Qwest Pontoons from Apex Marine showcase excellent performance, quality construction and feature-packed hulls. The L-Class 22 Splash Pad features a traditional-style aluminum perimeter enclosure atop the Q3V hull package, which includes triple 25-inch pontoons, with lifting strakes on the center tube and a full underskin. With this package and a robust Mercury 200 on the transom, the L-Class moves out quickly; it planes in 3.4 seconds and hits 30 mph in 7.3 seconds. Top speed is an even 40 mph.
It’s a sipper at the fuel dock too. The most economical cruise speed is 14 mph, where the sound level is a whisper-quiet 70 decibels and the Mercury drinks fuel at 2.8 gph (for 5 mpg). With its 43-gallon tank, that means the Qwest can travel over 193 miles before having to fuel up.
The center tube is 0.125-inch-thick aluminum, while the outside tubes are 0.09-inch-thick. The tubes mount to the deck with full-length extruded M-brackets that bolt to cross channels, which bolt to the deck.
In the bow section, twin facing curved loungers feature soft-touch upholstery with an inset quilted vinyl pattern. A generously sized lumbar cubby allows storing keys, sunglasses, phones and more. Weathered plank vinyl flooring is standard, and there’s an optional center toon storage locker on the triple toon hulls.
The pilot’s console is a new fiberglass design, with a Garmin 9-inch digital dash screen standard, and a JL Audio sound system with an optional amp and subwoofer. Powered cable steering is also standard. A standard Bimini top attaches permanently, minimizing rattles, with an electrically powered Bimini as an option.
Aft, the Splash Pad moniker is aptly applied, with a portside three-quarter-width lounger featuring a reversible, multiposition backrest to facilitate sitting forward or backward, or lying flat. There’s a stainless-steel perimeter fence at the stern to keep riders inside safely.
Under the splash pad is a large storage compartment as well as access to the batteries. Aft, a stainless-steel ski tow and a stainless-steel, four-step folding boarding ladder come standard.
High Points
- Ultra Flow V2 furniture bases with toe kicks, speaker-wire protection, and EnkaMat airflow mats for keeping stowed gear dry.
- Graphite Black and Cayenne graphics.
- Aft lounger with three positions.
- New fiberglass helm console looks great.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 200XL 200 hp FourStroke outboard
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 28 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $87,974 (as tested); $48,705 (base) |
| LOA: | 23’6″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 3,112 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 13/1,875 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 43 gal. |
Apex Marine – St. Louis, Missouri; qwestpontoons.com
