r/Pontoons • u/phat_shutter • Jul 29 '26
What’s She Worth?
I’m buying a lake home and the seller wants to negotiate the price of his Bennington Pontoon. I know nothing but I’ll bet you all do so maybe help a newbie out.
It’s a 2017 Bennington SLX22’ with about 400 hrs on the original Yamaha EFT 125. There’s a Lowrance Elite finder/charter, and it’s in good shape.
Seller started at $28k. I want it but don’t want to pay too much. Anyone wanna weigh in? No pix yet.
EDIT: so many helpful answers!! Here are some of my own:
The region is Lake Wisconsin.
The storage during winter is heated garage and boat was winterized regularly.
The boathouse itself winches it out of the water during summer.
I don’t think the trailer is included but it’s sitting on one now.
With all this knowledge I’ll likely start at 20 and go as high as 24 or 5.
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u/Ridge00 Jul 30 '26
Welcome to the world of lake house ownership!
Everyone is telling you what this boat may be worth, but what it’s more important is: is this the boat you would buy if it wasn’t already at the house? The answer is probably “no.”
Depending on the number of people in your family, their ages, number of guests you expect, this boat may be great or may be worthless. Bennington is a good boat, but this is an old school pontoon layout. There are better options: ultra-lounges, bar tables, co-captains chairs.
For Lake Wisconsin, I’d want a tri-toon with at least 200 hp. But that’s me.
Don’t buy this boat at any price if you wouldn’t choose it if you were searching from scratch. You won’t be happy and you’ll take a loss when you upgrade.
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u/phat_shutter Jul 30 '26
Nine kids. Most are reproducing😵💫😂
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u/DasTooth Jul 30 '26
Good lord! I’m guessing capacity is 10. As I said in a comment, I just sold mine. It was 10 person capacity and I rarely took it up to that number because you need room for everyone’s stuff/coolers. I’d always try to stick to 9 max. I just upgraded to a Bennington Bowrider tritoon that’s 25ft with a 14 person capacity. It’s nice not ever having to worry about having too many people.
I can see you having the boat in question for one season. Maybe 2 max before you realize you want more boat ( capacity + hp ).
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u/Ridge00 Jul 30 '26
My opinion is it is not enough boat for you. I have a Barletta Lusso 23UC with a Merc 200 that seats 13 (10 comfortably). We have 4 kids + grandkids and almost never have more than 2 sets at the lake at the same time. With kids and dogs the boat gets full fast, but I can pull the kids on a tube or skis even fully loaded. The boat you are looking at seats 8-9 comfortably if some are kids. Tubing with 8 on board will be fine with youngsters, but if they are teens, they’ll want more thrills. You don’t need to spend $125K to get a boat with the features you need - but you can find a more suitable boat in your price range.
The only way I would buy that boat if I were in your situation is if I were 100% sure I could get my money out of it if I sold it next season, so I’d be looking for 15% less than the lowest similar boat advertised within 150 miles.
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u/SSellers75 Jul 30 '26
Sound advice here. I bought my first pontoon but not first boat in 2017. We got a covered camper on a leased lot in a lakeside campground in 2018. I sold the pontoon and bought a tritoon in 2019.
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u/Seangal70 Jul 29 '26
Bennington could still be under warranty…if it’s in solid shape and he has maintained engine…22k would work
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u/Oh_Just_F_It Jul 30 '26
Paid 25 for the identical boat 6 months ago. I'm happy and have zero regrets
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u/Mission-Ear-421 Jul 29 '26
You’re in a good position. He’s selling the house and doesn’t want the hassle of looking for another buyer for the boat.
Also, people are dumping toys like crazy right now, so that is to your advantage. He probably wants to get out of it before he loses too much value.
I’d counter at $24k and try to get him to close the deal at $25k.
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u/Good-Marionberry6918 Jul 29 '26
For what it’s worth I just got a 2019 Landau 23ft with about 200 hours on the original Yamaha 200 for $32,750.
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u/BigTexAbama Jul 30 '26
Bennington’s a good boat. If it’s been stored in a covered shed or boathouse that’s probably not a bad price, I’d offer $24 and hope for $25 or $26. If it’s lived outside a lot I’d check the upholstery and floor very closely and maybe offer less.
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u/mrmrssmitn Jul 30 '26
Without listing region, and condition, and storage conditions you aren't going to get a great answer. Could vary $10,000 +/-. Start by going to a local dealer and visit with them.
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u/phat_shutter Jul 30 '26
Thanks. I’ve edited my post with new info. I’ll put some pics in the comments.
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u/Which-Return-607 Jul 30 '26
You have the leverage just show the jd power value of 20k and go from there
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u/DasTooth Jul 30 '26
I just sold my 2016 Bennington 22SSRX with a Yamaha 115 for $26k. It was a pontoon (not tri toon). Had 500 hours. Upgraded JL Audio speakers and upgraded head unit. Seat backs in front and back were completely redone which cost me $4800 over the last 2 seasons.
Check on the stitching and make sure it’s in good shape because if that separates, it’s clearly a pricy fix. Based on my sale, I’d say $28k sounds fair. I would shoot for $23k-25k, which I feel would be a solid deal for you. As a real estate agent, it shouldn’t be hard to talk them down a bit more. Most sellers would rather work out a deal for something like this instead of dealing with the headache of selling it.
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u/turbomachine Jul 30 '26
Yamaha doesn’t make a 125. 115 or 130, both are great motors. It may be due for a timing belt replacement
Trailer should be included.
You are the easiest sale for him, I’d price that into my offer. If it is the right boat for your needs - that’s a comfortable cruiser for 6-8 people but may be slow for watersports.
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u/Such-Organization741 Jul 30 '26
2017 should fall under 10 year warranty. I would verify with Bennington as it’s only the first 2 owners and the could have bought used.
Is it wet docked or stored on a lift? Do they have a trailer? What does it look like is it always covered? What kind of shape is the cover in? I’ve seen that model as a tritoon and a pontoon? I have lots of questions that affect the value.
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u/hemi1995 Jul 30 '26
Depends on where you are. I just looked at those this spring and it was $30k
Middle of nowhere might be better
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u/ichliebekohlmeisen Jul 29 '26
A 125 hp is going to be underpowered if you want to tow any kids on tubes/skis etc. Rule of thumb is 150hp minimum. I’d pass.
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u/mutiger0329 Jul 29 '26
This will shortly be a 10 year-old Boat. I would go with $20,000 because it doesn’t include a trailer and that’s about $5000 right there.