Boat Test Monday: Starcraft Majestic 276 Starlounger

March 2013 Boat Test Monday Brady L. Kay

Our First Impression

Sometimes it's the little details that make the biggest impression. From bow to stern you can tell that nothing is an afterthought on this Starcraft. We can appreciate the extra time that was taken by the engineers to really put some thought into the layout and design of this luxury high-end beauty.  

Consumer Test

Starting with the exterior, the D-rail design that was introduced last year is very eye-catching and it really draws you into this high-end model. And not only does the synthetic teak flooring in the bow and stern give the boat more of a nautical look, it's also a lot safer as well.

Inside the gates you find seats that can only be compared to your own couches at home.  With the soft-touch vinyl, the seats are as comfortable as they are durable and we love the extra leg and lumbar support as well as the high seatbacks. You won't believe all of the recessed cup holders onboard; we lost count around 19 so just know there is plenty for everyone.

Built into one of the two chaise lounges in the bow is a pop-up changing room that stands just over six feet tall when fully opened. And as nice as the two chaise lounges are, the rear-facing ones in the stern are even better. Plus we like the tall rails and gates, especially in the stern, that help make this a safe boat as well.

For added storage beyond the under-seat compartments, there is a nice in-floor ski locker that is built into the center pontoon. The storage door is a little narrow, but inside is plenty big for lots of toys and it's finished nicely.

At the raised helm station is a beautiful console that really completes the high-end look. The standard Humminbird 383c GPS is recessed into the dash and the gauges are all easy to read. The JBL stereo is also standard, and there is even a push-button start for the engine, which only adds to that luxury feel of this Starcraft.

Other key features worth noting include the umbrella table in the bow, ski/tow pylon and the stainless-steel hardware that is used throughout.

Inspection Test

Three 25-inch diameter chambered pontoons are the base of this 27-footer. The weld quality is excellent and the Z-shaped cross-members that are bolted and screwed to the plywood deck are on 24-inch centers. There is a full splash skin, and the below-deck wiring is well-protected, helping earn high marks for craftsmanship.

Above deck there is nearly 17 feet of usable deck space from inside the gates. Our inspection crew found all the hidden areas to be well-finished, and the overall fit and finish work to be excellent.

Performance Test

With the Evinrude 250 HO power plant in the stern, this boat quickly transforms from a high-end luxury pontoon to a lightening-fast thrill ride. We hit a top speed of over 40 miles per hour at full throttle and the turns were nice and flat. Without lifting strakes, the turns were a little wide, but this is still a really fun boat to drive. As for the zero to 20 mph time of 4.5 seconds, the sudden burst of power was a pleasant surprise on this 27-footer.

Who Should Buy It

It's probably the overall layout that is going to attract people the most to this pontoon. It's a safe and family-friendly design with great lounges in the stern and a beautiful-looking helm console, and the attention to the details throughout is amazing. 

Number of Occupants             18

Price As Tested With Power   $50K

Maximum Speed:                    42.4 mph

Wild Ponies:                            250hp

No. of Gates                           3

0-20 MPH                               4.5 seconds               

Ladder Measurement:             3' deep      

Why we love this boat.This is where luxury meets class. We love the attention to details on this high-end model that is loaded with great features, plus is fun to drive.

Just being picky.You don't need them to enjoy the performance on this boat, but the optional lifting strakes would help it corner sharper, giving you another reason to love the Evinrude 250 HO outboard on the back.

NOTABLE STANDARDS

Custom molded dash, underwater light package, pop-up changing room, built-in Humminbird 383c GPS, Sunbrella umbrella/table and ski/tow pylon.

 OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

Third pontoon.

 VITAL STATS

LOA                            27' 3"

Beam                           8' 6"

Hull Design                 Three Pontoons

Dry Weight                 2,750 lbs.

Fuel Capacity              30 Gallons

 

TEST DRIVE

Engine                         Evinrude 250 HO

Cylinder Type             V6

Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower           210ci/250hp   

Lower Unit Gear Ratio           1.71:1

Propeller                      15 X 15 stainless steel


RPM      vs.     SPEED     vs. D-A    

500                  2.8 mph           57.5                

1000                5.1 mph           65       

1500                7.4 mph           69

2000                10.0 mph         70.5                            

2500                15.2 mph         71.5    

3000                19.0 mph         74       

3500                22.1 mph         78                               

4000                24.9 mph         79.5    

4500                28.9 mph         81.5    

5000                34.0 mph         83.5

5500                41.5 mph         86

5600                42.4 mph         87

New ParisInd.

Phone: 866-772-4538

Website: www.starcraftmarine.com

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