BARLETTA CORSA 23U
Corsa is the name chosen for a new line of pontoons from Barletta, intended to be a sportier alternative to its flagship L Series line. Corsa has more contrasting color in the interior and the side panels than the L Series, and more shape to the rails. The new Corsa line, including the Corsa 23U we tested, also comes with a long list of desirable standard features that set this boat apart from the fleet in the midrange pontoon market. For example, a one-piece fiberglass elevated helm station is standard, which looks great and enhances visibility from the wheel. It’s also deeply cut away below the wheel and delivered outstanding legroom for our tall boat tester. A premium six-speaker Hertz audio system, which cranked loud and clear on test day, is standard, as are a Lowrance Hook-5 sonar/chart plotter, stout stainless-steel tow bar, flip-up cleats, LED docking lights, and a wireless phone charger. Like we said: desirable standards.
A 10-foot power Bimini top is another nice standard feature, and it covers much of the main deck area, including the new seating module to port across from the helm. Its pivoting backrest can adjust to be a forward-facing co-captain seat, or an aft-facing or forward-facing lounge. This module merges with the large Barletta Ultra Lounge, with its pivoting backrest and adjustable aft bottom cushions, which can be raised as lounging support. Forward seating is on a pair of facing settees with lounging backrests and armrests at the consoles. The inwale area is left open, which creates space for drink holders, USB ports and stashing small items. The aft side of the console top port can be opened as a table, or it can hold an optional canvas changing room.
Our triple-pontoon model featured 26-inch tubes with center-tube lifting strakes and a full-skin underbelly, a 48-gallon fuel tank, 6-foot lighted ski locker in the center tube, and hydraulic steering. The chassis features double I-beam cross members on 24-inch centers, along with the Barletta Vibration Isolation Pads, which are thin rubber pads between the I-beams and the plywood deck that effectively damped vibration from the engine and the water during our test.