Just bought a new boat..

Orion · 05-13-2008, 06:51 AM

Nice choice..Bennington makes a quality pontoon

Here's some more must haves:

Chart!
anchor & anchor line (100ft)
paddle
dock lines
fenders
boat hook
first aid kit

Nice to haves:

some cheap rain ponchos for those surprise showers
GPS
sun block
paper towels (for those spills)
porta potti (if you have the pop-up changing room)

Dave R · 05-13-2008, 07:33 AM

Orion's list is a good start.

Here's the NH boating guide. It'll tell you what you legally have to carry: http://www.boat-ed.com/nh/handbook/

Second anchor is a must if sand bars are in your future. I like the 2.2 kg Bruce-style claw as a second anchor. It's compact and holds very well. Put some chain on both of your anchor rodes too. Fortress makes a great primary anchor.

We carry a throw sack/rope. It's small and makes it easy to toss someone a line.

Some 30' dock lines can come in handy as spring lines.

Scrub brush is handy

Seeker · 05-13-2008, 10:52 AM

Hi SOB,
I have a 2003 Bennington 2075FS which has the 2 fishing chairs in the bow. I only have a 50HP Merc 4 stroke on it which maxes out about 20 mph. I keep this on a small local lake and my deep V center console on Winnie.
You will get wet on a choppy day but this is a well made toon. I have only had 2 minor issues with mine. 1. The original sender in the gas tank was the wrong size and read empty from 2/3 tank on down. Easily replaced free by tank manufacturer. 2. My depth finder was mounted in the dash and was impossible to read in the daylight. I just filled the hole and mounted it ON the dash.
This is my 6th year with it and it still looks and performs as new.
Good luck with yours.

SOB · 05-13-2008, 10:35 PM

Thanks for all the info, very helpful. Seeker, glad to hear you are enjoying yours, speed wasnt a concern for me, looking forward to a cruise out to the middle of the lake and just shutting her off to relax. First voyage is May 21st!

Dave M · 05-14-2008, 03:56 PM

You might want a self contained battery pack.

Speaking from experience,went to Wolfeboro one Sunday afternoon and my boat was dead when I got back. My grandson had decided to play with the switches and have lights,etc on. Lesson learned, be last one out of the boat. Went to the gas station on top of the hill and he gave me this battery pack, saved a lot of headaches. Turns out battery was on its way out. Went out and bought one(All-Pro), also has a light. Have helped out other folks and also comes in handy for other things. Can run low electric items with an adapter.

Enjoy your new boat.

Dave M

05-13-2008, 06:51 AM	#1
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: MA Posts: 914 Thanks: 602 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	needs and wants Nice choice..Bennington makes a quality pontoon Here's some more must haves: Chart! anchor & anchor line (100ft) paddle dock lines fenders boat hook first aid kit Nice to haves: some cheap rain ponchos for those surprise showers GPS sun block paper towels (for those spills) porta potti (if you have the pop-up changing room)

05-13-2008, 10:35 PM	#4
SOB Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pawtucket, RI Posts: 31 Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 3 Posts	thanks Thanks for all the info, very helpful. Seeker, glad to hear you are enjoying yours, speed wasnt a concern for me, looking forward to a cruise out to the middle of the lake and just shutting her off to relax. First voyage is May 21st!

05-14-2008, 03:56 PM	#5
Dave M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 395 Thanks: 4 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	Another You might want a self contained battery pack. Speaking from experience,went to Wolfeboro one Sunday afternoon and my boat was dead when I got back. My grandson had decided to play with the switches and have lights,etc on. Lesson learned, be last one out of the boat. Went to the gas station on top of the hill and he gave me this battery pack, saved a lot of headaches. Turns out battery was on its way out. Went out and bought one(All-Pro), also has a light. Have helped out other folks and also comes in handy for other things. Can run low electric items with an adapter. Enjoy your new boat. Dave M

05-13-2008, 07:33 AM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Orion's list is a good start. Here's the NH boating guide. It'll tell you what you legally have to carry: http://www.boat-ed.com/nh/handbook/ Second anchor is a must if sand bars are in your future. I like the 2.2 kg Bruce-style claw as a second anchor. It's compact and holds very well. Put some chain on both of your anchor rodes too. Fortress makes a great primary anchor. We carry a throw sack/rope. It's small and makes it easy to toss someone a line. Some 30' dock lines can come in handy as spring lines. Scrub brush is handy

05-13-2008, 10:52 AM	#3
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	Hi SOB, I have a 2003 Bennington 2075FS which has the 2 fishing chairs in the bow. I only have a 50HP Merc 4 stroke on it which maxes out about 20 mph. I keep this on a small local lake and my deep V center console on Winnie. You will get wet on a choppy day but this is a well made toon. I have only had 2 minor issues with mine. 1. The original sender in the gas tank was the wrong size and read empty from 2/3 tank on down. Easily replaced free by tank manufacturer. 2. My depth finder was mounted in the dash and was impossible to read in the daylight. I just filled the hole and mounted it ON the dash. This is my 6th year with it and it still looks and performs as new. Good luck with yours.