Press Room

For a few years now, the Sun Tracker Regency Edition line has been reinvented itself into an even more upscale incarnation of the Party Barge, which is the best-selling pontoon boat of all time.  The latest version of the 25 XP3 has triple-tube performance along with Mercury's 200 hp Verado supercharged V-6 outboard.

Often, Tracker Marine will equip its models with engines that help it reach a wallet-friendly price point, but our test boat showed us the potential of the Sun Tracker line with Mercury's high-tech beauty.  Not only does the 200 Verado produce lots of power, it's also very civilized with smooth, ultra-quiet operation (58 decibels at idle) and an electronic shifter that makes controlling the near 27-footer a dream.  The triple XP3 tubes all have lifting strakes on both sides for maximum lift, as evidence by our time to plane of 3.2 seconds.  It also got us moving quickly, reaching 30 mph in 7.5 seconds on our way to a top speed of 40.2 miles per hour.

Cornering was very good with the expected lean inward on lard left turns, but a slight outward lean on hard rights.  We tracked well and rode high over the lake chop.

Luxury is the order of the day with overstuffed settees that envelop passengers.  The configuration up front is twin settees with steeply inclined forward chaise loungers and an L-couch in the stern with a rear recliner.  Also notable is the second caption's chair just behind the port walk-through that is wheelchair accessible.

A combination of tall settees and rails that dramatically swoop down toward the bow give the Sun Tracker 25 XP3 a look that can be recognized across the lake.  Storage with rotomolded bins in under all seats. 

Tracker sells the 25 XP3 for $38,995 with the Mercury OptiMax 150 and fully loaded with standards like a aft changing room under the rear sunpad, a four speaker MP3 stereo and even fishing rod or ski storage.  The only option most buyers will choose is the twin-axle trailer and dealer-installed ski tower.

To see a video of the boat test, go to BoatingWorld.com on Buyers Guide.

Article from: Boating World Magazine January 2010