NEW BENNINGTON

[taggy]

I started shopping for a new Bennington 20SLX. I have a choice between a 70 HP Yamaha, Evinrude, or Mercury. I don't know which one I should go with? Yamaha and Mercury come with a 5 year warranty and Evinrude comes with a 7year. One dealer is telling me I should only consider the Yamaha because of its low noise and good fuel economy. What are your thoughts?

 

[junkman41]

I bought a new Bennington 20' SFX last year, and it came with the Yamaha 60 HP high thrust motor, the dealer told me that motor would be equivalent to the 70 HP.
I like it a lot the motor is very quite and enough power for what I will be using it for,
as to your question I give a thumbs up for the Yamaha...... look into the 60 high thrust motor, may save you some money

 

[WaterDR]

They are all good motors. IMO, I would decide on which one has better local service coverage for you. My preference is Yamaha. Evinrude would be my third choice. At this HP range though, there is no magic potion. Evinrude makes a lot of two strokes BTW.

You may want to look at a 90 or even a 115 though.

 

[Jeep Man]

They are all good motors. IMO, I would decide on which one has better local service coverage for you. My preference is Yamaha. Evinrude would be my third choice. At this HP range though, there is no magic potion. Evinrude makes a lot of two strokes BTW.

You may want to look at a 90 or even a 115 though.

+1 on that. I have a 20' with a 60 bigfoot and wish I had a 90 or 115.

 

[steelespike]

Evinrude makes direct injection 2 strokes that exceed all CARB requirements.As I understand it they don't require a breakin period,no service required for 3 years or 300 hours.Also requires fewer and less complicated service intervals.
Most all outboards are high quality. A close by servicing dealer is an important consideration.

 

[junkman41]

+1 on that. I have a 20' with a 60 bigfoot and wish I had a 90 or 115.

I guess it al boils down to how you want to use your pontoon, for fishing and just cruising around the lake, my 60 does just fine. if you plan on using it to zoom around the lake or tube, then yes a much larger motor would be better, but more costly

 

[jetboater]

I have the 70hp Yamaha on my Premier pontoon and love it. It's really quiet and starts quickly and idles and runs smoothly. (This is my third toon--my first two had Hondas--a 50 and a 115--I like the Yamaha better)

The 70hp Yamaha uses the same lower unit as their Bigfoot 50 and 60 uses (they don't call the 70 a "Bigfoot" as it only comes one way unlike the 50 and 60). The Bigfoot lower unit means it turns a bigger prop (same as the 75-125s) so it works really well on a pontoon.

Don't know much about your other options as I've never owned them.

 

[junkman41]

when I bought my pontoon, the dealer told me that it had a high thrust 60 hp. Yamaha, the prop is larger than the regular 60 hp. I'm not sure if you would consider mine a bigfoot or not. but I sure do like it.

 

[taggy]

so, the dealer just called. My boat will be ready for me to pick up Saturday. I had them add the upgrade speakers, LED lights in the bimini and installed a Lowrance unit on the helm. Very excited.

 

[junkman41]

Which motor did you decide on?

 

[taggy]

70 HP Yamaha. Took it out yesterday for the first trip. it's so quiet.

 

[junkman41]

yes it is a quiet motor, you will enjoy your benninton

 

[redneck joe]

a buddy has a Bennington and while 'toons are not my thing it is dam nice for what it is.