When it comes to premium pontoon boats, two names stand out: Crest and Bennington. Both brands have built solid reputations in the boating industry for their quality craftsmanship, performance, and innovative designs. If you’re in the market for a new pontoon, understanding the differences between Crest and Bennington can help you make a more informed decision.
Here are some of the key innovations and features offered by Crest and Bennington pontoons:
Crest Pontoons
- Comfort: Crest Pontoons are designed with deep, ergonomically designed seats and thick panels that reduce vibration and noise, resulting in a smoother, quieter ride. The pontoons also have full-size railings that offer safety and peace of mind for all-day cruises.
- Quality: Crest Pontoons use powder-coated rails that provide superior protection against corrosion, sun damage, and scratches. This ensures long-lasting durability and helps maintain a fresh appearance over time.
- Construction: Crest Pontoons are built with high-quality materials and use precise welding techniques for a smooth, dry, and quiet ride. Their robust construction ensures they can withstand the test of time.
- Heritage: Crest Pontoons combine traditional boat-making with innovation. Their in-house crafted furniture and fibreglass moulded helms provide superior storage, durability, and comfort.
- Commitment to Construction: Crest takes a hands-on approach to construction, unlike other factories that just assemble parts. This suggests that they have more control over the quality and craftsmanship of their boats.
Bennington Pontoons
- Luxury and Performance: Bennington pontoons are known for their luxurious features and high performance. They offer a range of models from the flagship Q Series to the premium S Series.
- Customization: Bennington offers a 3D Boat Designer tool that allows customers to visualise their dream pontoon with different colour schemes and materials. Their Build & Price tool helps customers configure and price the options they desire.
- Premium Construction and Warranty: Bennington uses high-quality construction methods and materials that exceed industry standards. They back their boats with an industry-leading lifetime structural + 10-year bow-to-stern warranty, providing customers with peace of mind.
- Innovation and Design: Bennington prioritises innovation and design, paying close attention to detail and quality. They focus on customer satisfaction to deliver high-performance boating.
User Experience Enhancements
These features and innovations from both brands enhance the user experience in several ways:
- Comfort: Features like comfortable seating, smooth rides, and reduced noise contribute to a more enjoyable and relaxing experience on the water.
- Durability: The use of high-quality materials and robust construction methods ensures that these pontoons can withstand years of use, providing long-term value and enjoyment for their owners.
- Customization: Bennington’s customization options allow customers to create a boat that perfectly meets their needs and preferences, making the ownership experience more personal and satisfying.
- Performance: Bennington’s focus on performance ensures a thrilling and responsive ride, catering to those who enjoy watersports and exhilarating boating experiences.
- Peace of Mind: The comprehensive warranties offered by both brands provide customers with confidence in their investment and assurance that they are protected against potential issues.
Design and Build Quality
Here’s an examination of the design and build quality of Crest and Bennington pontoons:
Crest Pontoons
- Design Focused on Comfort and Durability: Crest Pontoons are designed with comfort as a priority. This is evident in their deep, ergonomically designed seats that aim to provide a relaxing experience. To minimise noise and vibration, which can detract from the pleasure of being on the water, Crest uses thick panels in its construction. For safety and security, particularly during extended trips, the pontoons feature full-size railings.
- Build Quality Emphasising Longevity: Crest prioritises durability through its use of materials and construction techniques. The rails, for instance, are powder-coated, offering protection against corrosion, sun damage, and scratches. This coating is intended to ensure the pontoons retain their appearance and structural integrity over time. The construction of Crest Pontoons utilises robust materials and precise welding, aiming to deliver a ride that is quiet, dry, and smooth. Their commitment to quality is further underscored by their claim that they build their boats from the ground up, rather than simply assembling pre-made parts, suggesting a higher level of control over the entire manufacturing process.
Bennington Pontoons
- Design for Luxury and Performance: Bennington positions its pontoons as luxury vessels that also deliver on performance. The brand offers several series, including the Q Series, its flagship line, and the premium S Series, indicating a range of choices for different customer preferences and budgets. Bennington facilitates customer choice through its 3D Boat Designer tool, allowing potential buyers to visualise colour schemes and material combinations. Their Build & Price tool enables customers to explore various features and determine costs, making the process of selecting options more transparent and user-friendly.
- Build Quality Centred on High Standards: Bennington emphasises the use of premium construction methods and materials that aim to exceed industry standards. The company backs this commitment to quality with a substantial warranty that includes a lifetime structural guarantee and a 10-year bow-to-stern warranty, providing buyers with assurance. Beyond construction, Bennington highlights its attention to detail and design, striving for innovation that results in a high-performance boating experience.
Performance
Crest Pontoons
- Focus on a Smooth and Stable Ride: Crest emphasises features that contribute to a comfortable and stable ride, such as deep, ergonomically designed seats, thick panels to reduce vibration and noise, and robust construction using quality materials and precise welding. These features suggest that Crest prioritises a smooth and enjoyable ride experience over outright speed or agility.
Bennington Pontoons
- High-Performance Orientation: Bennington explicitly positions itself as a manufacturer of “Luxury & Performance Pontoon Boats”. This suggests that performance is a core element of their design philosophy.
- Emphasis on Handling and Responsiveness: Phrases like “unmatched control” in relation to the Continental NX model and “superior performance” associated with the Savannah model indicate that Bennington aims to deliver pontoons that handle well and respond effectively to driver input.
- Engine Options and Performance Capabilities: While the sources don’t provide specific engine details, they do mention “powerful twin engine options” for the Continental NX, suggesting that Bennington offers configurations designed for higher performance. To explore the full range of engine options and performance specifications, you would need to consult Bennington’s official website or other sources.
- Focus on Watersports: Bennington’s website features sections dedicated to “Performance” and “Watersports,” indicating that their pontoons are built to handle activities like waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing.
In summary, while both Crest and Bennington aim to provide enjoyable boating experiences, Bennington places a greater emphasis on performance features and capabilities based on the provided information. To get a complete picture, particularly regarding Crest’s performance aspects, you would need to explore further sources beyond those provided.
Comfort and Amenities
Here’s an examination of the comfort and amenities offered by Crest and Bennington pontoons:
Crest Pontoons
- Comfort is a Priority: The sources consistently highlight comfort as a defining feature of Crest pontoons. They achieve this through several key elements:
- Ergonomically Designed Seating: Crest uses deep, ergonomically designed seats to provide maximum comfort for passengers, making long hours on the water more enjoyable.
- Noise and Vibration Reduction: Thick panels are incorporated into the construction to dampen noise and vibrations from the engine and the water, resulting in a quieter and smoother ride. This is especially important for enhancing conversation and relaxation onboard.
- Full-Size Railings: Full-size railings run the length of the pontoon, providing safety and peace of mind, especially for passengers moving about the deck or for families with children.
- Amenities Geared Towards Practicality: The sources don’t explicitly detail a wide array of luxury amenities. Instead, the focus seems to be on practical features that enhance comfort and functionality:
- In-House Crafted Furniture: Crest takes pride in its in-house crafted furniture. This approach suggests attention to detail and quality, aiming for durable and comfortable seating and storage solutions.
- Fibreglass Moulded Helms: Crest uses fibreglass moulded helms, which are likely more durable and weather-resistant than alternative materials. These helms likely provide a clean and functional command centre for the captain.
Bennington Pontoons
- Luxury and Comfort as a Hallmark: Bennington positions itself in the luxury pontoon market, and comfort and amenities play a significant role in this image.
- Focus on a Luxurious Experience: Bennington’s marketing materials use phrases like “luxurious lifestyle” and “premium gear” to convey a sense of high-end comfort and amenities. This suggests that Bennington equips its pontoons with features designed to pamper passengers and create a premium onboard experience.
- Amenities Tailored to Customization: Bennington’s emphasis on customization suggests that they offer a wide range of comfort and amenity options:
- 3D Boat Designer and Build & Price Tools: These tools allow customers to choose from various layouts, features, colour schemes, and materials. This suggests that Bennington provides a high degree of flexibility in selecting amenities that cater to individual preferences and needs.
- Specific Amenities Not Detailed: The sources don’t list specific amenities like entertainment systems, galley features, or seating configurations. To explore the full range of available amenities, it would be necessary to consult Bennington’s official website, brochures, or dealer information.
Summary
While both Crest and Bennington aim to provide comfortable and enjoyable boating experiences, their approaches differ based on the available information:
- Crest: Focuses on fundamental comfort elements like seating, noise reduction, and safety features. They highlight practical amenities like sturdy furniture and durable helms.
- Bennington: Emphasises a luxury experience with a strong focus on customization. Their marketing suggests a wide array of amenities but doesn’t provide specific details in the sources.
To get a complete understanding of the comfort and amenity options offered by both brands, particularly specific details from Bennington, further research beyond the provided sources is recommended.
Price and Value
It’s important to note that these are starting prices and the actual cost of a pontoon can vary significantly based on factors such as size, engine selection, added features, and dealer markups.
Here’s a breakdown of starting prices:
Crest Pontoons:
- Signature Classic: Starting at $42,310
- Premium Caribbean: Starting at $72,465
- Premium Upper Sun Deck: Starting at $101,540
- Ultimate Luxury Continental: Starting at $138,000
- Ultimate Luxury Continental NX: Starting at $150,000
- Ultimate Luxury Savannah: Starting at $127,695
- Electric Current: Starting at $53,080
Bennington Pontoons:
- Q Series: Starting at $98,586 US MSRP
- R Series: Starting at $81,724 US MSRP
- L Series: Starting at $45,083 US MSRP
- S Series: Starting at $30,364 US MSRP
Observations:
- Price Range: Both brands offer a range of models to accommodate different budgets. Crest’s starting prices span from $42,310 to $150,000, while Bennington’s range from $30,364 to $98,586.
- Luxury Focus: Bennington positions itself in the luxury market, and this is reflected in their generally higher starting prices compared to Crest.
- Missing Details: The sources do not include pricing information for all specific models within each series. For precise pricing, it would be necessary to consult the manufacturers’ websites or contact dealers.
Factors Influencing Final Price:
It’s crucial to remember that the listed starting prices are just a baseline. Several factors will influence the final cost of a pontoon:
- Model and Series: Different models within a series will have different base prices depending on size, features, and design.
- Engine Choice: Engine selection significantly impacts price. Larger, more powerful engines will increase the cost.
- Optional Features: Additional features such as upgraded upholstery, entertainment systems, lighting, and watersports accessories will all add to the price.
- Dealer Markups: Dealers may add their own markups to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
To obtain a precise price for a specific pontoon configuration, you’ll need to work with a dealer or use the online configuration tools that some manufacturers offer.
Warranty and Customer Support: Crest and Bennington
Crest
To find information about their warranty coverage, it would be necessary to visit Crest’s official website, contact a Crest dealer, or review the documentation that comes with a Crest pontoon purchase.
Bennington
- Comprehensive Warranty Coverage: Bennington highlights their “industry-leading lifetime structural + 10-year bow-to-stern warranty” on new boat purchases. This warranty provides extensive coverage and aims to give customers peace of mind.
- Focus on Customer Assurance: The wording “giving you and your family the protection and assurance you deserve” emphasises Bennington’s commitment to customer satisfaction and their confidence in the quality and durability of their pontoons.
Summary
Based on the provided sources, Bennington clearly articulates a robust warranty programme, showcasing their dedication to standing behind their product and providing customer assurance. In contrast, the sources lack specific warranty details for Crest Pontoons, requiring further research to understand their warranty offerings. To get a complete picture of customer support and warranty details for both brands, it’s recommended to consult their official websites, contact dealers, or review customer testimonials.
Which Pontoon Brand Is Right For You: Crest or Bennington?
Choosing between a Crest and a Bennington pontoon depends on your priorities and preferences. Here’s a comparison based on our previous discussion of performance, comfort, price, warranty, and customer support:
Performance:
- Bennington: The sources clearly emphasise Bennington’s focus on performance. Terms like “luxury and performance” and “unmatched control” highlight their dedication to responsiveness and handling. Features like powerful twin engine options cater to those seeking thrilling experiences on the water. The “Performance” and “Watersports” sections on their website further reinforce their commitment to activities like waterskiing and wakeboarding.
- Crest: The sources provide less specific information about Crest’s performance capabilities. While they highlight features like a smooth ride and robust construction, they don’t detail engine options or performance metrics. You might need to explore their official website or brochures for details on engine choices and performance data.
Comfort and Amenities:
- Crest: The sources consistently stress Crest’s commitment to comfort. They use ergonomically designed seats, thick panels for noise reduction, and full-size railings for safety and peace of mind. They also mention in-house crafted furniture and fibreglass moulded helms, suggesting a focus on quality and practicality.
- Bennington: Bennington positions itself in the luxury market, and comfort is a significant part of that image. They use terms like “luxurious lifestyle” and “premium gear” to evoke a sense of high-end comfort. Their emphasis on customisation through tools like the 3D Boat Designer indicates a wide array of amenity choices to suit individual preferences. However, specific amenities aren’t detailed in the sources.
Price:
- Crest: Offers a broader price range, starting from $42,310 for the Signature Classic to $150,000 for the Ultimate Luxury Continental NX. This suggests they cater to a wider range of budgets.
- Bennington: Positions itself in the luxury market, reflected in higher starting prices ranging from $30,364 for the S Series to $98,586 for the Q Series.
Remember, these are starting prices. The final cost depends on the model, engine, added features, and dealer markups.
Warranty and Customer Support:
- Bennington: Clearly states their “industry-leading lifetime structural + 10-year bow-to-stern warranty” on new boats. This comprehensive warranty demonstrates confidence in their product and a commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Crest: The sources don’t specify Crest’s warranty details. You would need to consult their official website, contact a dealer, or check the purchase documentation for specific warranty information.
Which is Right for You?
- Choose Bennington if:
- You prioritise performance and handling
- You desire a luxurious experience with customisable amenities
- A comprehensive warranty is essential for peace of mind
- Choose Crest if:
- Comfort and practicality are your primary concerns
- You seek a balance between price and features
- You are willing to research their warranty details further
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and priorities. Visiting dealerships, test-driving models, and carefully comparing specifications and features will help you make an informed decision.
