The Classic 240 SLSC proves Crest designers aren’t resting on their laurels. Improvements for 2025 include a totally redesigned chassis, with thicker crossmembers to deliver a more solid ride with less vibration, plus a higher deck and extended rear platform that’s great for a variety of pursuits, from chilling at the sandbar to gearing up for a tube or ski ride. Other additions include new matte-black badging to match the craft’s protective powder-coated rails, standard powder coating on the manual Bimini tops, and every pet lover’s favorite accessory—a doggie drawer in the console with a pair of stainless-steel bowls.
Our test boat featured what is quickly becoming a classic pontoon layout. Forward, parallel bow lounges stretch a full 6 feet, 3 inches, inviting taller occupants to kick back and relax against their angled seatbacks or crew to socialize. Amidships, dual captain’s chairs cradle the captain and a crewmember. Aft, a swingback lounge adds a cockpit bench and adjoining 4-by-5-foot sun pad that’s great for lounging. Swing its dual backrests together to make mirror-image benches, or pivot the aft backrest flat, angle the front backrest forward, and form the ultimate kick-back recliner for the cove or sandbar. Full-depth seat bases provide more space than the norm. Open, aluminum-frame seat bases add flow-through ventilation.
As to the helm, it too gets a redesign for ’25. Ours was optioned with a combination of attractive upgrades, including a 2½-inch raised platform, eye-catching black metallic finish, Simrad NXS display (replacing the standard Lowrance) and 29-inch high-back seat.
Belowdecks, the 240 rode atop Crest’s Classic Tritoon package, a trio of 25-inch-diameter pontoons with performance lifting strakes, aluminum underskin, 54-gallon fuel tank and SeaStar hydraulic steering. On the water, the combo gave the Classic agile handling that didn’t lose its bite when pushed into sharp corners. A Mercury 200 balanced speed and efficiency in classic fashion. It purred along at a comfortable 16 mph cruising speed, burning 4.2 gph before peaking at a top speed of 33.5 mph.
High Points
- Choose two-tone exterior fence colors from eight options.
- Standard cooler drawer in the bow houses a 38-can, insulated soft-side bag.
- Cool extras? A chilled captain’s cup holder, pop-up entertainment table and double power Bimini.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 200
- Drive/Prop: Mercury Enertia 15″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 54 gal. Crew Weight: 625 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $80,282 (base with Mercury 200) |
| LOA: | 27’2″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft (max): | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 3,790 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 15/2,110 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 54 gal. |
Crest Pontoons – Owosso, Michigan; crestpontoonboats.com
