Viaggio’s Diamante 26U offers quality, appearance and features competitive with the best pontoon offerings. How does it perform? With a powerful Mercury Verado 400, it rips to 30 mph in 7.3 seconds and hits 48 mph at wide-open throttle. Fuel-mileage data shows 3.3 mpg, burning 4.8 gph.
Construction-wise, the Diamante is all-business. Triple 25-inch-diameter tubes boast spray rails and lifting strakes. A spray shield keeps the water flowing smoothly underdeck. As a result, the Diamante gives strong performance in chop and crossing wakes, and carves sure-footed turns.
Viaggio has upgraded its hulls and below-deck superstructures for 2024. Underdeck wires and connections are concealed, and Deutsch connections are used to keep corrosion out. The aluminum material is slightly thicker in the tubes and splash guards, and heavier full C-channel cross members connect the tubes to the deck frame. Viaggio made its rough-water upgrade from previous years standard for 2024.
Above, the rub rail uses cast deck-corner caps with built-in navigation and docking lights. The perimeter enclosure is traditionally styled, but its distinguishing feature is a 3-inch extruded top rail, giving the boat a solid, beefy and formidable look.
This is a big boat with a 28-foot deck, and Viaggio makes excellent use of the space. There are gathering pits fore and aft separated amidships by the console and captain’s chairs. The console is raised 3 inches off the deck for better visibility. The pillow-top interior features cool-touch black vinyl with white accents and diamond-stitched inset cushions.
The helm station is sleek and well-designed. Sitting behind the dash, everything is within easy reach and sight. A JL Audio sound system and RGB interior lighting are standard. A Simrad NSX12 digital display combines with Viaggio electronic digital gauges to monitor the engine performance and boat functions.
The aft extended deck is a perfect spot for sports, and the optional tow bar with a toy-storage rack above is a unique touch.
High Points
- Helm station is intuitively easy to use and navigate.
- Contoured, ergonomically designed interior elevates the boat to class-leader status.
- Cool-touch black upholstery vinyl feels 30 percent cooler.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury Verado 400XL FourStroke 400 hp
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Revolution 14.6″ x 20″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 14 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $156,000 |
| LOA: | 28’4″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 4,220 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 16/3,374 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 61 gal. |
Viaggio Pontoon Boats – Bristol, Indiana; viaggiopontoonboats.com
