South Bay

First Glance
Customizing a boat to your specific wants and needs is becoming more and more popular in the pontoon industry. Customers are opting to have a boat built exactly how they want it rather then just selecting a couple of key options from a brochure. On this particular test, we were able to witness this firsthand as we intercepted a South Bay on its way to be delivered to the owner.  

Details
From the stainless bow gate to the extremely large swim deck, this pontoon is packed with a surprising number of features. The floorplan is centered around dual helm stands with a full walk-through windshield that debuted last year. We love the look, but more importantly we love all the features including the Murphy touchscreen that provides the driver with full access to the boat (including the rear-view camera). Complete with Mercury’s Joystick piloting, docking has never been easier as you can control the boat’s movements with the twin outboards using just your fingertips. With the Skyhook feature, the boat will hold itself in the position you set, even on windy days.

Directly across from the first mate is an identical helm chair with a flip-up bolster on a raised platform with access to the main JL Audio controls, a large glove box and a hidden faucet and sink. There are two gates onboard including one in the bow and the other just forward of the captain’s helm stand on the starboard side. In the stern is a full U-shaped seating area, which means you do have to step on the seats to get to the swim deck, but the tradeoff is comfortable plush seating for you and your guests. Highlights of the large swim deck include a rear-facing bench seat, a four-step stainless boarding ladder between the engines, two speakers and a stereo remote, plus a washdown.

Worth noting, the optional electric-powered aluminum hardtop (comes standard with an arch) includes two more speakers so regardless of where you are you’ll be able to enjoy the JL Audio sound system. Identifying this South Bay as luxurious just doesn’t do it justice. It truly is a beautiful high-end pontoon with a long list of standard and optional features.     

Closer Look
Below deck, the one-piece V-Lite performance deck is a lighter and more durable alternative to traditional wood flooring that Forest River Marine is now using on its boats. The three-pontoon setup includes reinforced splash fins as well as a full aluminum shield. Up top there is nearly 17 feet of usable deck space from the bow gate to the rear bench and the rail height varies from 24 inches tall in the bow to 29 inches everywhere else.

Throttle Down
With twin Mercury 300 Verados on the back, our blistering zero-to-20 mph time of just over three and half seconds truly impressed us. She slightly banks in the tight turns and the fun factor rating for our test crew was off the charts. This is a solid boat to drive because you always know you’re in complete control.  

Why Buy
While the price tag won’t be for every budget, the quality and the well-thought-out layout is something everyone can at least appreciate. It’s been custom-built to the customer’s specific needs and the result is a loaded South Bay that we feel a lot of consumers are going to love, too.

Middlebury, Ind.
574-825-8696
www.southbaypontoon.com

Specifications
Number of Occupants            9                     
Price As Tested With Power  $213.3 K
Maximum Speed                    58.1 mph                   
Wild Ponies                             600 hp
No. of Gates                            2
0-20 MPH                               3.59 seconds 
Ladder Measurement             4’ 2” deep

Why we love this boat…The high-end look is impressive, but it’s how functional and how loaded it is with features that really caught our attention.   

Just being picky…It’s more common with ski boats, but a stern gate would be nice so you don’t have to step on your seats to access that impressive swim deck.  

NOTABLE STANDARDS
One piece V-Lite performance deck w/bow reinforcement bumper, electric-powered sport arch, full center tube w/integrated transom, full aluminum unreduced performance skin, four lifting strakes, two 52 gal. EPA-approved fuel tanks, 31-inch highjack helm chair w/headrest and hydraulic height adjusted pedestal, helm courtesy light, 12.3-inch Murphy digital color touchscreen w/GPS/depth sounder/integrated radio, four lighted speakers w/protective inside covers, two exterior stern lighted speakers, JL Audio amp/sub/speakers, remote radio control, woodgrain tilt steering wheel w/SeaStar hydraulic and electronic power steering assist, waste receptacle, dual battery switch and charger, LED courtesy floor lights/table base/helm seat base, LED exterior rail lights and LED rail-mounted docking lights, privacy hoop and curtain in chaise lounge, LED stainless steel cupholders, mahogany oval table, Surlast 10-foot color-matched Bimini top w/stainless steel quick-release and riser bracket, Surlast color-matched playpen cover, and extended rear swim platform.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Silver Stainless Steel Pkg., Pearl White Carbon furniture base vinyl, white/black exterior panel Stainless steel pkg., grey teak vinyl floor, white sport fiberglass color, Black Pearl canvas, sport aluminum hardtop, LED underwater lighting, rear view camera, 19-inch by 79-inch in-floor storage, reinforced splash fins, full teak vinyl floor upgrade, “Black Out” trim pkg., moving prop alert, dual display, half camper enclosure, forward-facing camera, Chrome Hex stripe, Mercury auto trim, canvas air dam, twin rigging and joystick steering.

VITAL STATS
LOA                  29’ 6”             
Beam                 8’ 6”
Hull Design       Three Pontoons
Dry Weight       3,715 lbs. (boat only)
Fuel Capacity    2 X 52 gallons

TEST DRIVE
Engine                                                             Twin Mercury 300XL Verado
Cylinder Type                                                 Inline 6
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower           158 ci/300hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio                                   1.75:1
Propeller                                                          14 1/2 X 19

RPM     vs.      SPEED     vs.    DB-A
560                  3.5                     67
1000                5.3                     77
1500                8.1                     77
2000                11.3                   86
2500                18.2                   91
3000                23.5                   88
3500                28.8                   92
4000                34.8                   96
4500                39.5                   97
5000                46.0                   99
5500                50.2                   102
6000                54.7                   105
6180                58.1                   110

PRICE
Price As Tested                       $213,343
(Boat and Motor)

Price As Tested                       $149,424
(Boat Only)