Our First Impression
Nothing appears to be an afterthought when you first come
aboard. From the plush carpet to the soft-touch vinyl upholstery, there is just
an inviting look and feel to this `toon. Plus the family-friendly layout has
just enough amenities, especially for a boat that comes in at such a favorable
price point.
Consumer Test
Priced like an entry, but with qualities like a mid-level,
there are a lot of great features worth noting on this Sylvan. The blue exterior
panels are very attractive, and inside, the two-tone tan seats flow well for an
inviting look.
There are a total of three chaise lounges onboard and the
backs are extra wide with a great-looking contour design. The seat benches
taper off from the high backs, providing a lot of great floor space as well as
a unique look. Below the bow lounges is a great storage area, but if we had to
be picky, we'd like to see an actual door here instead of vinyl snap-in cover.
In the back of the rear-facing lounge is an easy-to-use
pop-up enclosure that stands over five feet tall when fully extended. We love
the net storage for the curtain for the changing room as well as the designated
spot for a portable toilet if you choose.
At the helm is good-looking console that is spot-on with the
color scheme and flows well with the look of the boat. Complete with a JBL
Marine stereo, 12-volt, MP3 port as well as round tube glove box, this helm is
as attractive as it is functional. For the captain is a comfortable helm chair
that slides, swivels and reclines and is truly one of the best seats onboard.
When you think about it, shouldn't the helm seat be the most comfortable? We're
glad Sylvan agrees.
In the stern is a small vinyl platform with just enough room
to towel off before coming aboard. The rungs on the three-step boarding ladder
are nice and wide and there are good handholds for easy entry.
The LE package provides you with upgraded Berber carpet, an
extra tall back on the captain's chair, tilt steering, mood lighting as well as
the upgraded dash panel and upholstery. Yes, this is optional, but we really
like all that it offers, which only helps add to the overall value of the
boat.
Inspection Test
The two modified Revolutionary Planing Technology V-shaped
pontoons are chambered with a keel and the weld quality is good. The hat-shaped
cross-members throughout with Z-shape in the center are bolted to the plywood
deck and are on 22-inch centers overall and 16-inch centers near the transom.
Above deck there is over 16 feet of usable deck space from
inside the bow gate to the rear bench seat. The wiring below the fiberglass
helm console is average and the fit and finish work and craftsmanship earned
high marks on this 22-footer.
Performance Test
For about three or four years, Sylvan's exclusive
Revolutionary Planing Technology V-shaped tubes have been providing more top
speed per horsepower and dramatically improving fuel efficiency. On this
specific model with an Evinrude E-TEC 115hp engine, we liked how quickly the
`toon jumped out of the hole and easily reached speeds over 30 miles per hour.
For a two-logged pontoon she turns well and in tight corners the turns are
mostly flat depending on your speed.
Who Should Buy It
Other than maybe a ski/tow bar and a depth finder, this
`toon is ready as-is for a day of family fun. We love the value that you get
with this particular model, and after a closer look, we're still not sure how
Sylvan is able to pack so many high-quality features into a boat priced this
well.
Number of Occupants 13
Price As Tested With Power $26K
Maximum Speed: 32.7
mph
Wild Ponies: 115hp
No. of Gates 3
0-20 MPH 6.7
seconds
Ladder Measurement: 2'
10" deep
Why we love this boat.The LE
Package adds a lot of value to this Sylvan, yet it's still priced extremely
well. This is an attractive boat with a well-thought-out layout and design.
Just being picky.Despite the low price there are a lot of
high-end amenities found throughout the boat, but there should be actual doors
instead of the snap vinyl pieces below the chaise lounges to cover the storage
entries.
NOTABLE STANDARDS
All-aluminum transom, painted exterior panels, 22-oz.
sculptured carpet, custom molded console, AM/FM stereo w/auxiliary port for MP3
player with two speakers, docking lights, 12-volt, rear entry ladder and
through-bolted deck cleats.
OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Revolutionary Planing Technology (RPT) Tubes and the LE
Package (wood grain gauge package, tilt steering, high-back helm seat. mood lighting,
premium upholstery and Berber carpet).
VITAL STATS
LOA 22' 3"
Beam 8'
6"
Hull
Design RPT Tubes
Dry Weight 2,100 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 24
Gallons
TEST DRIVE
Engine Evinrude
E-TEC 115
Cylinder Type V4
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower 105.4ci/115hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio 2.25:1
Propeller 15
X 17 Viper SS
RPM vs. SPEED
vs. D-A
700 2.5 mph 76
1000 3.2
mph 74
1500 4.6
mph 81
2000 6.6
mph 87
2500 7.9
mph 91
3000 11.3
mph 91.5
3500 14.3
mph 88
4000 17.3
mph 86.5
4500 20.7
mph 89.5
5000 23.5
mph 92
5500 29.4
mph 96
6000 32.7
mph 99.5
New Paris, Ind.
Phone: 574-831-2950
Website: www.sylvanmarine.com
