Premier 250 Velocity PTX

July 2016 Boat Test Monday PDB Staff

This article originally appeared in our 2016 Shootout issue. If you are interested in seeing more stories like this, click HERE to subscribe.

Three Things

An all-new fiberglass design, PTX performance package and dual rear loungers are just the beginning of what this Velocity has to offer.

Breakdown

Premier has completely taken the pontoon industry by surprise with its new models for 2016, including this Velocity. It’s the Minnesota-based manufacturer’s first fiberglass bow and rear lounger model and it’s clearly evident these engineers believe in out-of-the-(pontoon)-box thinking.

We’ll get to the performance in a minute, but this boat basically takes the best of what the fiberglass industry has to offer in style and function and combines it with Premier’s proven PTX pontoon hull for a very unique and distinctive look.

Built into the bullet-shaped nose are docking lights that set the tone for the entire boat with a high-end futuristic look that includes the optional Atomic Red accent colors. The seating in the bow includes a lockable storage compartment between the two benches and cutout storage areas with netting below. Additional upper body backrests are supported with LED-lit clear pillars and not only are they stylish, but they help make the boat safer too. The patent-pending Stanchion lighting package is used throughout the boat.

At the Liberty helm that includes a Zenith wheel is an attractive console that is loaded with a lot of great features including a Garmin map on the left. On the right, multi-function SmartCraft gauges are centered around the Polk Audio stereo that includes a 12-volt outlet and USB/Auxiliary port below. For the captain, the elevated helm stand includes a large Flexsteel chair that slides, swivels and reclines and equally important—if not more—is an identical first-mate captain chair that is located directly across from the helm. In fact, there are a total of three Flexsteel helm chairs onboard but believe it or not they still might not be considered the most comfortable onboard.

Behind the helm are two over-sized rear loungers, complete with a stereo remote and a small netted storage compartment with a drink holder on each side. To help add to the high-end feel, yacht-like stainless rails complete the stern area that also has a beautiful rear gate with the Premier logo etched into it. Another great added touch is the teak-looking vinyl floor that completes the look the manufacturer was going for. Note that outside the gate we didn’t see a boarding ladder or a ski/tow bar on this particular model we tested, but we know these are available.

Inspection

There are two 25-inch diameter pontoons with a 36-inch diameter U-shaped center tube that is part of the upgraded PTX package. The center tube is 2 feet longer, which provides extra deck space as well as an aerodynamic profile that improves the performance. To help protect the tubes, optional VANTAGE Film with Pontoon Guard were added to ensure the boat stays looking as good as the day it left the plant. Up top there is nearly 21 feet of deck space from the bow to the stern gate.

Handling

The sporty looks are backed up with this extremely quick-to-plane pontoon that is equipped with a Mercury 300 Pro four-stroke. With the PTX hull we were able to handle this pontoon like it was a V-hull boat as we dived into the sharp corners. At full throttle we reached speeds at the 50-mile-per-hour mark, which only added to the thrill factor. This is an extremely fun boat to drive and unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Final Thoughts

Who says a pontoon can’t be sleek and sexy? Premier’s attempt to create a unique and stylish pontoon has paid off and the results can be found in the one-of-a-kind Velocity series.

2016 Boat Specifications

Number of Occupants 12

Maximum Speed 50.2 mph

Wild Ponies 300 hp

No. of Gates 3

0-20 MPH 4.28 seconds

Ladder Measurement N/A

Why we love this boat…The refreshing and sleek design of a fiberglass top and a performance pontoon hull below will change how you look at pontoons going forward.

Just being picky…Accessing the storage space below the rear loungers is a couple step process that could be smoother, but the tradeoff is having extra room for gear.

PDB Days Reader Choice Feedback

Of the three Premier pontoons on display, this was our favorite because it truly is a one-of-a-kind.

NOTABLE STANDARDS

Colored fiberglass bow/aft/side panels, Zenith steering wheel, Liberty helm, Opulent sport furniture, Marine Audio stereo and speakers, new Duro rails and graphics, patent-pending Stanchion lighting pkg., 30-inch PTX Performance Pkg.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

36-inch PTX Pkg., Atomic Red packaging, Toe Kick strip lights, exterior strip lights, LED speaker grills, underwater LED lights, rail mount cupholders and VANTAGE Film w/ Pontoon Guard.