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BOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 102 | BOATINGMAG.COMBOAT BUYERS GUIDE
SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 4.4 5.1 1.9 2.3 2.7 73.9 85.0 0 67
1500 6.0 6.9 2.6 2.3 2.7 73.1 84.1 1 72
2000 9.6 11.1 3.8 2.5 2.9 80.4 92.5 2 74
2500 15.1 17.4 4.8 3.2 3.6 99.8 114.8 1 76
3000 19.3 22.2 8.3 2.3 2.7 73.6 84.7 1 80
3500 22.2 25.5 8.4 2.6 3.0 83.6 96.2 1 82
4000 26.6 30.6 11.4 2.3 2.7 73.9 85.0 1 84
4500 30.3 34.9 13.6 2.2 2.6 70.6 81.3 1 85
5000 33.9 39.0 16.9 2.0 2.3 63.5 73.1 1 89
5500 37.8 43.5 20.5 1.8 2.1 58.4 67.2 0 90
6000 40.8 47.0 26.9 1.5 1.7 48.1 55.4 0 92
6350 44.0 50.6 30.5 1.4 1.7 45.7 52.6 0 93
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDHigh Points
XBig size and open layout make
this Bennington a true family
truckster; the “yuge” Yamaha
V-8 outboard gives the push for all
that party space.
XGorgeously stitched Tuscan Dune
and Perforated Firecracker color
combination applied to the interior
seating makes for a truly plush
party environment.Specs
· LOA: 27'9" · BEAM: 8'6" · DRY
WEIGHT: 3,298 lb. · SEATING/WEIGHT
CAPACITY: 16/3,298 lb. · FUEL
CAPACITY: 35.2 gal.How We Tested
ENGINE: Yamaha F350 V-8 four-stroke
DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Yamaha
Saltwater Series XL 16.25" x 15"
GEAR RATIO: 1.73:1
FUEL LOAD: 26 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 375 lb.
Price
$117,456 (as tested)BENNINGTON
25 GSBA
bow seating section a huge footprint. The
driver’s console is a swept, curved fi ber-
glass station with plenty more storage
underneath; the dash is simply arranged,
but all the vital information is there in
analog instruments, along with a digital
Kicker sound system.
Abaft, an aircraft-size rear lounge seat
is fi tted with a reversible backrest, making
relaxing easy whether at the party inside
the cockpit or out on the water. The seat-
ing surface hinges up to reveal a changing
station as well as battery and wiring ac-
cess. At the transom, Bennington shows
it knows how to rig and route wiring and
hoses to the Yamaha outboard; it’s all a
neat and clean aff air.The 25 GSBA we tested sported a humon-
gous and growl-like 350 hp Yamaha V-8 for
power, and it announced its presence with
authority. With max speed just topping
50 mph at 6,350 rpm, the Yamaha pushed
the big 25 GSBA around with ease. Best
cruise was achieved at a se-
date 17.4 mph and 2,500 rpm,
where 3.6 mpg was recorded.
That big V-8 is thirsty, though;
at most any other speed level,
mpg was in the 2s, not 3s. For
those needing low-end grunt,
this is your ride; we ripped
zero to 30 multiple times
in a consistent 5.4 seconds,
enough to beat more than a
few bass and speed hulls out
of the hole. Our tester had op-
tional power-assist hydraulic
steering to keep that big Yam
tightly harnessed with little
eff ort at the wheel.Typical Bennington quality abounds
throughout. The attention to detail starts
at the bow with stylized corner lights, con-
tinues through the black powder-coated
bow entry way door, and is showcased in
the clean arrangement of underseat cush-
ion storage and dual-action seat hinges, as
well as nicely routed wiring and rigging
under the driver’s console. The seat stitch-
ing is even and tight, and the upholstery is
fi rmly pulled and attached with no sags or
bellies in the vinyl.
Long, deep and cushy facing loungers
adorn the bow section. The consoles are
set back quite a bit from the bow; of course,
this limits room in the stern, but it aff ords
better fore-aft hull balance and gives thePHOTOS: BILL DOSTERBENNINGTON PONTOONS
Elkhart, Indiana; 888-906-2628; benningtonmarine.comTo watch our
video review of
the 25 GSBA,
scan this tag or
visit boatingmag
.com/bbg18/
bennington
25gsba.
C
CERTIFIED
TEST
RESULTSPONTOON