BARLETTA L25UC
The L25UC is often referred to as the “boat that started Barletta.” As such, it’s a showcase for the builder’s best features. These include not only amenities topside but also VIP construction below, vibration-isolating polyurethane rubber pads placed anywhere aluminum meets aluminum to deaden vibration and quiet the ride. It works. The L25UC felt solid and free of creaks and groans no matter what conditions we encountered or how hard we ran it.
Barletta retains a pontoon’s traditional exterior fencing, but minimizes and sculpts its curves for a streamlined profile. At the bow, top rails slope for not only style but to give the captain a few more inches of forward visibility. Aft that, fencing disappears all together, opening up the back deck. Stainlesssteel rails and stainless-steel tow bar rim the exterior. Safety chains close off port and starboard openings, or clip out of the way for unencumbered access to and from the water.
The L25UC combines a familiar pontoon layout forward with a modern take aft. In the bow, parallel 6-foot lounge seats invite passengers to socialize or just stretch out. At the helm, an upscale wheel features a leather-like wrap; aircraft-style toggles add a classy touch and twin analog-combo gauges keep tabs on speed and engine operation. Opposite the helm, a co-captain’s chair awaits that first mate. That leaves space for the Ultra Lounge to bring up the rear. A forward-facing couch that backs up to a sun pad on the back deck, the Ultra Lounge backrest can also pivot forward to create a rear-facing recliner, lower fully to form a generous 6-foot-6-inch by 5-foot sun pad, or with the aft cushions kicked up on hinged stands, fashion a forwardfacing sun pad with reclined headrests.
Our test boat was paired with a Mercury 400 Verado outboard, a powerful motor that pushed the craft rapidly onto plane, past 30 mph in 7.8 seconds and topped out at 48.9 mph while turning 6,300 rpm. Below deck, a trio of 26-inch pontoons easily carried the load, offering stability both at rest and underway, while banking smoothly into high-power turns at speed.