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Took the plunge, Ordered a 21SLX SPS 150hp (w/a couple questions)

OnTheLake

OnTheLake

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Hi all, this is my first post, First off I would like to say thank you for all the information you've provided on this forum. It helped me greatly when checking all the boxes on the ordering form.

After months of research we decided a Bennington was our toon of choice. This weekend my wife and I went to Wood's Surfside Marina on Logan Martin lake in Alabama. The salesmen Mark was very helpful and a pleasure to negotiate with. So we placed an order on a new 21SLX SPS with a Yamaha 150hp. So far, I will recommend others to pay them a visit when shopping for a new pontoon.

I have a couple questions for the club: Bennington is currently transitioning to the newly designed Yamaha F150B. My dealer said he would send a request to the factory to obtain the F150B but he could not guarantee if I would receive a F150A or F150B. I have mixed feelings about which outboard I would prefer because there are pros and cons to both. Yamaha is offering two additional years for warranty for the F150A for free. On the other hand, the F150B is the latest and greatest and will become the recognized look of the "current version" of the F150 for years to come (improved resale comes to mind if you have a newer looking outboard). I could buy an additional two years of warranty for the F150B but at a cost...

1. If you were in this situation and had a choice, which outboard would you choose? 

2. Is it true, the dealer has minimal control on which version outboard Bennington orders with the pontoon?  

Oh and this is the list of options we ordered for our Tritoon:

  • Panel Color: Panel Midnight Black
  • Panel Accent: Accent Panel Champagne
  • Canvas: Canvas Midnight Black
  • Base Vinyl: Sandstone Soft-Touch
  • Graphic: Crystal Cap Logos
  • 150 HP 4 STROKE 25"
  • Sport Performance System with Transom Fuel 21 S
  • Battery - Single Switch
  • In-Floor Storage (3 tubes)
  • Solid Keel (3 tubes)
  • Steering - Sea Star Hydraulic with Tilt
  • Underdeck Wave Shield (18/20)
  • (NEW) Bow Gate Seat SX
  • Cupholder - Portable (2)
  • Furniture Interior Accent Monochrome
  • Maple Matte Rectangle Bow Table
  • Maple Matte Trapezoid Table, Delete Standard Table
  • Recliner - G Series Helm Chair Upgrade
  • Trim Accent Maple Matte
  • (NEW) Designer Vinyl Full Flooring 20/21 FT
  • 4 Step Stainless Steel Ladder Upgrade
  • Extended Aft Deck
  • (NEW) Kicker Speaker Upgrade
  • Custom Wheel Upgrade with Maple Matte Accents and Etched Center Cap
  • Livewell - Starboard Bench Seat
  • Mooring/Seat Cover Quick Clip
  • Heavy Duty Rub Rail 
  • Privacy Enclosure with Frame and Curtain
  • Ski Tow Bar (Extended Aft Deck with Rub Rail)
 
Welcome aboard. We got the almost identical boat late last summer. We love it.

We have the Yammie 150A. Sorry, I don't know anything about the 150B to help you decide if it is worth the discussion with the dealer.

Enjoy.
 
Congrats and welcome. Sounds like one sweet toon. I wasn't aware the 150 had a refresh (It needed a facelift in my opinion). I have the f200 and think it looks sharp. I guess I'll have to head over to yamaha's site and check out the b.  
 
Welcome and Congratulations 

I am surprised that Bennington with all the Yamaha Motors sold yearly are unable to guarantee

which 150 would be installed after requested and ordered by the customer. 

Next be sure to take pics when you get your boat.

117997376.jpg
 
That is or should be a dealer issue with Yamaha, unless the engine is mounted at the factory which I didn't think they were, only pre-rigged for which brand of engine that is installed at the dealer.

The dealer orders direct from Yamaha in most cases so Bennington should have nothing to do wit this issue in particular from what I now, but I could be wrong.................................just don't let my wife know I admitted that. :p
 
Wild and Free said:
That is or should be a dealer issue with Yamaha, unless the engine is mounted at the factory which I didn't think they were, only pre-rigged for which brand of engine that is installed at the dealer.

The dealer orders direct from Yamaha in most cases so Bennington should have nothing to do wit this issue in particular from what I now, but I could be wrong.................................just don't let my wife know I admitted that. :p
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I'm told by my dealer, they buy Yamaha outboards through Bennington to benefit from Bennington's volume discounts. The pontoon and outboard ships separately to the dealer.      
 
prd2hnt said:
Welcome aboard. We got the almost identical boat late last summer. We love it.

We have the Yammie 150A. Sorry, I don't know anything about the 150B to help you decide if it is worth the discussion with the dealer.

Enjoy.
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Thanks prd2hnt! That's cool to know someone has a similar config.

How does she perform on the water? Is there anything you would change if you could? (I have a small window of opportunity to make changes if needed). 
 
Congrats and welcome to the zoo!     :p
 
You could order the new SHO 150 (now available in a 25" shaft) if you want to be sure you are getting the new motor :)
 
She runs great. I have not had her on a big lake yet. Only the muddy MO.

I wish I had the in floor storage that you got. We bought ours off the sales floor.

We did just order the bow filler seat. Haven't gotten this yet.

I am going to think about the power assist on the steering. I have the hydraulics now.  Until I get some hours on it, I am going to wait and see.

I did add a second battery as we like our music and I don't want to be stranded anywhere.

I really wouldn't change anything at this point. In all honesty though, we only have probably 20 or so hours on her.

I am trying to convince the Admiral it's warm enough to be on the water. No luck so far.

When do you get yours?

Shoot me a question any time.

Brian
 
Welcome and congrats
 
Tough call. I'd put a lot of weight on the extra warranty for free. Repairs can be expensive, although rare. Another thing to consider is if you ever trade up on the boat whether you will keep the 150. If so, you may have it a long time, long enough that the resale difference won't be much. And you get the extended warranty for free. If you think you'd trade up on both boat and motor, get the new one and maybe not pay for the extra warranty since you may not have it that long. The 150 is all most people will ever NEED, although you may WANT more.

Prd2hnt - water that's liquid is warm enough!!! Just dont go as fast. Nothing wrong with bundling up and being on a boat. You don't always have to be nearly naked to go boating! Although....
 
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prd2hnt said:
She runs great. I have not had her on a big lake yet. Only the muddy MO.

I wish I had the in floor storage that you got. We bought ours off the sales floor.

We did just order the bow filler seat. Haven't gotten this yet.

I am going to think about the power assist on the steering. I have the hydraulics now.  Until I get some hours on it, I am going to wait and see.

I did add a second battery as we like our music and I don't want to be stranded anywhere.

I really wouldn't change anything at this point. In all honesty though, we only have probably 20 or so hours on her.

I am trying to convince the Admiral it's warm enough to be on the water. No luck so far.

When do you get yours?

Shoot me a question any time.

Brian
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Thanks for your input. I will also install a second battery with subwoofer. I love my music too.

I'm going to hold off on the power steering until I get enough seat time also.

It has been in the 70's down here. I sold my old Bass buggy a couple weeks ago and now we are having toon withdraws.

We should get our new toon by the first week of May. So excited!
 
kaydano said:
Tough call. I'd put a lot of weight on the extra warranty for free. Repairs can be expensive, although rare. Another thing to consider is if you ever trade up on the boat whether you will keep the 150. If so, you may have it a long time, long enough that the resale difference won't be much. And you get the extended warranty for free. If you think you'd trade up on both boat and motor, get the new one and maybe not pay for the extra warranty since you may not have it that long. The 150 is all most people will ever NEED, although you may WANT more.

Prd2hnt - water that's liquid is warm enough!!! Just dont go as fast. Nothing wrong with bundling up and being on a boat. You don't always have to be nearly naked to go boating! Although....
Click to expand...
Yep. Tough call. My plan is to keep the pontoon and outboard for a long time.

I couldn't help but notice in every thread I've read here saying "buy your last pontoon first" so I've pretty much added every option that I think I would ever want.
 
OnTheLake, what prop are you putting on the 150?
 
prd2hnt said:
OnTheLake, what prop are you putting on the 150?
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Funny you should ask. I was about to send you a message to ask what size prop is on yours. I'm on the fence about getting aluminum or SS. My lake is deep so it is unlikely I'll hit the prop on rocks or the bottom of the lake. I also really don't need too much top-end speed because our lake speed limit is 35mph. 
 
Given those parameters, aluminum should be fine then. I went with the Reliance SS. We do boat in rocky areas, and I'll admit it, I like to go fast.

So I hate to bring it up, given the speed limit, is the 150 worth the money? Don't get me wrong, I am one of the guys who says by the biggest motor your boat will take.

Brian
 
prd2hnt said:
Given those parameters, aluminum should be fine then. I went with the Reliance SS. We do boat in rocky areas, and I'll admit it, I like to go fast.

So I hate to bring it up, given the speed limit, is the 150 worth the money? Don't get me wrong, I am one of the guys who says by the biggest motor your boat will take.

Brian
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It's not so much the top speed, rather the 150 provides a lot more torque and load carrying capability than the 115 or 90.
 
Yep and is why I am getting the 150hp. I want the torque for tubing and skiing. I'm thinking I may prop it for hole-shot or a happy medium versus top speed.
 
Go with the Reliance. Can't go wrong.
 
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