Beam: 8’6″
Dry Weight: 3,950 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 9/1,260 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 104 gal. More Information: forestriverinc.com South Bay
Decked out in a pristine pearl white with contrasting black and in-your-face lime-green accents, South Bay’s 925 Super Sport is definitely not your father’s pontoon. At both the bow and stern, stylish fiberglass seating modules break from traditional aluminum-panel-and-fence construction, using the familiar anodized rails and fence panels only to seamlessly link the bow and stern. Those forward seating consoles incorporate dual 4-foot-4-inch-long couches with generously padded thigh bolsters, forward-facing backrests and unique slide-out armrests. Amidships, dual reclining captain’s chairs with flip-up bolsters accommodate the captain and mate. Aft, a U-shaped lounge looks like it was lifted from a luxury cruiser. Step through the raised transomlike walk-through to the swim platform and find a 6-foot-wide couch that overlooks a full-beam swim platform with EVA deck padding. Stowage is located below all the seats, including the electrically raised couch. A sculpted, stainless-steel bow gate completes the upscale imagery.
Take a seat behind the fiberglass helm console and the decidedly premium vibe continues. The centerpiece is a Mercury VesselView 7 digital color touch-screen display. It provides control over nearly all the onboard functions, and includes a GPS, chart plotter and sonar. Controls for the Clarion waterproof stereo with MP3, iPod and Bluetooth capability sit to the left of the wheel.
Equipped with South Bay’s Trifecta performance package, our test boat included a trio of 25-inch-diameter pontoons paired with interior lifting strakes to plane more quickly and enhance maneuverability. Combined with the color-matched, white-hooded Mercury Verado 300s at the stern, the boat planed instantly, hit 30 mph in 5.8 seconds, and topped out at a speedy 58.9 mph. Linked to the optional Mercury joystick control, the engines moved independently to allow precise maneuvering around a crowded dock.
High Points
*South Bay’s 52-inch nose cones promise to enhance speed, reduce fuel consumption and provide an overall more comfortable ride.
*Full-length, roll-formed underdeck skin better manages water and airflow, resulting in greater efficiency.
*Triple-tube configuration provides space for an oversize ski locker.
How We Tested
Engines: Twin Mercury Verado 300s
Drive/Props: 145/8″ x 19″ Revolution 4 4-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.85:1
Fuel Load: 57 gal.
Crew Weight: 550 lb.
Price
$227,273 (with test power)
Contact
Forest River Marine Elkhart, Indiana; 574-825-8696; forestriverinc.com
