Larson Escape 25 TTT Triple DC

November 2015 Boat Test Monday PDB Staff

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

You can get a feel for the high-end quality when you first take a glance at this Escape pontoon, but you can’t truly appreciate the attention to detail until you spend some time onboard. Lucky for us we were able to take a closer look.

The Highlights

While Larson is somewhat new to the pontoon industry, its boat building roots go back over a hundred years, plus you can tell the engineers really did their homework when this model was designed. We’ll get to the unique hull in a minute, but you could argue the top deck is just as impressive in its own right. You almost feel like you’re on a runabout with the elevated dual consoles and full wraparound windshield. (On the prototype we tested, part of the folding center windshield was still being designed at the time.)

The identical helm chair for the first mate slides, swivels and reclines and the symmetrical console includes multi-function gauges, a Polk Audio stereo and well-labeled rocker switches. If we had to be picky, the helm area seemed a little tight for the driver, but we were told this is something the manufacturer is currently looking into.

In the bow are two of the four chaise lounges onboard and all have fold-up arm rests. The seat vinyl and stitching quality is amazing and the seating itself is as comfortable as it looks. Also in the bow is a solid table that folds down when not needed, but is easily accessible when you do.

Just outside the rear gate is a swim platform with a tall four-step boarding ladder with solid handholds and an impressive ski/tow bar. While the majority of the boat is covered with Infinity Seagrass flooring inside the gates, we love the teak-looking vinyl found in both the bow and stern areas for a nice added touch.

Another key feature includes a pop-up changing room built into the back of the portside bow lounge that stands 5 foot, 6 inches tall when open.

Inspection Notes

Each of the three aluminum pontoons have a unique design, with the modified U-shape including a chine and a 15 degree deadrise. Larson has been perfecting hulls since it first began working with fiberglass in the 50s, so it makes perfect sense that the pontoons would be anything but traditional. The Tapered Tube is similar to the pressure of a water hose when you put your thumb partially over it, so the pontoon truly glides through the water. The patented design is constructed of heavy-gauge aluminum to give the boat a smooth, solid and agile ride with efficient fuel economy. Above deck, the stainless steel gates are designed for optimal air flow to complement the planing hull.

Performance Evaluation

As expected considering its runabout DNA, the Larson hull handled very well as we were able to dive into some sharp corners with complete control and ease. Powered with the Mercury 300 Verado, we just missed the 50-mile-per-hour mark at full throttle, but this is more than just a go-fast pontoon. She’s fun to drive and is very responsive.

Our Take

Across the board we were impressed with the performance—as well as efficiency—and even more amazed by the unique look that we’re not used to seeing in our segment of the boating industry. With its fiberglass background, it’s great to see how Larson is able to incorporate some of those designs into its Escape line of pontoon boats. The extra attention to the details can be found everywhere you look.

2015 Boat Specifications

Number of Occupants 16

Maximum Speed 48.9 mph

Wild Ponies 300 hp

No. of Gates 4

0-20 MPH 5.38 seconds

Ladder Measurement 3’ 8” deep

Why we love this boat…By incorporating decades of hull experience into its pontoon line, Larson has created a ‘toon that is unlike anything else out there.

Just being picky…On this prototype the helm seemed a little tight and didn’t provide a lot of extra room for the driver.