S3 Extreme
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BOA EV BOA EVIEW BOAT REVIEW BOAT REVIEW O VI SYLVAN S3 EXTREME LOA: 24’10” Beam: 8’6” Weight: 2,425 lbs. Passenger capacity: 13 Fuel capacity: 113L/30 gal Pontoon diameter: 27” Max. power: 150 hp (250 hp with Tri-Toon) For more information: www.sylvanmarine.com 2 MUSKOKA LIFE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 or at least the past 10 years the hottest-selling boats across Canada have been aluminum pontoons. And it’s easy to understand why – pontoons are kind of like the SUV of the water, in that they carry lots of passengers, they carry lots of gear, they do everything well and they often come with all the bells and whistles. One builder that’s been leading this revolution is Sylvan Marine. While many boat builders have begun adding pontoons to their product line in recent years, Sylvan has been manufacturing pontoons since it first set up shop in the early 1940s. Along the way, they’ve introduced a number of industry firsts, including some of the first pontoon boats with truly luxurious interiors, and some of the first to use larger engines and provide a sporty ride. And for those of us who want the best of both worlds, Sylvan’s all-new S3 Extreme comes as close to perfection as it gets. If pontoon boats are like aquatic SUVs, then Sylvans would be the floating equivalent of an SUV from BMW or Mercedes-Benz. The S3 Extreme (and its slightly larger S5 Extreme sibling) builds on the runaway success of Sylvan’s original S-series boats the company introduced last year. The “S” in S5 stands for “Sport,” and fills a void between the company’s top-ofthe-line Signature series and its popular Mirage models, while benefitting from performance and interior refinements that can only be gained by spending a lot of time on the water. The S3 Extreme rides on pontoons utilizing Sylvan’s Revolutionary Planing Technology, or RPT for short. First introduced in 2010, RPT uses an ingenious tube design that’s round above the waterline, but incorporates a deep V keel and chine-like lifting strakes below. In cross-section, it looks like a shallow letter V with a dome on the top. The RPT tube displaces less water, which creates less resistance and drag, allowing greater speed with less horsepower. It’s a simple idea that works very well. The “extreme” part of the name refers to the sporty upgrades given these new 2015 models. The S3 Extreme abandons the fully wrap-around fencing that has dominated pontoon design for years, and offers a more open, flowing design with the extensive use of fluidly sculpted fibreglass components. Gracefully curved D-rails accentuate the side fencing, arcing from bow to stern in a fluid, wave-like movement that flows smoothly into the classy fibreglass stern with comfy, rear-facing lounge seats on either side of the rear entry gate. They face onto an expansive swim platform which, complete with its stainless fourstep telescoping ladder and substantial stainless ski tow bar, leave no doubt that this pontoon was built with water sports in mind. The rear deck features Sylvan’s new Sea Weave flooring, which offers a secure, non-skid surface that’s soft on feet and really fits with the boat’s fresh and contemporary look. The twin rear loungers also speak to the boat’s sporty side, providing the obvious and ideal perch for spotting skiers or Sylvan’s all-new S3 Extreme comes as close to perfection as it gets. MUSKOKA LIFE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 3

BOATING GUIDE 2015 wakeboarders. The starboard-side lounger flips up to reveal a large change room concealed beneath. Having this feature located near the stern of the boat makes a lot of sense for skiers or wakesurfers who want to change quickly back into dry clothing. Outboard of the sculpted fibreglass stern panels, a substantial grab rail on each side of the boat provides the ideal mounting spot for an optional power Bimini top – the one on our test boat neatly concealing a pair of large, rear-facing speakers. The driver and navigator are treated to luxurious, pedestal-mounted captain’s...