PDB Shootout: Tahoe

First Glance
It’s easy to see why the Elite (also known as the EL) floor plan is one of the most popular for Tahoe. You have to love the clean high-end feel combined with a layout that has a lot packed into it while still feeling roomy.  

Details
We often joke how pontoon furniture today is more comfortable than the couches in our own homes and that really seems to be the case with this model. Not only does the suspension seating make you feel like you’re sitting on a couch, but with the padded armrests they look similar to what you’d find in your own home. Plus Tahoe uses an exclusive 50-ounce Matrix vinyl that has a soft and inviting touch to it that truly completes the package.     

All the furniture is made in-house, including the aluminum seat bases with added ventilation that provides plenty of storage below the seats. The sculpted seat base cladding is a great added touch that includes built-in cupholders and a distinct pattern that we really like.

At the helm you have an Infinity stereo unit on the left and a Garmin 5 DV fishfinder on the right with two large multi-functional gauges in between. Add a row of lighted rocker switches below and you have a nice and balanced dash for the captain. There is a small shelf to place your phone on and the MP3/iPod jack along with a 12-volt outlet is somewhat close by so you can crank up tunes after plugging in. Speaking of music, with the Infinity system you gain six total LED-lit speakers, plus a subwoofer that flows well with the lighted cupholders. We also like the removable ottoman in the bow with a padded seat and drainable storage inside. Extra storage can also be found below each of the four chaise lounges and really the only things missing are a trash receptacle and a changing room, but both are available as options.

Closer Look
With the Blackout package a lot of components are powder-coated like the Bimini frame, built-in docking lights, rubrail, deck corners and the wall railings, and when combined with the white exterior Deco 3 multi-panel walls it really creates an attractive look. The splash fins are integrated into the nose cones and there are lifting strakes on all three 25-inch diameter pontoons plus keels. For added strength the boat is constructed with full-length risers and the hat-shaped cross members ensure a solid ride.

Up top there is over 19 feet of usable space inside the gates and the rail height ranges from 24 inches tall in the bow to over 26 inches tall for the majority of the layout. 

Throttle Down
With the Mercury Pro XS 115 the acceleration was gradual and at full throttle we just missed the 30 mph mark. She turns flat and with the Baystar hydraulic steering the pontoon handles well. The two biggest advantages to the optional Express center pontoon and hull design is the bow lift and wave handling and it really showed on this particular model. 

Why Buy
Priced well as tested, you really do get a lot of value with this particular model. The list of standard features appears to go on for miles and the few key options help make it an attractive boat that you’d be proud to own. 

Alma, Mich.
800-334-2913
www.tahoepontoons.com

Specifications
Number of Occupants            13                   
Price As Tested With Power  $56.1 K
Maximum Speed                    29.4 mph                   
Wild Ponies                             115 hp
No. of Gates                            3
0-20 MPH                               5.45 seconds 
Ladder Measurement             3’ 10” deep

Why we love this boat…You can’t tell from pictures how comfortable the seating is but trust us, it’s impressive and we really love how much is packed into this 25-footer. 

Just being picky…Although available as options, we’d really like to see a changing room and trash receptacle come standard on this great family-friendly pontoon.  

NOTABLE STANDARDS
Ensign 2 fiberglass helmstand, GPS speedometer gauge, Exclusive Elite interior w/unique rear bench, Commander reclining driver’s chair, Infinity PRV 315 BT stereo, tilt steering, Deco 3 external multi-panel retro walls, interior composite wall covering, docklights/nav light combo, courtesy light on helmstand, Greywood table, privacy station w/curtain, Exclusive Matrix 50 Soft Touch seat vinyl, suspension seating, lounge arms w/storage, lifetime aluminum seat frames w/flow-through ventilation, decorative color-matched seat frames base cladding, moveable stainless steel cupholders, stainless steel telescoping rear ladder, and 29-gallon fuel remote fill transom. 

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Express center pontoon, Baystar tilt steering, four lifting fins for outside pontoons, BTT Soft Vinyl floor upgrade, Blackout built-in docklights w/LED accent, Blackout rubrail and deck corner pkg., Blackout wall railings, Blue Ice lighting pkg., Garmin 5 DV fishfinder, high performance sound system w/subwoofer, lights under rub rail, stainless steel insert vents for seat bases, quick-release fender straps, seat covers, and four pull-up stainless cleats.

VITAL STATS
LOA                  25’ 3”              
Beam                 8’ 6”
Hull Design       Triple Express Pontoons
Dry Weight      2,650 lbs.
Fuel Capacity    29 gallons

TEST DRIVE
Engine                                                             Mercury Pro XS 115 
Cylinder Type                                                 Inline 4
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower           128.2ci/115hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio                                   2.38:1
Propeller                                                          15 1/2 X 15 ALUM

RPM     vs.      SPEED     vs.    DB-A
800                  2.2                     71
1000                2.9                     79
1500                4.3                     83
2000                6.3                     84
2500                8.0                     85
3000                10.7                   85
3500                14.6                   94
4000                18.3                   96
4500                21.7                   94
5000                24.6                   98
5200                29.4                   100

PRICE
Price As Tested                       $56,078
(Boat and Motor)

Base Price                               $45,383
(Boat Only)