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Questions before placing order of our new Bennington

Most of the dealers in my area rave about the Verado as superior to the SHO.  They say its quieter, but with better overall performance.  However, I do not know anyone who has had both that can speak support or refute that claim. May be true.  Might just be their sales pitch since that's what they sell and service.  


I do like that Mercury is American made, so that appeals to me.  That said, it wouldn't be my only determining factor, as noise, performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency would also be key factors.


Everyone I know, if they have one or the other, likes their motor.  I don't think you go wrong with either one.  Our new boat is going to have the Verado, but that is ONLY because that is what our preferred local dealer specializes in and services (and we really like them and their services).  IF they specialized in the SHO instead, I'd be comfortable getting it.  


Frankly, I would get a Honda if my dealer specialized in them.  I think they are better over all in terms of being quiet, dependable, and fuel efficient for their power output.  However, my dealer doesn't even work on them, so they are out.
 
Hello Todd and welcome to the family. Sounds like a real nice build you have going. Cant wait to see pics. You cant go wrong with Bennington no matter what model. That being said we often consider trading for a Q (love the look). We love the Blackout edition and the led side/underwater lighting. We also plan on a second bimini this year. I have the Evinrude E-Tec 250 and even though I get 49 mph with 4 passengers, 57 gallons of fuel and gear If I had it to again I would go with the biggest motor possible. Our boat has plenty of torque and pulls skiers and tubes no problem. I am just one of those guys that likes to go fast and want as much  power as possible...just in case! I would also second the suggestion of the elevated helm. Stainless rub rail is also a must in my opinion. I do not have the Shark Hyde however I am a fanatic about wiping the boat down after every use so ours still looks    amazing.  I did not see what flooring you decided on in your post.
 
Landscaper2009 said:
! I would also second the suggestion of the elevated helm. Stainless rub rail is also a must in my opinion. I do not have the Shark Hyde however I am a fanatic about wiping the boat down after every use so ours still looks    amazing.  I did not see what flooring you decided on in your post.
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I definitely will have the elevated helm, my last toon didn't. We are going with the seagrass flooring, there's flooring we like the looks of better but we love the way the seagrass feels and it seems to be much cooler to our feet than some of the other floorings we've been on.
 
As of now we're down to this:


Model is 23RSB or 25RSB or 25QSB all with ESP package


Engine is Mercury Verado 250 or 300


Exterior Sunset Red with No Accent stripe and Blackout Package (this combo may change but it's first choice for now)


Canvas Sunset Red


Bimini curved double


Upholstery Driftwood with sandstone accent


Trim accent Graywood


Stainless corvine steering wheel


Elevated Helm


Stereo Remote


Simrad gps (which we don't even need but that's the only one offered)


Full Seagrass flooring


Dual battery


In floor storage


RGB cupholder lighting


RGB side lighting


Stainless Rub rail


52" Ski pylon
 
Nice! Very nice!!
 
That's a nice build.  The other items that I would consider would be underwater lighting and Sharkhide
 
Link said:
That's a nice build.  The other items that I would consider would be underwater lighting and Sharkhide
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We may add both, I've heard the underwater lighting isn't very good, is that true?
 
Hey Todd My dealer has told me that Blackout Package is actually painted rails and when scratched will show the aluminum color through the black. Check it out. Good luck with your new boat !


Jeff
 
Water clarity and LED lumens would be your variables.  How bright can you afford to make the water.  I added them myself, they can get pricey.
 
ILLINOIS AVE said:
Hey Todd My dealer has told me that Blackout Package is actually painted rails and when scratched will show the aluminum color through the black. Check it out. Good luck with your new boat !


Jeff
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I've been told it was powder coated and also heard painted. My concern is with it scratching and chipping over the years. Can anyone verify if its paint or powdercoat?
 
Todd said:
I've been told it was powder coated and also heard painted. My concern is with it scratching and chipping over the years. Can anyone verify if its paint or powdercoat?
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My understanding is that the blackout edition railings ARE NOT powder coated, or simply painted on.  My understanding is that the blackout edition is ANODIZED black aluminum, which stands up better against ware and tare over time .  Anodized black aluminum is achieved through an electro-chemical process: basically the metal itself is turned black.  Thus, scratches should not show through at all.  If you scratch black anodized aluminum, what shows "inside" the scratch should be black aluminum...not silver aluminum.


Also, I would just reiterate, if there is any chance you will have people sitting or laying out in the rear of the swingback boat, you will want to add in the Stainless Steel Swingback Rail Keeper option for $747, or you likely wont be legal on the water.  However, if you know 100% you will never have anyone back there while underway, then no worries on adding this option unless you like the look of it asthetically.  
 
Previous threads have commented blackout is black anodized. Not painted, nor powder coated.


From build site: Take your Bennington stealth mode with our Blackout styling package. Choose your favorite panel color under a Black anodized rail system. Smoke Chrome logos and Vapor Graphics complete the exterior look while Graywood accents come together throughout the interior to give the boat a striking luxury sport car feel. Refined finishing touches include blacked out hardware (where applicable) and a black anodized or powder coated bimini top.
 
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Thanks for that info, I had read somewhere that it was anodized but wasn't sure. 
 
Anodizing is still only a process on the outer surface. A deep scratch can penetrate through to the aluminum substrate. It's tougher than paint or powdercoat, but still has potential for damaging scratches. 
 
SemperFi, does it take a really deep scratch to get through to the aluminum substrate underneath?  My gut tells me it would have to be a heck of an accident to gauge into it enough to show, and that any normal wear and tare scratches wouldn't get through to it.  Does that sound about right, or am I being too optimistic about the aesthetic benefits of it being anodized?  
 
I would say it would are abuse better than paint or powdercoat. Anodizing actually penetrates into the surface of the aluminum vs. just covering the surface. I would say, as careful as we are with our boat, I don't think I'd scratch it deep enough to damage it. Our existing toon is 5 years old and looks brand new. If it weren't for the carpet and needing the extended aft deck, I really debated on spending money on converting it to a RCW. 2 side panels, rear loungers and forward facing co captain lounger, and we'd have what we need. 


Here's a pretty good read on it. http://www.omwcorp.com/understandingano/anoindex.html
 
Todd said:
We may add both, I've heard the underwater lighting isn't very good, is that true?
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Todd, while I will agree that I much prefer the sidelights over the underwater lighting I am still glad I have it.  I like looking at the water being pushed off the front of the toons and it glows.  I have been considering adding some additional lights to further enhance the power of the underwater.  I believe that you will only get the little platform that supports the underwater lights n both toons only if you order the underwater lights
 
Link said:
I believe that you will only get the little platform that supports the underwater lights n both toons only if you order the underwater lights
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You can have the dealer request on order to have the bracket added at factory. I had it added to mine. It cost me less than $100. 
 
I'm fairly familiar with anodized aluminum so that makes me feel better to know that's what the rails are done with. It does hold up much better than paint or powdercoat but it can still be scratched just not as easily as othe coatings. 
 
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