I had a thread titled, “I have a build date/week!!!” but since the boat arrived I thought I’d start a new thread.
If you didn’t read any of the other thread, on June 21st we ordered a 22 GSRFB with the new Mercury V6 200hp. It's our 3rd new pontoon and my 13th boat. We are on LOTO and have very rough water, so went with the ESP hull and bow wave tamer to get every advantage in the rough water. It's white w/blk accent and the blackout pkg with the SS rub rail. I ordered the SS ladder, because it goes well with the SS rub rail, SS dock lights and the SS gate on the back of the FB's. We skipped the amp, but did get the upgraded Kicker KMC10 stereo. The interior is the R series captains chairs with the Pillowtop Diamond Stitch Upholstery in driftwood with carbon inserts.
The boat sits on a lift in front of the house, so we go for rides or use water toys off the dock, not all day outings. Because of this we skipped the in floor storage. I also would have rather had the 250hp, but skipping those last two things let us get the ESP hull and we thought that was more important.
Unfortunately the boat has been at the dealer for a few weeks waiting on the engine from Mercury. After a few delayed delivery dates the engine was built on Oct. 3rd, shipped on the 5th, and arrived at the dealer on the 10th. We’ve had some rain, so I didn’t take delivery until yesterday. It was totally worth the wait! Didn't have a good camera with me, but here are a few cell phone pics.
Everything with the delivery went great; the boat looks fantastic, we’re very happy with our dealer, all our decisions and option selections. The fit and finish is better than the high expectations I had for it. Bennington builds a boat that is sure way above the rest I looked at.
Unlike summer, at this time of the year especially during the week things are very quiet on the lake and even in those conditions this engine is so quiet! At idle you can’t even tell its running unless you focus on it. At speed you do have to talk louder to a passenger, but not because of the engine noise only because of the wind noise. The instant power (torque) of this engine is amazing. I was warned to brace my hand against the side rail while changing throttle positions, so I could make only minor changes. Boy were they right, a tiny throttle movement gives you a burst of power that will catch you off guard if you're not ready for it. While going 30mph I can snap people’s heads back if I I accelerate hard.
With the new Mercury break in procedures you do a full throttle run for 1 min, every 10 minutes. So with only 1 hour on the engine, 50 gal of fuel, two people (should be 3, cause I should count as 2 ) I'm getting a GPS reading of 40mph at 5800 rpm with a 14P Enertia Prop. I was convinced a 14P was way too low, but the dealer stood firm telling me Bennington and Mercury had this combo tested and it was correct. So far, unless I gain more rpm after break-in it looks like they were right on the prop. I’m right on the top end of the rpm range with only 4% slip!!!!! I’ve owned 100mph lightweight tunnel hulls that were very efficient at 9% slip. 4% slip is unreal to me.
I've had SmartCraft gauges before and I love them. The information comes straight from the engines computer; even things you usually don't have like oil temp, oil pressure and fuel usage are available on the gauges.
The negatives for me so far are the power steering pump whine is a little noisy under the helm at slow speeds. It’s not terrible and I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I also wasn’t a fan of the new G helm, but after a few rides it’s growing on me. I do wish the boat had more small storage places for passengers. A place to store things like sunglasses, wallets, suntan lotion etc. I’d also like to see more USB ports. I hate the kids always on their phone, but the driver isn’t the only one that needs to charge their phone on the go.
I can’t speak to the ESP hull in rough water yet, maybe this weekend if the weather is good we will get some boat traffic and rough water to test it out. (Boy, I never wished for rough water before.) In smooth water the hull is quiet, smooth, planes at a very low speed and turns very sharp while staying on a plane.
After a fill up (ouch) and long ride, we took it home.
My dock is older, so the roof is a little low and the slip isn't a wide as I'd like. It's a tight fit, but it works. I just have to have the top down and take it slow when docking.
The space age look of the new Mercury's takes a little getting used too, but it's growing on me. I love how the black matches the boat.
Sorry for the long winded post and I realize I sound like commercial for Bennington and Mercury, but that’s how impressed I am with this boat.
Hopefully we will have some more nice fall weather to enjoy the boat before the snow falls.
Now Bennington about those heated seats.
If you didn’t read any of the other thread, on June 21st we ordered a 22 GSRFB with the new Mercury V6 200hp. It's our 3rd new pontoon and my 13th boat. We are on LOTO and have very rough water, so went with the ESP hull and bow wave tamer to get every advantage in the rough water. It's white w/blk accent and the blackout pkg with the SS rub rail. I ordered the SS ladder, because it goes well with the SS rub rail, SS dock lights and the SS gate on the back of the FB's. We skipped the amp, but did get the upgraded Kicker KMC10 stereo. The interior is the R series captains chairs with the Pillowtop Diamond Stitch Upholstery in driftwood with carbon inserts.
The boat sits on a lift in front of the house, so we go for rides or use water toys off the dock, not all day outings. Because of this we skipped the in floor storage. I also would have rather had the 250hp, but skipping those last two things let us get the ESP hull and we thought that was more important.
Unfortunately the boat has been at the dealer for a few weeks waiting on the engine from Mercury. After a few delayed delivery dates the engine was built on Oct. 3rd, shipped on the 5th, and arrived at the dealer on the 10th. We’ve had some rain, so I didn’t take delivery until yesterday. It was totally worth the wait! Didn't have a good camera with me, but here are a few cell phone pics.
Everything with the delivery went great; the boat looks fantastic, we’re very happy with our dealer, all our decisions and option selections. The fit and finish is better than the high expectations I had for it. Bennington builds a boat that is sure way above the rest I looked at.
Unlike summer, at this time of the year especially during the week things are very quiet on the lake and even in those conditions this engine is so quiet! At idle you can’t even tell its running unless you focus on it. At speed you do have to talk louder to a passenger, but not because of the engine noise only because of the wind noise. The instant power (torque) of this engine is amazing. I was warned to brace my hand against the side rail while changing throttle positions, so I could make only minor changes. Boy were they right, a tiny throttle movement gives you a burst of power that will catch you off guard if you're not ready for it. While going 30mph I can snap people’s heads back if I I accelerate hard.
With the new Mercury break in procedures you do a full throttle run for 1 min, every 10 minutes. So with only 1 hour on the engine, 50 gal of fuel, two people (should be 3, cause I should count as 2 ) I'm getting a GPS reading of 40mph at 5800 rpm with a 14P Enertia Prop. I was convinced a 14P was way too low, but the dealer stood firm telling me Bennington and Mercury had this combo tested and it was correct. So far, unless I gain more rpm after break-in it looks like they were right on the prop. I’m right on the top end of the rpm range with only 4% slip!!!!! I’ve owned 100mph lightweight tunnel hulls that were very efficient at 9% slip. 4% slip is unreal to me.
I've had SmartCraft gauges before and I love them. The information comes straight from the engines computer; even things you usually don't have like oil temp, oil pressure and fuel usage are available on the gauges.
The negatives for me so far are the power steering pump whine is a little noisy under the helm at slow speeds. It’s not terrible and I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I also wasn’t a fan of the new G helm, but after a few rides it’s growing on me. I do wish the boat had more small storage places for passengers. A place to store things like sunglasses, wallets, suntan lotion etc. I’d also like to see more USB ports. I hate the kids always on their phone, but the driver isn’t the only one that needs to charge their phone on the go.
I can’t speak to the ESP hull in rough water yet, maybe this weekend if the weather is good we will get some boat traffic and rough water to test it out. (Boy, I never wished for rough water before.) In smooth water the hull is quiet, smooth, planes at a very low speed and turns very sharp while staying on a plane.
After a fill up (ouch) and long ride, we took it home.
My dock is older, so the roof is a little low and the slip isn't a wide as I'd like. It's a tight fit, but it works. I just have to have the top down and take it slow when docking.
The space age look of the new Mercury's takes a little getting used too, but it's growing on me. I love how the black matches the boat.
Sorry for the long winded post and I realize I sound like commercial for Bennington and Mercury, but that’s how impressed I am with this boat.
Hopefully we will have some more nice fall weather to enjoy the boat before the snow falls.
Now Bennington about those heated seats.