Hello all. New to the forum and to boat ownership. I have read a lot of the posts in this forum and have learned a lot. This has allowed me to narrow my boat search down to a couple of models for now. One entry level with some good add ons, and one top of the line manufacturer but stock (no adds). Planned use is to fish, cruise, and tube. No skiing planned, maybe a little wake or knee boarding at most (though this is not as likely). Using boat in highland lakes in TX, which is LBJ, Travis, Buchanan. Water can get fairly rough on travis when the big boats are out and it is windy so I am somewhat concerned about this. Normal load of 4, 2 adults, 2 kids, max expected load of 8 adults, sometimes 4 adults 5 kids.
Boat 1 - $22,500
Godfrey Sweetwater 2286DF. 2-23" tubes, 1-25" tube. Aluminum underskinning. Lift strakes. 24" on center crossbeams. 90HP 4stroke. w/ trailer
Boat 2: $30,000
Bennington 22SFI. 2 - 25" tubes, 16" on center crossbeams, 90HP 4stroke. w/ trailer
I am well aware that the bennington is better constructed than the sweetwater, but having the third toon and strakes on the sweetwater should help with sturdiness. So basically I am trying to decide if the third toon and $8k less is better than the high end premium of the benny. Do I really need the build quality of the benny, is it worth the 33% addition in price.
Opinions greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Boat 1 - $22,500
Godfrey Sweetwater 2286DF. 2-23" tubes, 1-25" tube. Aluminum underskinning. Lift strakes. 24" on center crossbeams. 90HP 4stroke. w/ trailer
Boat 2: $30,000
Bennington 22SFI. 2 - 25" tubes, 16" on center crossbeams, 90HP 4stroke. w/ trailer
I am well aware that the bennington is better constructed than the sweetwater, but having the third toon and strakes on the sweetwater should help with sturdiness. So basically I am trying to decide if the third toon and $8k less is better than the high end premium of the benny. Do I really need the build quality of the benny, is it worth the 33% addition in price.
Opinions greatly appreciated.
Thanks