It’s just one of those universal truths. Throw a party at your house and more often than not, everyone winds up in the kitchen – usually clustered around an island or breakfast bar, talking, eating, drinking and having a great time. You may have set out snacks and drinks in other rooms of the house, but the casual intimacy of the kitchen is what always draws the crowd.
Wouldn’t it Be Great to Have that on a Boat?
That’s precisely what the engineers thought When they created the all-new SunChaser Eclipse 8525 Entertainer. Pontoon boats are already the perfect platform for entertaining guests, so why not add a kitchen-like breakfast bar to one and turn it into the ultimate party machine? The result is nothing short of spectacular – with seating for 14 and its well-appointed mid-ships entertainment unit, the Entertainer might just be the most capable pontoon on the water.
Stretching 25 feet, 10 inches in length and riding on a full 102-inch beam, the Sunchaser Eclipse 8525 offers plenty of seating with traditional twin wrap-around lounge seats up front in the bow. With their forward-facing seat backs, these plush seats are the ideal spot to stretch out and soak up the sun. Or, tuck in your legs and you can seat a small group here. Either way, you’ll appreciate SunChaser’s top-shelf upholstery work, with supportive yet plush cushioning under a buttery soft marine vinyl skin that that feels far more like leather than any kind of synthetic. SunChaser got the size and angle of the seat cushions just right, giving the big Entertainer a level of luxurious comfort that’s more in keeping with boats that cost much, much more. Bravo!
The SunChaser Eclipse 8525 is Built to Entertain
Because this boat was made for good times afloat, the base cabinets of the forward lounge seats neatly conceal a pair of stereo speakers, while still offering cavernous storage space for PFDs, bags and other gear. The aft end of the portside bow lounger features a large door which opens to reveal a pop-up change room, allowing guests a private spot where they can trade wet swimwear for dry clothes. An optional Porta-Potti can be added to this space, to provide your guests with even greater comfort.
The standard flooring is a sumptuous 22-ounce woven carpet, but our test boat came with SunChaser’s spectacular Sea Teak flooring upgrade. Although it’s not cheap, the synthetic teak flooring is one optional enhancement that definitely delivers plenty of wow factor. It looks (and feels) like a real teak deck, but without the endless maintenance and upkeep. In fact, it’s just the opposite, being one of the most durable and maintenance-free flooring options available. Apart from its stunning good looks, it also offers effective anti-skid properties while still feeling great on bare feet. And unlike the standard carpeting, it dries in minutes.
Moving to the stern of the boat you’ll find another inviting wrap-around lounge seat in the aft starboard corner, which faces a cozy club-style seat in the port aft corner. Ahead of it on the port side is the entertainment unit, which is very much the heart of this boat.
Under the shade of the protective overhead Bimini top, it’s the one spot no one will ever want to leave. That Bimini, by the way, is a full 10-foot top with a hefty, square-tube frame. Sometimes manufacturers cheap out on the Bimini top, but SunChaser has gone the opposite route and upgraded the tops on all its 2017 models.
Storage shelves with mesh facings on the forward side of the fiberglass entertainment unit provide a convenient spot to store smaller essentials, while a larger cabinet with a door is accessed from the aft side. The inboard end features a recess with a trash bin for added convenience. Up top, a gracefully proportioned solid-surface countertop features a convenient sink and faucet on the outboard end.
Step through the aft entry gate and the SunChaser Eclipse 8525 Entertainer reveals its playful side in the form of a large, expansive rear swim platform, with a four-step retractable boarding ladder on the starboard end. Retractable cleats protect against stubbed toes, while perfectly positioned anti-skid strips in the extruded aluminum deck cap provide added security when boarding this area from the dock.
Illuminated rocker switches with breakers for the boat’s various electrical components flank the main dash panel on either side while to center, a sporty Torcello steering wheel adds a dramatic touch of Italian sports car flair. The control for the Infinity PVR250 stereo – with MP3 input and Bluetooth connectivity – sits to the inboard end of the console where everyone can reach it.
The helm seat is a beautifully upholstered Captain’s chair with fold-down armrests, which is mounted on an elevated fiberglass platform for enhanced visibility. The seat rotates, of course, and rides on a slider base for automotive-like comfort adjustment. The executive platform is itself lit with LED courtesy lights for added safety when operating at night.
The standard tubes on the SunChaser Eclipse 8525 Entertainer are twin 25-inches, but a variety of tube options are available including heavy duty and saltwater packages. Several tri-toon upgrades are also offered, including an Extreme PR25 Performance Package that adds a center tube, a performance shield, lifting strakes and a bunch of other goodies that collectively raise the maximum horsepower rating from 175 ponies to a honking 300 horses.
Our three-log SunChaser Eclipse 8525 was rigged with a Yamaha F200 and the Extreme Performance Package – not maximum power, but plenty of power-to-weight given the Yamaha’s svelte 487-pound frame. In fact, it remains the lightest 200 four-stroke on the market.
With its infinite ability to please, the SunChaser Eclipse 8525 Entertainer is an ideal boat for delighting family and friends. Spring for the maintenance-free Sea Teak flooring upgrade, and maybe add a ski pylon, and you have everything you need for making the memories of a lifetime.