The 2500 FE Wet Bar arrived at our test site five hours before sunset. From gate to gate the entire boat is the ultimate entertainer, so we sat and absorbed it all. It wasn’t until the next morning that we actually motored the boat away from the dock.
The forward gate is to starboard, not centered, making it easy for the driver to watch the boat coast up to the dock for pickups. With no center gate forward, the port seating becomes a huge L-shape arrangement. Those seats, and all seats throughout, are the classy pillow-top variety without the rolls and excess stitches that dominate pontoon interiors. The seat bottoms are extra wide to provide more thigh support, and if this impedes the traffic area, we didn’t notice. We sat up front taking in the tunes fed by Sanpan’s 11-speaker amphitheater sound system, which in our opinions is perhaps the best in this boat category.
It was dusk by the time we made it to the stern, which would have been more appropriate if we’d had the goods to utilize the Coriantopped bar. The sun pad over the motor on the 2500 FE was slimmed down to make room for the bar, two stools with backrests and a galley behind the driver. The stools swivel, and we’re told they meet American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards for use while under way. The bar itself sits atop a practically positioned battery housing — it’s easy to access, is protected from the water and rests on the boat’s centerline for balance.
Sanpan uses a 27-inch middle log for better flotation, but we found it also results in effortless maneuvering because of the slight V-bottom quality. It’s a valuable feature when towing tubes, once the guests are ready to move away from the dock.
Extra Points
• Raised helm gives about four inches of elevation and better sight lines over bow passengers.
• Backrests on the bar stools fold over the seats, protecting them from evening dew.
• Under one forward lounge is a cooler, a holder for a 2-liter bottle, a slot for a knife and a peg for cups.
• Strip LEDs are found throughout — even encased, as were the navigation lights.
Test Drive * Test Engine: Yamaha F150 * Test Prop: 15.75″ X 13″ stainless steel * Test Load: People (400 LB.) Fuel (16 GAL.) * Top Speed: 36.4 MPH @ 5,500 RPM * Time to 30 MPH: 9.6 sec. Vital Stats * Length Overall: 26’2″ * Beam: 8’6″ * Dry Weight: 2,800 LB. * Seating/Weight Capacity: 16/2,256 LB. * Fuel Capacity: 50 GAL. * Max HP: 250 * MSRP: $59,306 (as tested) * NMMA Certified: Yes
