Press Room

OUR FIRST IMPRESSION

We consider this to be a mid-level deck boat with an entry-level price tag.  It’s a sporty-looking boat with just the right amount of standard features, plus we love that it’s perfectly set up for fishing as well.

CONSUMER TEST

This particular model comes with two portable fishing seats that can either go on the bow or there is a spot for one in the stern.  With the bow setup it comes standard with a trolling motor plug, as well as aerated livewell under the bow step.  But what we really like is the designated rod storage next to the captain’s chair that will keep your poles from getting stepped on while underway.  Really the only fishing amenity this boat is lacking is some type of a fish finder, but that can always be added later.

There is a flip-up bolster on the captain’s bucket helm chair that slides and swivels with a great arm rest on the side for the driver.  The actual helm console is quite sporty and includes full instrumentation, a Jensen CD stereo, an auxiliary plug, plus a fire extinguisher below.

Other amenities worth noting include the deep in-floor ski locker, ski/tow eye, anchor locker compartment on the bow and sink with a wash down hose that is located across from the helm console.

INSPECTION TEST

There are two full-length strakes with a generous flare on the semi-V hull with a reversed chine.  The fiberglass stringers are encapsulated with flotation foam and the get coat quality and color consistency is excellent.  It’s a very clean design that is well-executed.

Above deck there is nearly 10 feet of usable deck space inside the cockpit and the seat bases are molded with a full liner.

There are two boarding ladders, one on each end, and both have a designated storage location for the telescoping ladders.  The one in the stern has excellent handholds built in, but the bow might be a little harder to use.  For safety there is a small positive-latch gate in the stern and with the deep cockpit design it really does make it a lot safer for smaller children.

Overall the fit and finish work and quality construction earned high marks from our inspection crew.

PERFORMANCE TEST

She’s quick out of the hole and we easily hit the 50 mile per hour mark with the MerCruiser 5.0 MPI engine.  The hydraulic steering makes it really easy to handle and we were able to make some nice and sharp turns without losing any power.  We did note a small vibration on the floor in those really tight corners, but it’s nothing to be concerned about.  We love the sound damping on the engine pod that is easy to access by sliding a couple of latches and lifting it up.  There is also plenty of room to service your engine as well, and we also like the fire port for this compartment that is just one of the many extra steps this TAHOE takes to be safe.

WHO SHOULD BY IT

Normally a solid boat in this price range would be considered a great first-time boat, but there are actually enough amenities to attract a much wider range of buyers.  A young family who likes to fish and cruise, but doesn’t want to be tied down with a large boat payment should give this boat a closer look.

NOTABLE STANDARDS

Bimini with boot, removable table, walk-thru transom gate, fiberglass stringers, PowerGlide hull, rub rail, marine-grade upholster, Sirius capable stereo with MP3 jack and 4 speakers, full instrumentation, 500 GPH bilge pump, interior lighting, 12 volt outlet, Lowrance digital depth finder, bow platform with non-ski and two fishing bases, anchor locker and boarding ladder, 2 remote fishing seats, aerated livewell, ski/tow eye, non-skid floor, trash receptacle, port refreshment center that includes sink and pull our sprayer and in-floor locker.

VITAL STATS

LOA……………….………………...21’ 6”

Beam………………………………….8’ 6”

Hull Design………………………Semi V

Dry Weight…………………..3425 lbs.

Fuel Capacity………………45 gallons

TEST DRIVE

Engine…………..MerCruiser 5.0 MPI

Cylinder Type…………………………..V8

Cubic-inch displacement/Horsepower

……………….………………305 ci/260 hp

Lower Unit Gear Ratio…..…….2.00:1

Propeller………………………………..N/A

RPM      vs.     SPEED     vs.    DBA

800……………..3.6 mph…………….87.5

1000……………5.0 mph…………….88.5

1500…………..7.1 mph……….…….89.5

2000…………..9.0 mph…………………94

2500………….18.1 mph………..….…101

3000………….26.3 mph…….……..106.5

3500………….33.6 mph………….……104

4000………….40.3 mph……………….109

4500………….46.0 mph……………….106

5000………….51.4 mph……….……113.5

 Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine - Volume 15, Special Issue

2010 Boat Test Issue