Math problems aren’t always hard, especially when we make sense out of it and it’s something we are interested in. Palm Beach makes math simple and easy. When you add up all the good in a pontoon, you come up with Palm Beach. It can’t get easier than that. So if you’re searching for a top-notch pontoon for a good value, look no farther. Palm Beach provides value throughout its entire line.
Palm Beach has made a lot of quality improvements to its line and the Islander series for 2013.
“We have developed a low profile “H” bracket used to attach the tubes to the cross members to give it a modernized look,” says Marketing Manager Gabrielle Menne. “We manufacture all our own furniture in-house as well as produce our Rotocast furniture frames.”
The Islander RL
The 240 Islander RL takes the popular layout of the two rear couch lounges and creates a boat that is a must-have for a boating family. The Islander is built with .090-gauge aluminum tubes with 1 1/4-inch anodized aluminum rails, wood-free furniture frames, and stainless steel hardware for strength and wear resistance.
The multi-chambered tubes add strength and stability and the fully welded end caps are stamped and domed for added power. The positive airlock system is a multi-chambered, vented construction which prevents the tubes from filling if punctured. They use a large footprint H-bracket, which provides a solid connection between the tubes and the deck. The newly designed custom cross-members are spaced on 24-inch centers with additional cross-members spaced 12 inches apart for added strength in the stern where additional strength is needed.
The stainless steel Tek-Fasteners are attached with a high speed drill, which drills directly into the cross-members, generating enough heat to sonic-weld the fastener to the frame. “These features give the Palm Beach Islander the quality construction found on most of the luxury pontoon brands,” says Menne. “The benefit to the consumer is high-quality construction at a cost-effective price.”
Another great feature to the Islander is its great warranty offered. Palm Beach has a limited lifetime warranty on the structure, deck, welds, and Rotocast plastic seat frames and a five-year on carpet and vinyl.
The Features
The drivers command center is built around a fiberglass Manistique helm with windshield that comes standard with full instrumentation including tach, speed, fuel, trim and volt. It has skirt molding and a very nice ski/tow bar in the stern with a permanent ladder.
The sound system is powered by Jensen and has the JMS2212 stereo with iPod holder, and is beautiful. It comes with four speakers, iPod integration, and a USB charger for any audio device, which makes it easily compatible.
The helm design is brought together with a beautiful contemporary chrome captain’s wheel and a deluxe helm chair that provides a very comfortable seat for the captain and all the captain’s needs available. It has two mobile armrests and tilt steering which also makes it extra nice.
The furniture is constructed of 100 percent wood-free Rotocast furniture frames and is wrapped in cushy foam covered by quality vinyl for extra, high-quality comfort. The many passengers will absolutely enjoy the soft foam built into the seat bases and the couches that support your back.
Some other standard features include: a built-in fuel tank, mood lighting in the bow and aft so you can have nice, romantic getaways with your special someone. The Islander has two tables, courtesy lighting, stainless steel cleats, rail spacers, 3/4-inch marine grade plywood and quality Berber carpet. A filler couch comes standard on the Islander RL model and Palm Beach took the extra effort to incorporate an Igloo cooler and trash door and paper towel holder in the lounges of the furniture.
What sets this model apart from other models is that the Islander comes standard with a filler couch that can be used in either the bow or aft.
“We have an elite chair which sits right across from the driver called the first mate’s seat so the driver is able to not feel left out. It has the 30-inch round corners not only in the front, but also in the aft to give it a unique look,” Menne adds.
Bullet Triple Tube Package
The 240 RL has the option of the 2013 Bullet Triple Tube Package which, unlike a standard round triple tube, the bullet design adds lift and increased speed to your pontoon, so you can have extra power to pull those tubers and wakeboarders. The Bullet incorporates lifting strakes below the deck, a built-in fuel tank, storage locker, and comes standard with hydraulic steering. When driving the Bullet tube you really feel the difference in your ride and cornering.
“Our test boat was equipped with a 225hp Evinrude E-TEC, that provided a lot of power and speed while still remaining quiet throughout the power range,” comments Menne.
The 225 Evinrude E-TEC is a superb engine to provide the maximum performance from the Bullet triple tube. It has SeaStar hydraulic steering and a 48-gallon fuel tank.
Some additional popular added options for the Islander include a playpen cover, Bullet Center Tube, digital depth finder, Humminbird fish finder with GPS, livewell installed in couch, D/L bow layout with two Elite chairs and table.
Room For All
If storage is a necessity to you and your family, the Islander has excellent options. There is plenty of space under each seat base to store lifejackets, dock lines, bumpers, and any other equipment you need for a day with the family on the water. If you feel like you could use extra storage space, an option is to get the Bullet Triple Tube package that comes with a 7-foot in-floor storage locker.
The amount of space on the Islander is perfect for families, as it comes in 24- and 22-foot configurations. The boat with the 225 Evinrude E-TEC engine retails for $47,616.25.
Credentials
Palm Beach Marine has been around since 1957, and they are now newly owned by Premier Marine. Palm Beach works firsthand with its dealers to ensure that you receive exceptional service. They take great pride in building a pontoon boat that will far exceed your expectations. Every year without fail they bring well-designed new models and specialized features to satisfy every boater. Palm Beach is highly committed to safety, quality, innovation and total customer satisfaction. Palm Beach Pontoons has a lot that sets them apart from other pontoon manufacturers and a huge accomplishment is that Palm Beach has been a six-time recipient of the CSI Award for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).
You can truly have it all with the Palm Beach Islander. Remember the simple math problem: comfort plus quality plus value plus style equals the Palm Beach Islander.
