BENNINGTON 25 QX FASTBACK
In Bennington’s extensive array of floorplans, the letter Q designates luxury. While the 25 QX Fastback clearly fits the bill, the lasting impression is more like waterborne power. The molded fiberglass bow rakes sharply toward the water.
Fiberglass-cladded rails are sharply faceted and devoid of traditional fencing. Spanning the twin consoles, a low-profile, steeply raked walk-through windshield is deeply tinted, adding an air of mystery. At the stern, side panels finish in a mix of bright stainless steel and wire mesh.
Add a swept-forward overhead arch, a Yamaha outboard color-matched to the new-for-2020 Monaco Blue exterior, a blacked-out trio of top rail, pontoon skirt and deck rail, and the 25 QX looks almost ready to rumble.
The interior’s clean graphite palette perfectly complemented the blue exterior. Forward, twin wraparound benches line both sides, converting into a full wraparound bench if you add the removable bow gate seat.
The graphite theme continues at the helm, offset by complementary wood-grain accents. Chrome-clad rocker switches are arrayed across the bottom of the dash. Above, an optional Simrad GO9 GPS touchscreen display eliminated any gauge clutter.
To port, a cocaptain’s chair is perched behind the port console, the latter featuring granite-like counter space and optional stainless-steel sink with a faucet.
Aft, Bennington’s Quad Bench mixes seating capacity with lounge space, featuring twin couches that wrap toward a central gate and forward-facing backrests should occupants want to stretch.
On the sizable swim platform, additional cup holders, stereo and an oversize stainless-steel boarding ladder awaits.
Our test boat had the ESP Performance Package, one of the most dramatic pontoon configurations on the market. The central tube is a sizable 32 inches in diameter and elliptical in shape.
Flanked by 25-inch outer pontoons, it produces handling similar to that of a Vhull. With our test motor, the craft powered onto plane in 4.4 seconds, reached 30 mph in 7.1, and topped out at nearly 48 mph.