You can’t go wrong with a Bennington. Period.

During our Shootout this past summer we had the opportunity to test three different Swingback models from Bennington: the 25 L, 27 Q and 23 SX. Each one was so much fun, sharing the similarities of the Bennington DNA while boasting different and exciting features. It might be hard to pick a favorite, but maybe our review can help. Let’s dive in.

25 L Swingback

The first Bennington model we tested was the 25 L Swingback and it didn’t disappoint. The performance package on this boat was the SPX package which goes up to 450 horsepower on the L line.

Right from the start we were impressed with the ocean blue exterior panels and the metallic silver accent panel with the standard ionized rail. The rails are also available in blackout if you’re interested.

The 25 L we tested also sported the optional pop-up cleats, optional stainless steel LED docking lights and the stainless steel bumper trim. Part of the signature of the L line are the four sporty louvers under the Bennington logo along the exterior, which you’ll find on this model.

Then for the interior furniture you have silver simtex as your primary color with an ocean blue accent. In the bow you’ll find the optional pillow top interior for the chaise lounges. Nestled into the front lounges there’s recessed illuminated cupholders with a cubby area where you can easily store your phone.

Under the cushion in the front of the right chaise lounge there’s a standard integrated cooler as well. New this year is the upgraded Rockford Fosgate audio package. It gives you M2 speakers with standard blue ice LED. The upgraded package has 750 watts and beneath the helm you’ll find a 10-inch subwoofer so you can really rock out. Bennington worked very closely with Rockford Fosgate to design an audio package for the open airspace of their boats, including how the subwoofer works. Its design maximizes sound in this environment.

Moving back to the helm, you’ll find a wraparound console with padded pockets on the bottom. At the center of the helm is the optional 7-inch Simrad, but you could also opt for a Garmin.

The 25 L Swingback we tested had the optional Corvena steering wheel with leather wrap. There’s also a locking storage compartment beneath the steering wheel.

The model also boasts the optional elevated helm which raises it up 5 inches, making it easier for the captain to see. The Fosgate Stereo control system at the helm is also the same as the one you’ll find by the swingback seating. This is convenient for when you move locations because the controls always stay the same.

New this year for this model, you can option either a co-captain’s helm, a port bench, or a port dinette. Our model we tested had the port dinette, which includes a little table with four cupholders.

We felt it would be perfect for meals or just snacking all day with your crew. If you lift the table, there’s also a storage compartment for plates, napkins, playing cards or whatever else you want. Two deluxe seats that fold down come standard with the dinette option.

Then of course you have the swingback deluxe in the back, a four-in-one lounger that allows you to convert it into the configuration you find most convenient. It can transform to be forward-facing or rear-facing, it can become a forward-facing lounger or you can lay it down flat into a sunpad.

By the swingback seating is a standard stainless steel gate on the right, and the back of the boat has an extended aft deck. From front to back, this boat has plenty of awesome areas to hang out with family and friends.

Next up is the fully-loaded Bennington 27 Q Swingback. This model featured the ESP package which means you get the elliptical center pontoon and the twin round 25-inch diameter tubes on the outside. Our model had beautiful Monaco blue on the outside panels with a metallic white accent. It’s also available in blackout. Additionally, you can option not to have an accent color or a dual accent if you want.

At the bow you’ll find the Q line signature silhouette with the radius front bow, giving it a much sportier look. Not only do you have useful storage compartments up in the front of the bow, but also rail integrated docking lights.

The Q line comes standard with a tapered bow deck. This makes it a lot easier when you’re docking because occasionally when you’re a little bit off, it deflects rather than running straight into the dock.

The 27 Q we tested had the upgraded sport interior which gives you the diamond stitched chaise lids with the wing logo in the bow along with the sporty embroidery on the side. You’ll also get the sport wing logo in the bow gate.

The interior has simtex, cool-to-the-touch, easy-to-clean furniture with Monaco blue accents and white stitching. Walking through the bow you’ll notice recessed pods for storage, making it easy to store your phone out of the sunlight while also having a high-speed USBC and USBQC 3.0 quick-charge on each side. This area also includes a little voltage mirror so if you’re out playing the radio you get a good idea of how long you have before you have to start the engine so you don’t have a dead battery. Pretty handy.

Each of the bow benches have a flip-down armrest with an integrated cupholder. It also has an integrated wireless charger behind these armrests that allows your phone to stay out of the sun while charging.

At midship you’ve got your twin fiberglass consoles with two locking storage compartments that have additional pockets on the insides of the doors. Also standard is the low profile smoked windscreen.

On the co-captain side you’ll find the new solid surface material designed for outdoors with a stainless steel keeper rail. Our test boat model had the optional sink with the pressurized water system which we feel was a nice touch.

On the captain’s helm you can either center your dash with a Garmin or a Simrad and you can have dual 7-inch screens or (as in our case) a single 12-inch screen. This model had the commander helm which features a stow space, and a cupholder, the Rockford Fosgate head unit for your tunes. It has push buttons to the left of the steering wheel for all your controls and the standard corvena leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 27 Q Swingback also sports the fiberglass power folding arch. New this year, they improved the mechanism that lowers it. Not only is it more powerful, but it’s 280 percent faster as well.

Then of course you’ve got a swingback bench in the back of the boat. In our case, it was the optional swingback deluxe which is a five-in-one bench. You can make it a forward- and rear-facing bench. You can flip it into a completely flat sunpad, a rear-facing lounger, or you can independently ratchet the bottom benches upward to fit your needs.

In the stern there’s a wide-stepped curved swim ladder that makes it easy for all ages to get in and out of the boat. Then of course it’s a twin engine with twin Mercury 300s. In other words, this boat is pure fun.

Lastly, we tested the Bennington 23 SX Swingback which also featured the SPX performance package. On the exterior, you’ll find the HD bumper and optional stainless steel docking lights with the high lumens LED, plus the optional pop-up cleats.

The exterior panels on this boat are available in smooth and texture. The ones on our boat were rosa red as the primary color and metallic white as the accent. The SX is the top-of-the-line in the S series and you can see some of its DNA on the exterior with the three diagonal louvers on the outside of the bow.

The flooring on this model is also bamboo silver like the other two boats. Stepping on board you have the swingback in the back and the L bench in the side. You can also option to get a co-captain seat that matches the captain’s chair.

Up front you’ve got your two chaise benches with the standard SX furniture. Simtex silver was the primary color with rosa red diamante as the accent color which made a handsome combination.

This boat has the duraframe seat bases (the two previous models had these as well) which have air ventilation designed into them with draining channels that work with the exterior rails to bring in air and push out water.

You’ll also find a standard trash can beneath the backrest of the left chaise in the bow which is easy access in the middle of the boat. The boat we tested had KICKER speakers throughout. Bennington worked with KICKER to get larger magnets in their speakers which allows them to get louder sound while being more clear.

In the middle of the 23 SX Swingback you’ve got the wrap-around helm with a lockable storage compartment on the side of the helm that has a large pocket on the inside. You’ll also find a lockable glove box down below the steering wheel.

Then there’s the standard tilt steering and this model had the optional RGB speakers and cupholders with the controller there at the helm. At the center of the dash is the optional Simrad (Garmin is also available) with a 7-inch screen. Then you’ll find the Rockford Fosgate head unit to the left of the steering wheel so you can control your music.

This boat had the optional curved Bimini which gave it a nice sporty look. The L-bench in the back is comfortable and transitions nicely into the swingback in the bow. The swingback on our testing boat was the optional swingback plus which allows you to fold the backrest completely down to form a sunpad. Then of course it could be a forward- or rear-facing bench, or it could be a forward-facing lounger. This makes it a four-in-one seating configuration that will be perfect for any situation.

In the stern there’s also the optional stainless steel grill and speakers. The 23 SX Swingback we tested also had the optional hideaway telescoping ladder.

In short, it’s a multifaceted vessel that is perfect for every occasion.

For More Information