There are many examples of Crest showing off on the Caribbean Platinum 250 SLS. Powder-coated perimeter fencing features a dramatic flare aft, with a bold, arrow-shaped accent piece that ties neatly into an optional clad tower overhead. Look closer at that molded accent and you’ll note the logo lights up, as do interior speakers in a variety of shades. The helm features a dash that is a showcase of billet aluminum, with two rows of aircraft-style lighted toggles across the bottom. The captain’s cup holder is actually refrigerated. The vinyl flooring on our test boat had the look of aged teak.
Forward, 7-foot parallel lounges invite passengers to stretch out and relax, or buddy up when entertaining a party-size crew. Rather than vinyl-covered roto-molded plastic, seat bases are sleek, molded fiberglass. Cushions hinge up and stay open during loading and unloading on articulating hinges. A pop-up changing curtain is tucked away at the tail end of the port bench. The height of comfort, however, is found in the powered, four-position swing-back seat aft. Part of an L-shaped couch that finishes out the interior, it adds an aft-facing couch in standard position. Pivot the seatback forward to create an aft-facing recliner, or fully flat to form a sun bed at the touch of a nearby toggle.
The 250 SLS features Crest’s CP3 Performance Package, which pairs twin 25-inch outer tubes around a central 26-inch tube pontoon dropped 1 inch to create a V-hull effect. Other performance-related elements of the package include an aluminum underskin, lifting strakes, and SeaStar electronic power-assist steering. Paired with a 300 hp Mercury outboard, the result was spirited, with agile handling, instantaneous planing, and a top speed of 43.2 mph. Since our test date, Crest has upped the minimum horsepower to 350, which should only improve our performance numbers.
- Engine: Mercury 300
- Prop: Mercury Enertia 15″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 40 gal. Crew Weight: 355 lb.
- CP3 Performance Package also adds dual battery switches and battery boxes, a battery charger, aluminum ski-tow bar, integrated transom and oversize fuel tank.
- Fusion audio system includes head unit, six speakers, 10-inch subwoofer and amplifier.
- Furniture cutouts include space for multiple cup holders and dual USB charging ports.
- Center-tube in-floor ski locker is narrow and smaller than most.
- Underhelm wiring needs to be organized and better supported to prevent snags from the cooler or other stowed items.
Like Crest, Manitou’s 25 Legacy SL ($94,700 with Evinrude G2 300) sports its own stylish twist on the traditional fence enclosure, offers dual lounges forward, twin helm seats and a large multiposition aft lounge, and even embraces a small amount of aluminum billet on the dash. Manitou’s model combines 25-inch outer pontoons with a central 27-inch tube for a more dramatic V-hull effect. With the 300 hp Evinrude, it also peaked at 48 mph.
Crest Marine - Owosso, Michigan; 989-725-5188; crestpontoonboats.com
