Sylvan 2020 L Series

Unique transformable layout

By Capt. Bill Jennings
Boat Test #1610

Sylvan is a major player in the pontoon boat industry, offering multiple boats in five different series, including ‘tritoons’. Their boats offer some super trick features that will win the hearts and wallets of pontoon buyers. My favorite example, is their innovation award winning “Bar/Lounge”.    

We’ve all seen pontoons with built-in bars and tables, but such a feature takes up passenger space and can’t be used while running. Enter the Sylvan “bar/lounge”.

Here’s how it works.  When your boat is stopped, you simply lift two of the lounge sections from the floor of the boat and they fit together to convert the sun lounge into a good looking bar table with cup holders. Next, you remove four individual bar stools from their storage spot and fit them into floor mounts. “Presto”-  you are looking at a dynamite entertainment feature with no loss of seating space when running. Turn on the AM/FM stereo with four, 6.5 inch speakers and you’ve got your private pub, right on board. I’d say this hide-away bar feature rates right up there with the Sylvan pop-up, privacy change room.

Of course there are many Sylvan features besides these pop-ups.  The L series, 8524 DLR, in either 22 or 24 feet, have an extended rear deck, pop-up cleats, two stainless telescoping boarding ladders, a 10’ Bimini top and a beautiful lighting system that even illuminates cup holders. For water-sports, towing lines can be hooked to either of two tow attachments.  A choice of flooring and accent treatments allows buyers to incorporate their personal material preferences.

The high back helm chair and tilt wheel keep the driver comfortable, while the instrumentation itself, with trim gauge, volt meter, fuel gauge, depth finder, GPS,  plus the usual tach and speedometer, keep him or her well informed. 

Sylvan boasts about their RPT, or ‘rapid planing tube’ design of their pontoon tubes. Simply put, their tube bottoms are shaped like a tiny V-bottom boat, rather than a round tube. This results in increased lift, better handling, a higher top speed and improved fuel economy. The stainless rub rail improves side protection and the spray shield keeps passengers drier.  All welcome benefits. Without technical measuring equipment, we noted that this L series Sylvan will accelerate from a stop to 20 mph in just over 6 seconds and hit a top speed of over 30 mph.

Sylvan’s excellent warranty matches their sister companies, which is lifetime on hull and structures, 6 years on components, (parts and labour included) and it is transferable to a second owner.

Specifications

Length: 20’ 10” / 6.25 m
Beam: 8’ 6” / 2.5 m
Max persons: 10
Fuel capacity: 38 gals / 143 liters
Tube diameter: 25”
Max OB power: 125 hp – (200 hp for tritoons
MSRP: Approx. $85,000

For more information: www.sylvanmarine.com