Our First Impression
With the wide and roomy interior, the boat feels a little larger
than it really is. Priced just right to help get first-time buyers into the
industry, this Storm Twenty has a lot going for it as far as value is
concerned.
Consumer Test
We tested other boats that had more bells and whistles, but
you've got to appreciate the well-built design and overall craftsmanship that
is offered on this nearly 22-foot boat. Some new changes have been incorporated
for the 2011 model year, including the powder-coated rails and outside skins.
Available in a variety of colors, we love the look of the black exterior panels
that really flow well with the tan interior of the boat.
Other changes include the soft-touch vinyl on the three-tone
tan seats, which provide a firm and comfortable ride for your passengers. On
the portside in the bow is a true chaise lounge that is great for stretching
out. A pad has been added just forward of the helm station, so technically
there are two reclining seats onboard.
The Rotocast helm is basic, but it does include full
instrumentation, including a SeaWorthy CD stereo that has an MP3 input as well as
AM/FM capabilities. The burl wood inserts for the dash console don't really
flow with the off-white console, but this is still a very functional design.
New this year is a FlexSteel helm seat that slides and
swivels and is arguably the most comfortable seat onboard, which is what we
like to see. Included with this rear-entry design is a three-step boarding ladder
that has good handholds at the top for easy access, with just enough room to
towel off before coming inside the gate.
There are three lift-and-lock gates with pinch protection
for the hinges, and another family-friendly aspect of the design is the bolster
around the three-quarter length sundeck that is plenty big enough for one
person.
One other touch that we particularly liked about this model
is the Monsoon logo etched into the aluminum corner castings. Yes, it's a
simple thing, but we like to see a little added creativity from the
manufacturers.
Inspection Test
Below deck, two 25-inch diameter pontoons are the base of
this pontoon. Both round pontoons are chambered with a keel, and the weld
quality is average. There is no splash skin for the undercarriage, and the
cross members are on 24-inch centers in the bow and at 14 inches in the stern
near the transom. Wiring below is excellent with good chafe protection and we
found no dangerous or sharp edges during our inspection.
Above deck there is over 14 feet of usable deck space from
inside the bow gate to the rear bench. The seat bases, helm console and the
helm chair are all through-bolted to the floor for added strength. And like the
undercarriage, we found no dangerous or sharp edges anywhere throughout the
boat, and overall this Monsoon earned high marks for its fit and finish work.
Performance Test
With the Mercury 115 four-stroke we were able to reach a top
speed near the 30-mile-per-hour mark. She leans a little in the turns in both
directions and is actually quite responsive. Even though it's designed for
cruising you could add the optional ski/tow bar for skiers and tubers since
this boat did perform quite well for a `toon at this price point.
Who Should Buy It
This is a well-built pontoon that has a nice and inviting
layout to it. Ideal for couples interested in cruising or even first-time
buyers who don't want to spend a ton of money to get out on the water.
Number of Occupants 10
Price As Tested With Power $21K
Maximum Speed: 28.6
mph
Wild Ponies: 115hp
No. of Gates 3
0-20 MPH 5.7
seconds
Ladder Measurement: 3'
deep
Why we love this boat.The
eye-catching exterior really helps give this boat a beautiful look, and as far
as comfort, the helm chair is the place you'll want to be.
Just being picky.Even for a value-driven model, the helm
console might be too basic. It's not as inviting when compared to the rest of
the boat, yet with full instrumentation it's still quite functional.
NOTABLE STANDARDS
25-inch
tubes, AM/FM/MP3 stereo, FlexSteel helm chair, chaise lounge, full
instrumentation, soft-touch interior, powder-coated rails and skins and
boarding ladder.
OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
None
VITAL STATS
LOA 21' 10"
Beam 8'
5"
Hull Design Two Pontoons
Dry Weight 1,700 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 26
Gallons
TEST DRIVE
Engine Mercury
115
Cylinder Type 4
(in-line)
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower 105.7ci/115hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio 2.33:1
Propeller 14 X 15
RPM vs. SPEED
vs. DB-A
800 2.4 mph 78
1000 3.3
mph 75
1500 5.0
mph 92
2000 6.2
mph 86
2500 8.2
mph 94
3000 11.5
mph 94
3500 14.9
mph 98
4000 18.2
mph 92
4500 20.8
mph 93
5000 23.5
mph 96
5500 25.7
mph 97
6000 28.6
mph 98.5
Canton, Ohio
Phone: 330-452-3866
Website: www.monsoonmarine.com
