Time Running Out - Please Help! New Boat

[HHBassman]

I live in New York State. My wife and I have been shopping out a new pontoon boat. Looking for new boat because of the warranty on the boat and motor. We came across a pretty decent sounding package. A 2010 Bently/Encore Cruise 22 foot with a Honda 4-Stroke 115 HP, strakes, tow option, fish finder, NO trailer for 22K. The kicker is that the MFR will send a $1000 cash rebate if ordered by Jan 30. We were pretty comfortable until we saw that JD Powers gave Bentley 2 out 5 on most categories. The boat is for cruising a lake in the adirondacks and maybe pulling a kid on a tube. We already have a ski boat, and this is the first Pontoon boat in the family. Understood that Bentley is entry level. Any and All Opinions appreciated. I need to lock in by Friday. Hate to leave a grand on the table if I can pull the trigger on this. Many thanks in advance.

 

[nuboater]

Re: Time Running Out - Please Help! New Boat

I've been hunting pontoons for about 18 months now and have seen lots of different brands. I really didn't see any make that I absolutely would not buy including the Bentley I finally bought a "Sun Tracker" yesterday. It is also an entry level boat, but that didn't really matter to me. It had the features I wanted, the price was right and I feel I can trust the manufactor.
I'd say if the boat fills the bill for you and you feel good about the price go for it without worrying about it being a Bentley and not a Bennington. (Just don't pay a Bennington price.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Time Running Out - Please Help! New Boat

This will be my 4th year with my 07' Bentley 200 and I've been well pleased. Still looks and performs as well as the day I got it. Have about 175 hours on it so far in rough Lake of the Ozarks waters. Bentley did go out of business for a bit after they sold out to new owners, but is now back in business the original founder. I'm confident they will make a go of it this time around. I don't worry so much about the boats as I do the motors. Hard to go wrong with a Honda.

Pic in September last year..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Time Running Out - Please Help! New Boat

bentley, builds a quality boat, nicely appointed, dependable, with the honda, great package.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Time Running Out - Please Help! New Boat

I love my 09 Bentley 240 Cruise.

 

[billy 33]

Re: Time Running Out - Please Help! New Boat

I have 2009 bentley 220 cruise and have had no trouble

 

[HHBassman]

Re: Time Running Out - Please Help! New Boat

I would like to thank everyone so much for the input. I hope to gain enough knowledge as a boat owner to pay it forward on this forum one day. I will be locking in my order tomorrow. Without your speedy feedback it would have been a leap of faith. I don't usually end up on terra-firma when I take a leap of faith. Thanks for the confidence. Love the pic of the Bentley, think I'll go for the tan as well.
Regards,
-Herb Hofmann