The 25QFBA is a top-line Bennington model with the designer-style Bennington exterior and interior flash. With Yamaha’s 350 hp outboard, the loaded price is a shade over $227,000, making this a statement, but also an investment in family fun.

With the 350, the big 28-foot hull zips to 30 mph in 7.6 seconds and hits 48 mph. Using 90 percent of the optional ­116-gallon fuel tank, range is a whopping 371-plus miles at 15.3 mph and 2,500 rpm­­—that’s 3.6 mpg and 4.3 gph. The 25-inch-diameter pontoons and Wave Tame undershield provide plenty of lift, especially over big-lake chop and crossing boat wakes, which it does with ease.

The Q makes a big impression on approach: The sloped, contoured fiberglass enclosure states clearly that this is a refined craft. The Fastback design goes well with the electrically operated fiberglass power arch, which houses a standard ­folding Bimini top.

Inside, the cool-touch Phantom Black pillow-top furniture is accented with ­Carbon diamond-stitched embroidery and piping, giving a rich but subdued look. Shoreline Grey vinyl flooring is new for 2025, as is an optional forward-located in-floor anchor locker with a cleat for easy tie-offs.

Seating is traditional facing loungers in the bow, with the same in the stern—just with slightly shorter benches. The furniture is contoured to create more room yet provide an ample area for seating and lounging. The seat bases feature recessed toe kicks, with drainage channels to wick ­water away from the storage ­compartments.

The molded windscreen keeps the ­pilot protected. The raised driver’s console provides all the information ever needed about the boat’s systems and the outboard, with flush-mounted 12-inch and 7-inch Vivid touchscreens and an optional 9-inch Garmin graph all in-dash, similar to a built-in head-up display. A Rockford Fosgate sound system is standard. Tilt hydraulic power steering controls the big Yamaha outboard. Aft, an extended deck with a standard LilliPad folding stainless-steel boarding ladder and an optional ski tow dominate the stern.

High Points

• New one-piece fiberglass console gives a sleek look.
• Sloped fiberglass surround looks just fine.
• Aft deck is now 5 inches longer. 
• Includes 12-inch and 7-inch Vivid touchscreens and an optional 9-inch Garmin graph at the helm.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha 350 hp four-stroke outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15.5″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 64 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Bennington’s 25 RX Sport cut a dashing figure at the dock, but it’s the boat’s performance that had tongues wagging from those who took their turn at the wheel. Yes, speed impressed. Slam the throttle down and the 25 RX reaches 30 mph in 6.6 seconds before topping out at 47 mph. It’s the boat’s top-shelf handling, however, that left a lasting impression. Crank the wheel at speed and the RX banks into turns with an intuitive lean and never loses its bite. Credit the latter to Bennington’s ESP Performance Package. It pairs 25-inch outer pontoons with a 32-inch elliptical center tube to rival the handling of a V-hull. 

This Bennington also looks as good as it rides. While the RX Sport retains a pontoon’s traditional aluminum exterior, the packaging is sexy-sleek. Smooth panels clad much of the perimeter’s lower half, producing a near-seamless finish. Above, interior cladding offers a swooping accent stripe, producing a three-dimensional recess that curves downward from the bow to the aft deck. Paired in a metallic gold and white on our test boat, the combination created a masculine yet elegant aesthetic on the exterior and a decidedly upscale vibe to interior accommodations. Bennington’s winged logo, inset LED nav and docking lights, and a stainless-mesh combo at the wall’s trailing edge complete the picture.

Bennington’s Fastback layout finishes off the back half of the boat with parallel lounges featuring angled, aft-facing seatbacks, bolstered thigh support, and hinged cushions to access roto-molded storage below. The optional gate filler cushion ­completes a large, U-shaped lounge. 

A near-identical approach is found at the bow. Amidships, twin captain’s chairs await both port side and atop the 4-inch raised driving platform. Here we found Bennington’s new Commander 2.0 helm with a tempered-glass windshield above, 40-quart cooler below, and a trio of touchscreens on the console, including a 7-inch Vessel Control, 9-inch Garmin nav unit, and a new 12-inch Vivid UX digital dash front and center. The latter automatically switches between Run and Float modes to tailor info on the display to how the boat is being used at the time.

High Points

• Standards include a Rockford Fosgate PMX-2 Bluetooth audio system, remote, RGB-lit speakers and LilliPad boarding ladder.
• Multiple wireless charging ports and USB chargers.
• Optional in-floor anchor storage is handy and includes cleat.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F350
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15 ½” x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 86 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Bennington expands its offerings for 2025 with the addition of the M line midpriced models that offer a sleek silhouette, an abundance of customization options, high-tech amenities and, as always with Bennington, upscale feel and style. The latter was immediately evident on our 24 MFB Sport test boat’s black-on-black color scheme. The new design pairs the two colors in premium gloss and satin finishes, set behind a perimeter highlighted by sweeping bow lines, sleek rails, angled louvers and the iconic Bennington swoosh. Bennington’s Blackout Luxe Package completed the sporty look, with a similarly colored rub rail, deck trim and skirting. Sport models also get a black steering wheel and badging, integrated docking lights, and a bold, contrasting racing stripe on the interior vinyl. The latter’s vibrant red gave our test boat a muscle-car vibe. The carbon-­fiber arch option overhead proved the ­perfect complement. 

As to that promised tech, the 24 MFB featured Bennington’s new 7-inch Vivid UX touchscreen. Designed to provide the everything-in-one-place feel of an automotive dash, it cleverly switches the interface between Running and Float modes to correspond with how you’re using the boat. For example, Running mode offers items like speed, rpm, fuel usage, and battery and engine vitals. Float mode brings up audio controls, water and air temps, and battery state. A complementing digital switching pad below can also be upgraded to a 7-inch Vessel Control for items like nav and accent lights, the bilge, the audio system and RGB lighting options.

Under the deck, the MFB Sport ­featured Bennington’s optional SPS ­Performance Package. Designed for four-cylinder engines of 200 hp or less, it includes a trio of 25-inch-diameter tubes featuring lifting strakes on the center tube, performance foils on the outer tubes, solid round keels and an underdeck wave shield, along with SeaStar hydraulic steering. Our test boat’s Yamaha 150 stopped short of that max horsepower but produced a fuel-friendly ride, sipping 3.8 gph at its 15 mph most economical cruise speed, and 15.6 gph at its top-end speed of 35.8 mph. 

High Points

• This toon sports an automotive dash thanks to a new Vivid UX touchscreen. 
• Seating lumbar recesses feature three cup holders, a loose-item tray, and USB/USB-C charging ports with a voltmeter.
• Extended deck increases the recreation space. 

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha 150
• Drive/Prop: Yamaha Reliance 14 ½” x 14″ x 16″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.00:1 Fuel Load: 15 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Bennington Marine says that luxury, performance and personalization guide the design of its pontoon models, and each is in evidence in the ­Bennington M Series, a midlevel line that debuts in 2025. The M Series will be offered in lengths of 21 to 26 feet with twin or triple tubes, each in a choice of Standard, Sport or Luxe interior trim.

Common features on the M Series models include a new molded fiberglass Horizon helm stylishly designed with cool accents and shaped to deliver improved comfort, control and visibility for the driver while maintaining a good sightline to the bow. A pod atop the helm holds a new 7-inch Bennington Vivid UX main display with GPS, and at the lower left is a new 12-button digital switch pad. The helm has room for an optional ­12-inch version of the Vivid UX display and an optional 9-inch Simrad MFD. Custom Rockford Fosgate audio is standard. ­Finally, the aft deck has been extended by 24 inches compared to previous models and supports a LilliPad comfort step boarding ladder.

Our test boat, a 24MSB model (23-foot-4-inch tubes and the Swingback aft seat interior) was equipped with a long list of options, including a 54-inch ski pylon ($1,573) and the Blackout Luxe Package interior ($2,500) executed in Veneto vinyl, which has the rich feel of worn leather. An interesting option is a new anchor locker ($2,867) that stows the anchor in a plastic tub below a hatch within the center tube and includes a pop-up fairlead on the ­forward deck.

Our tri-tube model featured 25-inch tubes of 0.100-inch aluminum and the SPS Plus Performance Package ($12,929), which includes lifting strakes on the ­center pontoon, performance foils on the inboard sides of the outboard pontoons, a composite transom, an underdeck cover to reduce drag, and a generous ­48-gallon fuel tank. Powered by a Yamaha 200 SHO outboard, we recorded a top speed of 38.2 mph and a zero to 30 mph time of 10.1 seconds. Handling was precise and predictable at all speeds. Luxury, performance and personalization—this new Bennington checks all three boxes. 

High Points

• Segment-leading attention to detail and fit-and-finish live up to the Bennington reputation.
• Digital switching eliminates trouble-prone mechanical switches.
• New helm and glass displays look fantastic and offer easy-to-use information.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha 200 SHO outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 14.5″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 24 gal. Crew Weight: 380 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Bennington’s fishing-friendly 20 SF-SPS might come from the brand’s most affordable series, but we were impressed by its features and construction. Exterior fencing eschewed boring rectangular patterns with a bold swoop backed in a contrasting color and texture. Two-color asymmetrical patterns with Serene Soft Touch vinyl and a Simtex accent add an upscale feel to the interior seating. The roto-molded helm was impressively contoured and capped with an acrylic top and glare-reducing brow. ­Vinyl weave flooring came standard. 

Designed as a fishing-focused entry in the Bennington lineup, the SF features a pair of fishing seats forward, upgraded on our test boat to high-back captain-style recliners. Sorry, you can’t lie about the size of your catch; roto-molded corner units feature lids with rulers. One serves as a livewell, the other for storage. Rail-mounted rod holders near each chair are ready to secure a pair of rods vertically.

There’s plenty more aft. Perimeter fencing stretches the length of the deck, making space for two additional bass seats with fold-down backrests. A central tackle station adds an additional livewell, two more rod holders on each side, an etched ruler, and a pair of cup holders and rod holders. A trio of slide-out tackle boxes are within reach. An optional roto-molded rod locker can be positioned inside the starboard fencing. Our test boat’s textured vinyl flooring below seemed like an odd pairing, but it’s attractive, comfortable underfoot, and promises to be readily washable.

Bennington’s SPS (Sports Performance System) is ready to get you to your favorite fishing hole quickly as well as comfortably cruise the local lake. It includes a trio of full-length 25-inch pontoons, with lifting strakes on the center tube, performance foils on the insides of the outside logs, solid round keels, and an underdeck wave shield. SeaStar hydraulic steering rounds out things. Underway, handling was sharp and smooth. During testing, a Yamaha 115 outboard produced a brief 3.7-second time to plane and 34.3 mph top speed.

High Points

• L-shaped lounge opposite the helm provides social seating. 
• Optional Trolling Motor Gate features a panel-less bottom half for installation.
• Saltwater Package has sacrificial anodes and sealed lifting strakes.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F115
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha 13¾” x 14″ 3-blade aluminum
• Gear Ratio: 2.15:1 Fuel Load: 11 gal. Crew Weight: 155 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Delivering a stellar combination of performance and value, Bennington proves it can compete at any level with the SVSB-SPS. Rigged with Yamaha’s VMax SHO 200, we planed in just 3.3 seconds, reaching 30 mph in a cat-quick 6.1 seconds. Top speed was a healthy 45 mph at 5,900 rpm. In the midrange, this Bennington-Yamaha package was quiet as well as thrifty; our decibel meter recorded just 69 dB(A) while sipping fuel at 3.6 gph (that’s 4 mpg) at a best-cruise speed of 14 mph and 2,500 rpm. Handling was ­sure-footed and ­predictable at all speeds; we carved turns with little heel-over leaning, and skipped over boat wakes and wind chop without drama.

Aboard, the SVSB-SPS is new and ­redesigned from the deck up for 2024. New for 2024 is the Swingback aft lounge seat, previously only offered on Bennington’s higher-end models. The intent is to offer this model as a package all-inclusive of most options, making it an easier ­purchase for new boaters.

Interior seating vinyl is a Serene Soft Touch pillow-top style, with colors that include a shadow gray with carbon accents for a subdued and tasteful combination. Seagrass is the name of the ­vinyl flooring.

In the bow, dual facing loungers form a gathering place, with lumbar areas set back below the pillow tops for more storage for phones, hats, etc. A removable snack table fits between the seats. Leading back to the single console, an in-floor storage locker houses water toys. The helm is redesigned for 2024, with a more sweptback look and better ­ergonomics and instrument placement; there’s also more legroom underneath for taller captains. New for ’24, Bennington has incorporated courtesy lights at the bow and portside door stoppers. Astern, the ­Swingback seating arrangement provides a lounge pad with a reversible backrest; there’s a large storage compartment under this seat. 

Bennington has priced this package very competitively; for $65,504, boaters get a well-equipped package with ­legendary Bennington quality.

High Points

• The 22-foot package offers the performance and features of much larger boats.
• Lillipad boarding ladder and tow bar on the aft deck.
• Swingback aft sun pad is versatile and comfortable.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha VMax SHO 200 four-stroke 200 hp
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 14.5″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 22 gal. Crew Weight: 260 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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The 23 RX Sport Swingback blends classic pontoon construction materials with a modern twist. The classic comes from aluminum, naturally; the twist comes in its placement. Rather than traditional railings and panels, sleek outside cladding produces a near-seamless exterior as it wraps the boat’s lower half before giving way to an offset, interior-clad swoop of a bold accent color arching across the tapered bow and down the port and starboard sides. Overhead, a sleek sport arch mimics the flowing, uninterrupted lines below. Add a tinted ­windscreen at the helm, integrated docking lights at the bow, stainless-steel accents aft and Bennington’s logo on the bow gate to get one mean machine.

The black Phantom Package interior on our test boat really popped, and cool-touch pillow-top furniture with stitched diamond-pattern accents hinted at the cushy comforts below. As aboard most pontoons, parallel lounges are found forward. Add the optional gate-filler seat for a U-shaped lounge. Lift the seats to find storage below as well as behind the forward-facing seatbacks. Aft, a 4-inch raised helm lifted the captain above the passengers for a clear view forward. Behind, Bennington’s Deluxe Swingback features an L-shaped lounge with a removable pedestal table. The backrest pivots to form an aft-facing recliner, lies flat to form a sun bed, or ratchets up the sternmost cushions for a forward-facing recliner. A pop-up changing room waits below. An optional stainless-steel perimeter rail lets passengers use the area while running the boat.

Bennington’s ESP (Elliptical Sport Package) pairs 25-inch outer pontoons with a 32-inch elliptical tube down the middle to provide a lightning-fast time to plane and precision handling while underway. The latter showcased Bennington’s trademark hint of inside lean to inspire confidence and keep the crew planted when cornering. A 300 hp ­Yamaha proved quiet and economical when cruising, burning less than 6 gph at 20 mph. Jam the throttle forward, and 30 mph comes and goes in just over 7 seconds en route to a near-45 mph top speed.

High Points

• Upscale helm design features aircraft-style toggles, Garmin and Yamaha touchscreens, and a glove box with 12-volt dual USB chargers.
• Multiple USB/USB-C charging stations.
• Standard Rockford Fosgate sound system.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F300
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 16″ x 15½”
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 15 gal. Crew Weight: 155 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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The Bennington 27Q Fastback is one head-turning pontoon. With twin Merc 300s, a big, beautiful arch, and a styled sweptback perimeter with dual consoles, the 27Q looks more like a fiberglass runabout than a pontoon. It has the zoom to back up the attitude; the twin Verados propelled us to a tick shy of 60 mph. Low-end acceleration is a rush, and 30 mph comes up in just 4.5 seconds. The 27Q’s most economical cruising speed of 2.3 mpg (that’s almost 9 gph) is 20.4 mph.

The 27Q features Bennington’s performance package, including huge 32-inch-diameter pontoons with lifting strakes on all three logs, extruded splash guards and an underdeck wave shield. The aluminum is 0.125 inch thick. The decking is through-bolted with fanged (toothed) elevator bolts with locking nuts. The feel and response are solid.

The bow seating features twin facing curved loungers with recessed lumbar pocketing for small-item storage. The main interior color is Anthracite, and the inset color of the perforated diamond stitching is Metallic Carbon. The flooring is Seagrass Silver vinyl. 

The tech is what you’d expect from Bennington. The dash is dominated by a 12-inch Simrad digital display/control panel, customized with Bennington’s own program and CZone switching. RGB lighting is segregated into three separately controllable zones: interior, exterior and underdeck. Dual binnacle and joystick controls master the ­Mercury Verados for the ultimate ease in docking and slow-speed maneuvering. New for ’24 are heated and cooled high-back ­captain’s and co-captain’s chairs.

Aft, the seating arrangement features traditional facing loungers, with more storage under the seats. The extended stern deck has plenty of room for watersports prep, cooling down or just hanging out. The center-mounted aluminum boarding ladder and beefy twin engine mounts are great for easy water access. Whether you’re on a big lake or a small pond, the Bennington 27Q Fastback is an investment that will provide endless hours of quality ­water time.

High Points

• Low-profile windshields give protection and look sleek and stylish.
• Huge, plush bow seating section is rich and inviting.
• Custom consoles surround the pilot and co-pilot with tech and luxury.

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin Mercury Verado V-8 four-stroke 300 hp
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Revolution 14.6″ x 20″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 31 gal. Crew Weight: 260 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Overview

Known for top-tier pontoons, Bennington Marine has long offered more-affordable models. For 2024, Bennington is shifting that paradigm, and pushing some models to the fore. This includes revamping the S and SV lines with more of the panache for which its ­six-figure models are known. The S20 Swingback SPS that we tested is the poster boy for this new philosophy. The most noticeable difference is the ­cleaner styling. Gone are the “jailhouse” vertical exterior fence supports that crossed over the stylish horizontal swoosh, and at the bow, there’s a subtle dip that gives the fence’s silhouette a sportier look. Our test boat featured a bold new color scheme with Midnight Black fencing slashed with an ­Orange Flare accent.

Interior and Accessories

New furniture with open lumbar supports adds storage space, and its Serene Soft Touch upholstery lives up to its name. Our test boat featured a Swingback double-wide stern lounger with a reversible backrest, previously available only on higher-end models. This year, the helm is all-new and is far more comfortable, with an added 8 inches of legroom and a throttle binnacle that’s relocated from the dash to the side with an armrest for added comfort and control. The console is wider and has room for a pedestal-mounted GPS screen to port. It even has an optional wireless phone charger. Other upscale available features include an artfully curved power Bimini top.

Engine

Our test pontoon featured the magic formula for entry into performance pontooning: three Sports Performance ­System tubes and a Mercury 150 FourStroke. This configuration gives it a top speed of 38.7 mph and puts all ­watersports into play. With this engine choice, mandatory hydraulic power steering is added and makes the S20 easy to drive, even when the kids want the whip endlessly cracked when tubing. A slight inward lean-in during turns will feel familiar for those used to runabouts. Standard features include a ­Lillipad Revo five-step boarding ladder with wide steps angled outward, making it easy for two- and four-legged ­crewmembers to reboard.

Style, function and brand swagger converge at a surprisingly affordable price on the Bennington S20 Swingback SPS.

Read Next: Bennington 25 Q Fastback

How We Tested

• Engine: Single 150 hp Mercury FourStroke
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/15″ x 15″ Enertia stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.92:1 Fuel Load: 24 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. 

High Points

• Gate Glide innovation keeps the gates from banging when open and makes them easier to close.
• The new helm is one of the roomiest and best laid out in its class.
• The Swingback Lounge rates high in comfort and versatility.

Low Points

• No center-tube storage is available on the S20.
• The non-adjustable headrests for the captain seats are too low for taller ­occupants.

Toughest Competitor

The Harris Sunliner 210 SL ($72,306 with a Mercury 150 FourStroke) offers another entry-level portal to pontoon luxury that is slightly larger and a bit more expensive. Its three-tube option features a 2-inch-larger center tube than the Bennington, which gives it a one-person-larger payload. Harris is a Brunswick company, so Mercury is the only engine option. Bennington also offers Yamaha and Torqueedo engine options.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

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The Bennington 27Q Fastback is one head-turning pontoon. With twin Merc 300s, a big, beautiful arch, and a styled sweptback perimeter with dual consoles, the 27Q looks more like a fiberglass runabout than a pontoon. It has the zoom to back up the attitude; the twin Verados propelled us to a tick shy of 60 mph. Low-end acceleration is a rush, and 30 mph comes up in just 4.5 seconds. The 27Q’s most economical cruising speed of 2.3 mpg (that’s almost 9 gph) is 20.4 mph.

The 27Q features Bennington’s performance package, including huge 32-inch-diameter pontoons with lifting strakes on all three logs, extruded splash guards and an underdeck wave shield. The aluminum is 0.125 inch thick. The decking is through-bolted with fanged (toothed) elevator bolts with locking nuts. The feel and response are solid.

The bow seating features twin facing curved loungers with recessed lumbar pocketing for small-item storage. The main interior color is Anthracite, and the inset color of the perforated diamond stitching is Metallic Carbon. The flooring is Seagrass Silver vinyl. 

The tech is what you’d expect from Bennington. The dash is dominated by a 12-inch Simrad digital display/control panel, customized with Bennington’s own program and CZone switching. RGB lighting is segregated into three separately controllable zones: interior, exterior and underdeck. Dual binnacle and joystick controls master the ­Mercury Verados for the ultimate ease in docking and slow-speed maneuvering. New for ’24 are heated and cooled high-back ­captain’s and co-captain’s chairs.

Aft, the seating arrangement features traditional facing loungers, with more storage under the seats. The extended stern deck has plenty of room for watersports prep, cooling down or just hanging out. The center-mounted aluminum boarding ladder and beefy twin engine mounts are great for easy water access. Whether you’re on a big lake or a small pond, the Bennington 27Q Fastback is an investment that will provide endless hours of quality ­water time.

High Points

• Low-profile windshields give protection and look sleek and stylish.
• Huge, plush bow seating section is rich and inviting.
• Custom consoles surround the pilot and co-pilot with tech and luxury.

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin Mercury Verado V-8 four-stroke 300 hp
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Revolution 14.6″ x 20″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 31 gal. Crew Weight: 260 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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