It’s really hard to understand the appeal of pontoons at extreme speeds until you’ve test-driven Playcraft’s luxurious Powertoon X-Treme 2800. The triple-tube bottom slices over waves and chop, giving a soft, stable ride completely unexpected by nonenthusiasts. We are always pleasantly surprised by the thrills it wraps in comfort.
Comfort starts with the Flexsteel helm seat that reclines, sports adjustable arm rests, and cushions your body from whatever vibration and chop the performance tubes couldn’t overcome.
Performance strakes on the bottom give the X-Treme 2800 additional lift but also serve to “hook up” the bottom, giving it V-bottom-style turning capability that is more secure and comfortable than performance pontoons that lean toward the outboard pontoon in turns. Close your eyes on a test ride, whip the helm to port or starboard, and you would think you were in a go-fast rocket — except for the living-room comfort in which you ride.
Playcraft’s in-house furniture crew constantly upgrades upholstery, and tweaks color and stripe designs to keep the line fresh each year. Fore decks ease anchoring up in coves. Choose your colors, and they’ll be matched on the side panels in upholstery on the inside (it keeps the ride quiet, dampening vibration, while adding luxury) and the graphics on the outside.
Add a premium stereo with powerful amp and subwoofer, and your visual impression — coupled with thrill-ride G’s — will be spiced even further by the beat of your favorite tunes. Play them through an iPod, MP3 interface or CDs.
Play, in fact, is the key word for the X-Treme. Play hard.
Extra Points
Dedicated fender locker puts them in a handy spot to keep the boat spiffy.
Playcraft’s patented integrated steps in the pontoon offer uncompromised ease of reboarding after swimming or skiing.
Integrated Bimini is powder coated for long life and gives ample shade to the crew.
Verado power steering makes handling a breeze.
Test Drive
» Test Engine: Mercury Verado 300
» Test Prop: Vengence 19 Pitch
» Test Load: People (400 LB.); Fuel (25 GAL.)
» Top Speed: 50.7 MPH @ 6,000 RPM
**
» Time to 20 MPH:** 4.2 sec.
» Time to 30 MPH: 7.2 sec.
» Most Economical Cruise Speed: 24 MPH @ 3,500 RPM, 3 MPG
Vital Stats
» Length Overall: 27’6″
» Beam: 8’6″
» Dry Weight: 2,750 LB.
» Seating/Weight Capacity: 15/3,000 LB.
» Fuel Capacity: 80 GAL.
» Max HP: 350
» MSRP: $72,900
» NMMA Certified
