Barletta’s ownership traces its roots to the RV industry, but marine-industry vets occupy key company roles. The combo’s influence can be seen in the L25UC, which brings both new and familiar ideas to the table.
Examples? How about a dog dish that slides out from under the 4-inch-elevated helm? You’ll also find USB receptacles in multiple seating locations, no less than 18 “Yeti-ready” cup holders, even a clever flip-up table that opens to the portside passenger seat with shade below for a pontooning pooch. More practical additions include a nearly 5-foot-deep aft deck area with stainless-steel ski tow bar, integrated fender storage and a clever in-floor compartment to port for wet items.
Seating invites both socializing and relaxation. Forward, parallel benches run six feet along the port and starboard edges. Amidships, twin captain’s chairs seat the skipper and mate. Aft, the versatile 5-foot-wide Ultra Lounge focuses attention forward for socializing and becomes a spacious sun pad when you’re using the boat like a floating island. Pivot the shared backrest forward to form a massive aft-facing recliner, or lower it to reveal a queen-size tanning bed. All upholstery is covered in luxurious Dolce marine vinyl, and there’s plenty of stowage in the roto-molded compartments below nearly every seat.
The sleek black dash featured a pair of chrome-bezeled SmartCraft gauges, aircraft-style toggle switches, and a three-spoke wheel flanked by a Hertz stereo and a 7-inch Simrad touchscreen chart plotter and multifunction display. Additional points are scored for a phone nook with USB/charging port and a side-mount glove box with access to resettable breakers.
Silky-smooth Mercury DTS controls put our test boat’s 300 hp Mercury outboard into action, powering the boat onto plane in 3 seconds and to 30 mph in 6.6 seconds. Top speed peaked at 47.6 mph. Turn the optional power-assisted wheel and the triple 26-inch pontoons produce a hint of inside lean, completing the intuitive responsive feel.
High Points
- Standard powered Bimini top.
- High-end construction includes full under-deck skin and vibration-isolating pads.
- Hertz HMR3 audio system with subwoofer and amplifier.
Price: $88,710
How We Tested
Engine: Mercury 300
Prop: Mercury Enertia 16" x 17" 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Fuel Load: 12 gal.
Crew Weight: 155 lb.
Barletta Pontoon Boats - Bristol, Indiana; 574-825-8900; barlettapontoonboats.com
