Anchored in your favorite party cove or nosed into the nearest sandbar, Bennington’s L25 Quad Bench Top Deck isn’t just another pontoon boat—it’s your own personal water park. Thanks to the water-fed slide that allows passengers to plunge off the platform on the boat’s second-story top deck. It’s big fun, as is soaking in the rays on the pebbled 10-foot-by-6-foot-4-inch starboard platform that offers a bird’s-eye view from nearly 6.5 feet above the main deck. That platform can handle up to four occupants (or 585 pounds), meaning it’s also a great spot to simply hang out and soak up some sun.
Bennington surrounds that upper deck with a low-profile rail, maintaining a sleek appearance while adding a touch of security for those topside. A moatlike channel is grooved into the surface to keep water from collecting and dripping onto the passengers and furniture below. The deck structure itself is constructed from 2.375-inch tubing and powder-coated with a matte finish for not only attractive looks but also a touch of grip.
Below the topside amusement park, the L25 rides atop Bennington’s SPS+ Performance Package, a trio of 25-inch round tubes with 0.1-inch-thick walls and performance-minded lifting strakes. A sealed transom is used to accommodate the extra weight of the platform. With a modest Mercury 250 outboard on the transom, our test boat reached 41.6 mph and consumed 8.5 gph at a 24 mph cruising speed. It also showed off nimble handling that belied its added weight and higher center of gravity.
Our test boat featured Bennington’s Quad Bench floor plan, the company’s bestselling configuration. A pair of benches forward stretch out 6 feet to starboard and 5 feet, 4 inches to port, while the matching pair aft measure in at 4 feet. Add an optional gate-filler seat to turn either lounge setup into a wraparound, U-shaped bench. The choice of Simtex vinyl adds a cool, soft touch. Ample stowage is offered below all four benches, with drains to keep water at bay, as well as flow-through ventilation.
High Points
- Super-rugged construction.
- Seating lumbar recesses provide comfort, storage and high-speed USB chargers.
- Kicker speakers co-designed by Bennington boast increased volume and less distortion.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 250
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 30 gal. Crew Weight: 360 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $122,961 (with Mercury 250) |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 29’8″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft (max): | 1’2″ (tubes); 2’7″ (engine) |
| Dry Weight: | 3,961 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 12/1,891 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 32 gal. |
Bennington Marine – Elkhart, Indiana; 574-264-6336; benningtonmarine.com
