Caribbean Platinum 250 SLS
Crest’s Caribbean line of pontoon boats promises exceptional comfort, a fact that rings true the moment you step through the bow gate into the luxury of this boat’s cockpit. Parallel lounges stretch a full 7 feet on both the port and starboard sides. The accent in the lumbar region features a unique texture and raised pattern. Stowage is found below in gelcoated fiberglass—not roto-molded plastic—seat bases, and handy coolers rest below the center portion of each bench. Articulating hinges allow seat bases to pivot fully up for access, and keep them there while loading and unloading gear, a convenience you’ll appreciate every time you take this ’toon out for a ride.
Adjacent to the side boarding gate, a standard privacy curtain rises out of the tail end of the port bench. Switch it out for a handy set of drawers or a convenient set of tables. The helm looks just like a work of art to us. It is covered in billet aluminum panels that have been machined to not only look towboat-hip, but also include hooded gauge surrounds. Rather than plastic rocker switches, aircraft-style toggle switches add the perfect complement to both the left and right side of a stylish, stainless-steelspoked wheel. Centered above is a Simrad touchscreen multifunction display. Across the entire helm, multiple angles and facets result in a futuristic look while providing excellent ergonomics.
To port, Crest completes seating with an additional captain’s chair followed by an L-shaped bench aft, the central portion of which features a powered, four-position swing-back seat. In normal running position it’s a forward-facing bench, with a near-mirror-image bench facing the swim platform. Pivot the seatback forward, and the focus shifts to an aft-facing recliner; angle it all the way flat to form a 4-feet-8-inch-by-3-feet-4-inch sun bed. Aft cushions tilt up on a ratcheting mechanism to provide various angles of forward-facing back support if desired.
Underway, the Caribbean revealed agile manners, riding on a 25-/26-/25-inch triple-tube combo that easily handled a variety of water conditions. With a Mercury 300 outboard on the transom, the boat zoomed forward, topping out at 43.2 mph.