Bennington 21 SLX - Review
GENERAL 
PERFORMANCE
DESIGN
SAFETYOverview
If affordable and high-end seem like contradicting terms, then you haven't seen the Bennington 21 SLX yet. Bennington has carved a niche of producing some of the world's most premium boats and they are a staple when it comes to luxury boats. While some brands have affordable units that are a drastic reduction in quality and features, the Bennington 21 SLX easily belongs with its more expensive brethren.
Whether you're looking to save money without sacrificing quality or you want a new boat to show off to your friends, the 21SLX is a fantastic vessel that's seaworthy in style.
General Information
Here we'll be discussing general information about the furniture, floor layout, motor, and so on. The 21SLX features benches in front of the captain's chair and a large L-bench in the back. Regardless of which design choice you make, all the chairs are upholstered with a classy Simtex vinyl upholstery with a horizontal diamond-pressed design near the lower lumbar region.
The seats look fantastic, you really must see them to believe how good they are. This is a boat made for showing off while being light on your wallet. Not only do they look great, but they have a pillow-top softness that makes the ride comfortable no matter how fast you go or how choppy the water gets.
The boat's overall length is around 22'. In general, you can fit about 10-12 people here. As a pontoon-style boat, there's really no space underneath the surface. However, there is a pop-up changing room that's perfect if you want to change into trunks or a bikini and take a dip (or just enjoy the sun more). Be sure to snap the curtain in place properly to avoid any embarrassing situations.
This is a single-motor boat that will easily be fast enough for those looking to have fun. We'll cover this more in the performance section, but you can get a good amount of speed from the 21SLX. This boat is more accustomed to lounging, but you'll be surprised at how fast it can go.
The Bennington 21 SLX Features:
- Feels and looks like a luxury boat but has an affordable price tag, you can easily show this off to friends and family members
- Equipped for one outboard motor that can reach around 40mph at top speed and around 17-20 for economic cruise
- Multiple safety features along with features that make riding the boat more convenient
- A Surprising amount of space; can fit 10-12 people with ease
- Maintains Bennington's promise to produce luxury boats
If you're looking for a luxury pontoon-style boat that reaches high speeds, can fit multiple people, and looks amazing, then the Bennington 21 SLX is the right boat for you. It's affordable, but nothing about it screams affordability or cut corners. Like every other Bennington model, it's a premium boat that is seaworthy and worthy of your time. Consider this model if you want luxury at a discount without sacrificing anything.
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Performance
Performance will largely depend on which motor you attach to the Bennington 21 SLX, so remember that your experience might be slightly different than what is written here. Many people find the 21SLX delivers impressive specs for any boat this size, especially considering its affordable price tag.
This boat is ready for one outboard motor. You can easily attach motors with horsepower between 115 to 150. Anything higher may not fit or might be too powerful for the 21SLX. Many find the top speed is around 35-40mph at around 5600rpm. For those who want a more leisurely speed, the economical cruise speed is around 17-20mph at 3500rpm.
Fuel consumption is also amazing. Depending on speed and weight (ie: people on board) you'll often find that fuel is used at a rate of 4-5gph. With a fuel capacity of 21.4 gallons, this gives you several hours to really let loose and go fast. Unless you're going full speed the whole time, you should easily get a full day's worth of use from the 21SLX.
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Design
This does not look like an entry-level boat. The only thing entry-level about the Bennington 21 SLX is its price tag, everything else is premium and lives up to the Bennington name. All the benches and chairs are wrapped in a comfortable and stylish Simtex vinyl with a diamond pattern near the bottom.
Some luxury brands have made affordable boats that really cut corners, but not the 21SLX. These seats are comfortable and durable. They feel very similar to leather and will keep all your passengers happy. There is a true attention to detail here that cannot be matched.
The floor is made from seagrass that gives the 21SLX an extra touch of flair. On top of that, this is much easier to clean than carpet. It's very comfortable underfoot whether you're wearing shoes or not.
Along the sides, you'll find stainless steel cleats and bolts along with anodized raised rails. While the pontoon design doesn't have any space under the deck, you can raise the top for a quick changing room. There's also a stern boarding ladder for easy access to the boat.
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Safety
The Bennington 21 SLX offers several safety features that make your trip even more enjoyable. First up is the SeaStar hydraulic steering. You'll find this mixes an underdeck wave shield along with solid round keeps. This works to steady the boat during unfavorable water conditions.
Some people are initially worried about the curtain for the pop-up changing room. Some are worried about the curtain moving and exposing them while others think they will get tangled in the curtain on windy days. You'll find this curtain easily snaps to the exterior frame to keep it still even during blustery days.
The boarding ladder is made with a swooping S-shaped pattern to make entering and exiting the boat much easier. Most find the boat keeps plane up to 16.8mph during strong winds, which gives you a good speed while keeping everything steady.
Many find that the 21SLX is a very safe boat that keeps plane and has several features here and there to keep everyone happy. Even during harsh days and unfavorable conditions, the 21SLX will maintain itself and keep everyone afloat.
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Starting At
$35,079 USD
150HP
Max Horsepower
12
Max Capacity (People)
21.4
Fuel Capacity