Starcraft’s SX 25 Q DC continues to evolve. The latest iteration solidifies its flagship status with new exterior finishes, interior design, and amenities. It’s the boat’s rock-solid feel and handling, however, that left us thoroughly impressed.
The exterior makeover starts with molded fiberglass panels that give the boat a modern feel. Minimalist docking and navigation lights are well integrated into the design. RGB accents illuminate the brand logo topside as well as under deck. Our test boat’s steel-blue finish topside was carried over onto the pontoons below. Blacked-out TaylorMade windshield frames, top rails, aft fencing, skirting and pontoons completed the upscale feel.
Heavily bolstered furniture has an almost leathery finish. Couches run parallel in the bow, their quilted lumbar panels feature cutouts offering cup holders and USB/USB-C ports. A pedestal table features drop-down leaves to clear the path for passengers but keeps its cup holders always available. Articulating hinges keep seatbacks up and out of the way when accessing roto-molded seat storage.
A 3-inch elevated helm platform is topped with Marine Mat. Above, the dash’s dominant feature is a standard, ultra-wide Simrad NSX display. C-Zone digital switching includes push-button arrays for redundancy and quick access to common functions. Wireless charging cubbies are included at both helm and port console. The latter adds a glove box, USB ports and grab handle.
A small galley with a solid-surface countertop, a bottle opener and interior storage sits abaft the helm. Opposite, Starcraft’s Quad Lounge incorporates a forward-facing bench/aft sun pad combo that transforms into back-to-back lounges to forward- and rear-facing sun chaises or a sun pad. Add the stern rail enclosure to take advantage of aft seating under way.
The HMX PR25 performance package includes three 25-inch pontoons with interior lifting strakes, combined with power-assist steering and solid understructure to deliver a light, agile feel and nary a rattle to be heard. The Mercury 400 Verado pushed the boat to 30 mph in 5.6 seconds while topping out at 50 mph.
High Points
- Construction details include .250-inch heavy hat-channel crossmembers.
- Wet Sounds MC-2 stereo includes rear-facing transom speakers with remote touchpad.
- Standards include changing room, deck-mounted ski tow, dual batteries, power canopy.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 400 XL
- Drive/Prop: Mercury Revolution X 17.25″ x 20″ 4-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 40 gal.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $156,146 (with Mercury 400 XL) |
| LOA: | 27’8″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft (max): | 3’0″ |
| Dry Weight: | 4,300 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 13/1,775 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 60 gal. |
Starcraft Marine – New Paris, Indiana; 574-831-2950; starcraftmarine.com
