PDB Shootout: Berkshire

Quick Glance

The color scheme on this high-end arch model is a fresh perspective on sporty pontoons that truly puts a smile on your face. Personally we love the color combination, but just know there are a variety of other colors available to choose from and you can customize your color scheme if you really want a specific look.

Highlights

Having a solid accent color is key to pulling off the ultimate look of a sporty boat and that’s why we love the solid green arch and ski/tow bar, with just the right amount of color on the furniture to tie in with the green exterior stripe.

Enough about the colors, let’s get to the great-looking dash at the helm console that is centered on a Simrad touchscreen GPS map that provides a lot of information for the driver. There are analog gauges on each side of the Simrad with a new windshield to help protect you from the elements. Just above the upgraded Polk Audio stereo controls is a row of well-labeled toggle switches along with a USB port and on the other side of the steering wheel is a master power toggle switch, plus a designated place to store your phone within reach of a 12-volt outlet. One thing we’d like to see is a locking glove box, but otherwise this helm has everything you need including a sporty look.

Behind the tall captain’s helm chair is an L-shaped seating area that is part of the switchback setup. The backrest can be positioned forward to create a large rear-facing lounger, but worth noting there is also a ratcheting backrest that can convert this area into a rear-facing bench seat for the swimdeck. And with the stainless safety rails on each side of the large ski/tow bar, it’s safe and legal to ride in this area while the boat is underway.

Other key features include a pop-up changing room built into the back of the port chaise lounge that stands 5-foot, 6 inches tall when open, a 16-inch deep in-floor ski locker that is nearly 7 feet long with a motion light inside, and USB ports found throughout the boat including above the cupholders in the bow.      

Closer Look

With the 3.0 Performance package you gain a full center pontoon, aluminum underskin, lifting strakes, SeaStar hydraulic steering and a 37-gallon fuel tank. Plus the Z42 chassis includes zero wood, zero rot, zero seams and zero expansion/contraction, while being 40 percent lighter than marine grade plywood and two times stronger than marine grade plywood.    

Performance

The sporty look and feel of this Berkshire is backed up where it really counts as it does more than just look the part of a great performance pontoon. Paired with a Mercury 250hp four-stroke she dives into the sharp turns like a vee hull boat for an amazing ride. We reached speeds in the mid-40s with a blistering zero-to-20 mph time of just over four seconds!  

Final Thoughts

Again, you can get this pontoon in a much more conservative color package if desired, but based on the way this Forest River Marine product performs why would you? This sporty pontoon deserves to be recognized for being what it truly is and that’s a great all-around boat that is ideal for water sports or just cruising around.

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

SPECIFICATIONS
Number of Occupants: 13                 
Price As Tested With Power: $99.7 K
Maximum Speed: 44.7 mph               
Wild Ponies: 250 hp   
No. of Gates: 4
0-20 MPH: 4.52 seconds       
Ladder Measurement: 4’ deep

Why we love this boat…The overall performance backs up the aggressive color scheme for an amazing ride on truly a sporty pontoon that is loaded with a lot of great features.   

Just being picky…Great-looking and sporty helm console and the only thing really missing is some type of a lockable glove box for the captain’s smaller items.   

NOTABLE STANDARDS

One Piece V-Lite Performance Deck w/ Bow Reinforcement Bumper (Z42 Chassis), Radius Deck w/ Integrated Deck Trim, Rub Rail and Aluminum Corner Pads, Exterior "D" Rail Design on Full Rail Panels, Aluminum Framed Low Back Reclining Helm Chair w/ Arms & Headrest, Helm Seat Slider Pedestal, Teardrop Seat Cushions, Cupholder Cutouts & Bump Out Back Rests, Black Soft Grip Steering Wheel w/ Tilt Cable Steering, Kicker KMC10 Radio, MP3, iPod & Bluetooth Compatible, 4 165 Watt Lighted Speakers w/ Protective Inside Covers, Simrad or Humminbird color GPS graph and Standard Analog Gauges.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

New Premium Polk Audio, Super Sport Trim Package, USB Ports, Full RGB Lighting and 3.0 Package.

VITAL STATS
LOA: 24’ 5”     
Beam: 8’ 6”
Hull Design: Three 3.0 Pkg. Pontoons
Dry Weight: 2,450 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 37 gallons

TEST DRIVE
Engine: Mercury 250
Cylinder Type: V8
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower: 279ci/250hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio: 1.85:1

RPM     vs.      SPEED    
500                  2.4                   
1000                3.4                   
1500                5.3                   
2000                8.3                 
2500                11.5               
3000                15.9               
3500                18.5               
4000                20.9                 
4500                23.9                 
5000                28.8                 
5500                37.6               
6000                44.7                

PRICE
Price As Tested (Boat and Motor): $99,657
Base Price (Boat Only): $57,367

This article originally appeared in our 2020 Shootout issue. If you are interested in seeing more boat tests like this, click HERE to subscribe.