PDB Shootout: Avalon

Quick Glance

There’s just something about the word “platinum” that screams high-end luxury. The name carries with it a little more prestige and benefits. At least, that’s what the credit card companies tell us. However, if there is one manufacturer who can live up to high expectations of naming a specific model after a precious white metal, it’s Avalon. 

Highlights

Also part of the 2585 Catalina Platinum model name is EL-W, which stands for elite windshield, and when combined with the integrated Decosport Arch, you’re looking at a very sporty pontoon. The full wraparound windshield is the perfect complement to this Catalina and everywhere we turned we seemed to find more high-end amenities that we liked.

Sitting behind the Mazzo steering wheel the captain has a nice display of analog gauges in the center of the dash console with JL Audio stereo controls on the left and a Humminbird Helix 5 GPS map on the right. The stereo is part of the Premium JL sound system upgrade along with the Premium Sound tower speakers on the arch that truly rock your soul.

The tall seatback with an adjustable pedestal ensures your captain has the most comfortable seat on board. Really the only thing missing at this helm is some type of a glove box – preferably one that locks – so the captain can store loose

items such as keys and wallets.

The waterfall flooring upgrade “flows” well with the exclusive Matrix 50-ounce ULTRAFINE soft touch vinyl furniture along with the pewter composite kick panel bases below. In the stern the rear gate is off-set to the port side, which is unique and provides a large trunk-like storage on the swim deck along with a large ski/tow bar and easy-to-use boarding ladder. Just before exiting the gate to the rear swim deck there is a galley setup that includes a faucet and sink with a refrigerator slide-out drawer below. Also worth noting, the in-floor ski locker is 19 inches deep and over 7 feet long with a light and a bilge pump inside with plenty of room for all your water toys. 

Closer Look

Below deck includes an integrated motor pod, full-length wave shield, 58-gallon transom direct-fill fuel tank and each of the 27-inch diameter pontoons has lifting strakes—both sides of the center tube and on the inside of the exterior tubes. Above deck the rail height is consistent and nearly 26 inches tall around the entire perimeter for a safe and family-friendly layout. We can also appreciate the clean look of the two-tone Deco 2 retro exterior walls and the new docking light pod that is off the deck and mounted up high.

Performance

Diving into the details of this performance hull, the Waveglider 27-inch upgrade paired with the Mercury 300hp Verado had this beefy boat flying across the water at speeds in the mid 40s. She’s quick to jump up on plane and handles like a much smaller pontoon; you’d never guess it was a 28-footer.

Final Thoughts

There’s a nice mixture of standard features and options on this beauty and after reviewing it we feel the manufacturer found the ideal recipe as tested. It truly lives up to its Platinum name and it has a lot of those key amenities that will appeal to boat buyers.

Alma, Mich.
800-334-2913
www.avalonpontoons.com

SPECIFICATIONS
Number of Occupants: 16                   
Price As Tested With Power: $114.1 K
Maximum Speed: 45.2 mph                   
Wild Ponies: 300 hp
No. of Gates: 2
0-20 MPH: 4.5 seconds   
Ladder Measurement: 3’ 9” deep

Why we love this boat…Combination of the arch tower, 300hp and sporty features like the wraparound windshield help put this Catalina in a class by itself.   

Just being picky…It’s minor, but we’d like to see some type of a locking glove box at the helm for the captain to store loose items in.  

NOTABLE STANDARDS

Dual Commander Fiberglass Helmstands, Humminbird Helix 5 GPS, Multi location USB Charging Ports, Infinity PRV315BT Stereo, Infinity Lighted Stereo Speakers, 12-Volt Power Point, SeaStar Hydraulic Tilt, Mazzo Steering Wheel with Black Pearlwood, Courtesy Light on Helmstand, Admiral High Back Reclining Chair w/ Remote Levers, Adjustable Height Seat Pedestal, Interior Composite Wall Panels, 2 Deco Moveable Stainless Cupholders Armrest, and Decorative Bronze or Pewter Seat Frame Cladding.

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT

Silver Interior Pkg., Humminbird Helix 5 GPS, Premium JL Sound System, Premium Sound Tower Speakers, Waterfall Flooring Upgrade, Waveglider 27-Inch Upgrade, In-Floor Ski Storage, Integrated Decosport Arch, and Transhield and Motor Installation.

VITAL STATS
LOA: 28’ 6”             
Beam: 8’ 6”
Hull Design: Triple Waveglider
Dry Weight: 3,400 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 58 gallons

TEST DRIVE
Engine: Mercury 300
Cylinder Type: V8
Cubic-inch Displacement/Horsepower: 279ci/300hp
Lower Unit Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Propeller: 14 X 1

RPM     vs.      SPEED    
600                  1.8                 
1000                2.5                   
1500                4.9                 
2000                7.0                 
2500                9.8                 
3000                12.9                 
3500                17.1                 
4000                21.8                 
4500                26.7                 
5000                28.8                 
5500                32.5               
5900                45.2                  

PRICE
Price As Tested (Boat and Motor): $114,169
Base Price: $100,950

This article originally appeared in our 2020 Shootout issue. If you are interested in seeing more boat tests like this, click HERE to subscribe.