Beam: 8’6″
Dry Weight: 3,064 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 12/3,064 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 25 gal. More Information: benningtonmarine.com Bill Doster
Bennington refers to the G Series pontoons as the company’s best-kept secret, offering a mix of performance, styling and craftsmanship at affordable price points. The 2250 GSR certainly fits the bill. Our test model featured an emphasis on seating with its twin parallel forward lounges linked via an optional gate-filler seat that seamlessly created one huge 10-foot-long, U-shaped bench. Add the stowable filler cushion to form a forward sun pad. The helm is surprisingly upscale with a three-spoke, stainless-steel wheel, chrome rocker switches and elegant silver gauges. Opposite, the helm chair gets a matching reclining captain’s seat for the co-pilot. Aft, another matching set of couches with an optional gate-filler seat mirrors the bow layout and maximizes nearly every inch of available space to accommodate passengers in comfort. Each lounge is available with comfy pillow-top upholstery, standard raised thigh bolsters, two-tone vinyl and contrasting piping. Below it all, roto-molded bases provide storage complete with guttered rims and drains to keep water at bay.
A variety of attractive trim choices tailor the 2250 to the individual boat buyer’s taste. In addition to the bow and stern gate seats, worthy options include our test boat’s bamboo-oat flooring, numerous sound system upgrades, a pop-up changing room and a stainless-steel ski tow bar.
Equipped with the additional center tube in Bennington’s Sport Performance Series (SPS) package, the trio of 25-inch-diameter tubes with lifting strakes and an underdeck wave shield drew a strong performance from the Yamaha F150 outboard on the transom. It leaned gently into corners. The 2250 also jumped onto plane in a mere 3.7 seconds, reaching 30 mph in 8.6 seconds. The average top-speed run clocked in at 37.2 mph. That’s plenty of power for tow sports and activities that will benefit from the GSR’s extended aft deck and four-step boarding ladder.
High Points
*Amenities include an espresso teak dinette table, 27-quart-cooler seat insert, vinyl aft flooring, fiberglass console, four-speaker stereo and 10-foot Bimini top.
*2016 upgrades include two-tone vinyl furniture and docking lights.
*Addition of a center tube provides the space for a cavernous ski locker.
How We Tested
Engine: Yamaha F150
Drive/Prop: Reliance 14½” x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 2.0:1
Fuel Load: 16 gal.
Crew Weight: 370 lb.
Price
$53,794 (as tested; $37,518 base)
Contact
Bennington Marine Elkhart, Indiana; 888-906-2628; benningtonmarine.com
