My experience with my new 2025 24LXSSB

Scott1

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Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to give information on my new Bennington. My old one was a 2015 2375 RCW ESP with Verado 250. My new one is a 24 LXSSB with a Yamaha SHO 250 SPS +.
First I will say I really like this new boat, I love the lay out, so much storage also. The biggest difference is the SPS + vs ESP. ESP wins hands down! For those that never driven an ESP toon, you don't know what you are missing. SPS doesn't even come close to turning like the ESP. ESP rides better in rough water also, no comparison. In saying that, I got a great deal on mine off the floor and I don't regret it, it's just not as good. If I were building a boat I'd easily pay the extra 4k for the ESP.

So far I really like the SHO 250. At certain rpm's it seems to run a little rough, not bad and I'm not sure why. There are some other SHO's on my lake and those owners seem to think that normal? Like I said, it's not bad just noticeable. I am under propped and hopefully will be fixing that in the next few days. Getting 44mph at 6200 rpm. Yesterday I had myself, my wife, two teenage girls and a 3 year old boy with a full tank of fuel with all the other extras. I still easily got 6100 rpm's at about 43mph. I can definitely pitch up. I am thinking with the Enertia prop I should easily hit 47mph.

The Simtex material is a big hit so far. My color is Graphite and it hasn't even gotten warm, BUT it hasn't been that hot here.

I love the Bennington Vivid UX displays. My only gripe is Sirius XM is supposed to be plug and play and it isn't. At least not for me and some other people I've seen complaining about it. So far I love my electric bimini, no more stopping to mess around with it coming on and off my covered lift.

Anyway, so far all around experience has been great. I'll update on my prop change out and how the Simtex is in hot weather. I haven't had a really rough day yet for the SPS either.

Thanks
 
Awesome! Glad the new boat is overall a success. Nice write up! Enjoy the summer on it.

FYI, I think you are right about propping up and going with an Enertia if top end performance is the goal.
 
Thank you for all the details! Great to have this true ESP vs SPS comparison.
 
Update: Today I installed the Enertia prop. I got 5800 rpm and 48mph with myself, full tank of fuel and extras on board. I then had 3 grown men over 200lbs and all the extras with almost full tank of gas, got 46mph bounced of 47mph at 5790 rpm. It was windy and not flat water. I think I am happy with it but will monitor my results with different loads.
 
Awesome! Glad the new boat is overall a success. Nice write up! Enjoy the summer on it.

FYI, I think you are right about propping up and going with an Enertia if top end performance is the goal.
Yes. Another goal of mine is not having to back off the throttle because I'm over revving. I don't want to have to think about that when I hammer down. My last boat with a Verado I had it propped right near top rpm range but never had to worry about going over it.
 
Update: Today I installed the Enertia prop. I got 5800 rpm and 48mph with myself, full tank of fuel and extras on board. I then had 3 grown men over 200lbs and all the extras with almost full tank of gas, got 46mph bounced of 47mph at 5790 rpm. It was windy and not flat water. I think I am happy with it but will monitor my results with different loads.

What pitch Enertia?

Also what motor height? If you're in the lowest position you should be able to hit 50 by raising it some.
 
What pitch Enertia?

Also what motor height? If you're in the lowest position you should be able to hit 50 by raising it some.
I went with the 17 pitch. I'm not sure what diameter the Enertia is, 14.5? I have my engine up 1 hole from the bottom, my last boat (Mercury Verado) I had up 2 holes.
 
I ran some numbers on performance from my last ride. I had 2 adults in boat, a couple coolers, 70% fuel and all other normal items on boat. I got 47 mph at 5730 rpm. I trimmed up even more and got 5800 rpm but no speed change. The slip calculator says I am at 11 for prop slip. This is with the Mercury Enertia 17P prop. With the Yamaha prop SW series ll 15 dia and 15 3/4 my slip was 17. Not sure if I can do better with a different prop. I think I'm close to as good as I can get.
 
How does that speed compare to your former 2015 2375 RCW ESP with Verado 250?
 
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