Beam: 8’6″
Dry Weight: 3,950 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 15/3,000 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 30 gal.
More Information: playcraftboats.com
PlayCraft put pontoons on American boaters’ radar by putting its Powertoon in front of the radar gun at over 100 miles per hour. The company set the pontoon speed record at the nationally famous Lake Rescue Shoot years ago. It’s been broken and re-established many times in a rivalry that’s helped make pontoons the hottest boat anywhere.
Because PlayCraft boats are born near the epicenter of “gold chain” boating on Lake of the Ozarks, the Powertoon X-Treme 2700 boasts blazing swooshes of graphics with racing checkerboards and bright hot-boat colors. Our test boat was absolutely beaming in orange, silver and black. Interior upholstery is vinyls in matching colors sewn in a coordinated quilt of fast-looking beauty.
The helm station is all performance as well, with a racing bucket seat and a fully adjusting base for height and legroom. The seat swivels too, allowing the skipper to face forward on the fly and aft when on the hook. PlayCraft pays special attention to storage features like the fender locker near the side gate in the lounge. It could alternatively be a trash receptacle, depending on your needs.
All metal rails, Bimini towers and gates are powder-coated for a long corrosion-free life. The look adds to the beauty and sportiness of the X-Treme series, far more than the simple and inexpensive anodization typically done on lesser pontoons. For durability, PlayCraft uses cast aluminum gussets at the gates — they look better and are more compact, saving deck space for the passengers.
Its speed aside — we logged 62 miles per hour fully loaded with fuel on a rainy day, conditions known to rob big-bore engines of power — the boat was plenty comfortable and abundantly roomy for what pontoons are most often used to do: hang out all day on the water in living-room comfort.
Its power comes from a Mercury Racing engine, with throaty above-water exhaust. Captain’s call? Nope, you want to be noticed on this vessel, and its rumble is part of the fun.
Buyer’s Spotlight
*Seating is firm, but comfortable as well.
*Dual-density seating foam is softer on top and more dense and porous at the base, which adds resilience plus the added benefit of easy drainage.
*Powder-coating the rails gives them a sportier, longer-lasting look.
*Speedy graphics and racing-flag embroidery lend a sportier feel.
*The pointed bow is unique to PlayCraft and adds a sleek look to the profile.
How We Tested
Engine: Mercury Racing 520
Drive/Prop: Bravo Three XR/24″ stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.65:1
Fuel Load: 20 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.
Price
Unavailable (at press time)
Contact
PlayCraft Boats Richland, Missouri; 573-765-3265; playcraftboats.com
