Besides constructing the standard 25-inch aluminum tubes and chassis, Bentley Pontoons makes all of its own components in its plant in Lexington, South Carolina. This includes doing in-house powder-coating, as well as making the furniture and canvas mooring covers. The commitment to quality build shows up in Bentley’s new 223 Bentley Navigator, a well-appointed triple-tube pontoon that looks great on the lake with a full crew aboard. And by full crew, we mean a 15-person capacity.
The layout is sure to serve the needs of your crew, with curved matching “lay-back” couches in the bow area, with forward-facing backrests in front of the consoles. The plush captain’s chair at the helm is matched by a co-captain’s chair to port, complete with the same cup-holder stand that houses two cup holders per side. The black inset dash at the helm is both pleasing to the eye and functional in that it cuts down on glare, allowing a better viewing of the gauges. Both chairs can swivel to face inward and join the fun at rest, and both have flip-up armrests. The aft seating also features matching lay-back couches with molded-in storage in the seat bases. The seagrass matt flooring is durable and easy to clean, as well as comfortable underfoot. It’s a layout that encourages conversation, entertainment and enjoyment on the water.
Other nice touches include the radiused corners that feature engraved Bentley nameplates that up the style factor, twin recessed cup holders in all the couches that make sure no one is too far from a refreshment, and ample room to stand on the extended bow and stern platforms.
The specs and photos show the 223 Bentley Navigator with its full 25-inch-tube package. Bentley also offers this model in a 3/4-tube version, which still can hold 15 people but lowers the maximum horsepower rating to 200, and decreases the fuel capacity from 54 gallons to 32 gallons. No matter which model you decide to make your own, the 223 Bentley Navigator will perform well on the water—and carry a big load while doing it.
High Points
- A molded-in 44-quart cooler hides under the starboard lounge in the bow.
- All of the couch cushions are hinged to allow for ease of use while stowing or removing items in the molded-in storage spaces.
- A Jensen Bluetooth stereo comes standard in the helm, with four standard speakers in the boat.
- Deutsch Electrical connectors ensure that the electrical system stays dry and free of corrosion.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $31,900 (base) |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 23’2″ |
| Beam: | 8′6″ |
| Draft (max): | 2’6″ |
| Dry Weight: | 2,680 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 15/2,550 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 54 gal. |
| Available Power: | Outboards to 250 hp |
Bentley Pontoons – Lexington, South Carolina; bentleypontoons.com
