SilverWave 250 Island SB

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

When you go with an aggressive graphics package like the one on this 250 Island SB, you better be able to back it up. The good news is SilverWave backs it up and then some with great innovation, style and a solid all-around sporty pontoon.

The Highlights

The custom black ghost graphics on the exterior are an option and well worth the upgrade in our opinion. All the rails are powder-coated black, as well as the aluminum ski/tow bar and boarding ladder, which help complete the look.

Inside the boat, the two-tone gray seat vinyl also ties in well with the exterior. In fact, the only feature that doesn’t directly tie in color-wise is the countertop table with cupholders in the stern that is more tan than gray. However, the innovative design is amazing and worth a closer look. The table top hinges up so you can access the cooler from inside the boat, but what makes it unique is you can also access it from the water by unlatching the side panel from outside. A swim up bar! What a great idea for when you’re at the sandbar! Well, the innovation doesn’t stop there. Below the helm console is another sliding cooler that can be accessed from both inside and from the water. You can tell the engineers at SilverWave do a little boating when they’re not busy designing pontoons. These two features were the talk of the dock as everyone was curious and wanting to get a closer look.

At the helm is a simple dash console with a large Lowrance GPS in the center for easy viewing and just below is the Jensen stereo system with Bluetooth. The five-spoke wheel is a nice added touch and on this specific boat there was a PTM Edge rearview mirror that completes the helm look.

Both the captain and the first mate have identical helm chairs that slide, swivel and recline and there is even a third captain’s chair in the stern next to the table. Also in the stern is a nice rear-facing lounger that is comfortable with extra storage below. Speaking of storage, the in-floor ski locker at 7 feet long and 15-inches deep is plenty big to store all your water toys and extra lifejackets.

Also worth noting are the two chaise lounges in the bow and the grey vinyl flooring that covers the majority of the boat. (The stern uses a teak-looking vinyl outside the rear gate.)

Inspection Notes

Using a full top hat bracket, the 25-inch diameter pontoons are secured to the deck and each log has lifting strakes and double spray deflectors to repel water at both high and low speeds. The transom pod houses the fuel tank is also set back for better weight distribution and performance.

Up top we love the exclusive pinch-less hinge design on all three entry gates and the rail height around the entire perimeter of the boat measures 26 inches tall, which help earn this pontoon a high safety and family-friendly score.

Performance Evaluation

Suzuki is now offering a flat black option on its engines and to be honest it looks like the 250hp outboard was made just for this SilverWave model. The color perfectly ties in, but another good reason it’s the right fit is the performance and power it puts out. We reached speeds in the mid 40s with ease and were impressed by the way this pontoon handles.

Our Take

Overall we consider this to be a great family or entertaining party boat that is well-built and loaded with innovative and creative features. The look and style make it easy to recognize and the power and performance back it up.

2015 Boat Specifications

Number of Occupants 16

Maximum Speed 46.3 mph

Wild Ponies 250 hp

No. of Gates 3

0-20 MPH 4.87 seconds

Ladder Measurement 3’ 4” deep

Why we love this boat…Innovation and out-of-the-box thinking are the highlights for this SilverWave. It’s a solid boat with an amazing floorplan.

Just being picky…Love the dual access cooler table in the stern, but we did note a slight rattle coming from the top at high speeds.

NOTABLE STANDARDS

A 12-volt receptacle (15 Amp), 2 built-in luxurious chaise lounges w/ storage, 2 plush chairs w/ armrests, 26 gal. EPA compliant center mounted transom fuel tank, 28 oz. palm leaf patterned marine grade carpet, 3 built-in luxurious chaise lounges w/ storage, access lid w/ storage under console, adjustable front suntop legs, all aluminum 1 1/4” heavy duty anodized railing, brushed aluminum spoke steering wheel w/ black sport grip, catch-all molded recess colored side panels, comfort pillow furniture design, blue LED courtesy cockpit light, crimped design on all painted metal (adds style and rigidity), pinch less hinge design on all gates, marine grade radio w/ Bluetooth and 4 speakers, and granite styling entertainment bar w/ SS railing and cup holders.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

Custom black ghost graphics, Lowrance Elite 4 DHI vinyl flooring, in-floor wet storage, LED lighted cup holders, rope courtesy lighting, SS rubrail insert, slide-out ice chest under console, PTM Edge rearview mirror, V teak rear deck and a stainless prop.