Pontoons are rapidly becoming the

go anywhere, do
anything vessel of
choice for todays
boating enthusiasts.
by Michael Hauenstein
Recreational
Revolution
PHOTO COURTESY OF QWEST
MARCH 2013 | LAKELANDBOATI NG. COM 39 38 LAKELANDBOATI NG. COM | MARCH 2013
A
s the saying goes, all boats are a compromise. This is
why we struggle to balance speed, economy, capacity,
luxury, and price when weighing the pros and cons of different
boats. But what if we arent properly calibrated whenmaking these
distinctions?What if theres a boat out there that we havent thought
about in a while, but which might surprise us? With this in mind,
please consider the pontoon boat if you havent lately.
Pontoon boats can do far more today than ever before, says
Bob Wachs, brand manager at Godfrey Pontoon Boats of Elkhart,
Indiana. Theyre sportier, theyre quicker, theyre more responsive.
He says triple-tube designs have not only improvedperformance
but are ushering in a culture change: People of all ages are taking
notice and, nowadays, theres no typical pontoon buyer.
This hasnt always been the case. Greg Knight, marketing
consultant for Alma, Michigan-based Avalon Pontoons, says there
has been a performance revolution in recent years.
Prior to the last decade, pontoons were generally twinpontoons
not made for high-speed running, and they didnt provide much
in the way of versatility, says Knight. Over the last decade, our
company and many others have made an effort to change that.
In addition to the performance aspect of the new designs,
pontoons also have a much greater cool factor these days.
Pontoon boats nowrival the luxury entertaining often found on
daycruising yachts, and features like bars, Flexsteel furniture, and
galleys make the options for enjoying a day on the water endless,
says Connie Weinman, sales and marketing coordinator at Premier
Pontoons of Wyoming, Minnesota. The new performance and
luxurious designs have made pontoons some of the most versatile
boats built today. They can be designed to meet the needs of any
boater, theconstructionstandards arecontinuallyimproving, andthe
innovationhas really caught consumers andtheindustry by surprise.
The old perception of your grandpas pontoon has changed
drastically in the past 10 years, Weinman adds.
Out with the old, in with the new
Its not a stretch to say that pontoons carry a certain cachet these
days. The pontoonboat has become a more attractive all-purpose
boat, andhas become a greater source of pride for its owners, says
Avalons Knight.
Evidence of the possibilities offeredby the pontoonboat platform
is seen in the myriad deck layouts, sports and entertainment
packages, fishing equipment, and camper canvas options that
builders offer.
The boats are becoming so universal, and theyre becoming
a better option for more folks, especially as the performance
improves, says Godfreys Wachs, noting that todays pontoons can
pull skiers andwakeboarders. Theyre a lot more flexible thanother
types of boats, andtheyre starting to break out into newplaces like
the Great Lakes and coastal areas.
The boats have gotten bigger, the boats have gotten wider, and
the tubes have gotten larger, so they can go out in rougher water,
he explains. Theyre becoming more seaworthy.
Infact, Knight says Avalonhas runone of its pontoonboats from
Chicago to Mackinac Island. He notes that owners canuse themon
the Great Lakes withdue care inother words, avoidhuge water.
While pontoons might not be ready to replace the purpose-built
wakeboard boat or go 12 miles offshore to fish, their versatility
appeals to a wide swath of boaters. So does their value.
Ultimately, what drives it is the price paidfor the value received,
says Wachs. Youget a lot of boat for the money ina pontoon, which
you can use for cruising, fishing, water sports, and entertaining.
Knight concurs.
Fromall the statistics were getting, pontoons noware the best
selling of all types of boats, says the Avalon Pontoons marketing
man. Even as the price of pontoons has gone up overall, the value
compared to other types of boats has remained excellent. And you
can do the same things, with limited exceptions, as you would on
a cabin cruiser or runabout.
Todrive the point home, Godfrey Pontoons Wachs compares the
capacity of a pontoonwiththat of a runabout: If youspend$30,000
ona runabout, youmight expect tocarry six people comfortably; that
same money ina pontoonandyoucancarry 12 to14 people, he says.
More space, more amenities, more innovation
For one thing, pontoon boats carry their beam all the way to the
bowfor maximumcapacity. This allows boatbuilders to be creative
with layouts and amenities. From pop-up changing rooms and
concealed portable marine heads to waterslides, expansive swim
platforms, andmultiple-chaise-lounge layouts, manufacturers are
taking full advantage.
One trend that has really takenoff inrecent years is the onboard
bar complete with barstools that youll see in several of the
newboats profiled below.
The whole concept of a bar boat came out about three years
ago, says Wachs. People are viewing the pontoonboat as more of a
multipurposeplatform. Thesepeopleliketoentertainandliketohave
a good time, and for families with kids they like the counter space.
Indeed, whenyoutake a look at some of the layouts andfurniture
options ontodays models, youll understand why Wachs says that
pontoonboat owners dont feel like theyre sitting ona park bench
anymore. Boring-oldwill be the farthest thing fromyour mindafter
you see these 10 remarkable pontoons. LB
Avalon Catalina 22
Avalon Luxury Pontoon Boats has been building
pontoons for more than 40 years with an emphasis on
heavy-duty construction and materials, both in the hull
and the interior. Its lineup ranges from 14 feet to 29
feet and from premium to economy models.
While the Catalina is part of the companys A
(Affordable) Series, it combines design elements from
the top-of-the-line Deco Series with the construction
and materials with which Avalon has made its name,
including a berglass helm station.
The Catalinas are full-size pontoons that come
in lengths of 20, 22, and 24 feet. Each of the three
boats has an 8-foot beam and the same basic layout,
featuring an L-shaped lounge with a wood table on
the port side and a swim deck with vinyl ooring in the
stern. A 10-foot bimini top is standard, while numerous
canvas options are available.
Other popular options include built-in docklights, a GPS/shnder, hydraulic or mechanical tilt steering, carpet upgrades, and the
companys Waveglider high-performance triple-pontoon system. In addition, a ski tow bar, wakeboard tower, refreshment center,
electric wine rack, refrigerator, washdown kit, livewell for shing, stainless steel grill, and plenty more options are available. Base
price without power for the 22-foot Catalina (pictured) is $18,612.
AVALONPONTOONS.COM
Bennington
2550 RCL
Bennington Marine, based in Elkhart, Indiana, builds
pontoon boats from 17 feet to 28 feet and in a variety
of trim levels and layouts. A good example of what
Bennington can do is found in the 2550 RCL. A big
boat with luxury touches throughout, the 2550 RCL
measures 27 feet, 1 inch with a beam of 8 feet, 6
inches, and has cushy wraparound lounge seating
throughout the cockpit, with three chaise lounges built
into that seating.
The portside chaises can be designed to conceal a
pop-up changing room or a galley (or one in each, on
either side of the port entry gate; there are also entry
points in the bow and stern). The starboard chaise
backs to the berglass helm console, which contains
storage, a stereo, and an integral footrest for the
captain, who gets a reclining helm seat with headrest, tilt steering, and a custom steering wheel with teak trim.
Aft ller cushions and a teak dinette table are standard, as are a pair of portable armrest cupholders with teak trim. The 2550 also
has an extended aft deck with a telescoping swim ladder, not to mention a selection of options including performance packages,
furniture upgrades, and tops and enclosures.
Manufacturer suggested retail price for the 2550 RCL with Yamaha T50 engine is $37,845.
BENNINGTONMARINE.COM
MARCH 2013 | LAKELANDBOATI NG. COM 41 40 LAKELANDBOATI NG. COM | MARCH 2013
Harris FloteBote
Crowne 250
Harris FloteBote of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is another
pontoon builder thats nding the formula for fun
on the water. The new Crowne 250 measures 26
feet, 9 inches in overall length, with a beam of 8
feet, 6 inches, and looks that could kill. It has a sleek
berglass superstructure with sweeping lines, plus
a thoroughly modern interior with dual aft-facing
loungers, an optional touchscreen control at the helm,
and an optional entertainment bar with barstools, rope
lighting, lighted cupholders, wine bottle storage, sink,
and further optional appliances. An optional sport arch
with integrated bimini top and sunshades completes
the look for a boat that its builder calls the next
generation of Harris FloteBote.
Pontoon boats like the Crowne are popular because
they provide a good balance of performance and comfort, says Harris FloteBote marketing manager Jane Schlegel. They can pull a
skier or take out the whole family for an evening cruise.
Other features include a telescoping/collapsible teak bow table, a changing room, and a six-speaker stereo system two of which
speakers can be enjoyed from the aft swim deck.
Manufacturer suggested retail pricing for the Crowne starts at $60,960 with a 90-hp Mercury 4-stroke outboard.
HARRISFLOTEBOTE.COM
Crest Savannah
250 CP3+
Crest Marine has been building boats in Owosso,
Michigan, for 56 years. Clearly, theyve picked up a
few tricks along the way, as one look at the Savannah
250 CP3+ will show you.
The Savannah is the agship of Crests line, which
runs from 19 feet on up to this 25-foot, 10-inch
stunner. The company employs berglass construction
extensively on both the interior and exterior of its
Savannah models a 23-footer is also available
which gives the boat a sophisticated look, inside and out.
The Savannah has a high-end layout, with twin chaise
lounges forward; stern lounge seating with a berglass
cockpit table; and an entertainment center, abaft the
helm station, featuring a sink, storage, vanity mirror, and
a 12-volt receptacle.
Meanwhile, below the deck, the CP3+ Performance Option means the Savannah 250 has a triple-pontoon conguration with lifting
strakes, aluminum underdeck skin, electric-assist hydraulic steering, stainless steel ski tow bar, and in-sole ski storage. It also means
the boat can handle an outboard of up to 300 hp. Pricing for a Savannah 250 CP3+ Performance Edition with a 250-hp Mercury
Verado 4-stroke outboard and options including polyvinyl teak-and-holly ooring and a premium stereo system is $77,000. Or, plan to
shell out $68,500 for the Mercury 150L 4-stroke version.
CRESTPONTOONBOATS.COM
Premier Boundary
Sky Dek
The Boundary Waters Sky Dek from Premier Pontoons is
a great example of just how far you can take the pontoon
boat concept. The agship of Minnesota-based Premiers
line, the Sky Dek measures 31 feet, 5 inches (not
including the standard waterslide, we should note) and
features upper and lower decks with plenty of lounging
and entertaining amenities found on both.
The boat, with its 10-foot, 2-inch beam, has a rated
capacity of 20 people on the lower deck and ve more
on the upper deck. With such a large platform to work
with, its no wonder Premier was able to include pretty
much any amenity possible on this boat: Wraparound
seating in the bow with standard ller cushion and
portable armrest cupholders; a pair of large recliners
on the port side, athwart the helm station with
captains chair; a galley with vessel sink, electric faucet, and refrigerator on the starboard side, abaft the helm station; an L-shaped
settee with table to port; a pop-up changing room aft; and stairs leading to the upper deck with additional seating, table and
bimini top. All the boats furniture is by Flexsteel and additional oor plans are available. Phew! But thats not all: Options include
teak ooring, a double bimini with enclosure, a wine waiter, and twin engines.
The boat pictured has the optional 300-hp Mercury Verado 4-stroke outboard and is priced at $130,816 the base model starts at
$95,073. Premiers PTX triple-pontoon performance package comes standard on the Sky Dek.
PONTOONS.COM
JC TriToon Classic
246 I/O
The JC TriToon Classic 246 is a 24-footer and the
most popular TriToon model from Indiana-based JC
Manufacturing. And thats really saying something:
JC has been building triple-pontoon boats for more
than 25 years and holds the trademark on the name
TriToon, according to JCs Chris Hackleman.
The TriToon Classic 246 I/O comes equipped with
sterndrive power from 190 hp to 350 hp outboard
power up to 250 hp is optional and is said to
combine deckboat performance with pontoon comfort.
We say it is the SUV of the lake, according to
Hackleman. Its a great boat for cruising, and pontoons
are becoming the boat that will go fast and are able to
pull skiers and kids on tubes.
In addition, the choice of powerplant makes it a great
pick for boaters used to driving a sterndrive, Hackleman says.
While standard features mean the 246 already comes decked out for lounging, entertaining and tow sports, some neat optional
features include a changing room (optional at no additional charge); sink; shnder, GPS, and stereo upgrades; wakeboard tower;
hardtop; and power bimini top that Hackleman says is great for going under bridges and putting the boat on its lift. Retail price for the
246 I/O starts at $58,000.
JCPONTOON.COM
42 LAKELANDBOATI NG. COM | MARCH 2013 MARCH 2013 | LAKELANDBOATI NG. COM 43
Qwest 820 LS
Splash Pad
The Qwest 820 LS Splash Pad is a 21-foot pontoon
boat from Michigan-based Apex Marine. The notable
feature on this model is the eponymous Splash
Pad: While most recreational pontoon boats are
characterized by their wraparound seating in a gated,
carpeted main deck area, the Splash Pad adds an open
aft sundeck with removable barstools to the mix
perfect for entertaining or using as a swim platform.
Like many pontoon manufacturers, options abound
on Apexs boats, and the LS (Luxury Series) Splash
Pad is no exception, from propulsion choices to the
number of pontoons: The standard model has double
pontoons, while a triple-tube package is available.
The standard model can be equipped with anything
from an electric drive up to a 90-hp outboard, says
Apex general manager Brad Lemerand, who says that the standard model, with double pontoons and a 50-hp outboard, has enough
power to pull kids tubing and will run about 18 mph ($21,436). For those who want a pontoon to perform more like a runabout, we
offer the Triple Tube Package. This boat, equipped with triple tubes and 115-hp Mercury 4-stroke outboard, can reach speeds up to
40 mph and can pull skiers ($29,150).
Apex focuses on the smaller end of the pontoon segment, offering models ranging in size from 16 feet to 21 feet. The company
even offers paddlewheel models think of an oversized pedalboat in addition to electric drives and outboards.
GILLGETTER.COM
South Bay
724E Deluxe
When it comes to pontoon boats, entertaining is never
far from mind. On the South Bay 724E Deluxe Series,
the E literally stands for Entertainment. And the boat
really delivers, as notable features include a granite
topcoat entertainment bar with LED lighting and
plenty of stainless steel: A stainless steel refrigerator,
stainless steel propane grill, stainless steel three-
drawer storage system, and more.
The Entertainment model also comes equipped with
an upgraded stereo system including a pair of stern
speakers. The 25-foot, 2-inch boat has an extended
swim platform and a capacity of 12 people (standard) or
14 (with optional Trifecta Package).
The 724E Deluxe Series with the Trifecta Package
which includes a full-length center tube, lifting
strakes, a full under-deck aluminum skin, hydraulic steering, a stainless steel water sports tow bar, 52-gallon fuel tank, and more
and a Yamaha F150 4-stroke outboard has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $63,350. If thats not enough to impress you, the
Trifecta Package-equipped 724E can handle quite a bit more horsepower, with engine options available up to 300 hp. Plus it can be
equipped with outboard or sterndrive power.
SOUTHBAYPONTOON.COM
Sweetwater 220
Wet Bar
Godfrey Pontoon Boats says its been in the pontoon
business since it unveiled the rst all-aluminum
pontoon boat in 1958. The company now boasts three
popular brands: Aqua Patio, Sanpan and Sweetwater.
The Sweetwater 220 Wet Bar is a boat designed
with cruising and entertaining in mind. Like the Qwest
LS Splash Pad, its noteworthy for its aft bar area
setup with a pair of barstools; however, the bar in
the Sweetwater is located within the connes of the
24-inch-tall cockpit gates for a cozier cocktail-party
vibe. The bar area also features cooler storage, bottle
storage, cupholders (as youll nd, its the more the
merrier when it comes to cupholders on pontoon
boats), and an acrylic bar top; a four-speaker stereo
system is also standard.
The boat measures 23 feet, 8 inches and has a beam of 8 feet, 6 inches, and when equipped with Sweetwaters TOTAL
Package (Triple Outperforming Tube And Launchpad) and a 150-hp outboard can push the 220 Wet Bar to speeds up to 40 mph
proving that high-performance is within reach for the value-oriented boater.
Pricing for the Sweetwater 220 Wet Bar starts at $26,930 with a 50-hp engine.
SWEETWATERBOATS.COM
Sylvan Mandalay
8525 LZ Port
Sylvan Marine has been building boats since the late
1940s when the company was founded near Sylvan
Lake in Indiana. The company pushes performance
across a lineup that ranges from 18 feet up to the 26-
foot, 10-inch Mandalay 8525 LZ Port, which carries the
tagline Luxury Meets Velocity.
Options include a portable marine toilet for the boats
standard walk-in changing room, a second cockpit
table, a refrigerator for the galley, a triple-pontoon
design with in-oor storage and a ski tow.
There are actually a variety of Mandalay 8525
models: The 8525, the 8525 Bar (with barstools in the
aft cockpit), the 8525 LZ, the 8525 Port, and the 8525
LZ Port. Decoding the name 8525 LZ Port we nd an
LZ seating layout plenty of plush lounge seating aft
and on the forward starboard side with the Port seating arrangement forward and (you guessed it) to port a pair of swiveling,
helm-style chairs. Dont forget the captain, who rides in style in a reclining helm chair with a slider feature, armrests and headrests.
Manufacturer suggested retail price for the Mandalay 8525 LZ Port with a Yamaha F150 4-stroke outboard is $53,249.
SYLVANMARINE.COM
44 LAKELANDBOATI NG. COM | MARCH 2013 MARCH 2013 | LAKELANDBOATI NG. COM 45