Premier 230 Intrigue

Boat Test #1441

Brand New 23-Foot Luxury Pontoon.

Premier currently offers 22 different models across their lineup. Organized into five levels of luxury, from the 20-foot Level 1 SunSpree to the 31-foot, 900-horsepower, Level 5 Dodici, Premiere has the perfect pontoon for your family.
The 230 is one of three models in Premier’s Intrigue line. Brand new for the 2017 season, at 23-feet 5-inches, it’s one of the shorter pontoons from the Minnesota-based builder. It’s packed with high-end luxury features and offers solid performance.
Premier’s PTX 36” package is standard on the 230 Intrigue, adding a planing surface to the center tube and lifting strakes on the outboard tubes. These modifications increase the buoyancy of the tubes and help the boat run more efficiently. With a maximum rating of 250 horsepower (in single or twin-engine setups) and hydraulic steering, this pontoon runs as good as it looks.
The PTX package also gives our test model a 47-gallon fuel tank for more fun between fill ups and the nose cone on the tubes is designed to help keep the cockpit dry in rough water.
Above deck, the Liberty Helm, with its standard digital multi-function display and Zenith three-spoke wheel, offers a clean and intuitive layout. Joystick steering is an option on the 230 Intrigue when it’s configured with dual outboards.
The Flexsteel captain’s chair gives a commanding view of the water and the matching companion seat swivels 180 degrees. Both seats feature Premier’s new PVC-free Heritage fabric. There’s even a brand new color for this model, Caramellow, which makes the 230 Intrigue stand out. It might not suit everyone, but I’m a big fan of the colour.
The 8’ 6” beam makes for a spacious layout on deck. With a capacity of 18 passengers, the 230 Premiere has plenty of seating for guests. The bow area features two forward-facing chaise loungers with an ottoman-style table.
I counted a total of 15 drink holders on our test boat. One at the helm, two on the rear table, two in each of the rear corners, and four more in the wine caddies and ottoman.
The aft seating area features a U-shaped configuration, with a slim birchwood table on the port side. Once again we find lounges on either side, but this time they are rear-facing and are an ideal spot to relax and enjoy the sun.
Should you choose to equip your 230 Intrigue with the available sports arch, you’ll find yourself with a capable towboat for watersports. Now the rear-facing loungers give your passengers a great view of the action, and the swivel passenger seat is ideal for a spotter. Premier even refers to it as a ‘Spotter Chair’ in their literature.
LED lighting accents are a big deal in recreational boating these days, and our 230 Intrigue has it covered with several options. There are available speaker grills with integrated LED lights to brighten the interior.
The Premier 230 Intrigue comes with a standard 11-foot electric bimini top. For even more coverage, dual bimini tops are available as an option to give sun and rain protection for the entire deck area.
The 230 Intrigue is not the most luxurious model in the company’s extensive lineup, nor is it the top performer. Instead, it’s an excellent balance of comfort and performance in a compact and affordable package.
By Steve Sansford

SPECIFICATIONS

Length Overall: 23’ 5” / 7.02 m
Weight (36′ PTX): 2,700 lbs /1,227 kg
Deck Length: 23’/6.9 m
Beam: 8’6″/2.55 m
Tube Diameter: 25″ /.63 m
Payload 3,600 lbs/1,636 kgs
Capacity: 18 (36″ PTX)/15 (PTX twin)
Max Power: 250

For more information:

Manufactured by:
Premier Marine, Inc.
26612 Fallbrook Ave
Wyoming, MN. 55092
www.pontoon.com