Our First Impression

This is part of Parti Kraft's value line? Seriously? For being considered a base model we were very impressed to say the least. The wet bar entertainment center in the stern with bar stools is the real attention getter, but the value overall is off the charts in our book. 

Consumer Test

This toon is part of the Celebration Line and what better place to start our review than with the wet bar? Complete with two bar stools, a raised counter top and lighted (yes, we said lighted) cup holders, we can't say enough about this entertainment center. There is even a sink and hand pump faucet with good storage options below.

We've come to appreciate the durability of the exclusive GX48 vinyl, but new this year across the board for Godfrey Marine is a furniture design that includes more comfortable foam inside that has been tested and is now even better than ever. Plus the seatbacks appear to be taller than we've seen in past years, which help make the seating even more inviting. We love the open and extra-wide layout and design of this boat and the rails and gates at 25 inches tall are just big enough to still be considered safe and family-friendly.

At the helm is a basic, yet very functional console. With full instrumentation including a depth finder, it gets the job done and then some. We did note some minor fit and finish issues with the helm console itself, but overall we feel this is a well-built `toon.

In the stern, the three-step ladder has a nice and wide design with good handholds and plenty of room to towel off before coming inside the gate. The patent-pending gate latch system is new this year, and we like the assurance that it's closed and secure when you use it.  

Inspection Test

Below deck, the weld quality is above average on the two-log pontoon design. Both chambered pontoons are 25 inches in diameter with a full keel and include splash guards. The C-channel cross members are on 24-inch centers and bolted to the plywood deck. There is no splash skin, but the wires are all well-protected and bundled.

Up top there is nearly 16 feet of usable deck space from inside the bow gate to the entertainment center. Like the wring below deck, the wiring under the helm console is also protected and very organized.  

Overall, this Parti Kraft earned high marks for its craftsmanship as well as the design. We found no dangerous or sharp edges and all the hidden areas were well finished.    

Performance Test

Heading into the test we were wondering if a 90hp engine would be the right fit for a pontoon that is designed to cruise and entertain. We were pleasantly surprised by the Evinrude E-TEC that reached speeds just shy of 30 miles per hour at full throttle. She leans in the turns, but for a two-log pontoon boat we were impressed by the acceleration as well as the handling. The two-stroke from Evinrude proved to be a good fit for this 24-footer, which also helps keep the price down on this value-driven model.   

Who Should Buy It

Honestly we're still scratching our heads a little at the price. This is a very well-built boat that has entertaining written all over it. We just had to give this boat a perfect score on value because we truly feel you get a lot of boat at this price point.  

Number of Occupants             12

Price As Tested With Power   $25.5K

Maximum Speed:                    26.7 mph

Wild Ponies:                            90hp

No. of Gates                           3

0-20 MPH                               5.2 seconds               

Ladder Measurement:             3' deep       

 

Why we love this boat.For a value-driven pontoon we were pleasantly surprised by the quality, layout-including the wet bar design-and the comfort of the seating. 

 

Just being picky.Overall the fit and finish work is great on this `toon, but we did note some minor issues at the helm on this particular boat that we tested.  

NOTABLE STANDARDS

Color-coordinated canopy, GX 48 expanded vinyl, Jensen CD w/MP3 input, built-in docking lights, colored rail panels and a 25-quart carry-on cooler.

 

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

Removable cup holders and in-dash depth finder.

 

VITAL STATS

LOA                            24'

Beam                           8' 6"

Hull Design                 Two Pontoons

Dry Weight                 1,914 lbs.

Fuel Capacity              24 Gallons

 

TEST DRIVE

Engine                         Evinrude 90 E-TEC

Cylinder Type             3-cylinder

Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower           79.1ci/90hp    

Lower Unit Gear Ratio           2:0:1

Propeller                      14 x 11 aluminum

RPM      vs.     SPEED     vs. D-A    

600                  2.7 mph           78.5                

1000                3.7 mph           83.5    

1500                5.5 mph           85.5

2000                7.8 mph           87.5                            

2500                11.1 mph         90       

3000                15.1 mph         88       

3500                18.0 mph         90.1                            

4000                20.1 mph         91.5    

4500                23.5 mph         94       

5000                25.9 mph         98

5200                26.7 mph         98.5

Elkhart, Ind.

Phone: 574-522-8381

Website: www.PartiKraftBoats.com