Is Bigger Always Better ?

[Drago]

Is that new Bennington rated at 300hp? I think with the big center tube and 22ft length, you might find with some proper prop management, you'll get over 40mph with the 150. We have the 25ft tri and the f225 (I wanted the 300 E-Tec but dealer could not do it) and manage 43mph in best conditions but loaded and pulling stuff it drops to ~36 @ WOT. Our dealer, I think did a great job of prop selection (14.25x17). There are guys that have added a jack plate and have coaxed much better speed from their toy with prop experimentation. Good luck.

[dockholiday]

Since you got the power assist already think I would spring for the 200 for 4k more. Since you said most have the 200's it would help you out in resale. Plus the extra torque won't be an issue far a steering.
doc

[tooned-out]

Thanks for all the replies , I'm leaning hard to the 200 , will call tomorrow and see if I can get a little better deal, will post the outcome and when I finally get it some pics.

[catdaddy]

My Benny is on the way too...
Hope yours isn't holding up mine!!!!!!
I went with the 200 Yamaha on the 2574 GLI with three tube, ESP that I ordered...
Good luck... tough choice... I went bigger just based on what these guys are telling me...

[buddy19520]

I have an '07 Sylvan Mandalay that is 23'3". It is a triple, but is not a performance boat like your ESP will be. They simply took a two log boat and transom and added a center log that stops short of the transom.

With it, I got a 175 E-tec. By GPS, I have been able to hit 38.1 or 38.5, can't remember which, and I don't bother taking the gps with me anymore. I have hit that speed with and without my day enclosure. The speedometer is actually very accurate (about 1.5 mph off at max speed, and dead on at 25 mph). Just this week I took four adult friends out, and was hitting 34/35 wot. However, all four of them were sitting in the bow seats, so it should have been able to do better if I had asked two of them to move to the rear seating.

I don't know how much money you have, but big motors are nice. However, they cost more to buy, more to run and more to insure. I think that the 150 would keep you pretty happy. With the performance hull, and the shorter boat (than mine) I think you should be pretty close to 40 mph. The 200 should definitely break 40 mph. But, if you get the 200, I hope all those friends of yours that you take skiing/tubing chip in for gas money! When I take friends/neighbors out for some tubing, I swear the mileage is cut in half.

You will also enjoy the power steering - above 25 mph tight turns are tough on my boat.

Great purchase! You will love it.

Philip

[dockholiday]

My Benny is on the way too...
Hope yours isn't holding up mine!!!!!!
I went with the 200 Yamaha on the 2574 GLI with three tube, ESP that I ordered...
Good luck... tough choice... I went bigger just based on what these guys are telling me...

Congrats Cat...........know you will enjoy that rig

doc

[looneytoons]

YES!!!

[Drago]

Hey Phillip,

I have the same impression whenever I drag a boatload of friends and family around on the tubes. Mileage goes straight to hell. Ours has a pair of big strakes on both outside tubes. This totally defeats hard turns at high speeds. I doo have to say though that I would not give up the ponies! I wish I could afford to strap 300 of 'em on it!

[CT Arrow]

My Harris Grand Mariner 22', tri w/ 115HP merc should do around 37-38 Mph according to the dealer. Could it be the lifting config or weight differences to the Bennington? The 150 was another 4K. I could not justify the added cost.

Don't plan on pulling kinds down the river and will usually have 4-6 on board cruising. I think were good? Thoughts?

[tooned-out]

Called the dealer and told him to go ahead and put the Yamaha 200 on the back of the boat, boy I sure hope the wife never see's the invoice on this thing !!!! I think i can rest a little better now knowing theres nothing left to add. now all I got to do is pay for it.

[WaltF]

Sweeeet!!!!

Ya, take that invoice, roll it up, and smoke it!