Boats

Sylvan S3

Sylvan's S3 combines a sporty ride with comfortable seating arrangements.

By The Boating Tech Team

Updated: January 10, 2014

Sylvan S3

LOA: 24’10”
Beam: 8’6″
Dry Weight: 2,100 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 11/2,200 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 30 gal.

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan S3

Sylvan’s S series is sporty. On our test boat, that fact was immediately obvious in the lime green piping throughout the upholstery. Other bold color choices include orange and raspberry. The boat’s sportiest trait, however, is hidden out of sight below the waterline. Rather than offering conventional round tubes, Sylvan fashions its 27-inch tubes with a more labor-intensive, V-shaped bottom. Just like a fiberglass V-hull, they feature a keel and chines. Dubbed Revolutionary Planing Technology (RPT), it’s designed to allow tubes to displace less water. Less resistance also promises higher top speeds from less horsepower. Our test boat added an optional third, round tube for additional buoyancy and performance. With a Yamaha 200 four-stroke, the result was negligible bow rise and a 38.1 mph top speed. The S3 also blazed through corners, maintaining a level stance in the water.

Topside, additional features stand out from the norm. Sylvan adds a number of polished, stainless-steel grab handles to the perimeter fence for both form and function. The parallel lounges forward are nicely bolstered below the knee, and backrests add a raised support. Seat cushions pivot fully out of the way to access storage built into the low-maintenance, roto-molded seat bases. The stylish helm features matte wood-grain accents and convenient, padded nooks for items like cellphones. The helm’s small, stainless-steel wraparound rails add a classy touch. Opposite, an optional passenger seat features a recliner-style, flip-out footrest. Standard sea-grass-style flooring replaces soggy carpet on the aft deck.

Surely a favorite spot to relax, however, will be the parallel couches built into molded fiberglass modules aft. Invite a crew and you’re sitting in a social living room. If you prefer to go solo, you can lean back against the aft-facing backrests and grab a drink from the adjacent cup holder and maybe even a book from a handy mesh, inwale pocket. Want truly waterfront seating when at the cove or just hanging out at the dock? Choose the optional settees for the aft platform…colorful piping included.

Buyer’s Spotlight
*Parallel aft lounges provide couchlike seating for a crew or stretch-out relaxation solo.
*Rather than being round, Sylvan’s Revolutionary Planing Technology pontoons feature an actual welded keel and chines.
*LED interior lighting creates atmosphere by giving an alluring nighttime glow to cup holders and seat backs.

Specs
LOA: 24’10”
Beam: 8’6″
Dry Weight: 2,100 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 11/2,200 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 30 gal.

How We Tested
Engine: 200 hp Yamaha F200
Prop: Reliance 14½” x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.86:1
Fuel Load: 26 gal.
Crew Weight: 535 lb.