We Say: Bennington’s 2275 RCW handles as ably as it pampers.
With a 250 hp Yamaha outboard, we cut impressively tight circles and negotiated sure figure-eights.
Credit these handling qualities to the optional Elliptical Sport Package (ESP) hull, with its 32-inch-diameter elliptical center tube with lifting strakes flanked by twin performance foils that allow the tubes to ride higher and displace more water while under way. Full-length keels on each tube ensure positive tracking, and the extra buoyancy of the center pontoon delivers runabout-like banking turns. Triple ’toons also benefit hole shot, and we noted a zero to 30 mph time of 8.4 seconds and a brisk zero to wide-open-throttle speed of 47 mph in 48 ticks of the stopwatch.
The 2275 we tested is an R model, one level removed from Bennington’s premium Q line, and a step up from its base G-class craft. The RCW features deeply padded seating atop roto-molded bases conveniently arranged in a center walk-through (CW) configuration that accommodates a stainless-steel rear entry gate. New for 2013 are inclined, aft-facing lounge seats. Another notable standard is LED lighting for navigation, docking, underwater lights and courtesy lights — as well as blue “mood” lighting built into the Bimini top.
Who’d Want One: Boaters seeking a pontoon with enhanced comfort and performance.
Another Choice: Premier‘s 235 Solaris RE ($57,500 with 150 hp Mercury).
Bottom Line: $64,617; benningtonmarine.com
