Avalon 25 Windjammer ENT

October 2016 Boat Test Monday PDB Staff

This article originally appeared in our 2016 Shootout issue. If you are interested in seeing this in print along with 28 other boat reviews, click HERE to purchase the back issue.

Three Things

The complete package, user-friendly design and unique added touches are the highlights of this Avalon.

Breakdown

For 2016 the Windjammer Entertainer includes a newly-designed Bistro bar table across from the helm, which is a great place to start our review. You could argue Avalon was going for a ‘50s style diner look, but we seriously doubt any diner ever looked this great. While bar layouts and bar stools have become quite popular lately, this design allows you to sit comfortably while positioned around the table. The design includes a stylish contour shape with built-in lighting around the table as well.

At the helm you have everything you need while seated behind the tilt steering wheel, including access to the Infinity Bluetooth stereo controls, USB/Auxiliary port and we love that the dash is centered around an Echo 551 color GPS/Fishfinder from Garmin. Included with the lighted switches is the control for the onboard mood lighting that turns on the LED lights around the speaker covers and cup holders throughout the boat. For the captain is a tall seatback Admiral chair that slides, swivels and reclines. We believe the driver deserves a comfortable seat and it looks like the Michigan-based manufacturer agrees.

You won’t find a thicker vinyl being used in the industry than the Matrix 50-ounce vinyl seats that are exclusive to the builder. And because the seating is all made in-house, the aluminum seat bases give you tremendous storage options below with all those compartments being ventilated. Speaking of storage, in the stern outside the center gate are dual “trunk-like” compartments that are ideal for wet life jackets and other loose items.

Added touches include the smoked glass curved tables with wine glass cutouts, Buckskin Compass Luna flooring, a quick-release 10-foot Bimini top and a massive ski/tow bar as well as a four-step stainless boarding ladder in the stern. Exterior notes include the Deco 2 external multi-panel two-tone walls that help give this Avalon its own distinctive look, as well as Audi-like docking bow lights that bring an automotive touch to the boating industry.

Inspection

One of the options is the Triple Waveglider 25-inch diameter pontoons that include high performance lifting fins on both sides for a total of six, plus a side keel for added protection and an aluminum skin.

Up top, the rail height ranges from nearly 25 inches tall in the bow to over 26 inches throughout the remainder of the boat. There are three entryways—all with solid easy-to-use stainless latches—and from the bow gate to the stern gate there is nearly 20 feet of usable deck space. Overall our inspection crew gave this Avalon a high score for being a well-built pontoon with a family-friendly design.

Handling

With the Mercury 150hp engine we topped out around 35 miles per hour at full throttle and we were impressed with how quickly this pontoon got up on plane. However, to appreciate the Triple Waveglider performance pontoons you might want to consider a little more horsepower (max is 250hp), but with the SeaStar hydraulic steering that comes with the performance upgrade, she’s easy to turn and fun to drive.

Final Thoughts

Built and designed for a wide variety of users, the high-end luxurious pontoon from Avalon has a great mix of standard features and key upgrades to truly make it user-friendly. It’s one of those amenity-rich boats that you can’t appreciate until you’ve spent some time onboard.

2016 Boat Specifications

Number of Occupants 15

Maximum Speed 35.6 mph

Wild Ponies 150 hp

No. of Gates 3

0-20 MPH 5.61 seconds

Ladder Measurement 3’ 8” deep

Why we love this boat…There is a high-end feel to this luxurious pontoon that includes the helm station, Bistro bar table with booth seating and the overall layout.

Just being picky…The rear chaise lounge behind the helm doesn’t have a lot of room to stretch out, but as a bench seat it works just fine.

NOTABLE STANDARDS

Port extended Bistro bar table w/ booth seating, capt. fiberglass helm stand w/ woodgrain dash panel, Garmin 551 Color Fishfinder/depth finder, Infinity PRV250BT BT stereo, 4 high-power speakers w/ SST logo lighted speaker covers, black soft-grip steering wheel w/ chrome spokes, Deco 2 external multi-panel retro two-tone walls w/ lighted flow-thru air vents, high flex bold chrome logos, interior composite wall panels, courtesy light on helm stand, chrome dock lights/LED accent built into walls, interior mood lighting, USCG nav. lights, smoked glass curved table w/ wine glass cutouts, privacy station curtain/frame, 25 qt. cooler, lighted cup holders, full color-matched mooring cover, exclusive Matrix 50 soft touch seat vinyl, suspension seating, BTT woodgrain, soft vinyl rear deck flooring w/ Deco carpet interior deck.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

Triple Waveglider Pontoons CTS HPP, outboard ski/tow bar, Commander fiberglass helm stand, Buckskin Compass Luna flooring, lights under rub rail, battery selector switch, Buckskin vinyl, SeaStar hydraulic steering and aluminum waveshield.