Sylvan S5 Extreme

August 2015 Boat Test Monday

This article originally appeared in our 2015 Shootout issue. If you are interested in seeing this in print along with 25 other boat reviews, click HERE to purchase the back issue.

What You Need To Know

This Sylvan stands out in a good way and we’re not just talking about the green accent colors, although that’s part of it. It takes more than just a few amenities to create a sporty pontoon and that’s why we love that the aggressive look is backed up by how well it performs.

The Highlights

Starting with the exterior, the white panels also include a nice splash of green color that is tastefully tied in to the furniture inside. The plush seating includes two chaise lounges in the bow with moveable armrests and storage below, with the portside one also including a well-hidden trash receptacle.

For the captain there is a raised helm stand and the brand-new dash console includes symmetrical gauges that are easy to read. Plus just off to the side of the panel you’ll find the controls for the Polk Audio Bluetooth stereo. With tilt steering and the fully adjustable helm chair that also reclines, each driver can easily get comfortable behind the wheel. Directly across is an identical helm chair for the first mate that also slides, swivels and reclines.

Behind the dual captain’s chairs are two rear-facing loungers that are extremely comfortable with storage below. In the starboard lounge there is a hidden pop-up changing room that stands nearly 6 feet tall when open and is actually quite spacious. If we had to be picky, we’d like to see the battery and components relocated or maybe just better protected. It currently is in the storage compartment with the changing room, but there’s still plenty of space to use in the enclosure.

While the majority of the pontoon is covered with marine-grade carpet, in the stern is nice Sea Weave flooring that helps transition from inside the boat to the rear aft deck. With the massive wakeboard tower—well-braced and very solid—the deep four-step stainless steel boarding ladder is going to get well used.

Also worth noting, there are LED accent lights throughout the boat, around the cupholders and even included above the pontoons on the outside. We love the added touch this provides to the sporty pontoon boat.

Inspection Notes

Below deck there are two 25-inch diameter RPT pontoons that are V-shaped with the new PR25 round center tube, which is part of the performance package that is being released for 2015. Not that anyone wants to be thinking of resale value, but the pontoon logs are painted black, which will keep them looking clean year after year. Up top the majority of the boat includes a tall, family-friendly rail height of 27 inches tall, helping it earn a high safety rating.

Performance Evaluation

When Evinrude launched its new G2 line of E-TECs last year it probably had boats like this one in mind which made it possible to color-match the outboard with the boat. That same splash of green that we love throughout is tied in perfectly with this Evinrude 250. The combination of the power and the new performance hull provided a great thrill ride that included an impressive zero to 20 mph time of just four-and-a-half seconds with a top speed in the mid 40s. We really enjoyed the way this boat handled, especially in the turns.

TEST DRIVE THE 2016 MODELS AT PDB DAYS

Our Take

When it comes to being a sporty pontoon, this Sylvan is all in. It’s loaded with a lot of great features and amenities, plus a great floorplan that combines comfort and style. From the well-supported wakeboard tower and color-matched Evinrude to the performance package and painted pontoons, there’s a lot to love about this S5 Extreme.

2015 Boat Specifications

Number of Occupants 14

Price As Tested With Power $65.3 K

Maximum Speed 44.2 mph

Wild Ponies 250 hp

No. of Gates 3

0-20 MPH 4.55 seconds

Ladder Measurement 3’ 8” deep

Why we love this boat…The bright sporty accent color and the massive wakeboard tower are backed up by how well this Sylvan performs.

Just being picky…The battery is a little exposed inside the pop-up changing room below one of the rear loungers, but it doesn’t limit your ability to use the enclosure in any way.

NOTABLE STANDARDS

AM/FM Bluetooth stereo w/ speakers and auxiliary port for MP3, Stern Sea Weave flooring, single reclining helm chair w/ slider, armrests, and headrest, docking lights, stern courtesy light, lighted cup holder, anodized deck trim, 12-volt receptacle, and 8’ 6” bimini top.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

RPT PR25 Performance pkg. (RPT tubes, performance shield, center tube with 60-gal. fuel tank, hydraulic steering, wake tower and additional gate seat).