Beam: 8’6″
Dry Weight: 3,160 lb. (without engine)
Seating/Weight Capacity: 14/2,944 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 50 gal. More Information: cypresscaypontoons.com Bill Doster
Every seat is the best in the house aboard the socially oriented Cabana 220. Seating rings nearly the entire perimeter. Forward, twin parallel couches straddle the center walk-through, each with a forward-facing backrest. Aft, another set does likewise, this time with rear-facing backrests for those who want to stretch out and recline. All the couches integrate storage within their color-matched roto-molded bases, and they also feature gutters around their compartment rims and drains to keep water at bay. Behind the portside lounge, an optional pop-up changing room stows out of sight. A secondary helm seat mirrors the standard low-back captain’s chair. Each seat swivels to join the party when desired. Options include reclining high-back chairs. In total, there’s room for 14 passengers and their gear.
Though twin 25-inch pontoons are standard, our test boat was upgraded to Cypress Cay’s T3 performance package, which adds an additional 25-inch center tube, performance strakes and an underdeck aluminum skin. That skin eliminates surging and boosts efficiency. The additional center tube, dropped 1 inch below the outer logs, gives the Cabana 220 exceptional handling with the nimble, inside lean more typical of a V-hull. With a fuel-efficient Mercury 150 FourStroke XL outboard, the Cabana came onto plane in a quick 3.2 seconds and reached the 30 mph benchmark in 9.3 seconds. Top speed edged just past 37 mph.
That’s enough performance to not only cruise but also allow the Cabana to serve as a versatile water-sports tow boat. Our test boat featured an optional stainless-steel ski tow bar to elevate the tow rope above the outboard engine. The vinyl-covered aft deck provides a great spot to gear up for riding. Cypress Cay’s attention to detail extends to the five-step, stainless-steel swim ladder. Its handrails are spaced outside the ladder’s width to make it easy to haul yourself back aboard after a ski or a swim.
High Points
*Top-notch construction includes cross members on 16-inch centers, full-length “easy lift” gate hinges, and a side rub rail.
*Standard Jensen stereo includes MP3 and USB jacks.
*Upscale treatments include seat-edge bolsters and recessed seat bases.
How We Tested
Engine: Mercury 150 FourStroke XL
Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.92:1
Fuel Load: 30 gal.
Crew Weight: 370 lb.
Price
$43,200 (with test power, T3 performance package)
Contact
Cypress Cay Fort Wayne, Indiana; 260-432-4555; cypresscaypontoons.com
