A tremendous new small pontoon boat has been released this year, and I have been lucky enough to get into it and give it a test drive. What is it? It’s the 2018 Sylvan M5 LZ DC. It’s expensive but one of the best luxury models you will ever see.
It looks stunning, features impressive performance, and has many entertainment amenities that are bound to make it one of the best-selling smaller pontoon boats of 2018.
But what’s it like out on the water and inside?
On the Water & the Interior
After taking a couple of turns in the Sylvan M5, it soon becomes clear that this is a pontoon boating luxury redefined. I would go so far as to say that it’s taken things to the next level.
Everything you see and touch in the boat is exceptional, from the windshield trim to the dash and even how you can sit at the raised helm. There’s fantastic attention to detail; even the floor mats set throughout the deck look like quality – a rare occurrence in most pontoon boats I have reviewed and tested.
It’s pretty clear that the boat engineers at the Sylvan factory have taken a lot of time, so put as many features into this boat and take it as many steps further in terms of luxury as possible.
The bell gate is treated with a friendly vinyl and a nice fiberglass cap over the top. Unlike many gates on pontoons, when you lift this gate, you know you’re raising an excellent piece of material designed to an exceptional standard.
The rear gate has beautiful padding inside and feels sturdy again. You know you have an excellent solid gate behind you with a nice wide opening.
Performance, Handling, & Speed
But this pontoon boat isn’t just about the luxury.
It also has very unique performance too. Underneath the deck, you can’t see Sylvan’s SPX Performance Package. This includes lifting strakes and the PR 25 center tube.
What that gives is the ability for you to trim this pontoon up with the peace of mind of knowing that it will handle well in the corners and at any speed, no matter what we’re doing with it.
It is very similar to how a bow rider or fiberglass boat would run and handle. Well!
Another reason you might want to consider buying this pontoon is the look and feel. Just look at the water sports, which includes an incredible set of Wet Sounds speakers, all backed up by a Kicker stereo system with all the peripherals you would need to go out and enjoy yourself on a beautiful day.
Final Thoughts
Quite literally, everything about this boat screams luxury. From the performance factors to the lifting strakes underneath offer to everything inside, this boat gives you an incredibly gorgeous pontoon boat.
Expect to pay around $130,000 – yes, that’s a tremendous amount of money, but it is an insane high-performance, luxury end pontoon boat.
- Engine: Yamaha F300
- Prop: Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15 1/2″ x 16″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
- Fuel Load: 52 gal.
- Crew Weight: 155 lb
