Aqua Patio 240 OB Elite

June 2014 Boat Test Monday Brady L. Kay

This article originally appeared in our 2014 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

Aqua Patio’s Elite pontoon is eye-catching, but what exactly does it mean to be elite? The dictionary will tell you that it means to be the best of anything considered collectively, as a group or a class. For Nautic Global Group it’s about striving to offer the best pontoon in the industry and we’ll let you be the judge if this ‘toon has earned elite status yet.

The Highlights

To us, being elite means leaving nothing to be desired and this Aqua Patio gets off to a great start with its 13-speaker amphitheatre sound system. Along with the Sony stereo, the system includes a 750-watt amp as well as a 10-inch subwoofer. Everywhere we looked we found speakers and each is positioned so you get the most out of them.

At the helm is a very attractive console that includes easy-to-read gauges, lighted rocker switches, access to your stereo controls, as well as a Lowrance depth/fish finder. One other note on the helm stand: we love the elevated platform that improves the ease of driving for the captain.

We’re starting to see a lot of Sea-Grass type flooring, which is great because it’s soft on your feet while still proving easy cleanup. It’s possible that we won’t be seeing a lot of carpet in this industry in another five years or so because this unique flooring is a great fit for our industry.

In the stern you can easily transform two bench seats into a flat sundeck with just a push of a button. We love the versatility of this design, which just gives you even more ways to enjoy this ‘toon. There is a lot of deck space outside of the rear gate, so for safety reasons, rope and a chain for the ladder have been added. Also in the stern is a beefy ski/tow bar as well as an easy-to-use S-shaped boarding ladder that drops deep into the water.

There are three traditional chaise lounges onboard, two in the bow and one in the stern, and each has unique storage built in. For example, the portside bow chaise includes a trash can receptacle, while the other side has a designated space for paper towels as well as your finest bubbly. But our favorite use of space is the pop-up changing room built into the back of the rear-facing chaise that is easy to operate and, when opened, stands nearly 6 feet tall.

Inspection Notes

Below deck the 27-inch diameter pontoons are the base of this 25-footer. There are lifting strakes on both sides of the pontoons and a full length aluminum underskin helps protect the bottom of the boat.

After a close inspection we gave this ‘toon high marks for its fit and finish work, overall unique design as well overall construction. This is a well-built boat that is ideal for families with older, water sport-loving kids.

Performance Evaluation

At full throttle we just missed the 40 mile per hour mark with the Yamaha 150 that helps make this Aqua Patio a great all-around pontoon that has just the right mix of options and features. There’s a lot of power with the Yamaha on the back, but this ‘toon is built more for cruising and simply just enjoying your time on the water.

Our Take

We love the spacious layout and all of the great features that have been packed into this Elite model. The transforming sundeck, stereo system and well-designed helm console are just a few examples of what makes this Aqua Patio a great option.

Number of Occupants 16

Price As Tested With Power $61.6K

Maximum Speed 38.6 mph

Wild Ponies 150hp

No. of Gates 3

0-20 MPH 5.7 seconds

Ladder Measurement 4’ 4” deep

Why we love this boat…It’s a toss-up between the exceptional sound system and the comfortable amenities onboard that are beyond inviting.

Just being picky…Plenty of power, but with just two pontoons you don’t get that high-end performance to match the luxurious and loaded floor plan, but an optional triple tube package is available.

NOTABLE STANDARDS

Extended stern platforms, 12’ bimini canopy, 27” pontoons, Mica Mist carpet, Beige vinyl in stern, Sony BT3100 stereo w/ Bluetooth and CD player, 4 speakers, S-shaped ladder, LED docking lights, deluxe ski/tow bar, full instrumentation, tilt wheel, chaise lounge w/ built-in trash receptacle in seat back and courtesy lighting.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

Sea-Grass flooring, elevated helm, moveable cup holders, hour meter, Sony Bluetooth stereo, wide helm seat, Lowrance Elite 4X fish finder, underwater LED lighting, rail skin inserts, ss corner castings with nav/dock lights, chaise ice box, trash can and performance package.

VITAL STATS

LOA 25’ 9”

Beam 8’ 6”

Hull Design Two Pontoons

Dry Weight 2552 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 29 gallons

TEST DRIVE

Engine Yamaha F150 LA

Cylinder Type Inline 4-Cylinder

Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower 170ci/150hp

Lower Unit Gear Ratio 1.86:1

Propeller 15 X 15 3/4