What You Need To Know
You really can't appreciate the new Champagne and Plum exterior colors until you see this NepToon Sport in the sunlight. It's a beautiful combination and it makes a great first impression. This latest offering from JC has just enough cool new features to complement those great amenities this manufacturer is already known for.
The Highlights
A hot new trend in the industry is the Seagrass vinyl flooring (JC refers to it as JC-grass). We absolutely love this new flooring that has a nice cushion feel to it, yet still is easy to clean. The removable bow cushion seat is a nice addition as well that converts the front of the boat into a nice U-shaped seating area.
A lot of pontoons have chaise lounges, but JC takes it a step further with a moveable armrest and headrest for each of the three. The two in the bow are forward-facing and the one in the stern allows you to sit sideways. We also love the companion seat for the first mate that swivels as well as reclines with a footrest. This is a great addition to the boat that makes a lot of sense.
Other key standard features include a great-looking helm console with easy-to-read gauges, a Clarion stereo, Humminbird depth finder, 12-volt outlet and an MP3/iPod jack. One must-have option is the Premium JL speakers throughout the boat. JC has paired up with JL Audio so look for great sound systems on other models this year.
Besides being one of the most attractive helm consoles on the market, it's also one of the best designs. The helm stand can be raised up to easily gain access to the console wiring and there is nothing that even comes close in comparison in this industry.
As for options, the Protmet pontoon mirror that folds down when not in use is a nice touch, but
it's the PWR-ARM II automatic bimini top that tends to draw the most attention. With a simple press of a button you can raise and lower your bimini top with ease. We also like the look and function of the dual swim platforms that include a telescopic 3-step boarding ladder on each side. Also in the stern is a solid ski/tow bar, which comes standard on this model.
Inspection Notes
Three, high-volume U-shaped pontoons are the base for this 25-foot boat, and the lifting fins on the inside of the outer tubes and on both sides of the center pontoon are nicely welded. The Z-shaped cross members are on 16-inch centers and are bolted to the plywood deck and the splash skin fully covers the bottom. The transom is well-braced and heavily constructed.
Maybe a sink and/or a stern washdown could be added to complete this boat, but as-tested this `toon really does have nearly everything you would ever want or expect to find on a sporty pontoon. Overall, the boat earned high marks for craftsmanship, fit and finish work as well as for its safe, family-friendly design.
Performance Evaluation
When a boat is built this well, it can easily handle the power of a great outboard like the Suzuki 250 four-stroke. At full throttle we flirted with the 50 mph mark, but what impressed us most was the extremely quick 4 1/2 second zero to 20 mph time. The standard hydraulic power-assisted steering makes it easy to turn and with those lifting fins you can really bank nicely into the sharp corners.
Final Thoughts
JC does its part to make this `toon as user-friendly and as hassle-free as possible, while at the same time creating a sporty and attractive-looking boat. Plus it's built solid and the top-notch quality makes it attractive in other ways as well.
Number of Occupants 16
Price As Tested With Power $54.2K
Maximum Speed 48.5 mph
Wild Ponies 250hp
No. of Gates 4
0-20 MPH 4.5 seconds
Ladder Measurement 2' 7" deep
Why we love this boat.The "JC-grass" flooring, companion reclining seat, power bimini, plus a wave of other great features make this boat an instant hit. Not to mention its ability to turn like a v-hull.
Just being picky.The majority of the rails measure nearly 3 feet tall, but the lowest rail onboard is in the bow and at just under 2 feet it's worth noting. But the bow filler cushion helps eliminate any real concerns for those with younger children.
NOTABLE STANDARDS
White powder-coated Rails, Clarion CMD7 stereo w/ 4 speakers, Ski/Tow, Reclining Captain Chair, Hydraulic Power Assisted Steering, Lifting Fins
OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Schwintek PWR ARM II Power Bimini, Satellite Radio w/ Premium JL Speakers, Rear Swim Platforms w/ Ladder, In-Tube Ski Storage, SS Rubrail
VITAL STATS
LOA 25' 7"
Beam 8' 6"
Hull Design TriToon w/ Lifting Fins
Dry Weight 2400 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 45 gallons
TEST DRIVE
Engine Suzuki 250
Cylinder Type V6
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower 245.6ci/250hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio 2.08:1
Propeller 16 X 18.5
RPM vs. SPEED vs. DB-A
750 3.2 74.5
1000 5.2 78.5
1500 6.9 83
2000 9.1 83
2500 14.3 83.5
3000 19.1 91
3500 24.2 96.5
4000 29.3 96
4500 34.4 97.5
5000 38.1 103.5
5500 43 103.5
6000 45.2 102.5
6200 48.2 109.5
6250 48.5 113
North Webster, Ind.
574-834-2881
http://www.jcpontoon.com/
