For someone with a bad back - courtesy of years of pounding offshore aided by a fervent desire to hit the golf ball 10 yards farther off the tee - the forward-facing bowrider chaise lounge seat is about the last place you want to be when the water is choppier than William Shatner's dialogue delivery. But here you are, reclining in comfort while staring at the two-foot chop rushing at you at 40 mph, and your only misgiving is that eventually you'll have to move.

When Bennington started building pontoons back in 1997, its original mission statement was to build the best boat on the market, so when it decided to enter the runabout market two years ago, it's hardly surprising that it set out to, again, "build the highest-quality, most innovative boats on the water." It's clear the company wanted to build a boat that incorporates the latest wave of advanced passenger-friendly features seen on many high-end boats, such as a transformable sunpad, integrated swim platform, and graceful and sporty modern styling. At the same time, Bennington didn't want to abandon what it had learned from its line of award-winning pontoon boats. Great expectations are a double-edged sword. For some, it means being disappointed when they fail to achieve the lofty goals they set, but for others it's a driving force that propels them to great achievements. In this marriage of proven technology plus state-of-the-art innovation, the end result is something blue: the Azure line of runabouts.

One thing is clear after a short stint on the Azure AZ258, Bennington's newest bowrider: If you don't like talking to people, you probably shouldn't buy it, because you'll have lots of curious folks coming up and asking, "What kind of boat is that?" The Azure AZ258 is an eye-grabber because of its unusual features, like the "bat-wing" swim platform that has a concealed boarding ladder on the side rather than on the back. Although the standard platform is generously sized, Azure has an extended platform option that's shaped like the original and joins neatly to avoid looking like an afterthought - which explains why the ladder rides "side-saddle."

Entry into the deep, youngster-friendly cockpit, which has a minimum of 29 inches of freeboard, is via a walkthrough that has a swinging transom door that's padded and serves as a seatback as part of the cockpit's U-lounge. Bennington uses its mastery of seating comfort gleaned from its pontoon brethren to full effect with well-designed seats that feature multi-density foam that's firm where you need extra support and soft in other places for comfort. A prominent feature is the convertible stern sunpad, which is formed when you fold the stern bench seatback down. But when you do this, it appropriates most of the U-lounge to form a giant reclining area, and whittles down cockpit space as well. A prominent feature that some may not like is the raised stainless-steel barrier bar on the back of the sunpad that will prevent anyone from sitting back here facing aft with their feet on the swim platform, whether they're just lounging or girding up to go skiing.

The captain and co-pilot have a pair of high-tech Milsco Tri-Tech bucket seats that have three shock-absorbing components, including leaf springs, to make the ride on the Azure AZ258 even smoother. A nice touch is the flip-up bolster that provides firm support and gets the crew's heads above the tinted curved safety glass windshield. The gauges are huge, with the six-inch diameter tachometer dominating the center of the cluster. The test boat is equipped with the Super Sport Design Package, which gives you color-coordinated inserts for the crew seatbacks, dash and steering wheel.

Although it certainly adds some flash when seen from afar, the looks diminish as you get closer, and purists may think it looks too "plasticy" and detracts from the otherwise classy look.Although this is a great boat for lounging around in, the real excitement begins when you turn the key and fire up the optional 375-hp MerCruiser 496 MAG V8 (not pictured). Shoving off from the dock at the Vinoy Renaissance in St. Petersburg, Florida, it's only a short idle away to the open waters of Tampa Bay. One thing you immediately notice is the lack of wandering that many sterndrive boats experience at slow speeds - and it's not just happenstance, but rather due to Azure's StraightTrac transom extensions. It's a good day to test the slice-ability of the Azure AZ258's hull - there's a ragged two-foot chop - and the Azure passes with flying colors with its deep-V hull configuration, which gives you 22 degrees of deadrise at the stern and an ultra-sharp 39 degrees of entry angle. Going full throttle puts the 5,100-pound hull on place in only four seconds and reaches 30 mph in less than six. Top speed for this 25-footer is 55.4 mph, thanks to the Air Induction Reaction Vent, which "unsticks" the hull from the surface tension of the water by introducing air, thereby reducing resistance to allow higher speeds and promote better handling. A unique feature is the acoustically shaped noise-suppression tiles that are molded into the hull's vents, quieting down extraneous water shushing sounds. The SureTrac hull works as advertised, and the Azure AZ258's cornering is nimble and accurate, even with outdrive trimmed up in running attitude, thanks in part to the turning fins.

If the Azure AZ258's cockpit looks large for its honest 25 feet of length, it's because Azure pushes the transom as far aft as possible to create more interior space. The bow section is especially roomy and features comfortable seating, even at the very front of the lounge. A generous amount of backrest recline angle on the forward-facing chaise lounge seats make them the best perch in the house, if relaxing is on the agenda. There's an innovative inflatable filler cushion option that transforms the bow section into a sunpad for adults or rumpus room for the kids, and another big-boat feature is the sizeable head compartment/changing room that has a vanity and sink. There's a standard transom shower and a cockpit wet bar with a Corian countertop. Refreshment needs are handled by the carry-on Igloo cooler that stows neatly under the transom bench seat, as well as numerous cupholders scattered all about. To make it easy to hit dry land upon beaching, there's a four-step bow boarding ladder that's neatly hidden when not in use.

The Azure AZ258 can wear many hats and even has an available aft fishing seat for those who like to toss a lure. For skiers, there's a standard ski tow as well as a huge lockable ski locker that features Azure's DripDry system to help protect your expensive gear. As you might expect from a 25-footer with a deep-V hull, the wake isn't tournament ski-boat-flat, but that's good news for the wakeboard crowd, who will find plenty to jump about and will likely want the optional tower with speakers. Available trim tabs will not only help keep the Azure AZ258 level when passengers clump for conversations, but can also keep the big bowrider on plane at slow speeds, which wakeboarders like.

Base price for the Azure AZ258 with the MerCruiser 496 MAG is $68,595, which represents a great value for a boat of this size and sophistication. There aren't a lot of standard features that you'd normally consider to be options on other boats, but an off-the-rack model isn't stripped either. Azure lets you decide what kind of boat you would like to own. Desirable options include an inflatable bow filler cushion, 28-ounce snap-in carpet, trim tabs, adjustable-height bucket seat pedestal, GPS, dinette table, dual battery system, Porta Potti and fire-suppression system. You're protected by a lifetime limited warranty against structural defects, and Azure even throws in five years of protection for most components like canvas, electronics and carpeting.

So, what's red and white and blue all over? The Azure AZ258 - that is, unless you opt for one in yellow, green, woodgrain, or black.

The Verdict

The great-looking Azure AZ258 is versatile, features comfortable seating, has excellent fit and finish, and is an overachiever in performance. Other than the Bimini top, there aren't a lot of unusual standard features thrown in for free, but the price allows you to option it up without breaking the bank. The rear sunpad bar looks great but can get in the way.

AZURE AZ258

LOA 25'
Beam 8'6"
Weight 5,100 lbs.
Fuel 70 gal.
Top Speed 55.4 mph
(w/375-hp MerCruiser 496 MAG V8)
Time To Plane 4 seconds
0-30 mph 5.5 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 60 dB-A
Decibels @ 30 mph 83 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 93 dB-A
Base Price $68,595
(w/375-hp MerCruiser 496 MAG V8)
Price As Tested $68,727
(w/375-hp MerCruiser 496 MAG V8)
Hull Warranty Limited Lifetime Transferable

NMMA Certified? Yes

Azure Boats
52936 Marina Drive
Elkhart, IN 46514
(574) 264-6336
www.azureboats.com