Regency Bennington or Harris?

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ebackscheider
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2018 12:34 pm

Regency Bennington or Harris?

#1 Post by ebackscheider » Thu Aug 30, 2018 4:30 am

Hi Everyone, My wife and I are looking at Tritoons. 22-23 feet with 250 HP or more. The Regency drives a good price, but I'm worried about the long term. The Bennington (23RCL) is a BEAUTIFUL boat, but it's about $23K more than the Regency. Anyone with a Regency 220 le3 or 254 le3 for a few years want to weigh in on how it has held up? I've read all the posts I can find. I know the prop may not be right from the factory, but nothing other than "Look at my shiny new boat". Tracker had a bad rep for a long time, but has that changed? Also most are with a Merc Verado, any reason to avoid this? Is the Yamaha a lot better?

Our goal is a nice boat that we will tube and wakeboard with for many many years to come. It will be in a covered slip on a lift almost year round.


Thanks All!

captain28570
Posts: 85
Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2016 9:49 pm
Location: Baton Rouge LA

Re: Regency Bennington or Harris?

#2 Post by captain28570 » Thu Aug 30, 2018 7:34 pm

Most 22 to 23 footers will do well with a 150. Run close to 40 and cruise mid 20's to 30 mph easily.

To me a 250 is more useful on boats bigger than 23 foot.

Most people buying 22 or 23 footers aren't rigging a 250 on them. Because you can put a 250 on a 25 footer for a little more money.

So when you resale IMO you will have a harder time getting your money back out of a 22 or 23 footer with a 250.

My boat is 22 foot and runs over 40 with a 150. I can cruise mid 20's with most any loads.

Guy on here has a Benn 25 with a 150. Does close to 40.

I thought Regency was the BPS top of the line model. The pricing I saw on them was as much as high end boats.

Noway the Benn should be that much more than the Regency.
2017 22 Manitou Aurora LE SHP Tritoon Evinrude G2 HO 150

gmdfst
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2016 7:48 am
Location: Ashland NH

Re: Regency Bennington or Harris?

#3 Post by gmdfst » Mon Sep 03, 2018 6:02 am

I own a Regency 220Dl3 bought new in 2015 0 issues and great warranty
The boat is 25'4'" plus motor this is a very heavy boat well built solid boat I have the Verado 200 ho
Max speed 43 GPS with 2 adults (and a dog)
With 6 adults you'll drop to 37 mph I think the 250 hp option would be a better fit
When I was shopping this was the best value with all the options and about $20K less than the Bennington. I got and end of season price Boat Motor Trailer full cover $44500
Good luck with your new boat
2015 Regency 220DL3 Verado 200

ron nh
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Location: Litchfield New Hampshire

Re: Regency Bennington or Harris?

#4 Post by ron nh » Wed Sep 05, 2018 12:36 pm

For 23k difference I would buy the Regency in a second. Which series is the Bennington? S,G, R?
2015 Qwest LS 818XRE Tri-toon w/mercury 115.

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ROLAND
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Re: Regency Bennington or Harris?

#5 Post by ROLAND » Thu Sep 05, 2019 1:31 am

I own a smaller bennington and it's a very good boat.. but I wouldn't pay 23 grand more for a benny over the Regency... if the price difference was closer to 5K or so, that "might" make a difference, but 23K... I wouldn't do it.
Roland & Jo
2010 Bennington 20 Sfi
Yamaha 75 4 Stroke
Shreveport, Louisiana

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zoom650
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Re: Regency Bennington or Harris?

#6 Post by zoom650 » Thu Sep 05, 2019 8:13 am

I've got a 23 ft Harris. It was rated for 250. I wanted other options, like power steering and a double bimini, so going the 150 Verado route kept the budget in line. Does it run well with the 150, yes. Would more horses be more fun on a hull that can perform, oh yeah. Examine well the boat's fit and finish. I'm not sorry I spent a little more on the premium brand. I like being able to handle a choppy bay in dicey weather and bust through waves without the front fencing caving in.
Michael and Laura
'12 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew Ecoboost
'14 Harris Solstice 220, P3 tritoon, Mercury Verado 150, Enertia 14p.
prior boat: '02 Century 2600CC, twin Yamaha EFI 200's, full instruments.

Steiner
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Location: Lyman, SC

Re: Regency Bennington or Harris?

#7 Post by Steiner » Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:56 am

Just a quick note....
With the Yamaha, it's only a couple thou to jump from the F150 to the F200 (four cylinder 200)...but about double that amount to jump to the six cylinder.
Most of the time you've got that "$1000/10hp" rule.
I walked in set on an F150 but given the price difference couldn't pass up the F200, boat max was 225hp.

Looking up performance bulletins, I found a couple with identical tritoon and test conditions with the F150 and F200.
With identical props, the F200 was worth 6mph at each RPM test point while having identical or slightly better mpg in the mid range.
Only down side is the F150 is fine with regular but the F200 "recommends" midrange...i.e. you ain't getting the full 200hp with regular.
Not an issue if you fill up at the marina since they typically have rec 90 fuel, and we have a couple stations by the lake with rec 90 (I trailer and always top off on the way home).
2019 G3 SunCatcher V322 SS tritoon, Yamaha F200
2019 F-150 XLT SuperCrew FX4, 3.5L EcoBoost Max Trailer Tow Package

FogHorn
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Re: Regency Bennington or Harris?

#8 Post by FogHorn » Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:43 pm

Steiner wrote:
Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:56 am
Just a quick note....
With the Yamaha, it's only a couple thou to jump from the F150 to the F200 (four cylinder 200)...but about double that amount to jump to the six cylinder.
Most of the time you've got that "$1000/10hp" rule.
I walked in set on an F150 but given the price difference couldn't pass up the F200, boat max was 225hp.

Looking up performance bulletins, I found a couple with identical tritoon and test conditions with the F150 and F200.
With identical props, the F200 was worth 6mph at each RPM test point while having identical or slightly better mpg in the mid range.
Only down side is the F150 is fine with regular but the F200 "recommends" midrange...i.e. you ain't getting the full 200hp with regular.
Not an issue if you fill up at the marina since they typically have rec 90 fuel, and we have a couple stations by the lake with rec 90 (I trailer and always top off on the way home).

Is it possible the difference is in the tune-chip?
2015 SouthBay 522FRC w/ F150 Yamaha
1983 Conroy X18 w/ Volvo 125 I/O

Steiner
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Location: Lyman, SC

Re: Regency Bennington or Harris?

#9 Post by Steiner » Wed Sep 11, 2019 5:46 pm

FogHorn wrote:
Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:43 pm


Is it possible the difference is in the tune-chip?
The F200 gets variable cam timing for more mid-range, different ecu with more aggressive tune, and larger throttle body. It's 120lbs less than the V6 200 which in a car is worth 12hp heehee. There are tons of threads out there saying it's a weak 200 whereas the 150 is a strong 150 so the 200 is not worth it....maybe not on a repower but starting from scratch is a different story.
The proof is in the performance bulletins. I'm pretty happy with it but then I came from a Honda 90....

Looking at the current Yamaha list price sheet for 20" shaft models that I would've had the option on:
F150LB 2.7L mechanical controls $15,365
F150LCA 2.8L digital controls $16,130
F200LB 2.8L mechanical controls $18,690 - (I paid a little over $15k)
VF200LB 4.2L mechanical controls $20,545
VF225LA 4.2L mechanical controls $21,970 (I would have jumped to this to max out the boat but they didn't have any 4.2L in stock and I didn't want to wait)

Looking back I'm OK with staying with the 200 because comparing performance bulletins, the 225 gives a few more mph top end (and I figured it's dumb to buy a toon solely based on top end) but all the midrange RPM points are near identical speed and the 2.8L 200 gets 30-40% better fuel economy at cruise speed on a comparable boat vs the 4.2L......and believe it or not a tad better mpg than the 150 since it runs faster at the same RPM. I imagine if we loaded the boat down the 4.2L would shine but we try real hard not to make friends.
2019 G3 SunCatcher V322 SS tritoon, Yamaha F200
2019 F-150 XLT SuperCrew FX4, 3.5L EcoBoost Max Trailer Tow Package

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steve1313
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Re: Regency Bennington or Harris?

#10 Post by steve1313 » Sun Sep 15, 2019 2:59 am

The most important factor in your decision should be the quality of the dealer. Once you find the dealer that has the best service reputation and that you are comfortable with, buy a boat from there. All of the brands your considering will serve your needs with almost no difference while you are on the water. The difference will come when you need routine maintenance, repaIrs, or other help from your dealer.

I say it every time somebody asks a questions like yours...………… Pick the dealer, then pick the boat!
Steve
"Serendipity" - 2017 Sweetwater 2286 WB Tritoon w/ 150HP Yamaha
Slipped at Lake Anna, Virginia
Primary Residence: Richmond, Virgina
Lake House: Lake Anna, Virginia

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