Harris FloteBote vs. Bennington.........

[MSUbb1]

Any opinions on Harris FloteBote vs Bennington? Interested in the 2 rear lounger set-up, and I've seen the Bennington model on display. I will be visiting a dealer that also carries FloteBote and it seems to have a similar floorplan. Perhaps all manufacturers do now, but I haven't had a chance to look up all of them. Our budget is probably somewhere around 30k or less, and in the 23' range. I think that we have narrowed the floorplan down, now I'm trying to gather info on what would be a nice quality boat in the price range.............

[Bamaman]

You couldn't go wrong with either brand. Bennington is a more dynamic, younger company that's the leader of the industry. Harris is a more conservative company that has a good dealer base. There are 6-8 other pontoon brands anyone would be proud to own.

You should try to buy from a dealership in your local market if possible. If you drive 100 miles to buy a boat, any warranty work or service will require 400 miles towing before it's over.

Now if you're only wanting to spend $30K, you may be on the lower end of either brand and with a smaller engine. You might have to go to a brand like Bentley. Every pontoon owner has different needs.

After the boating season was just over, I noticed that dealerships had 20' boats with 60-70 hp in stock. They also had 25' boats with 250 hp in stock--high dollar units. What really sells in our area are 22'-24' boats with 115 and 150 horsepower. Most of the 150 hp boats are tritoons.

I personally would only buy a boat with lifting strakes and a minimum 115 hp. Tritoons are also preferable, as they handle more loads (people) and take waves much better.

If you cannot bankroll a new boat that fully meets your needs, try to find one a year or two old on Craigslist.com, IBoats.com or Boattrader.com.

But as the owner of a new Bennington, I bought that brand because of their high level of customer service and a great dealership that orders boats like I like. My 24' tritoon w/150 hp Yamaha runs great, and tops out at 40 mph. The boat does anything I ask of it.

[MichaelB]

If I was buying, I'd go Bennington.

[Bamby]

The Benningtons have been given the nod of pontooning more or less the same way many folks rate beamers in the car world. Nothing wrong with beamers or Benningtons either for that matter. But folks perception of the name probably allows them to obtain a higher price than a comparable product built by the competition. Their are a lot of real nice quality pontoon boats available on the market. The trick is to find one fitted out to suit your lifestyle.

[Bamaman]

The difference is that entry level Beamers are cheaper than many Benningtons, or other premium pontoon boat lines.

[tms0425]

You're fairly close to the dealer I bought from, Dry Dock Marine, who sells both Bennington and Harris. I've owned several Harris boats, which are nice, but I ordered a new Bennington from them for spring. The GCW and RCW split rear layouts are great. Unfortunately, Manitou, which is locally made there doesn't have one available (yet).

[screwball]

It is just my wife and I, and sometimes the Grand Kids, so we bought a 'toon' that would fit in the garage off season. My 'sage' advise, find a boat that is just the right length, then buy one 2 feet longer, and option the largest engine the transom will support. You don't have to slam the throttle, but going 20 mph can get old real soon.

Good Luck, and Enjoy

[Mosnowman]

I purchased a new Harris last summer and have been very happy with it. I am a newb to boating so can't offer you comparative advice on the brands...just a happy satisfied Harris customer.

I would suggest a tritoon...mine came with a 150hp Verado. Super quiet powerful motor! Your budget is the same as mine was and we bought entry level Cruiser 240CX...Tritoon ...performance package and rough water package....right around the 30k price. Hope that helps..good luck!

[GrandpaGreg]

Have you checked out Berkshire pontoons?

They have several layouts with dual rear loungers.

When we bought our new boat this past July it was a toss-up between Berkshire and Bennington and we chose Berkshire.......both great products.

Berkshire are made by Berkshire/Forest River.

Have you seen this article as well?

http://articles.boattrader.com/top-10-p ... anufactur/

Good Luck with your purchase.

[curtiscapk]

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/3411147679.html

check this one out.

[Gonefishing]

Agree with above check out the berkshire, xcursion and southbay all are made by the same company and have the floor plan u are looking for. I just purchased the xcursion x23rfc great boat great price. the xcursion model has the best price I found. don't know why the 3 have different prices when they all look the same. My dealer told me it was depending on where the dealer is located as to what brand he carries. example my boat 23 foot 115 yamaha trailer with brakes lawrance elite 5 fish finder with gps color, rear fishing station fresh water tank with sink changing room many other options 31000.00 out the door

[jafo9]

harris vs. benny...

2 great boats. get the one that suits your needs and costs you the least. both are great boats. the only nod i would give here is if you were looking for a performance package. benny has had their ESP around for a while and it has a proven base of information. the harris performance package is only a year or two old. it may be great, but it doesn't have the "milage" of the benny's ESP.

[MSUbb1]

Wow - thanks for all of the responses! Now I have plenty to research in an attempt to start narrowing it down...............

[REPETE]

It is just my wife and I, and sometimes the Grand Kids, so we bought a 'toon' that would fit in the garage off season. My 'sage' advise, find a boat that is just the right length, then buy one 2 feet longer, and option the largest engine the transom will support. You don't have to slam the throttle, but going 20 mph can get old real soon.

Good Luck, and Enjoy

AMEN

[Mosnowman]

Msubb....I just noticed your sig....

We must be similiar thinkers...we started on a similiar track to buying a toon. We bought. 2011 Seadoo Limited 155 and after a full season on the Seadoo ...which we love...we decided to buy a toon. Have not looked back! Riding the Seadoo has gone way down...but we keep it mainly for our adult kids to ride. My only regret is that I am 53 and wished I would have done it when my kids were younger! Great family magnet for great times on the toon!

Good luck with your search!