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First Time Buyer / Good Price

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newbenningtonowner

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Any/all input is appreciated. I’m not very experienced with boat-buying/ownership. I’m also not looking to finance because I have an aversion to paying interest if I can avoid it, so I’ll be looking for a good entry level boat.

Looking for brief input on if a deal I’ve been offered is a good deal or if I should continue shopping. I’ve found a new 2024 Bennington 208 SLJ with a 90 hp Yamaha (with single axle bunk trailer included) for $36,800 (out-the-door price with taxes/fees included).

Since it’s an entry level boat, I’m just wondering if it’s a solid deal or if it’s quite high based on others’ knowledge and experience with pontoons and shopping for them. River cruising, sandbar stops / relaxation, and maybe pulling one tube now and then are the expected activities. I don’t expect us to have more than 8 people (half kids/half adults) on board. When it’s just my family, it’ll be 4 of us (two kiddos).

Again, any quick input is appreciated.
 
Besides the price ,that is almost a 2 year old boat . Orders will be taken soon ,if not already for 2026's. Do a search in the upper right corner for warranty. After 2 years of an unsold new boat the warranty changes. . There was a post about the same situation.
 
That price in my area is very reasonable IMO given the 90hp motor, versus 50, and that it includes trailer and all taxes and fees. Prices can vary based on geographic region, competition, and inventory levels. You might want to check the weight capacity limit to determine how close you will be to maxing out with people, gear, and equipment.
 
Jack M said:
Besides the price ,that is almost a 2 year old boat . Orders will be taken soon ,if not already for 2026's. Do a search in the upper right corner for warranty. After 2 years of an unsold new boat the warranty changes. . There was a post about the same situation.
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Thank you, sir. The warranty would be lifetime on the toons and 10 years up top.
 
Seadoorxpguy said:
If you plan on having 8 people on that boat, you will be selling it within a few years tops for a decent loss to get into a bigger boat. Best advice I can offer is buy once, cry once.
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Thank you for the heads up. The majority of the time it will be 4-6 people. I don’t ever intend on testing its 10 person limit. 10 person limit sounded great at first until I did the math and saw that such a figure means 10 130 lb. people. In the McDonalds era, I understand that’s more like a 7-8 person limit.
 
newbenningtonowner said:
Thank you for the heads up. The majority of the time it will be 4-6 people. I don’t ever intend on testing its 10 person limit. 10 person limit sounded great at first until I did the math and saw that such a figure means 10 130 lb. people. In the McDonalds era, I understand that’s more like a 7-8 person limit. Only gear we’d carry is a medium cooler with water/gatorades.
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I have a r23 with a 300 on it. I cant stand having more than 4 people total. A few of my boater friends made the mistake of starting smaller than quickly realizing they should have went bigger
 
Read the 2nd paragraph of the warranty. I would ask the dealer when they took delivery. It could have been at the end of the year .Good Luck what you decide.
 
newbenningtonowner said:
Thank you for the heads up. The majority of the time it will be 4-6 people. I don’t ever intend on testing its 10 person limit. 10 person limit sounded great at first until I did the math and saw that such a figure means 10 130 lb. people. In the McDonalds era, I understand that’s more like a 7-8 person limit.
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Yea, they really need to update that 50 year old coast guard weight calculation, we were all skinny in '73 for cryin out loud! We weren't making enough money to get fat!
 
While I appreciate your “cash only” mentality, I wonder if you’ll really be happy with the boat. Four to six regular occupants will strain that 90 HP engine unless you truly don’t mind a leisurely ride. However, you mentioned kids and tubing, which won’t be very exciting.
 
Thanks much for the input! Tubing probably isn’t something that would be done very often. The big thing here is most relaxing with some friends / family, hitting the sandbars on the river and getting some sun. I’m okay with 25 mph with my wife and I and 16-20 mph is okay with the kids and a friend or two. Don’t really expect to have more than 5 people total (if all adults) or 7-8 (when young kiddos and 2-3 adults). Vast majority of the time it would be 4-6 people. None of us are really big on the water sports.

Uses aside, I guess I’m just wondering if $36,800 is a good value for a brand new 2024 Bennington 208 SLJ with a 90 hp Yamaha (with trailer and taxes all included). I’m sure I’ll upgrade 5 years or so down the line when my income is better.

I’ve attached the sticker the dealer provided. Not sure on accuracy of it. A little hard to believe a price like that would’ve been requested even in 2024 with a 50 hp motor. Looking for good value now. I’ll look for something fancier when I hit my 40th.
 

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You can most likely order a 26 now or very soon . Let us know what you decide. We are very helpful spending other people's money.
 
newbenningtonowner said:
Thanks much for the input! Tubing probably isn’t something that would be done very often. The big thing here is most relaxing with some friends / family, hitting the sandbars on the river and getting some sun. I’m okay with 25 mph with my wife and I and 16-20 mph is okay with the kids and a friend or two. Don’t really expect to have more than 5 people total (if all adults) or 7-8 (when young kiddos and 2-3 adults). Vast majority of the time it would be 4-6 people. None of us are really big on the water sports.

Uses aside, I guess I’m just wondering if $36,800 is a good value for a brand new 2024 Bennington 208 SLJ with a 90 hp Yamaha (with trailer and taxes all included). I’m sure I’ll upgrade 5 years or so down the line when my income is better.

I’ve attached the sticker the dealer provided. Not sure on accuracy of it. A little hard to believe a price like that would’ve been requested even in 2024 with a 50 hp motor. Looking for good value now. I’ll look for something fancier when I hit my 40th.
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It sounds like you have put a good deal of thought into how you’ll use it, so kudos to you! There’s definitely nothing wrong with a slow cruise (my favorite!).

As far as whether it’s a deal, I can’t help you answer that, but several folks have lent their thoughts. In the end, it’s only a deal if you like the boat and it meets your needs.
 
Be sure to check the capacity of the trailer. I would be concerned about a single axle trailer if trailering any distance at all.
 
A big question is what options / features does it have. A base 20 S-J Bench is currently $40K with a 90 on Bennington's build site, no trailer. I am unclear if that would be a Bi or Tri toon. If a Bi Toon and a 90 - the tubing experience would be limited and will not grow with the kids. I think if you can wait until after this boating season, you will see some great deals on new and used. However, the price does seem like a good deal vs current MSRP.
 
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