Bennington Speedometer Problems

[Jake]

Since I'm new to boats, and I don't own a Benny, (or any boat yet) maybe I should stay out of this.... But here's my question... Is there a 'lemon law' on brand new boats, like, on cars? Seems like you've purchased something the dealership has demonstrated an inability to repair.

Edit:

Read this and take it to the dealer: http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/ho ... lemon-boat

I'm briefly looked into that but don't want to go down that road right now. A good friend of mine is an attorney and said he would help me if I make that decision. I just don't want to put that type of effort into something like this YET. However, It all depends on how Bennington responds in the next couple of months and my anger level at the time

Thanks for the link, I'm going to check it out.

[Jake]

The speedo is obviously junk if they have been unable to get a good one after so many attempts.

Bennington clearly didn't do their homework or testing on this component and needs to acknowledge what a huge expense and waste of time this has been for you trying to get it resolved.

Pitot (pressure) type speedos have been used for many years in tournament ski boats and can be very accurate.

Put whatever speedo you want on their and send Bennington the bill.

If they don't pay it, put it on the wall of shame around here somewhere.

They will pay - one way or another.

I'm sure they will eventually pay a price. I know there are plenty of busted speedo's out there. My dealer sold 3 or 4 2010 RLI's last year (small dealer) and two of them are having issues. Right now they seem to be weighing their warrenty costs over customer satisfaction and I (the customer) seems to be losing the battle since they won't replace it with their GPS. They keep trying to fix it and it works for a little while but has never made it thru a whole day. Even if they get it to work for a extended period of time I have zero confidence it will work thru the warrenty period. Oh yeah, the warrenty rep told me it's a "supplier issue" and not their fault........what a bunch of bs !!

[Jake]

Jake, I'm really sorry to read about your issues with the speedo. I know this will be of no help, but yesterday evening I took along my Garmin GPS for my car to see how far the boat speedo was off from the GPS. In the "View Map" mode it will give speed and direction. The differences in speed readings between the GPS and the speedometer were less than 1 mph from 1,000 through 4,000 rpm. I think someone said on this thread that Bennington equipped their 2011 models with a GPS speedometer. I know that there is an option for a Depth finder/GPS, but I don't remember reading anything about the speedo being GPS enabled.
Your ongoing issues with Bennington give me cause for concern. Bennington has been one of the top rated pontoons by JD Power and Associates for customer satisfaction. Maybe if you were to find their web site and send them an email it would get back to Bennington.
Again, this is of no particular help, but after I got used to my 99 Four Winns, I hardly ever looked at the speed. I relied on the tach and could get the boat up on plane and feather the throttle without ever looking at the speedometer. I intend to try and do the same with this boat.

I've spoken directly to no all responsible parties at Bennington with no luck. I've quoted some of their comments in previous responses in this forum. I recieved the customer satifaction survey the other day and filled it out last night. I'm sure nothing will come of it except (we'll try again") I've already spoken to the person who signed the letter that came with the survey at least 3 times last year. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I will have to fix it myself with one of the aftermarket analog GPS units, not because I need it, but because I can't stand the busted speedo staring me in the face every time I use the boat. Benningtons lack of concern for my inconvience is why I even put any more time into this issue. Thank you for your response.

[Jake]

My Malibu Wakeboard boat had dual pitot speedo pickups that worked very well for reading speeds, but I desperately wanted to upgrade it to a paddle wheel driven perfect pass type cruise control system for consistent pulling speeds when wakeboarding. After a ton of research, I decided to pass on the almost $1000 upgrade as both manufacturers of the systems knew there was turbulence problems with my particular hull design and their paddle wheels and they both recommended against installing it on my boat.

They call a system like this on a pulling boat a "marriage saver" because it can make the most inexperienced driver give an excellent pull for the wakeboarder. I was bummed I couldn't put it on my boat.

I have never heard of a paddle wheel speedometer pickup on a pontoon boat, where is the paddle wheel located? Is the problem with the paddle wheel itself or the instrument reading the signal in the dash? I just can't imagine that type of pickup working well on the bottom of a pontoon anyway which is probably why Bennington changed their design.

That said, they should work with their buyers to get a correctly working speedometer in their expensive high end boats. They are probably fighting you on this because they know if they bend for you, there are a WHOLE bunch more out there that will want replaced speedometers as well. It's a tough one.

I know what I'd do though...I'd hold their feet to the fire and the internet is a powerful force in that regard.

Good luck Bennington owners on this.

Thanks LSV. The paddle wheel is located on back of one of the toon's at the very bottom. I can't remember which side it's on. Bennington initially thought that it was mounting location of the paddle wheel that was the problem so they provided a rubber wedge that mounted behind the paddle wheel to help it contact the water better. This was not the problem but the wedge is still installed on my boat. The following attempts at repair involved the speedometer head that they said was the problem. However, after two additional heads were installed it still doesn't work. The latest attempt was to install a new paddle wheel when the boat was taken out of the water for storage. A lot of good that did for me since I was never able to test the fix. I'm putting the boat in the water in a couple of weeks and we will see what happens. Regardless, I will put money on the fact that it will not work at all or last for long if it does work. I'm not going to let Bennington try anything else. The service guys have more time on my boat then I do.

[PlaynDoc]

I'm briefly looked into that but don't want to go down that road right now. A good friend of mine is an attorney and said he would help me if I make that decision. I just don't want to put that type of effort into something like this YET. However, It all depends on how Bennington responds in the next couple of months and my anger level at the time Thanks for the link, I'm going to check it out.

Perhaps you should just have your lawyer friend write a "Lawyer Letter". Send it to the stealership and to the Benny company people you've been dealing with. In the letter, include every detail - from the moment you've purchased the boat, to today's events. Include the stealership mechanics names, dates, copies of work orders, etc. Allow them to choose: Replace with a GPS unit, or refund every dime you've put into the purchase package. Sometimes the fear of negative publicity and attorney expense will cause action. Of course, just because you send a letter, doesn't necessarily mean you've got to file anything in court.

Heck, boats are a luxury item. Then consider the 'luxury' pontoon like yours, much more expensive than others on the market. Can they risk losing customers in this screwed up economy?

You can bet yer tail that if this ever gets filed in a court, they won't like the publicity. I bet someone at your local "investigative reporter" TV station would eat this story up.... Read the headlines, "$Several 35,000 boats - broken from dealership - they can't fix". And certainly if it goes to a jury trial, they won't like the publicity/attorney expense - or outcome!

[Jake]

PlayNDoc -

I have considered some of these options but want to get a feel for how big of an issue it is. That's why I decieded to use this forum among other things. I hate to use up favors with with friends for something like this. However, it's turning into a matter of priciple at this point so I may change my mind.

Thank you for the advice.

[PlaynDoc]

Jake, I agree, don't ask him to do it for free, hire him. I bet he can whip out a letter in an hour. That's about $250 - $300 well spent!
I certainly get irritated when my friends and extended family have 'no problem' asking me to phone in a prescription for them - and when I do agree, *after* an exam, they think they shouldn't have the inconvenience of driving to my house! So, no treatment without exam.

[LSVLance]

Does the paddle wheel come in contact with the trailer bunk when the boat is on the trailer?

[GregF]

If they can't get this paddle wheel thing working, see if they will give you a regular pressure speedo that fits in the hole. Most outboards have the pickup.

[2875RLXIO]

Both the paddle wheel and pressure speedos will have problems. I have had the paddle wheel type get stuck, and I have also had debris (sand) plug up the pressure type. Go with a GPS unit and you won't have anymore problems. I am surprised you have had problems with Bennington. They have replaced a bunch of stuff on my boat under warranty. Maybe your dealer could help you more? I have gone through the dealer for all the warranty issues and have never been denied whatever it took to fix it.

[GregF]

Will a GPS fit in the hole in the dash. That seemed to be a concern.

[1roadking]

TeI am getting pissed just reading about this. Bennington says right in there ad that they handle all warranty claims no handing of to suppliers. We paid top dollar for benningtons on a promise of top quality and the best warranty. These guys are pissing away there Rep for small dollars. Idiots...

[GregF]

When you are not happy, escalate. Start calling and sending letters up the corporate ladder. Make them sign for everything you send (certified return receipt requested). I know a guy who stayed in Evinrude's ass all through the bankruptcy on a warranty claim. He was getting boxes of documents there towards the end and ended up being nose to nose with BoA before it was over. He didn't blink and they still sent him a check now and then.
Finally he got a buy out offer he couldn't refuse and he signed the hold harmless document ... a year after he sold the boat.

[Jake]

Both the paddle wheel and pressure speedos will have problems. I have had the paddle wheel type get stuck, and I have also had debris (sand) plug up the pressure type. Go with a GPS unit and you won't have anymore problems. I am surprised you have had problems with Bennington. They have replaced a bunch of stuff on my boat under warranty. Maybe your dealer could help you more? I have gone through the dealer for all the warranty issues and have never been denied whatever it took to fix it.

Bennington is trying to fix the problem and responded well at first. However, my dealer and I both started requesting that they replace it with a GPS after the 4th or 5th visit and that's when Bennington's tune changed. They just want me to keep bringing the boat back to fix a flawed system like I have nothing better to do. I'm sorry, but when Bennington tells me that they can't justify the cost of the GPS in my case I have a BIG problem with that. I have to bring my boat to the dealer repeatedly, at my expense, and they tell me this !! Gas is not cheap and neither is my time but they are more concerned with their expenses then mine. My dealer has been awsome and has suggested the GPS replacment to Bennington after the 3rd or 4th visit. But Benningoton continues to try and fix their system at my expense.

[Jake]

Will a GPS fit in the hole in the dash. That seemed to be a concern.

There are a couple of manufacturers that make 5 inch GPS speedo heads that seem like they would be a simple bolt on. I was curious if anyone has tried this. I'm going to go this route soon at a cost of about $300-$500. It seems like the gauge will fill the hole no problem and then I just have to mount the antenna somewhere.