Boat Test Monday: Bennington 25 RFB

First Impression
Although the Midnight black exterior with the orange flare accent immediately grabs your attention, it's the new Phantom black interior that positively draws you in. Often we see boats that look amazing on the showroom floor but don't quite pop on the water. That certainly is not the case with this Bennington 25 RFB. This was one of our favorite color combinations at our test, and the sporty look is only the beginning.




Highlights
Starting with those black interior seats, we're guessing the first reaction for most is to question how they would be in the hot sun, right? We had similar concerns but were pleasantly surprised by how the cool-touch vinyl doesn't absorb the heat like you think it would. The days of having white furniture as your only option appear to be over. Complete with a pillow top and diamond-pattern stitching with an orange flare trim, the seating is as comfortable as it is luxurious.

Speaking of luxury, the one-piece fiberglass raised helm is integrated with the starboard bow chaise lounge and includes a fold-down armrest with a wireless phone charger inside. There is a second wireless charger for the captain, tucked away nicely out of the sun, plus USB charging ports located throughout the boat.

For the captain, the custom wheel with Zebrawood slate accents and an etched center cap is a nice touch. And your eyes will be drawn to the 12-inch Simrad touchscreen, Rockford Fosgate PMX stereo controls, and lighted push buttons on the dash.

Behind the dual Pure Comfort reclining helm chairs with integrated headrests for the captain and co-captain are two more wide chaise lounges incorporated into the fiberglass fastback aft. These have rear-facing speakers, and there is also an aft stereo remote near the extended rear deck, just beyond the stainless steel gate. Other key features worth noting include an easy-to-use LilliPad Marine boarding ladder, a power Bimini-top and an in-floor ski locker.

Closer Look
Two 25-inch diameter outer pontoons with performance foils, splash fins, and .100 gauge aluminum Wavetamer, combined with its patented 32-inch diameter elliptical center pontoon with lifting strakes are the base of this 25-foot pontoon. Stainless steel deck bolts secured with stainless nylock nuts are used throughout the boat, including with the .250-inch thick bow and stern cross channels.

Above deck there is nearly 22 feet of space inside the gates with the rail height ranging from 24.5 to 26.5 inches tall for a safe and family-friendly design.

Throttle Down
Bennington's legendary Elliptical Sport Package is an option, but could be considered a must-have upgrade. ESP maximizes water displacement with quick planing and handling, which allows the boat to dive into tight turns like a traditional v-hull. Powered with the Mercury Racing 400R Verado, we easily reached the 50mph mark at full throttle with the V10 engine with a zero-to-20 mph time of just 4 seconds. The power combined with the hull make for an extremely fun and exhilarating ride, and you're going to want to add the optional ski/tow bar.

Why Buy
This is one of Bennington's higher-end boats and it boasts a luxurious and sporty vibe. The R25 Sport is fun to drive and well built, and we absolutely love the interior and exterior colors that we're not used to seeing in our industry.

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

Number Of Occupants 15
Price As Tested With Power $152k
Maximum Speed 50.6 mph
Wild Ponies 400hp
No. Of Gates   3
0-20 MPH 4.1 seconds
Ladder Measurement 48” deep

Why we love this boat...The performance capabilities with the elliptical hull and Mercury power are amazing, but we also love this color combination that includes cool-touch vinyl seats.

Just being picky...Built into the door below the helm console is a storage slot for smaller items, but we'd like to see some type of locking glove box to secure keys and wallets when on board.

NOTABLE STANDARDS
Self-Draining Bench Seat Cooler, Restyled V2 Pure Comfort Reclining Captains Chair, SS & Wood Grain Accents Throughout,  37 Gal. Fuel Tank, Stereo Remote, Two-Tone Vinyl Furniture, Mega Pan Fuel System, RGB Lighted Kicker Speakers, Simtex Vinyl Upholstery, Fiberglass Fastback Aft w/Rear Facing Speakers, 2 USB Charge Station w/Volt Meter, Wireless Phone Charger, Stowable Sculpted Rectangular Black Table, SS Cupholders, Enhanced LED Docking Lights w/SS Light Housings, Extended Aft Deck, Quick Release 10' Bimini Top w/Surlast Embroidered Boot, Surlast Mooring Cover, and Rockford Fosgate PMX Stereo System.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Upgraded Rockford Fosgate Audio Pkg. (6 Speakers, Amp, Sub), Pillow Top Diamond Stitched Sport Upholstery, Mercury Power Steering, Corvina Steering Wheel, Glass Windscreen, Power Bimini, In-Floor Storage, Battery Dual Switch, ESP Performance Package, Black Out Luxe Pkg., Phantom Interior, and RGB Interior & Exterior.

VITAL STATS
LOA 27’3”
Beam 8’ 6”
Hull Design Elliptical Sport Package
Dry Weight 4,243 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 35.2 gallons

TEST DRIVE
Engine Mercury Racing 400R Verado
Cylinder Type V10
Displacement/Horsepower 5.7L/400hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio 1.60:1
Propeller 15 3/4 x 14 (3 Blade)

RPM vs. SPEED  vs. DB-A
1000    4.9       82
1500    7.5       83.5
2000    10.8     86
2500    16.6     94
3000    21.5     92.5
3500    25.3     93.5
4000    30.8     94.5
4500    37.3     95
5000    42.7     97.5
5500    46.6     100
5900    50.6     100.5

PRICE
Price As Tested $152,051
(Boat & Engine)

Base Price $98,059
(Boat Only)