New boat - Bennington or Bentley?

[Bamaman]

Sorry, Rob. You didn't let us know you were in Canada.

You're driving past the largest pontoon boat dealer in the World to get to Minneapolis--T&M Marine in Grand Rapids, MN. (http://tandmmarine.com) They're a Tahoe/Avalon dealer, and keep between 200 and 500 boats in stock. They also make advantageous purchases from the manufacturers when they have dealerships go out of business. And Tahoes and Avalon are of the quality of a Bennington, Premier, Harris or Manitou.

I just hope you'll be satisfied with a 20' boat with a 50 hp motor. We certainly don't want you to be back before year end saying you wished you'd followed our advice.

[playcat]

Bama has an excellent point...I sold boats at a huge shop and my best deals were times we bought another dealer's unsold new inventory. We could sell a brand new never titled boat for 60% of MSRP new - sure it was last years model, but it still was a new boat with a new boat warranty for teh price of a 5 year old used toon.

Check that dealer's inventory and be prepared to get that deposit back!!!

[ROLAND]

Rob... if you bought want you wanted then congratulations on the new toon.... I'm one of those that thinks ( and this is just my opinion ) you should put as big a motor on the back end of that toon as both your budget and the boat will allow... My boat is only rated for up to a 75 hp motor.. that's what I've got... and to be honest, for what we use the boat for, that's plenty of motor... but there have been a few times I would like to drop the hammer and at least roll up into the low 30's..... but like I said earlier... if you're just going to use your boat for fishing or leisurely cruising like we do.. you'll be fine with your rig... again, congratulations...

[Bryden24shp]

Robster You Devil!
Rob28, Do what you feel is best and will make you happy. They are all nice, all have good and bad points. Now if you were choosing between Premier and Manitou, as a proud Premier owner, I would say.....................
...........................Manitou! But your not, so I won't.

[Capt Sully]

A quick update....
Neither of the mentioned boats won out.
There was no negotiation at all on the Bennington - the price is it. Take it or leave it. We left it as it was above our upper threshold.
The Bentley did come down a bit and tried to meet us - but again, it was still too much.

So, a deposit has been placed on a new Sylvan Mirage 8520 Cruise LE down south of the border in Minneapolis. We've like the layout of this boat since we first saw one - for a 20 footer, it's very spacious. Plus the deal is saving us over $3000 so hard to say no.
Just got to arrange a time to drive down and pick it up (about 18hr round trip).

Yes, it's only a 20ft. Yes it's only got a 50 BF Merc. Yes the warranty crossing the border is a pain - but we're happy. We're getting our pontoon....

Great choice, because you liked it, you got a good deal and you wanted it, Thats all that counts. Enjoy your new toy.

[landlockedsailor]

Congrats on your new boat! When you get her home, post some pics! BTW, I used to canoe up in Canada. Gorgeous! Nowadays, I'm older. Screw the canoe, it's the pontoon life for me!

[Bamaman]

Well, Sailor: You could still be a canoeist. And Kentucky Lake would be a good lake to canoe the length of.

And it's a really beautiful lake.