Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I know, not another one of these posts. I have been following this forum and have reached the end of the internet while researching new pontoons. I have narrowed my choices down to:

2015 Bennington 24SSRX30 with 115hp Yamaha
2015 Sylvan Mirage 8522 LZ LES with 115hp Mercury (no RPT tubes)

Both are similarly equipped including full seagrass flooring and ski bars. They are priced very close, the Benny is $700.00 more.

The small details on the Sylvan seem better to me. Such as recessed cup holders in seats, more speakers, speaker location, recessed seat bases, nicer helm.

However, the Benningtons are very popular around here.

Anyone care to push me one way or the other?

I love the looks off the 2015 sylvans, nice in and out. I would think the price would be further apart. nothing against the sylvan but for the difference in price it would be hard not to go with the Benny.

I hear what you are saying about the price point. Is the Bennington better? The Sylvan has better attention to details. Also, the Bennington is 24" on center vs 16" for the Sylvan.

Bennington has capitalized the name and image of the pontoon world as Harley has in motorcycles. Both are recognized quality products and their competitors can and do sometimes produce a superior product but it will still be looked down upon because it fails to have the right trademark embossed upon it.

That is a very good analogy.

Go with your gut feeling.... Sometimes the Name isn't everything........

Enjoy your new Toon

I think I will go with the Sylvan. A guy can only research so long. Eventually ya just have to pick one.

The wife and kids really like the Sylvan. Generally the wife is always right.

zoraduntov wrote:I hear what you are saying about the price point. Is the Bennington better? The Sylvan has better attention to details. Also, the Bennington is 24" on center vs 16" for the Sylvan.

Sorry, but the S series Bennington's are 24" on center from the steering wheel to the bow. They're 16" on the back half. Out of all the hard waves I've experienced, my boat's bow is completely solid--never any sign of flexing. And because their weight is a little lighter on the front end, they're relatively fast.

Many pontoon/tritoon buyers go Bennington for the incredible number of inventive floorplans that suit every boater's needs, a 7 year warranty and the top resale value in the pontoon industry.

Sorry?

So the "innovative" Bennington has the exact same floor plan but fewer crossmembers. Which makes it faster? Think how fast a pontoon could be with 30" spacing.

Thanks, I will try to fit that convoluted logic into my decision process.

are you sure about sylvan being 16 on center? I was looking at them in the fall,I could be wrong of course. there weren't many companies that were. I don't own a benny and not pushing them. there are a few builders that go 16 till mid point then 24 bow, I don't believe it's to save money I think they found better performance from there particular set up. just as some companies go with 6 strakes some 4 & some 2. good luck.

sorry me again, we almost bought the sylvan with 27" rpt tri-toon. that thing was a monster I loved it, but after all options I wanted it was about 5k higher than I "wife" wanted to go. I didn't like the base seats or helm but your right about the upgraded versions, awsome seats.

You could get the boat and add some of the options later and not necessarily from the dealer.

Keep in mind that your expenses will add up even after bringing the boat home.

I have learned after having several different boats that get what you want not what someone tells you to. You are buying it and paying for it. Everyone has their opion on what is the best. Me the best for the buck is what I have after looking at all the toons in the area. I got everything I wanted and the price I wanted. So it was a deal to me. Just one thing get the most motor you can afford and that the toon can handle. May not need the power now but it is there if you do. Good luck and enjoy

Are lifting strakes helpful with a 115 hp motor?

We love our Sylvan. Great build quality!