Decked out in deep Monaco blue offset with metallic white, Bennington’s 23 SX had a 39 mph top speed, the 150 hp Yamaha turning 5,800 rpm. Acceleration proved spirited as well, hitting 30 mph in just 6.7 seconds—quick and powerful enough for watersports and hauling a big crew. This package is on plane at just 12.6 mph. Triple 25-inch tubes with the SPS Performance Package help the boat get off the line quickly and handle rough water, thanks to the lifting stakes on both sides of the center ’toon and the outsides of the outer ’toons.
Even so, it’s fuelishly conservative, delivering a most economical cruise of nearly 5 mpg (3.4 gph) at 3,000 rpm, where the GPS indicated just shy of 17 mph. That’s a great evening cruise speed, and conversation at normal voice levels was an easy 69 dB(A) at the helm.
This Bennington’s deck layout offers a great party platform. The bow boasts an extended foredeck, great for doing a little fishing or just helping the captain dock, anchor or land straight on the trailer. The perimeter panels are textured, and the rails are smartly contoured and styled, featuring subtly curved aluminum rails. A matching optional curved-frame Bimini top can reside overhead, and the swim ladder handles water access. Both bow and stern seating are curved U-shaped lounges that comfortably seat four each, with an optional gate filler seat. A movable and stowable sculpted cocktail table can be fitted fore or aft. Simtex high-grade vinyl upholstery, in Carbon Metallic aboard our tester, creates the SX pillow-top benches and seatbacks, with an -attractive diamond pattern heat-pressed into the vinyl.
You and your mate command this Bennington from plush reclining and swiveling high-back captain’s chairs. The sweptback helm features zebrawood trim, with optional hydraulic steering and Yamaha digital instrumentation. Cup holders and a phone holder complement an optional locking glove box in the lower console. A Rockford Fosgate audio system, custom-tuned for Bennington Marine, offers big fidelity for high times on the water.
High Points
- Optional extended aft deck for sandbar gathering or watersports prep.
- Quad bench layout provides two distinct conversation pits.
- Duraframe seat bases feature self-draining channels and ventilation.
How We Tested
- Engine: Yamaha four-stroke 150 hp
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Reliance 14.5″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 2.00:1 Fuel Load: 20 gal. Crew Weight: 250 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $98,956 (as tested) |
| LOA: | 23’11.5″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | 14″/31″ |
| Dry Weight: | 3,108 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 12/3,108 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 32 gal. |
Bennington Marine – Elkhart, Indiana; 574-264-6336; benningtonmarine.com
