PDB Shootout: Bennington 25 L Bowrider Fastback

First Impression

When the R-Series Bowrider was first released for the 2020 model year, it rightfully earned a lot of attention in the industry. This year the L-Series Bowrider version launched, bringing the price down a little while still offering those same attention-grabbing features only found on a Bennington.

Details

What makes the Bowrider layout unique is the innovative low bow profile that not only gives it a sleek look, but creates many advantages including improved visibility for the captain who can now easily see over passengers. Think of it like stadium seating for your pontoon. There is just one step leading down to the recessed bow with a stainless grab rail for added safety. It leads to the permanent U-shaped seating configuration and the secret to the design is that you’re basically sitting at floor level with your feet below the deck. That space below is the unique center pontoon, but we’ll get to that in a minute.

You do have a deep storage cubby behind the portside bow chaise lounge, but other than that there are no additional compartments to store items in the bow area. However, the dual in-floor ski lockers on the main level easily make up for any underseat storage you give up.

There is a very symmetrical feel to the overall interior layout and the identical Pressed Diamond luxury reclining helm and first mate chairs especially tie in the look. At the helm the dash is centered on an upgraded Simrad GO7 touchscreen with rocker switches on each side. Just left of the three-spoke steering wheel are controls to the Kicker Audio stereo along with USB and auxiliary ports, plus a switch to raise or lower the optional power Bimini top. If we’re being picky, this helm could use some type of a glove box for loose items, but otherwise it has everything you need and all within reach for the captain.

Other key features worth noting include the four sporty louvers in the bow rails that help give the exterior a distinctive look, RGB lighting, a solid ski/tow bar and two USB charge stations in the bow. These highlights and others provide a nice balance of standard and optional features as tested on this model.

Closer Look

Below deck are two round pontoons with a V-hull in the center. It’s similar to Bennington’s ESP package and it helps create the recessed floor up top in the bow. The manufacturer uses exclusive Thru-Bolt technology on each and every hull to ensure less flex while providing a stable ride, which explains why it’s so confident in its 10-year bow-to-stern warranty.

Up top, the rail height for the majority of the exterior is a safe and consistent 26 inches tall and the boat earned high marks for its top craftsmanship and construction overall.

Throttle Down

The sporty look is backed up by a well-performing pontoon capable of speeds in the 40 mph range at full throttle. With the Mercury 250hp outboard, our 0-to-20 mph time was just over 4 seconds and the unique center hull helps the pontoon bank in sharp turns for a fun and enjoyable ride.

Why Buy

Similar to the R-Series Bowrider, the L25 version continues to impress. The step-down bow will always get a lot of attention, but this Bennington has a lot more to offer including a thoughtful floorplan from bow to stern and those added touches of comfort and quality this manufacturer is best known for.

Elkhart, Ind.
574-264-6336
www.benningtonmarine.com

Number of Occupants: 14
Price As Tested With Power: $97K
Maximum Speed: 41.6 mph
Wild Ponies: 250 hp
No. of Gates: 2
0-20 MPH: 4.2 seconds
Ladder Measurement: 3’ 9” deep


Why we love this boat…There’s nothing in the industry quite like the step-down bow on this Bowrider that provides a low-profile look with plenty of added benefits.

Just being picky… It’s not a huge deal, but we’d like to see some type of a glove box at the helm for the captain to store loose items in.


NOTABLE STANDARDS

Vantage Point Captain’s View Helm, Step-Down U-Lounge, Low-Profile Bow Rails, 2 Oversized In-Floor Storage Compartments, Fastback Aft & Rails w/ Sandbar Speakers, 80% Cutout SimTex Furniture Package w/ Full Lumbar Pocket, 4 sporty louvers in the bow rails, 2 USB charge stations in the bow w/1 fast charge USB Port and 1 USB-C Charging Port, Rectangular Woodgrain Table and Blue Recessed Speakers.


OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

Power Bimini, Pressed Diamond Luxury Recliners, Aluminum Ski Pylon, Simrad GO7, and RGB Toe Kick Lighting.


VITAL STATS

LOA                  26’ 6.5”
Beam                 8’ 6”
Hull Design       Integrated V-Hull Tri-Toon
Dry Weight       3,753 lbs.
Fuel Capacity    58 gallons


TEST DRIVE

Engine: Mercury 250 FourStroke DTS
Cylinder Type: V6
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower: 279ci/250hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Propeller: 13 X 24


RPM     vs.      SPEED     vs.  DB-A

600                  1.4                   74.5
1000                3.9                   78.5
1500                6.1                   80.5
2000                8.3                   83.5
2500                11.3                 86
3000                14.7                 94
3500                19.5                 96
4000                24.6                 101
4500                29.3                 106
5000                33.5                 108.5
5500                39.5                 112
5900                41.6                 114


PRICE

Price As Tested                       $96,977
(Boat and Motor)

Base Price                               $61,634
(Boat Only)

This article originally appeared in our 2021 Shootout issue. If you are interested in seeing more boat tests like this, click HERE to subscribe.