Bentley Company Status

[Dean Boswll]

I am new to this forum and need help. I am in the process of buying a new Bentley Pontoo boat, but just found out the owner is bankrupt and the business is totally closed, including both factories. I heard the previous owner is taking the company back. In the mean time anyone who buys a new boat, there is no warranty. Anyone have good information on the status.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bentley Company Status

I would not be too concerned about not having a warranty on the pontoon itself. There really isn't too much goes wrong with them. Of course there is the possibility of a leak in one of the tubes but that's really quite remote. As for items like radios, pumps, lights, gauges etc, none of that stuff is expensive and if it has to be replaced, it would be quicker just doing it yourself rather than dragging the boat to the dealer and waiting two weeks for it to be repaired. The engine is covered by the engine manufacturers warranty and it can be served by any dealer handling that engine.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Bentley Company Status

Bently went under some time ago, they were one of the first to actually close.

Really too bad, they built a really nice entry level boat, but I concure with Silvertip, there really isn't much that can go wrong with the boat itself and the motor is under warranty so if you are getting a good deal I wouldn't have a problem buying it as you know what is going on up front.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Bentley Company Status

If you really want a warranty, there are literally dozens of warranty companies out there and many that specialize in marine products. Howard Clark doesn't recommend them, but if spending the money and having the piece of paper in hand will make you feel better, do what you have to do. I wouldn't stress over it though. With a boat, and I think particularly with a 'toon, problems are gonna fall into one of two probabilities; ONE: the problem is minor and you either fix it yourself or have it fix and it isn't worth the hassle of fooling with the warranty, etc. TWO: it is a problem of such magnitude that it really is more of an insurance issue than a warranty matter.

My only thing with boats is the motor. Buy it new, get warranty. A new motor that I can trust is worth a 1000 used motors with which I do have piece of mind. Few things can make boat ownership more frustrating than a motor that leaves you stranded; and once a motor strands you once you will trust it again, and that throws a huge damper on the fun of boating.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Bentley Company Status

I bought a Bentley in December. Not that I doubt any of you guys, but I can't find any confirmation on the net that Bentley is out of business. Their website is still up and they are still advertising boats.

Can someone provide confirmation that Bentley is out of business.

Thanks

 

[5150abf]

Re: Bentley Company Status

I work for Bennngton Marine and we have common vendors for some items and from what I have heard they are out of buisness.

Can't explain the web site but I am 99% sure they went under.

We have had the entire month of Feb off, going back next week but don't know for how long and we were doing better than 90% of all boat manufaturers, to put it mildly it is ugly out there.

As I have said it is really too bad, they were a good company that made a very nice entry level boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bentley Company Status

Just because a company files for bankruptcy protection does not mean they are out of business. GM and Chrysler will very likely do just that. Only the investors and suppliers take a hit in that situation.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Bentley Company Status

I saw the post and got worried for a sec but this doesn't affect my car.

 

[ANIMALBOB47]

Re: Bentley Company Status

Bentley Is Not Out Of Business And It Is All Bs, The Competition Is Just Speading This Rumor To Try And Sell You There Brand Of Boat....it Happens All Over The Industry, Hey If You Cant Provide Hard Proof Shut Your Mouth...

 

[samm835]

Re: Bentley Company Status

Um ANIMALBOB....wow man hands off the REDBULL and ease up. Did your feelings get hurt some how? Your new here, you might need help one day from the guys you told to shut there mouth. Try water instead of redbull, coffee, and anything with Caffeine. LOL

 

[5150abf]

Re: Bentley Company Status

AN R&D guy where I work was talking to a vendor we share with Bentley and he said they are closed, he has no reason to lie nor do I, I have never seen a press release but all that means is they never issued one.

I read in the local paper where Smokercraft/Sylvan/Starcraft( all the same company) filed for chapter 11 this week.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Bentley Company Status

I just hit the Bentley website and they have this news flash saying that they just bought Glassmaster boats.So they do not seem very dead.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Bentley Company Status

The Bentley web site is old and has not been recently updated. From another forum:

Taken from the front page of PDB.

March 9, 2009
Letter from the President/CEO of Bentley Marine
Larry D. Brehm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Settimg the Record Straight" Regarding Bentley's future and occurances since mid January 2009. All Bentley facilities are temporarelly closed. This action was percipatated by one of our shareholders who attempted to take over the operation of the company for Bentley. Bentley is managed by Bentley Marine Group LLC.

A substancial amount of new resources have been acquired for operating Bentley and it is our goal to have the facility in Lexington, SC in full operation by early April 2009. In addition to the Bentley Pontoons we will also offer two new lines of fiberglass boats including the Sugar Sands Jet Powered Boats and hopefuly the Challenger series of Boats.

It was necessaary to close the company in order temporaily consider our legal options and complete our planning activities which included bringing additional resources into the company. While continuing the advancement of our Bentley designs and artful expression of these boats, led of cource by the Beautiful "Elite".

On a personal note, I appologize to our fabulous Bentley Dealers for their patience. I realize news regarding Bentley has beem a long time in coming. I will be in direct contact with each of the Dealers the week of March 13th 2009.

Comments regarding Mercury Marine could NOT be further from the truth, Mercury has been a very good partner for Bentley and we believe will remain so.

On a further personal note, the day after Christmas I suffered a heart attack while on a carriage ride with my grandchildren. I was admitted to the hospital and required Quadruple by-pass surgery on December 30. "some new years eve". I was in the hospital for three weeks and after my release contracted phnuemonia and had to return to the hospital for one additional week. During my final week in the hospital, there were numerous meetings conducted in my hospital room, regarding Bentley.

For those dealers which I have had the opportunity to meet would probably say neither myself nor my partners are quiters. When everything seemed to be the bleekest in January, we used the strength of our partnership and some needed assistance from above, made us and our company "Bentley" even stronger than before. We believe our Dealers and our Customers will work with us and although we have lost some very good dealers during this trying period, we will all be stronger in the future because of it.

Larry D. Brehm
President/CEO
Bentley Marine Group LLC
Lexington, SC
Home Phone 803.364.9950
larrybrehm@att.net

 

[lowkee]

Re: Bentley Company Status

Umm, the CEO of a company has to use an att.net address? That seems wierd. Apparently they fired their web staff, too.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Bentley Company Status

there are actual federal laws.
a company that sells across stae line cant simply dissapear.

dont sweat it, bently manufactured very little of the boat other than the hull and floats.
all electronicsmotors,control cables and such are under a different warrenty.

 

[jamoke]

Re: Bentley Company Status

Hmmm, A CEO that publishes a "We're Still Here" letter and doesn't bother to spell check.

Somethin aint right.

 

[ANIMALBOB47]

Re: Bentley Company Status...BENTLEY IS NOT OUT OF BUSINESS

Re: Bentley Company Status...BENTLEY IS NOT OUT OF BUSINESS

BENTLEY IS BACK, READ THE PRESIDENTS LETTER
IF YOU CANT OPEN THIS GO TO PONTOON&DECK BOATS AND CLICK ON NEWS

http://www.pontoon.net/?pageID=10&ID=1802&StartRow=2

 

[ANIMALBOB47]

Re: Bentley Company Status,BENTLEY IS BACK

Re: Bentley Company Status,BENTLEY IS BACK

BENTLEY IS BACK, READ THE PRESIDENTS LETTER
IF YOU CANT OPEN THIS GO TO PONTOON&DECK BOATS AND CLICK ON NEWS

http://www.pontoon.net/?pageID=10&ID=1802&StartRow=2

there are actual federal laws.
a company that sells across stae line cant simply dissapear.

dont sweat it, bently manufactured very little of the boat other than the hull and floats.
all electronicsmotors,control cables and such are under a different warrenty.

 

[BB9R]

Re: Bentley Company Status

Encore Boat Builders opened their doors in the old Bentley facility in Columbia, SC on May 4th. They are building Bentley Pontoon Boats and have parts for previously built Bentley Pontoons. The person answering the phone (803-691-2100) said they purchased the Bentley name, but they are not honoring any previous Bentley warranties.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Bentley Company Status

That's too bad.

While on my hunt for a new pontoon, one of my stops included a location that sold Bentleys. I asked the owner, has he heard anything recent. According to him, the original owner was back and getting ready to reopen the plant with shipment scheduled for mid-summer. Perhaps that's the origin of Encore Boat Builders?