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New Bennington Owner

Vikingstaff

Vikingstaff

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My wife and I just put in our order for our first pontoon boat for our new cottage.  It will come in this spring. We are so excited!  We cannot wait for summer to roll around (winter in northern Michigan isn't too condusive to boating :D ).  I read a tremendous amount on these forums in the months leading up to our order.  They played a major part in sticking with a Bennington boat, and influenced my thinking on some aspects of our order.  Thanks to everyone in this robust and helpful owners community!


Anyway, we got a very nice tritoon that was within our budget for watersports and cruising around Houghton Lake, Michigan with friends and family.  We ordered a nicely spec'd up 2017 24' SXP series tritoon, with a swingback style stern seating arrangement.  We went with the SPS package, and a 200hp Mercury Verado (max the S-series can handle).  Any words of wisdom and advice for a new Bennington owner with this layout Bennington?  Also extremely open to any advice, insights and thoughts about 200hp Mercury Verado outboard motors (we had wanted a Honda, but our local dealer doesn't sell or service Honda outboards so we went with what they specialize in: Mercury).  


Thanks everyone!  :)
 
 Vikingstaff, 


Winter is a tough season for those of us who enjoy water activities. But it is super tough when you are waiting for a new toy like you are. Congrats on the new Benny, you will love it. 


As far as the power plant is concerned I have had Mercs, and still do have a Merc on my fishing boat and they are great. We have a 150 hp Yamaha on our 22" SCWX and it is absolutely enough performance for what we enjoy which includes water sports.  200 ponies will be ++.


Now for the wait, it will go faster than you think.⚓️⚓️
 
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Welcome to the family! List out all your specs so we can talk you into upgrading to what we think you need :lol:  ...... 
 
Welcome Vikingstaff! It sounds like a very nice vessel you'll be tooling around HL with! I know there are a lot of Yamaha fans on this board, but I think you'll be extremely pleased by the Verado! My only recommendation is to buy a bunch of goggles and some seatbelts because that thing is going to fly!!


Be sure to post some pictures when you take delivery so I can recognize you next summer out on the lake. I've been boating HL for about 50 years so I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about it or the area. 


If you're not keeping your toon on a hoist, I'd recommend having Spicer's install screening on your transom to help prevent the muskrats from slipping in and destroying your engine lines. You might also want to consider getting a cover for your Verado. There's a canvas shop down in Florida that came highly recommended from another gentleman on this site. I am very happy with the one I ordered.
 
Oh, BTW, Go Green!
 
Thanks everyone.  I'll post my specs sometime soon SemperFi so I can get corrected on what I ordered...   :D   Good to meet you on here Michiman. Go White!  Thanks for the insight on HL.  Likely getting a hoist, so hopefully that will solve unwelcome mustkrat issues.  Down the road I'll figure out how to post pictures so I can post some of our boat when it comes in next spring.  Who knows, perhaps we'll cross paths on HL sometime.   :)
 
Congrats, you'll love it!
 
X2 on the Goggles. B)
 
Congratulations!!! Welcome aboard the best forum around. Definitely needs specs and pics when it shows up! I have a 24' S series with a 200 and it will impress you more than you think!
 
Exciting to hear this abkboater!  We debated about a 250hp ESP in the G series without any options v. the 200hp SPS in the S series with more options. Opted for the S series and excited to hear your endorsement.  
 
I was coming from a 19' bowrider and was concerned about not liking a pontoon boat, so I opted for the SSLX as my wife loved that floor plan and I figured if I like it that much I'll upgrade (PADS....You'll figure it out :lol: ) Less money up front for a boat I was unsure of even buying! Love this boat! Yes I still stare at the Yamaha Limited 242 as they cruise around but I'll tell you this....... No way I'd trade it for my Bennington now!!   
 
I have a 24s with a 200 Yamaha and love it! Pulls hard and banks like a mother. 
 
You have me that much more excited for spring and our new ride Lakeliving!  Exactly what we want in a Tritoon - some speed, pulling hard, and good banking!  I also see in your signature that you hit 43mph on your s-series and a 200hp Yamaha.  I hope we hit that too!   B)
 
43.8 I might add!!! You'll love it! 
 
Michiman said:
Oh, BTW, Go Green!
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Just noticed we are practically neighbors as we live in Haslett, it's our cottage that is up on H.L.  Nice to be around Spartan Country.   :D
 
Vikingstaff said:
Just noticed we are practically neighbors as we live in Haslett, it's our cottage that is up on H.L.  Nice to be around Spartan Country.   :D
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I can get even closer. EL here and we live just around the corner from the L&L Mobil station. Summer lake is Crystal Lake near Beulah.


I just retired from MSU after 26 years and plan to spend most of my time in Frankfort from this point on!
 
Vikingstaff said:
Just noticed we are practically neighbors as we live in Haslett, it's our cottage that is up on H.L.  Nice to be around Spartan Country.   :D
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Based on your screen name, I figured you might be a teacher at Haslett.
 
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