Sweetwater

First Glance
It’s good to break away from the same old floorplan every once in awhile and that’s what you get with the Midship Table (MT) edition. Plus this Godfrey Pontoon Boat product includes a lot of little added touches that you can’t truly appreciate until you’ve spent some time onboard.

Details
In the bow the bench seating – that includes two chaise lounges – appears to be even more spacious because of the solid one-piece cushions on each side. There is plenty of great storage below and one nice added touch is that the backside of the speakers inside are enclosed in an acoustic box for better protection as well as sound. Built into the back of the portside chaise is a pop-up changing room that stands nearly 6 feet tall when open. Speaking of oversized, the in-floor ski locker is massive! It’s over 7 feet long and 2 feet deep and even includes an automatic bilge pump.

Most pontoons today come with some type of a table, but few are permanently mounted like this solid one. The MT layout includes four bar stools that swivel so everyone can get comfortable around the Corian table. Directly across is the helm console that is simplistic yet functional, and includes an optional Lowrance X3 Hook depth finder that is located right in the center of the dash between the gauges so you can easily keep your eye on it. Next to the standard Marine Audio stereo system are the ports needed to plug in your phone, yet no designated spot for a phone. If we had to be picky, we’d like to see some type of storage space created at the helm for devices. One unique option is the full-spectrum interior lighting package that allows the driver to change the mood lighting throughout the boat, all from the helm.

Moving toward the stern, there is a rear-facing chaise lounge behind the captain’s chair as well as a small seat in the corner behind the table on the portside. The swim deck is minimal in size, but includes a tall ski/tow bar as well as a black boarding ladder that flows well with the black rails and Bimini frame and ties into the black cherry panels. Looking at the exterior, the optional autumn gold accent color has been added to the panels to add a customized touch to it.  

Closer Look
The hull has been upgraded to 27-inch diameter UltraMax pontoons as part of the optional Godfrey Tri-Power triple-tube package and includes lifting strakes on all three. Up top there is over 19 feet of usable deck space inside the gates and the rail height is a consistent 25 1/2 inches tall around the perimeter. 

Throttle Down
Paired with a Mercury 175hp four-stroke, we just missed the 40 mph mark at full throttle. She’s quick to plane and turns well in the tight corners while remaining safe and in complete control. 

Why Buy
Clearly built for entertaining, the midship table will draw many people as a great place to eat, play games or basically do all those things we’d like to do if only we had a large permanent table. But as great as this layout is, this Sweetwater pontoon has a lot more going for it in terms of comfort and features that is sure to attract a lot of consumers in search of a great day-use boat.

Elkhart, Ind.
574-522-8381
www.sweetwaterboats.com

Specifications
Number of Occupants            11                   
Price As Tested With Power  $62.1K
Maximum Speed                    39.2 mph                   
Wild Ponies                             175 hp
No. of Gates                            3
0-20 MPH                               4.68 seconds 
Ladder Measurement             3’ 6” deep

Why we love this boat…The fresh floorplan is great and the options included as-tested help make this a very attractive boat for a lot of families.  

Just being picky… While minor, we’d like to see a storage space or glove box built into the helm for a phone that is preferably close to the 12-volt and input jack, but an optional glove box is available.  

NOTABLE STANDARDS
Canopy, playpen cover, drilled transom, 23-inch tubes, bar seating (bar w/two stools, cooler storage, stainless steel sink/hand pump, LED cupholders, and acrylic bar top), stereo (Bluetooth and two silver speakers), stainless steel cleats, silver easy climb ladder, captain’s chair w/swivel/slide/fold-down arms, courtesy interior lighting, cable steering, silver canopy frame, and helm station (w/windscreen, cooler storage, cupholders, switch panels, 12 V outlet, and horn).

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Chaise changing room, floor/seat-style cupholders, fire extinguisher, in-floor storage, Soft Touch caramel furniture w/wicker-wrapped boxes, Paja Beige full flooring, heavy-duty channels, 27-inch Triple Tube pkg., Midnight pkg., full-spectrum interior lighting pkg., Autumn Gold graphics, basic ski/tow bar, bar seating upgrade, Light It Up stereo, upgraded steering wheel and Lowrance X3 Hook depth finder.  

VITAL STATS
LOA                  23’ 10”           
Beam                 8’ 6”
Hull Design       Three Pontoons
Dry Weight       1,964 lbs.
Fuel Capacity    23 gallons

TEST DRIVE
Engine                                                             Mercury 175 L Verado
Cylinder Type                                                 Inline 4
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower           103.7ci/175hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio                                   2.08:1
Propeller                                                          N/A

RPM     vs.      SPEED     vs.    DB-A
700                  2.4                     71
1000                4.0                     84
1500                5.0                     87
2000                6.3                     88
2500                8.4                     88
3000                11.6                   89
3500                14.3                   97
4000                17.6                   97
4500                20.4                   97
5000                22.7                   99
5500                26.1                   98
6000                31.3                   102
6523                39.2                   102

PRICE
Price As Tested                       $62,105
(Boat and Motor)

Base Price                               $42,260
(Boat Only)