2025 Balise Helix 24

Newcomer though Balise may be, the Michigan pontoon builder’s bold goal is to be the most luxurious and innovative pontoon on the market. Judging by our day aboard the Balise ­Helix 24, it’s off to a good start. A brand that traces its roots to Crest and parent company MasterCraft, Balise has imbued the Helix with a seemingly never-ending list of amenities. Some, such as the gelcoated fiberglass exterior and powder-coated pontoons and skirting, give the boat the upscale look and feel of a luxury sports car or high-end wakeboat. Others, such as heated seats, chilled cup holders, a powered cooler lift that lowers into the water off the transom, and a steering wheel designed by ­Italian race-car driver Max Papis, seem intent on proving there’s no limit to the ­Helix’s luxury touches. The end result is a boat that instantly competes with the market’s most elite brands.

In terms of layout, Balise doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Our test boat’s Cruise configuration included a pair of lounges forward, twin chairs for the captain and co-captain, and raised helm and twin aft lounges behind with rear-facing seat backs, all swathed in cool-touch vinyl. Again, it’s the details that stand out. Lumbar cutouts feature lit cup holders and wireless phone chargers. The insulated cooler below a bow seat is labeled as such with a placard so there’s no confusion. The Cordova cooler below the helm pulls out via a massive drawer. Adjacent, the snack table that emerges from the forward side of that console is made of actual teak. 

And then there’s the custom Balise premium audio system. It features eight midrange speakers, four aluminum tweeters and a subwoofer, all completely hidden behind textile covers. The in-water entertainment system at the transom adds two speakers and even a vented subwoofer to deliver rich bass under the deck.

As to the ride, underway the ­Helix handled a choppy test day with ease, riding across the water atop a trio of 26-inch pontoons with lifting strakes on both sides of all tubes. Our test boat’s 400 hp ­Mercury Verado pushed the boat to 30 mph in a relatively brief 7.9 seconds. Top speed peaked at 47.1 mph.

High Points

• Standards galore: shock-assist tower, integrated Bimini, stainless accents and woven flooring.
• Lighting includes the logo, exterior-interior zone-controlled RGB, and bow and helm pop-ups.
• Standard 12-inch Simrad NXS touchscreen and room for another. 

How We Tested

• Engine: Mercury Verado 400
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Revolution X 14.625″ x 19″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 15 gal. Crew Weight: 540 lb.

Pricing and Specs