL add-on, SeaStar, etc)


Team Bennington - can I get the stern radius interior on a 20' G? or can I get 150hp on an S?
 
Team Bennington does not deal with retail sales. Please direct your questions to an authorized Bennington dealer.
 
I would however as your desler if it would be possible to have the capacity plate changed.
 
I've spoken to my dealer and they don't really have answers. They are the only dealer in the area. I asked the question for TB as I've seen many build questions addressed here before. Sorry if it's deemed inappropriate but it seems to me a reasonable question
 
Your dealer may not know, but all they need to do is send a request to (or call) Bennington. Bennington has done many "special" requests over the years, but your dealer must make the contact. The 21' offers a 150 package, so it's possible they may do it with a 20' with a capacity plate change as mentioned above. 
 
I'm emailing the dealer as we speak!


Thanks - I'm officially addicted to this forum


so much great info that I'm glad to have before making my purchase
 
Not trying to be difficult here. You may have better luck with another dealer. If you have one that's disinterested in helping you now, how interested will they be when you need service or a warranty matter?


Also, I have talked at length will factory personnel about capacity plates. These are not simply changeable. Capacity is determined from US Coast Guard specifications and testing. They are basically safety standards that manufacturers must abide by under USCG oversight.


If you asked a dealer to add an Express Tube (3rd tube) to a boat and because of the increased weight capacity, you wanted a new capacity plate for the # of passengers/weight capacity, BM might be able to produce a new capacity plate..... if they offer the same boat with that tube from the factory.


But if the USCG doesn't certify a bigger hp motor or that same size or equipped boat, there is no freaking way BM (or any other manufacturer) will "have the capacity plate changed." No certified manufacturer would ever subject themselves to that kind of liability exposure


I'm repeating myself here, but BM authorizes its dealers to work directly with customers. Last year, they built almost 10,000 boats. Even if 5% of actual customers wanted them to respond directly to them, there's NO WAY they have the human capacity to deal with that demand.


I would also add that it's far more likely that a customer seeking a "custom" option or special consideration for a $100K R- or Q-Series boat will get such an accommodation is FAR greater than someone seeking the same for a $30K S-Series boat. The reason is because the more expensive boats are almost all "custom builds" in a separate building at the factory. S- and G- boats are more assembly line, mass produced boats with little, if any, wiggle room for custom treatment. Kind of a pay-to-play arrangement, if you will.


The only way you would get what you seek is if you have a dealer who is willing to go to bat on your behalf..... and even then, it's no guarantee.


Sorry.
 
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I'm from the mind set of it doesn't hurt to ask. Our first dealer said they did a special request on a 22' boat but it had the 20' seating/rails on it to allow more bow space to get a wheel chair on. This was not a $100k boat either and I think it was an S. They were charged for the longer model but Bennington worked with them. You are probably more apt to get a special build done in the winter while they are slower vs February when spring production ramps up. I've worked with bennington directly on some warranty issues and have found them very reasonable and accommodating. Even to us S owners.
 
Naturally any custom work does come with a cost and custom work by any manufacturer is expensive to do so the price increase I would imagine it to be dramatic. 


Although I have written here many times that I wish I also had the 150 over the 115 engine in reality the 115 does meet all my needs just not my desire.  I would imagine a 115 on a 20' S would still satisfy most if not all your needs   
 
lakeliving said:
I'm from the mind set of it doesn't hurt to ask. Our first dealer said they did a special request on a 22' boat but it had the 20' seating/rails on it to allow more bow space to get a wheel chair on. This was not a $100k boat either and I think it was an S. They were charged for the longer model but Bennington worked with them. You are probably more apt to get a special build done in the winter while they are slower vs February when spring production ramps up. I've worked with bennington directly on some warranty issues and have found them very reasonable and accommodating. Even to us S owners.
Click to expand...

You missed a couple of my points, Andy. The key to the boat built to accommodate better wheelchair access was made with the dealer's assistance. The customer did not deal with BM direct. Mel needs a dealer's help with his request, not this club site or a phone call to the factory.


Also, I did not say S owners don't get the same kind of customer service. I wrote that Q and R series boats are conceptually better suited for a custom request because they are more hand built than assembly line-built. They don't go down a fixed assembly line with the G and S boats.


Sheesh, you'd think I was running for office! ;-)
 
Goldnrod 24, I never said or implied that my dealer is disinterested or lacking in service focus. They simply didn't have an immediate answer and so I turned to the forum. Also, it seems to me that any boat, regardless of model, when ordered by the customer, is a custom-order. As an S owner, I'm sure that you know that even the lowly S model has a ton of options from which to pick, making it different, and therefore custom, for every build. The boats going to dealers are probably more mass-production.


Lakeliving, I am of the same mind set as you. It never hurts to ask the question. I've already spoken to my dealer about some changes to the furniture on my future S model and that was no problem so I figure, why not ask about the HP too. I'm planning on signing off on my build within the next week so it will be done during the slower winter production run.


Link, I will definitely be fine with 115HP. I have no doubt at all. Unfortunately (or fortunately maybe) I've read through 3/4 of the old posts here and many discuss how much they wish they'd gotten the 150 instead of the 115!! I'm definitely being swayed by those posts so I had to ask the question. If the answer is no, which I really expect it will be, I will be overjoyed by my new Benny with it's 115.
 
Good to hear your dealer is better than I assumed. That's in your favor.


Now, let's clarify terms. There is a fixed set of options to select from when ordering a boat. It's like using the boat builder feature. These are everything BM offers on a particular model. You call it "custom-built", but there is really nothing custom about it. Think of ordering off a menu.


Your idea of an interior arrangement that's not part of the "menu" is a custom build. It is out of the typical system of part compatibility, part procurement, labor costs, etc. As I said, it is out of sync with the way the assembly line is set up. Kind of like going into a seafood restaurant and not seeing Surf and Turf on the menu. Ordering a steak is probably not going to fly there unless you are dining with the owner. Then, they might send a line cook out the back door to the butcher shop..... or they might not.


Again, glad your dealer is open-minded. He or she can easily chat about your request with the regional rep. Suggest that if it hadn't previously come up.
 
Cap'n Mel said:
Goldnrod 24, I never said or implied that my dealer is disinterested or lacking in service focus. They simply didn't have an immediate answer and so I turned to the forum. Also, it seems to me that any boat, regardless of model, when ordered by the customer, is a custom-order. As an S owner, I'm sure that you know that even the lowly S model has a ton of options from which to pick, making it different, and therefore custom, for every build. The boats going to dealers are probably more mass-production.


Lakeliving, I am of the same mind set as you. It never hurts to ask the question. I've already spoken to my dealer about some changes to the furniture on my future S model and that was no problem so I figure, why not ask about the HP too. I'm planning on signing off on my build within the next week so it will be done during the slower winter production run.


Link, I will definitely be fine with 115HP. I have no doubt at all. Unfortunately (or fortunately maybe) I've read through 3/4 of the old posts here and many discuss how much they wish they'd gotten the 150 instead of the 115!! I'm definitely being swayed by those posts so I had to ask the question. If the answer is no, which I really expect it will be, I will be overjoyed by my new Benny with it's 115.
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Glad to hear Mel, I feel the same way about my 115 vs. 150
 
Just got an email from my dealer in response to my questions. They are working directly with Bennington to see what can and cannot be done. My 20SSRXP is definitely going to be a custom build, just don't know how custom yet! I'm going to meet with them in person tomorrow and they expect to have all the answers for me by then. Very excited


It's a gorgeous boating day here so I'm headed to take a little spin in the 'ol 2003 FourWinns Freedom 170 bowrider w/115hp Evinrude Ficht 2 stroke. She's a good old girl - had a lot of fun together. Selling her to friends so we'll stay in touch!
 
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Glad to hear Mel, hope it all works out for you
 
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goldnrod24 said:
You missed a couple of my points, Andy. The key to the boat built to accommodate better wheelchair access was made with the dealer's assistance. The customer did not deal with BM direct. Mel needs a dealer's help with his request, not this club site or a phone call to the factory.


Also, I did not say S owners don't get the same kind of customer service. I wrote that Q and R series boats are conceptually better suited for a custom request because they are more hand built than assembly line-built. They don't go down a fixed assembly line with the G and S boats.


Sheesh, you'd think I was running for office! ;-)
Click to expand...

 I was just sharing my opinion/experience is all and wasn't implying BM works directly through the forum on special requests. I thought this was America! Don't make me call Putin and have you hacked!!


I'm Lakeliving and I approve this message. paid for by the S Owners Boating Brotherhood of Boating Buddies Boat operators association of Michigan. S(OBBOBBBOAOM)
 
lakeliving said:
..... paid for by the S Owners Boating Brotherhood of Boating Buddies Boat operators association of Michigan. S(OBBOBBBOAOM)
Click to expand...

Hey, I'm a member of that club, too!
 
I have a 22' Bennington with a 115 and I am very satisfied with it.  I can hit 30mph with two people if I want...but rarely do we go that fast.  I can pull tubers with no problems.  I'm probably in the minority here but I just don't have a need for real speed.  We prefer cruising along at a pace that is enjoyable and where we are able to hear each other.  With the 115 I can get back to the dock quick enough should the need arise.
 
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