Here is some information about the construction quality and design of Avalon and Bennington pontoon boats.
Avalon Pontoon Boats
- Avalon uses a vertical integration process to ensure the quality and consistency of their products. Avalon manufactures 85% of the boat in house, including pontoons, framing, and furniture.
- Avalon uses high-quality materials, such as heavy-duty aluminium and tough vinyl and canvas.
- Avalon uses cutting-edge welding techniques.
- Avalon pontoons are known for their superior construction, which is a result of the company’s attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Bennington Pontoon Boats
- Bennington pontoon boats are known for their trendsetting designs and rock steady construction that exceed industry standards.
- Bennington customers receive an industry-leading lifetime structural warranty plus a 10-year bow-to-stern warranty.
Both Avalon and Bennington produce high-quality pontoon boats using durable materials and innovative construction methods. They also stand behind their products with comprehensive warranties.
Performance and Handling
Here is some information on performance and handling features of Avalon and Bennington pontoon boats.
Avalon Pontoon Boats
- Avalon offers performance packages, which can turn a pontoon boat into a speed machine.
- Three performance packages are available: Sport Performance, Waveglider, and Twin-Engine.
Bennington Pontoon Boats
- While there is no mention of specific performance packages, Bennington does mention that the QX and Q series are available in single or dual engine configurations with 8’6″ and 10′ wide-beam widths.
- The R, RX, and LX series are also offered in single or dual engine configurations.
Features and models
Avalon Pontoon Boats
- Excalibur: This model is described as having a focus on “Design & Sophistication”. There are six floorplans to build from.
- Excalibur LTD: The Excalibur LTD is considered “Fully-Loaded Premium Model” and offers nine floorplans.
- Waketoon: This model is designed for wake sports and offers only one floorplan.
- Catalina: The Catalina is described as offering “Style and Sophistication”. There are 31 floorplans available for this model.
- LSZ: The LSZ models are “Affordable and Elegant” and have 31 floorplans to choose from.
- Venture 85: The Venture 85 is designed with a “Clean and Traditional Design” and has 17 available floorplans.
- Venture: Described as “Compact Fishing Boats”, the Venture model has 24 different floorplans.
- VTX: This model is “Simple and Elegant” and offers three floorplans.
- VLS: The VLS models are described as “Affordable and Easy-to-Drive Models” with three floorplans.
- GEOfish: This model is specifically designed for fishing and offers six floorplans.
Avalon categorises its boats in the following categories: Luxury, Most Popular, Cruising, Lounging, Entertaining, Fishing, Double Decker, and Value.
Bennington Pontoon Boats
- Q Series: This is Bennington’s flagship series and is described as having an “unmistakable silhouette”. These boats are customisable and range from 23′ to 30′ in length. They are available in 8’6″ and 10′ wide-beam widths with single or dual engine options.
- QX Line: The QX line offers “refined unparalleled elegance” with fibreglass cladding. These boats are also customisable, available in the same sizes and configurations as the Q Series.
- R Series: These “Ultra High-End Pontoon Boats” offer luxury performance features and come in standard and 10′ wide-beam widths with single or dual engine options. Sizes range from 21′ to 30′.
- RX Sport Line: The RX Sport line is known for its “striking, fluent lines and a masculine stance” and is designed for luxury sport. They come in 23′ and 25′ sizes.
- R Bowrider Line: This series features the industry’s first step-down bow, providing a sporty low profile and enhanced sightlines. Floorplans range from 20′ to 24′ and are designed for easy driving.
- L Series: The L Series is described as “High-End Luxury Pontoon Boats” ranging from 18′ to 25′. They come with many standard features and a vast selection of styles and options.
- LX Sport Line: The LX Sport is the top tier of the L Series, featuring smooth cladded exterior panels and integrated docking lights for a sporty aesthetic.
- L Bowrider Line: Similar to the R Bowrider Line, this series has a step-down bow for enhanced sightlines and comes in 23′ and 25′ floorplans.
- S Series: The S Series is Bennington’s “Premium and Ultimate Value Pontoon Boats”, highlighting comfort, style, and functionality in sizes ranging from 16′ to 25.
- SX Line: The SX Line offers boats from 16′ to 25′ that can be tailored to individual lifestyles.
- SV Line: The SV Line is packaged for easy building and is ideal for fishing and family activities. These boats are available in 18′ to 22′ lengths.
Pricing and Warranty
Here is some information from the sources on pricing and warranty information for Avalon and Bennington pontoon boats:
Pricing
- Bennington provides starting US MSRP prices for its series:
- Q Series: Starting at $98,586
- R Series: Starting at $81,724
- L Series: Starting at $45,083
- S Series: Starting at $30,364
Warranty
- Avalon offers a Lifetime hull warranty and a 10 Year bow to stern warranty for all other components.
- Avalon recommends contacting your dealer for warranty service. If the dealer’s service does not meet your needs, you can then contact Avalon directly.
- Bennington provides an industry-leading lifetime structural warranty + 10-year bow-to-stern warranty on new boats.
This information may not be comprehensive and could be outdated. It is always best to consult directly with a dealer or manufacturer for the most up-to-date pricing and warranty information.
Choosing Between Avalon and Bennington Pontoon Boats
Both Avalon and Bennington offer a wide range of pontoon boats with various features and price points. The best brand for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Here’s a breakdown based on the information from the sources to help you decide:
Budget
- Bennington provides starting prices for its series, while Avalon doesn’t list specific prices. Based on the information available, Bennington’s S Series is the most affordable, with a starting MSRP of $30,364. Avalon’s LSZ and VLS models are described as ‘affordable’, but no pricing details are given.
- Bennington’s Q Series is the most expensive, starting at $98,586. Avalon’s Excalibur LTD is presented as a ‘Fully-Loaded Premium Model’, suggesting a higher price point.
Intended Use
- Both brands offer models specifically designed for fishing: Avalon’s Venture and GEOfish models, and Bennington’s SV Line.
- Avalon explicitly categorises some models for: Luxury, Most Popular, Cruising, Lounging, Entertaining, and Double Decker purposes.
- Bennington focuses on series with broad descriptions like ‘Flagship’, ‘Ultra High-End’, ‘High-End Luxury’, and ‘Premium’. They also offer ‘Sport’ variations within some series.
Design and Features
- Both brands offer customization options. Avalon has a large number of floorplans available for each model. Bennington provides a 3D Boat Designer and Build & Price feature for online customization.
- Specific feature details are limited for both brands. Avalon mentions canvas tops, furniture, lighting, and watersports accessories. Bennington provides a list of accessory categories and apparel. More detailed information would be needed for a comprehensive comparison.
Construction and Warranty
- Both brands emphasize quality construction. Avalon highlights its vertical integration process and use of high-quality materials. Bennington points to its trendsetting designs and exceeding industry standards.
- Both offer strong warranties. Avalon provides a lifetime hull warranty and a 10-year warranty for other components. Bennington offers a lifetime structural warranty plus a 10-year bow-to-stern warranty.
Conclusion
Both Avalon and Bennington seem to offer high-quality pontoon boats with various options. Without more specific information about your budget and desired features, it’s difficult to say definitively which brand is right for you.
- If budget is a major concern, exploring Bennington’s S Series or getting price quotes for Avalon’s ‘affordable’ models would be a good starting point.
- If you have specific performance needs or feature preferences, you’ll need to gather more detailed information from the manufacturers or dealers for both brands.
