Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
Splendor 239 SunStar
From the dock, Splendor’s 239 SunStar looks much like the average outboard-powered deck boat. It sports the elongated bow the category made famous, great for packing in a few extra passengers without sacrificing comfort, and a spacious, three-foot-wide elevated bow platform that’s a great spot to cast a line. Behind its wraparound windshield, the two bucket seats and an L-shaped lounge with starboard-side transom walk-through complete the picture.
So what’s different? Below the bond line sits not your average V-hull, but a catamaran. The design gives the SunStar exceptional stability, particularly in rough water, as well as some unique side benefits. Thanks to that cat hull, the portside head compartment is nearly four feet deep. The space will be greatly appreciated by those expecting the normal confines of a 24-foot boat. The outboard configuration allows even more gear to be stowed in the aft area, which would normally house a sterndrive engine.
Any worries that the cat hull would impact handling were quickly squashed. While offshore cats aren’t always the most nimble, the SunStar handles more like your average sport boat. With a Suzuki 250 on the transom, our test boat planed in a little more than
three seconds, and reached a top speed of 44.9 mph.