BENNINGTON SX 22 SWINGBACK
The quintessential Bennington, the SX 22 Swingback comes wellequipped, performs nicely, proves comfortable and smooth, and sells for a competitive price. It also sports touches including new custom Kicker speakers with shallow design and plush Simtex pillow-top lounges with metallic carbon accents.
Performance? With the Yamaha F150 outboard, it’s top speed approached 40 mph at 6,000 rpm. We saw 30 mph from a dead stop in 8.4 seconds, plenty quick and powerful enough for family watersports. This combo really sips at the fuel trough; best economy occurs at a dinnercruise speed of 11.4 mph, 2,500 rpm, and 4.6 miles per gallon. At that speed, the noise level was a scant 65 decibels, making conversation easy. It cruises economically at higher speeds too.
Cutting and carving turns at slow speeds was precise. At higher speeds, there was little if any banking, and the lake chop and boat wakes we encountered were a mere bag o’ shells.
Thank the Sport Performance System hull package: It includes three 25-inchdiameter tubes with lifting strakes on the insides of the outer tubes and on the center tube. Optionally, outside spray rails can be ordered on the outside tubes, to enhance lift, performance and ride. Though the fuel capacity at 30 gallons is plenty for the Yamaha, an optional center-mounted 46-gallon fuel tank extends range.
There’s plenty of open deck before the bow fencing to aid in boarding, launching or beaching. The bow section features wraparound facing lounges with optional center bow seat. This arrangement comfortably seats six. Amidships, the pilot sits in a plush captain’s chair, behind a lowslung console. Electronic analog gauges flank a Garmin graph unit and a Rockford Fosgate stereo.
Abaft, the swingback lounge seat adds more versatility and ease-of-use to the SX. With the backrest in the rear position, a generous three-person, forwardfacing bench seat is great for riding. Move the backrest forward for sunbathing and watching the scenery out back. All-in for just under $68,000 makes this Bennington a strong investment for fun.