The curved stainless-steel rails, grillwork and plastic decking on the platforms give this boat a retro feel (which Avalon calls Deco), separating it from the pack.
The first thing that caught my attention on board was not the seating or the triple pontoons, but the standard electric wine rack. Watching it rise out of the entertainment center forward of the helm told me all I needed to know about the Avalon Excalibur Elite 29. As advertised, it’s a pontoon boat steeped in luxury.
Our test boat had the Wave Glider package, featuring triple pontoons with lifting fins and Seastar tilt steering with a wood-grain wheel at the helm. This configuration features a 42-gallon fuel tank built into the center pontoon; the standard two-pontoon configuration has a 36-gallon tank in the aft corner. Almost all of the other cool features aboard the Elite 29 come standard.
The driver can enjoy the 30 mph ride in comfort thanks to the plush captain’s chair made exclusively for Avalon. The chair anchors what Avalon calls the Admiral’s Helm, a setup that features a stereo system with a memory-stick port and iPod jack, and a Garmin 431s fish finder/chart plotter preloaded with inland maps.
Every bench on board has its own pullout cup holder with burled wood accents matching the steering wheel. The seating to port of the helm and in the bow lounge is all made in-house on heavy-duty aluminum frames and covered with proprietary 50-gauge vinyl, giving a distinct look in the pontoon world to the Elite 29.
The Elite 29 looks good but has practical features too, like the twist-and-lock supports for the Bimini that make deploying it beyond easy.
Extra Points
The entertainment center has a standard 12-volt refrigerator and an electric wine rack.
Stainless-steel rails and chrome docking lights enhance the boat’s Deco look.
All furniture is made in-house and features proprietary 50-gauge vinyl.
The spacious sun pad can hold two adults or three kids, no problem.
Test Drive
» Test Engine: Yamaha F150
» Test Prop: Yamaha 15¾” X 13″ Painted SS
» Test Load: People (415 LB.); Fuel (22 GAL.)
» Top Speed: 30 MPH @ 6,000 RPM
» Time to Plane: 3.2 sec.
» Time to 20 MPH: 5.5 sec.
Vital Stats
» Length Overall: 29′
» Beam: 8’6″
» Dry Weight: 2,850 LB.
» Seating/Weight Capacity: 16/3,020 LB.
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» Fuel Capacity:** 42 GAL.
» Max HP: 200
» MSRP: $57,200 (w/ test power)
» NMMA Certified
