Bennington SX Pontoon Boat Reviewed in 2025

A Quality Pontoon Boat

The SX model we looked at is modest, about 19 feet long, with the basic furnishings and a 30 hp engine. This entry-level model will accommodate seven passengers and starts at $20,000 with small-diameter pontoons, but it’s easy to run up the total price with all of the options Bennington offers, from fishing to cooking to water sports.

You’ll instantly feel comfortable at the helm, where a traditional steering wheel (with tilt) and electric ignition for the outboard are situated logically. On the right side of the console is the same throttle lever you’ll push forward for speed and pull back to reverse.

The SXSL offers a couple of popular floorplans. Both are pretty traditional, with horseshoe-shaped couches cupping the bow. On the port side, opposite the helm, is another couch that wraps around the stern and converts to a rear-facing lounger. The second-most common floorplan maximizes seating with the stern U-shaped couches mirroring those on the bow.

Pontoon Favorites

One of my favorite features is the swing lounge seat on the stern. Wide and cushy, it can be used as a sun bed or cozy double seat. When anchored or cruising slowly, you can just slide the backrest across the platform to change the seat so it’s facing backward. It’s a great place for kids to watch their cousins or friends when it’s their turn on the tube or for an adult hangout to watch the sunset.

Like every pontoon, there are several configurations available. One version of the seating options includes a tiny “changing area” with a privacy curtain (not to be trusted on windy days!). This space is created by lifting the top of a stern storage unit to expose the walk-in space.

The changing area is popular with families with kids who are somewhat independent about dressing themselves. (Remember the life vests).

Subtle Features

What you get in a Bennington pontoon boat is less obvious than a sunburn at the end of the day. The construction techniques, materials, and especially the comfort of the ride are all carefully engineered and thought-out.

Bennington uses fully welded components in its frame, secures the parts with through-bolts, and adds dampeners to smooth the waters. You may not see these components, but you will feel them immediately in a smoother ride and in the long run in your wallet because these make a more durable boat.

Walk across the SX platform barefoot. The flooring is a woven bamboo material that dries quickly, won’t make you slip when it’s wet, and won’t feel like the searing hot surface of the sun on your tender feet during the hottest days of summer. A 10-foot retractable bimini shade is also standard on most models.

Likewise, boat furniture is exposed to all sorts of brutal effects of the weather, particularly the sun. But Bennington’s couches, seats, and lounges are made of Simtex vinyl, with cushion densities varying according to their location.

A manufacturer’s rep says these are the same materials used in high-end yachts for the cushiest, long-lasting furniture possible. You’ll want these durable, body-hugging seats when bouncing over chop or swinging through turns.

Underneath the comfy padding are additional construction features that help to soften impacts and dampen noise. Taken together, Bennington’s solid construction results in a quieter, more comfortable ride that will also last longer because of the sturdy components counteracting the everyday forces of twisting and bouncing that are encountered on the water.

Sport Specific Options

Bennington’s fishing-specific components are a must-see for anglers. On top of the boat’s ultra-stable platform, you can choose a cleaning station, live well, trolling motor mount, and a cool pocket for pole storage when you’re underway.

Towing options for larger models include 100 hp engines that will push their high-end pontoon and tritoon boats up to 40 mph. For this, you’ll want to take a step back and ensure you’re choosing the right pontoon features like strakes and wave shield to provide the smoothest ride possible.

A La Carte Options

As with any boat purchase, the essentials are just enough to get you started. Once you use the boat a few times it becomes challenging to choose among the add-on features. For the SX model, the base price can easily double because everything else is a la carte. Deciding which features to add is challenging:

•         stern swim platform and ladder $2,500,
•         Coffee table with cooler $1,864,
•         LED lighting accent in/out/ toe kick about $6,000,
•         Speaker upgrade $1,700, and
•         Engine upgrade to 100 hp (available for specific models) to pull skiers, $5,000-$6,000.

Some might choose to get the base model and upgrade gradually. Such are the benefits of pontoon boats that they tend to get personalized with time. Several accessories are always nice to have in this regard.