What You Need To Know
For those who think pontoon boats have to be boxy and aren't allowed to be stylish, you're going to want to take a closer look at this Crest Savannah. With automotive-like style and edgier exterior features combined with a sporty boat interior, this is truly like nothing you've ever seen before.
The Highlights
Starting with the exterior, we love the stainless steel mesh accents that have been worked into the side panels. With the powder-coated rails and a lot of use of fiberglass, this is truly a unique pontoon. We especially love the slanted bow with very aggressive-looking bow lights. Truly a one-of-a-kind design.
The inside looks more like something you'd find on a Baja sport boat and it starts with the two extra-long lounges in the bow. Complete with arm rests, most NBA players could stretch out on this wide lounge. Crest goes the extra mile to create a comfy yet stylish `toon with plenty of seats for everyone. What it gives up in lumbar support it more than makes up with padded bolsters for your legs. The 32-ounce vinyl used on the seats with different textures is a nice touch as well as the 28-ounce synthetic carpet.
A high-tech theme can be felt throughout the boat, especially at the helm. It starts with the unique windshield and continues with a stainless/wood grain-like console. A standard Humminbird GPS is mounted at the helm, which is positioned perfectly to be well-used. The push-button switches with a master power switch flows well with the design too and if the double-wide helm chair doesn't impress the captain the Mercury digital throttle control surely will.
Across from the captain is a first-mate seat with two positions for either a seating option at the table or forward facing while underway. There is also a unique v-shaped rear lounger in the stern with a pop-up enclosure below. When you open the enclosure all the way it does hit the table, but it's not a big concern.
Behind the captain's chair is a great entertainment center that includes a sink with faucet, trash receptacle, fridge and even a blender on this model as-tested.
In the stern is a stereo remote, vinyl flooring and ski pylon as well as a nice boarding ladder. Plus, there is additional net storage in a fiberglass compartment outside the rear gate.
Inspection Notes
Crest calls its performance package the CP3, which besides the third pontoon you gain a 74-inch in-floor ski locker that is nearly 3 feet deep. Two 25-inch diameter HPT (v-shaped) pontoons along with a 26-inch diameter center tube make up the hull. From a construction and fit and finish perspective, this Crest earns high-marks for its overall quality and design.
Performance Evaluation
When you put a power plant like the Mercury Verado 300 on the back, it's sure to make for a good time. She's extremely quick (less than 5 seconds to reach 20 miles per hour) with a top speed of over 45 mph. This sporty Crest is fun to drive and is extremely smooth in the way it handles. We can't say enough good things about how sporty this boat performed.
Final Thoughts
The good news is it not only looks sporty but it handles great as well. Truly unique in every way, this Crest proves that pontoons don't have to be boxy or non-nautical. The very stylish Savannah has a lot to offer and the majority of its features are standard so as-tested, we really like this boat.
Number of Occupants 17
Price As Tested With Power $84K
Maximum Speed 46.6 mph
Wild Ponies 300hp
No. of Gates 3
0-20 MPH 4.8 seconds
Ladder Measurement 3' 2" deep
Why we love this boat.How can you not appreciate the sporty, out of the (pontoon) box thinking that went into this stylish pontoon? The unique, high-tech themed design is found everywhere throughout the boat.
Just being picky.As much as we like the idea of the adjustable first-mate seat, it's not as comfortable as the other seats. There just seems to be a lot going on in this corner of the boat and a forward-facing, non-pivoting bench seat might help simplify the layout.
NOTABLE STANDARDS
Power Bimini Top, Mooring Cover, SS Ladder, Fiberglass Helm, Humminbird GPS, Speedo, Full instrumentation, Humminbird Fish Finder w/GPS, Sport Steering wheel, Premium Audio, Courtesy Lights, Entertainment Center w/ Storage, Fresh Water Sink, Trash Bin, Mirror, 12 volt Rec, Privacy Unit, Cooler/Storage, Double Buddy Recliner, Fiberglass Table w/4 Cup holders, Dual Battery Switch, Boxes & Charger, Docking/NAV Lights, Master Power Cut-Off Switch, Teak & Holly Woodgrain Aft Deck, SS Ski Tow Bar
OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Refrigerator in Entertainment Center, UnderDeck LED Blue Lighting
VITAL STATS
LOA 26' 4"
Beam 8' 6"
Hull Design CP3 Plus, Triple Pontoon
Dry Weight 3475 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 45 gallons
TEST DRIVE
Engine Mercury Verado 300
Cylinder Type In-line 6
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower 158ci/300hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio 1.75:1
Propeller 15 X 15 Enertia
RPM vs. SPEED vs. DB-A
600 2.6 64
1000 4.3 73
1500 5.9 76
2000 8.5 78
2500 11.1 80.5
3000 16.2 84.5
3500 20 86
4000 24.3 91
4500 31.3 101
5000 35.5 100
5500 39.3 99
6000 42.2 102
6600 46.6 104
Owosso, Mich.
989-725-5188
crestpontoonboats.com
