Landau Signature 2500 Cruise

September 2015 Boat Test Monday

This article originally appeared in our 2015 Shootout issue. If you are interested in seeing this in print along with 25 other boat reviews, click HERE to purchase the back issue.

What You Need To Know

At first glance you can appreciate the high-end look and feel, but when you take a closer look you begin to notice all the “smart” features this Landau has to offer. The floorplan is well thought-out and executed with just the right mix of standard amenities and key options.

The Highlights

If you’re curious about the latest trends in boating these days, all you have to do is come aboard. This is an upper-end boat so naturally it includes some high-end features like the cushioned Infinity basket-weave flooring. It’s soft on your feet, looks great, plus it’s easy to clean. Another unique feature is the vinyl which if you didn’t know better, you’d guess was linen. The vinyl is called Natural Linen and it not only feels soft and inviting, but it also resists abrasion and is designed to stand up against mold and mildew. On this particular model a cocoa or brown accent was included that helps give this boat a nice splash of color.

At the helm is a standard Garmin color GPS that is built into the dash, which completes the symmetrical look. Included and within the driver’s reach is the Sony stereo system, USB and auxiliary jacks, a 12-volt outlet and well-labeled toggle switches. With the fully-adjustable helm chair (slides, swivels and reclines) and the flip-up bolster, the captain can really get comfortable behind the tilt steering wheel.

Across from the helm is another great chair for the first mate. Not only does it recline but it also includes a pop-up foot rest so your passengers can really stretch out. In the stern is another hot trend—rear-facing lounges. The rear-facing split lounge seating is an option that includes lighted storage compartments on the side. This layout also gives you two more Infinity speakers, which means you now have a total of six onboard! Below each lounge is plenty of extra storage and beneath the starboard one is a pop-up changing room that stands 5 foot, 7 inches tall when open. Speaking of storage, another great option is the large in-floor ski locker that is over 7 feet long and 12 inches deep.

In the stern is a solid ski/tow bar, plus a well-built boarding ladder that provides great handholds and drops in the water 4 feet so getting back in won’t be a problem.

Inspection Notes

Below deck there are three U-shaped pontoons that are 21 by 25 inches in diameter with lifting strakes on all three logs and included is an under-deck aluminum splash skin. Up top there are three entry gates ranging from 26 to 27 inches wide and all include a positive latch. Around the perimeter of the pontoon the rails stand a very safe and family-friendly height of 27 inches tall. Overall, we consider this to be a well-built and well-designed pontoon.

Performance Evaluation

Powered with a Suzuki 250hp beast, it’s easy to see why the optional ski/tow bar was on this boat. At full throttle we reached speeds close to the 50-mile-per-hour mark and the zero-to-20-mph time was a blistering 4.6 seconds! With the optional SeaStar hydraulic steering with power assist, she handles well and is very responsive.

Our Take

With a creative floorplan and great use of materials, this Landau has a lot going for it. You can tell it was designed by boaters by how practical and functional it is, but it has a nice high-end feel to it as well.

Number of Occupants 13

Maximum Speed 48.5 mph

Wild Ponies 250 hp

No. of Gates 3

0-20 MPH 4.6 seconds

Ladder Measurement 4’ deep

Why we love this boat…Unique flooring, Natural Linen vinyl and the rear-facing split lounge seating with additional storage give this boat an inviting feel.

Just being picky…We love the pop-up changing room below one of the rear loungers, but to complete this design we’d like to see it a little wider and maybe a little taller.

NOTABLE STANDARDS

Chrome light housings w/ nav. and docking lights, Sony premium sound system CD radio w/ 4 Infinity speakers and amplifier, LED courtesy lighting on console and top, premium gauge pkg. w/ GPS (providing speed and depth) tachometer, volt meter, and fuel gauge, reclining deluxe capt. chair w/ movable arms, slider and bolster seat, stainless steel pkg., standard wheelchair accessible bow gate, 3 wood grain portable cup holders, chrome insert in side trim, 12-volt power outlet, 36 qt. cooler, 10” bimini top, chaise lounges, granite rectangular table, lighted cup holders, MP3/USB ports, heavy duty brushed aluminum rear boarding ladder w/ 4 steps, spacious changing room w/ bench, tilt steering wheel and pull-up stainless steel cleats.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

Rear-facing split rear lounge seating w/ wood grain storage and Infinity speakers, tri-log w/ 46-gal. tank, in-floor ski storage, SeaStar hydraulic steering, SeaStar power assist steering, lifting strakes, brushed aluminum ski/tow, 6 LED under-seat lights, LED under-deck lights on each side of boat, LED underwater lights on the bottom rear of the logs, color-matched mooring cover, woven basket weave flooring w/ cushioning, and 2-tone exterior.