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Boating Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide 2021 (Digital)

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43 Articles

BOY-OH-BUOYANCY!

If you live in “lake country”—which covers ground as close to the coast as Candlewood Lake, Connecticut, or as far from the coast as Grand Lake of the Cherokees, Oklahoma—you already know that pontoon boats rule the world. And if you are not aware, consider that the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association reports that 33 percent of outboard boats sold in 2019 were pontoons. That’s more than twice as many as bass boats (14 percent) and center-consoles (17 percent) combined. Notably, outboard boats represent the largest segment of recreational-boat sales, numbering 173,000 against a total of 201,400 boats sold in total in 2019. So, figure about 52,000 new pontoons sold in 2019. Many of these come in saltwater versions. Besides, price and features don’t tell the story of the pontoon boat.…

BOY-OH-BUOYANCY!

FUELISH BEHAVIOR

There’s a crazy boating video that recently circulated around social media and was picked up by several major media outlets. In the video, recorded at a marina in Italy, a woman is seen on the swim platform of a typical sterndrive cruiser, handling lines as her captain eases the boat away from the fuel dock. As the boat pulls away, the woman is suddenly propelled into the air by a violent explosion coming from under the engine hatch. As she lands in the water, a dockhand jumps into the water to help her. Reportedly, all the people involved in the video escaped serious harm, but it is a sobering reminder that fueling your boat is not a task to be taken for granted. Normally, we reserve this page for stories…

FUELISH BEHAVIOR

Understanding the numbers and symbols on electronic paper-style navigational charts. But don’t let the ease of use of today’s navigation technology lull you into a false sense of security. At the very least, before you head out on a cruise where you will be relying on charting software, you should know how to read a chart. Let’s take a look at some of the basic symbols and numbers on charts and what they all mean. For the sake of simplicity, I’m going to focus on the official symbols found on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s paper charts. Navigation companies scan these to appear on your plotter’s display as raster charts. For the more dynamic vector charts, some of the symbols, and the chart itself, might appear differently depending on…

INSTALLING AN OUTBOARD RIGGING TUBE

The bundle of cables, wires and hoses that extend from the boat to the outboard motor(s) delivers essential fuel, electrical power, and throttle and shift commands, as well as providing feedback to the helm on engine performance and health. Outboard rigging tubes protect these critical connections from wear, damage and UV deterioration. The ribbed plastic conduit is flexible enough to move as an outboard turns or tilts yet is sturdy and kink-resistant. It also makes for a tidier motor installation. The first step is to procure the parts, which include a rigging flange (such as the Sierra Part No. 18-9761 or T-H Marine Part No. RF-1CP-DP) for the point where the rigging bundle emerges from the boat, an adapter for the engine rigging port, and the tube. This will be…

INSTALLING AN OUTBOARD RIGGING TUBE

SKILL LEVEL 1.5 OF 5 FINISH TIME Approx. 4-5 hours TOOLS AND SUPPLIES • Rigging hose ($79.99 per 10 feet of 2-inch OD, atlanticmarinestore.com)• Rigging flange ($8.29, Sierra Part No. 18-9761 molded plastic, westmarine.com)• Rigging flange with fuelhose port to accommodate fuel primer bulb ($15.95, T-H Marine Part No. RFFHP-1-DP molded plastic, thmarinesupplies.com)• Rigging flange hose union to accommodate fuel primer bulb ($10.30, T-H Marine Part No. RFHU-1-DP molded plastic, fisheriessupply.com)• Outboard rigging port adapter (check with engine manufacturer)• No. 10 stainless-steel screws (3)• Phillips screwdriver• Socket-wrench set• Tape measure• Power drill and 1/8-inch bit• Marking pencil• Marine silicone sealant…

It’s probably the last thing you’re thinking about when you leave the dock for your next boating adventure. And even if something might go wrong on the water, you could be thinking that help is just a phone call or VHF hail away—unless it isn’t. What if your phone has no reception and your VHF isn’t working? No EPIRB either? You need another way to let other boaters in the area know you need help or to show potential rescuers where to find you. Here are a few techniques to signal for help when you really need it. FLARES If you’re US Coast Guard-compliant, you already have a set of flares inside your Coast Guard kit. But do you know what kind they are, as well as how to use…

ELECTRONIC ENGINE SHUT-OFF SWITCHES

An engine shut-off lanyard can save your life. That is, if you use it—and most boaters don’t. Even those who do generally use it only at the helm, and there are many other locations from which one can end up in the drink. Perhaps most at risk is the angler fishing solo. A lifesaving option is a wireless engine cutoff device. Wearable fobs, or “tags,” communicate with a hub or host unit that sounds an alarm and shuts down the engine should the skipper fall overboard. A crewmember overboard fob is programmed to trigger just the alarm. Until then, anyone wearing a fob can move freely about the boat, without the short-leash hassle of a lanyard. There’s a range of systems available, from the electromechanical Autotether Marine cutoff device, to…

ELECTRONIC ENGINE SHUT-OFF SWITCHES

Boat brushes from brands such as Shurhold, Star brite and West Marine include a variety of bristle stiff nesses—from super-soft to super-stiff, each designed for a specific boat surface and cleaning task. To find out which to use where and when, we talked with Barry Berhof, CEO for Palm City, Florida-based Shurhold Industries, which offers a choice of five stiff ness levels in a wide range of interchangeable, quick-attach-and-release brush heads for its aluminum-handle systems. “When it comes to brushes, you should always start with the least-aggressive (read: softest) bristles and work your way up in stiff ness,” Berhof says. “You want to get the job done but with minimal effect on the boat’s finish.” ➞ SUPER-SOFT A supersoft brush style, such as the Shurhold extra-soft design with blue nylon…

BREAK IT IN RIGHT

For example, if the manual said to run the engine in gear at idle for the first 15 minutes, I’d run it at idle for an hour. And if it said to run at less than half-throttle for the next two hours, I extended that to three hours. That might have been OK with the old two-stroke outboards. But with today’s four-stroke marine engines—including outboards, inboards and sterndrives—it is not a good idea. What’s important is that owners follow the break-in schedule exactly as the manufacturer specifies; this helps ensure a lifetime of dependable performance. The owner’s manual will detail the recommended break-in procedure for your engine model. “Failure to follow the engine break-in procedures can result in poor performance throughout the life of the engine and can cause engine…

BREAK IT IN RIGHT

BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

What happens when you get busted? Law enforcement agencies are cracking down on it, and boaters are wising up—yet perhaps not fast enough. Why not? First, in most states, having an open container of alcohol in a boat is legal. It’s even legal in most states for a skipper to drink—as long as he maintains a blood alcohol level under 0.08—a level that can be exceeded by just one or two beers. On the water, its impact on your judgment, balance and coordination can be exacerbated, sometimes dramatically, by the heat, sun and motion of the water. Even when blood alcohol content is under 0.08, your judgment, concentration and coordination can be impaired. Alcohol is the enemy of all three. Chad Weber is an officer for the Lake County Florida…

BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

SOUND BARS FOR BOATERS

Terrestrial Bluetooth sound bars once hanging from the roll bars of Polaris RZRs and Kawasaki Mules grew their fins to become a new offering in high-quality audio for boaters, and are easily mounted to a radar arch, wakeboard tower or T-top pipework. It’s a natural option for boaters desiring not to cut holes in the coamings, and requires only one power line. Here are key features of today’s marine sound bars. MUSIC CHAINS Some of today’s Bluetooth sound bars can connect to other nearby Bluetooth-equipped audio systems, allowing you to sync your music with your friends’ audio systems at the marina or while anchored at the local sandbar. LED LIGHTING If you choose a sound bar with LED lighting, you have the equivalent of a disco ball hanging from the…

SOUND BARS FOR BOATERS

MANITOU 21 AURORA LE VP

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 22'4" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: NA DRY WEIGHT: 2,485 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 11/1,695 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 43 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury 115 Pro XS DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15.3" x 14" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 2.07:1 FUEL LOAD: 30 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 400 lb. Manitou seeks to make pontoon buying easier with its new Aurora LE line by adding more standard features and grouping the most popular options in a single Limited Package. Choose a tube configuration, a color and an outboard with your desired horsepower, and you’ll be done. Our test boat featured the patented triple-tube Manitou V-Toon VP chassis, with 23-inch-diameter outboard tubes and a 27-inch center tube. The bottom of the center tube, which is also fitted with lifting strakes,…

MANITOU 21 AURORA LE VP

BENNINGTON 22SVSR

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 22'11" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 2'7" DRY WEIGHT: 2,928 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/ 1,730 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 32 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury 115 FourStroke DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Spitfire 13.8" x 13" 4-blade aluminum GEAR RATIO: 2.07:1 FUEL LOAD: 25 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 190 lb. Value is the mission of the Bennington SV line, with boats that start at $17,110. New for 2021 is this 22-foot-11-inch 22SVSR. Nicely equipped for well under $40,000, this triple-tube boat is assembled with many of the same premium materials and features found across the Bennington line, including cool-touch Simtex vinyl upholstery, quarter-inch-thick cross members, and through-bolted deck fasteners. Rotomolded plastic seat bases are drained and vented to fight mildew, and they feature channels that allow water to easily drain…

BENNINGTON 22SVSR

HARRIS SUNLINER 230 SPORT

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 23'5" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT (MAX): 1'9" DRY WEIGHT: 3,098 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 11/2,372 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 37 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury 300 Verado DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia Eco 16" x 17" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.85:1 FUEL LOAD: 37 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 425 lb. A new addition to the Harris Sunliner family for 2021, the 230 Sport maintains an affordable price point while bringing in a higher level of trim and increasingly powerful horsepower options. The exterior features a redesigned fence profile, highlighted by a sleek taper aft and, on our test boat, optional black rails. Step aboard and you’ll also find an upgraded interior, with pillow-top furniture covered in new soft-touch vinyl and lumbar recesses backed with diamond-pattern stitching accents. Harris…

HARRIS SUNLINER 230 SPORT

STARCRAFT EXS-3Q

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 23'8" BEAM: 8'6" DRY WEIGHT: 2,380 lb. DRAFT: 1'8" SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/2,550 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 60 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury 200 V-6 FourStroke 200 hp DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Mirage Plus 15" x 15" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.85:1 FUEL LOAD: 25 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 250 lb. In today’s world, the Starcraft EXS-3Q is really an entry-to-midlevel pontoon, with some extra oomph from the optional Mercury FourStroke 200 to add some zoom. This Starcraft has a little something for everyone. For the performance and economy buff, it zips to 30 mph in just 5.7 seconds and tops out at 42 mph. At a cruise speed of 15.4 mph, which is perfect for party cruising, people-watching or a late-afternoon beverage jaunt, it sips fuel…

STARCRAFT EXS-3Q

SYLVAN MIRAGE X3 CLZ

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 23'8" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: NA DRY WEIGHT: 2,380 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/2,550 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 60 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Yamaha F250 four-stroke 250 hp DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/153/4" x 13" Saltwater Series II 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 60 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 250 lb. Sylvan’s Mirage X3 CLZ is a true value-package pontoon boat. Even with 250 hp Yamaha outboard power, it sells for under $60,000, and there are a lot of performance features packed into its 24-foot length overall. The F250 Yamaha pushed the boat easily across the water to a near-46 mph top speed, more than enough to provide excitement for your crew or to outrun the rain back to home port. With that much oomph, it’s easy to…

SYLVAN MIRAGE X3 CLZ

STARCRAFT CX 23 DL BAR

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 23'10" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 2'0" DRY WEIGHT: 2,100 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/2,320 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 60 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Yamaha F250 four-stroke 250 hp DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/153/4" x 15" Saltwater Series II 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 20 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 250 lb. After Starcraft introduced the DL Bar last year and listened to customer feedback, it improved the model in user-friendly ways. There’s a new starboard-side galley with a built-in storage locker, and the bar stools have a better storage rack along the starboard side. There are six new lighted cup holders, nonskid footrests underneath, and the bar is easier to convert. Convert into what? When you don’t want to sit and sip, you can pull a couple of…

STARCRAFT CX 23 DL BAR

TAHOE 2485 LTZ QUAD LOUNGE

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 24'6" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 1'6" DRY WEIGHT: 2,800 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/2,580 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 38 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury FourStroke 150 hp DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15" x 15" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.92:1 FUEL LOAD: 22 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 250 lb. Tahoe’s 2485 LTZ Quad Lounge shows offTahoe quality and features at a bargain price. It bristles with higher-end construction, materials and amenities, yet the as-tested price is just $54,012 with a Mercury 150 Four-Stroke outboard. With that compact and fuel-miserly engine, the 25-foot Tahoe hit a top speed of 38 mph at 5,400 rpm, accelerated from zero to 30 mph in 7.6 seconds, and recorded a best cruise speed of 17 mph at 3,000 rpm, where the Mercury sipped…

TAHOE 2485 LTZ QUAD LOUNGE

BENNINGTON 23LTSB

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 24'7" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: NA DRY WEIGHT: 3,520 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/2,600 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 58 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Yamaha four-stroke 250 hp VMax SHO DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 153/4" x 13" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 50 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 250 For 2021, Bennington Marine off ers the big hit from last year—the drop-center bowrider innovation featuring Vantage-Point Captain’s View and the step-down U-Lounge layout—available in a lower-priced model, the new 23LTSB. At $90,977, versus $140,000 for the 24R luxury model, the new Bennington will attract more buyers. This rig, equipped with a Yamaha 250 VMax SHO, rolled up a 43 mph top-end speed with zero-to-30 mph sprints in 5.3 seconds—faster than most hot-rod bass boats. Best…

BENNINGTON 23LTSB

BENNINGTON 23LSB

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 24'9" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 2'7" DRY WEIGHT: 3,064 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/ 1,730 FUEL CAPACITY: 32 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury 200 FourStroke DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15.3" x 14" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.85:1 FUEL LOAD: 19 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 190 lb. The “L” designator for this new Bennington series stands for luxury, and the first impression is made by the new horizontal diamond-press treatment on the upholstery, executed on our test boat in a graphite color, with Rosa Red accents in Simtex, a vinyl material that has a slight texture that keeps it cool to the touch. Side panels in Rosa Red and Smokey Granite contrast perfectly with the optional Blackout Luxe Edition ($3,594; black finish on the rails, deck trim…

BENNINGTON 23LSB

BARLETTA CORSA 23U

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 25'0" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 1'0" to 1'3" DRY WEIGHT: 3,640 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 13/1,781 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 48 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury 200 FourStroke DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15.3" x 14" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.85:1 FUEL LOAD: 30 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 190 Corsa is the name chosen for a new line of pontoons from Barletta, intended to be a sportier alternative to its flagship L Series line. Corsa has more contrasting color in the interior and the side panels than the L Series, and more shape to the rails. The new Corsa line, including the Corsa 23U we tested, also comes with a long list of desirable standard features that set this boat apart from the fleet in the midrange pontoon…

BARLETTA CORSA 23U

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 25'2" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: NA DRY WEIGHT: 3,124 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 13/2,644 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 34 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Yamaha F200 DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Yamaha Reliance 15" x 141/2 " 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.86:1 FUEL LOAD: 13 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 190 lb. The new Barletta C-Class pontoons hit the waterways in 2021 with solid construction and a raft of standard features, all at a reasonably low price point. Set up for an owner who plans to host a crowd of guests, the C24UE model we tested came equipped with the Ultimate Entertainer (UE) layout, which places a bench seat with pivoting backrest to port at the side-entry gate. Right behind that is a console with a marblelike top and a pair of…

BENNINGTON 24LXSBA

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 25'9" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 2'7" DRY WEIGHT: 3,238 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 13/ 1,387 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 50 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Suzuki DF300B DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Dual-prop Suzuki 15.5" x 21" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 2.29:1 FUEL LOAD: 12 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 190 lb. The new Bennington LX Series takes luxury up a notch from the L Series models. Start with the classy fiberglass Voyager helm console, with stowage access in a side door and through the bow-seat backrest, a locking glove box with USB and Aux ports, zebrawood accents on the dash and the tilting wheel, bright trim on the analog gauge package that includes an hour meter, and a windscreen. Our test boat replaced the gauges with a Simrad GO7 multifunction display…

BENNINGTON 24LXSBA

HARRIS CRUISER 250

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 25'10" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT (MAX): 1'9" DRY WEIGHT: 3,088 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 15/2,658 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 37 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Single Mercury 150 XL EFIFourStroke DRIVE/PROP: Mercury Enertia 15.3" x 14" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.92:1 FUEL LOAD: 37 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 425 lb. Cruiser models may be the entry point into the Harris Boats lineup, but don’t expect lesser construction from this builder just to reach the price point. Quality build details include full-length M-brackets to resist flex, a sturdy mix of extruded aluminum C- and Z-channel cross members for deck support, and tried-and-true tongue-and-groove marine plywood decking that’s built to last. Three-inch-deep aluminum rub rails protect the deck edges and wrap over corners. Marine-grade wiring includes plastic grommets and…

HARRIS CRUISER 250

MISTY HARBOR VIAGGIO DIAMANTE 26S

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 26'0" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: NA DRY WEIGHT: 3,495 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/2,600 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 56 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury Verado FourStroke 250 hp DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 141/2" x 17" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.85:1 FUEL LOAD: 56 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 400 lb. For 2021, Misty Harbor Boats introduces the Viaggio line of luxury performance pontoons, aiming at the higher end of the market but keeping the price competitive. If the Diamante 26S is any example, the company will do well. Our test boat impressed with performance, fit-and-finish, build quality, and several innovative and thoughtful touches. The Mercury Verado 250 powered the Diamante to a 42 mph top speed, and accelerated to 30 mph from an in-gear idle in just under…

MISTY HARBOR VIAGGIO DIAMANTE 26S

AVALON CATALINA 2585 PLATINUM QUAD LOUNGE

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 26'6" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 1'6" DRY WEIGHT: 3,100 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/2,580 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 58 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury Verado FourStroke 250 hp DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 14.5" x 17" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 43 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 250 lb. Avalon brings a lot to the party. The Catalina 2585 Platinum Quad Lounge does its job maintaining that mantle with a big Mercury Verado 250. With that much power, the 3,100-pound 27-footer scoots from a dead idle to 30 mph in under 6 seconds, and tops out at 47 mph. If you’re more into a sedate cruise, the Catalina likes it best at 13 mph, where the Verado turns 2,500 rpm and sips fuel at just 3.2 gph,…

AVALON CATALINA 2585 PLATINUM QUAD LOUNGE

BENNINGTON 24RTFBA BOWRIDER

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 26'6.5" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 2'7" DRY WEIGHT: 3,753 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 15/ 2,060 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 58 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Yamaha F300 DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Yamaha Salt Water Series II 15.75" x 15" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 44 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 400 lb. You step down to step up aboard the Bennington 24RTFBA Bowrider. The recessed forward seating area is made possible by the Integrated V-Hull Performance Package, which replaces a traditional center tube with a V-bottom hull between 23-inch-diameter outboard tubes. That center hull mates directly to the underside of the deck. Cut away the deck, and you have space for a molded fiberglass footwell for a step-down U-shaped lounge that’s about a foot lower than the main deck.…

BENNINGTON 24RTFBA BOWRIDER

MANITOU 25 LX RXF DUAL ENGINE

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 26'8" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: NA DRY WEIGHT: 4,160 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 13/1,775 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 90 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINES: Twin Mercury Verado 300 DRIVE/PROPS: Outboard/Mercury Revolution 4 145/8" x 23" 4-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 75 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 400 lb. A top speed of 60 mph is a benchmark for performance pontoon boats—go 60 and you are running with the big dogs. One way to get there is aboard a properly equipped version of the new Manitou LX series. Our test boat, a 25 LX RXF with twin Mercury Verado 300 outboards, ran 62 mph on glass-calm water. That’s clipping right along. For 2021, the Manitou LX series replaces both the Legacy and X-Plode series in the Manitou…

MANITOU 25 LX RXF DUAL ENGINE

CREST SAVANNAH 250 SLS

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 26'9" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 1'6" DRY WEIGHT: 4,426 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: NA/2,790 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 85 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury Verado 350 DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 14.5" x 17" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 43 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 190 lb. A sculpted fiberglass bow module and fiberglass seat bases distinguish the new Savannah series, now the flagship of the Crest pontoon line. And worthy of a flagship, this boat is both attractive and loaded with standard features. The forward seat bases are incorporated into the bow modules, each with a lounging backrest at the console. The smooth seat bases blend nicely with the helm console and look a little more upscale than the typical molded-plastic or vinyl-covered bases we see…

CREST SAVANNAH 250 SLS

PLAYCRAFT INFINITY 2700

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 27'5 BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: NA DRY WEIGHT: 2,750 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 15/3,000 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 50 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury 400 Verado FourStroke 400 hp DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 14.7" x 16" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 50 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 425 lb. While this PlayCraft represents a midprice package at just under $120,000, it’s a full-zoot custom rig with enough power and speed to satisfy, and features and benefits to keep owners and fun-seekers occupied. Underneath, 0.09-inch-thick, 24-inch-diameter triple pontoons are fitted with skin guards on the nose keels for worry-free beaching. Foam flotation fills each pontoon for safety and noise deadening. Underdeck, all-aluminum cross members are fitted 16 inches on center and covered with aluminum spray-shield panels. Extruded…

PLAYCRAFT INFINITY 2700

BARLETTA L25UCA

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 27'6" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: NA DRY WEIGHT: 4,520 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/2,800 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 48 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury Racing 450R DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 14.2" x 18" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.60:1 FUEL LOAD: 13 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 190 lb. The L Series is the flagship of the Barletta line of pontoon boats, and this L25UCA is a flagship with all of the extras. The “A” in the model code stands for arch, a billet aluminum structure rated to tow 1,500 pounds that incorporates a 10-foot sun top, four speakers and a light bar, and you can raise or lower this fine arch at the touch of a button. This triple-tube model has a chassis designed to support a lot…

BARLETTA L25UCA

SUNCHASER ECLIPSE 25 SSB

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 27'8" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT: 2'0" DRY WEIGHT: 3,445 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 15/2,115 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 60 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: Mercury 250 FourStroke DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia Eco 16" x 17" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 45 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 190 lb. The new Eclipse 25 is the top-of-theline model in the SunChaser series for 2021, a pontoon stretching more than 27 feet in length and loaded with features. The Eclipse name for this series is apt because blacked-out rails and deck trim—all the rage on pontoons right now—are standard. Our boat also had optional black-painted tubes and a black ski-tow rig to complete the “eclipse” effect. The tripletube X-Treme PR25 Performance Package features three 25-inch-diameter tubes and heavy-duty cross members…

SUNCHASER ECLIPSE 25 SSB

PLAYCRAFT POWERTOON X-TREME 3000

BOATING CERTIFIED TEST RESULTS SPECS: LOA: 30'0" BEAM: 10'0" DRAFT: 1'2" DRY WEIGHT: 2,950 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 15/3,000 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 100 gal. HOW WE TESTED: ENGINES: Twin Mercury 450R Pro FourStroke 450 hp DRIVE/PROPS: Outboard/Mercury Bravo FS 151/4" x 26" 4-blade stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.60:1 FUEL LOAD: 85 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 550 lb. Jim Dorris, founder of PlayCraft pontoons, is also the founder of performance pontoon boating and the first to race them at the famous Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Today, Jim, son Joe and grandkids maintain the decades-old legacy. PlayCraft’s creations are still at the top of this now-popular genre, posting record speeds at the LOTO Shootout. A 77.6 mph top speed, a 4-second hole shot to 30 mph, and racing graphics and colors demoralize all…

PLAYCRAFT POWERTOON X-TREME 3000

BENTLEY PONTOONS 223 BENTLEY NAVIGATOR

BOATING BUYERS SPOTLIGHT LOA: 23'2" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT (MAX): 2'6" DRY WEIGHT: 2,680 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 15/2,550 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 54 gal. MAX POWER: Outboards to 250 hp Besides constructing the standard 25-inch aluminum tubes and chassis, Bentley Pontoons makes all of its own components in its plant in Lexington, South Carolina. This includes doing in-house powder-coating, as well as making the furniture and canvas mooring covers. The commitment to quality build shows up in Bentley’s new 223 Bentley Navigator, a well-appointed triple-tube pontoon that looks great on the lake with a full crew aboard. And by full crew, we mean a 15-person capacity. The layout is sure to serve the needs of your crew, with curved matching “lay-back” couches in the bow area, with forward-facing backrests in front of…

BENTLEY PONTOONS 223 BENTLEY NAVIGATOR

G3 SUNCATCHER SELECT 324 RC

BOATING BUYERS SPOTLIGHT LOA: 23'11" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT (MAX): NA DRY WEIGHT: 2,873 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/2,500 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 37 gal. AVAILABLE POWER: Yamaha outboards to 225 hp The SunCatcher Select 324 RC, one of the company’s most popular models, has been completely redesigned for 2021 to make it even more appealing to pontoon lovers. Where to start? The new fence design gives the Select 324 RC a stylish look at the dock, with two-tone graphics that come in five different color combinations. SunCatcher also upgraded the boat’s interior with a new, more comfortable and durable seat foam and some exciting vinyl color choices. Choose between a tan or gray interior and an array of accent colors such as Carbon, Ultra Red, Daytona Blue, Mediterranean and Mocha. The couches…

G3 SUNCATCHER SELECT 324 RC

PRINCECRAFT VOGUE 25 RL SPORT

BOATING BUYERS SPOTLIGHT LOA: 25'11" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT (MAX): 2'6" DRY WEIGHT: 3,224 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 11/2,152 lb. FUEL CAPACITY: 29 gal. AVAILABLE POWER: Mercury outboards to 300 hp If you’re truly looking for a pontoon boat that can turn heads on the water yet entertain a crew at the same time, the Vogue 25 RL with the optional Sport Ice Edition is just the ticket. It’s a stylish craft with excellent performance attributes and an updated layout. With the Sport Ice Edition, you get the plush white and charcoal vinyl interior, and the red accents are stunning. There are four exterior color combinations from which to choose, including red. In the bow, Princecraft shows off a set of roomy and comfy U-shaped furniture. Each side of the U-lounge features…

PRINCECRAFT VOGUE 25 RL SPORT

SILVER WAVE SW3 2410 CLS

BOATING BUYERS SPOTLIGHT SPECS: LOA: 23'10" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT (MAX): 2'6" DRY WEIGHT: 1,950 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 14/2,409 lb. (tri-toon) FUEL CAPACITY: 48 gal. AVAILABLE POWER: Mercury, Suzuki or Yamaha outboard to 150 hp (200 hp with tri-toon packages) So, you’re shopping for a new pontoon and you want a boat that’s big on luxuries and looks, but not so big when it comes to the price? Check out the Silver Wave SW3 2410 CLS. This ’toon’s impressive list of standard features includes an interfaced Garmin GPS, a stereo system with Wet Sounds RGB backlit speakers and controller, reclining swiveling seats, comfortable upholstery, USB ports, an inward-opening boarding door, a coordinating sun top and more. Construction? This Silver Wave uses a heavy-duty hat- and Z-channel chassis with cross members on…

SILVER WAVE SW3 2410 CLS

SILVER WAVE SW5 2410 JS SWINGBACK

BOATING BUYERS SPOTLIGHT SPECS: LOA: 23'10" BEAM: 8'6" DRAFT (MAX): 2'6" DRY WEIGHT: 1,950 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 14/2,549 lb.(tri-toon) FUEL CAPACITY: 27 gal. (up to 75 gal. with tri-toon packages) AVAILABLE POWER: Mercury, Suzuki or Yamaha outboard to 150 hp (300 hp with tri-toon packages) Silver Wave’s SW5 2410 JS Swingback gets its name from a triple-wide aft lounge that’s comfortable, attractive, and will stand up to the rigors of water and sun. Inside this lounge, which protects crew seated there with its sturdy stainless-steel rail, boaters will find tremendous stowage space, perfect for housing all the gear needed for a day on the water and at the sandbar. This lounge’s biggest feature is that it converts from aft facing to forward facing. Face aft, and it’s easy to keep…

SILVER WAVE SW5 2410 JS SWINGBACK

YAMAHA V-6 OFFSHORE OUTBOARDS

Yamaha Marine has updated its immensely popular 4.2L V-6 Off shore outboards—the F250 and F300 models—with new electric steering systems, a redesigned exhaust bypass to optimize reverse thrust, full-tilt functionality, and more. The same Digital Electric Steering on the Yamaha 425 XTO Off shore outboard is now built into V-6 variants. DES is easier to rig than conventional steering systems and creates a less cluttered bilge, with no pumps, hydraulics or bleeding procedure. There's also a bplt-on version of DES for new V-6 Offshore models that don't have it integrated Past Yamaha V-6 out-boards had poor response in reverse. Yamaha has corrected this with the new Thrust Enhancing Reverse Exhaust on updated V-6s that keeps exhaust bubbles above the anti-ventilation plate when below 2,500 rpm in reverse to improve prop…

YAMAHA V-6 OFFSHORE OUTBOARDS

Let’s be honest. In terms of pure bang for the buck, it’s hard to beat your basic inflatable doughnut or disc. Updated versions of the inner tubes of old, they’re relatively inexpensive, fit a wide variety of rider sizes and weights, and can slingshot and skim across the water all day long. In short, they’re a blast. That’s not to say they can’t get boring. After a while, all those solo rides can get lonely. The more riders, the merrier. And that shape? Who wants a simple doughnut when you can have something that’s wild and crazy, brings your friends along for the ride, and is sure to turn almost every head at the sandbar. Those are the kinds of inflatables we rounded up for this year’s tubing extravaganza: slingshot…

ROCK AROUND THE DOCK

Lake of the Ozarks (LOTO, for short), a sprawling impoundment built in Missouri in 1929, was the first body of water I was fortunate enough to call home. More recently, a labyrinth of canals etched in a fat, round point at the headwaters of Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda, Florida, has become home. I’ve been lucky to have powerboats docked on waterfronts of both, and during that time, I learned more than I wanted to know about navigating regulatory quagmires designed to keep the neighbors and bureaucrats happy when building a dock. Local water conditions—and sometimes customs—dictate a docking system. If your water level fluctuates due to tides or hydroelectric-dam operations, you’ll have to allow for water-level changes of a couple of feet to 10 or even 20 feet. If…

ROCK AROUND THE DOCK

HOIST OR FLOAT? Hoisting boats extends their life and often their resale price, and means you can forgo antifouling paint. However, if you plan to cruise with your boat for extended days or weeks, marine growth can take hold of an unpainted boat bottom in that period of time, and require expensive hauling and acid washing to restore its seaworthy efficiency. Bottom paint will dry out on a hoist, sealing in the ablative biocide. Sanding it to reactivate the biocide is a dirty job that requires protective gear, and sanding accelerates the paint’s ablation, further reducing its useful life. In fresh water, algae can grow on the boat in a few days. With swim goggles on and a brush in hand, you can usually get it off with little effort.…

It was in a box labeled “Anything $1.” When out rummaging, I always look in these boxes because how can you go wrong for a dollar? A Saturday morning spent cruising rummage sales—or garage sales, tag sales or yard sales, depending on your regional dialect—is like a big treasure hunt; you never know what you might find. And here in the North Woods, where the unofficial slogan is “Buy Used or Die,” rummage sales are key to the secondary economy. My wife taught me how to conduct a quick windshield scan. If the general colorway of the sale is pastel, then kids’ clothes and toys likely predominate, in which case I keep driving. I’m looking for guy stuff, a sale with tools, baby food jars filled with screws, with power…

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