View the SunCruiser SS210 Boats.com Video Boat Review

SunCruiser redesigned their SS210 Cruiser for 2011, with the stated goal of offer the "finest quality product at a budget-pleasing toll." Later spending a day on the gunkhole, I'd say that's not just marketing copy—it's a pretty valid description. Street priced at a competitive $22,100 including a Mercury 90 four-stroke and painted trailer, the boat offers all the basic party-barge amenities —couch-like seating, ample stowage, and a passenger-friendly ride. What left the well-nigh lasting impression, withal, were the above-boilerplate details and then oft disregarded at this price point. Let's get this party started.

Basic party clomp civilities combined with some nice details makes the SunCruiser SS210 a practiced value.



Rather than the 23" diameter pontoons often found in this size/toll range, SunCruiser went with larger 25" diameter logs, segmented into three individual closed compartments. Larger pontoons allow the gunkhole to run college in the h2o, meliorate treatment and stability, and increase load capacity. Pontoons are attached to the decking via extruded aluminum risers.

These brackets are welded to the pontoon below and through-bolted into the 3¼" alpine cross-members above. And rather than a series of individual brackets, the outboard half of each riser is part of one continuous extrusion that runs the length of the boat. It simultaneously acts as skirting, while adding structural integrity. Cantankerous members are beefy extruded-aluminum C-channel, spaced at 24" intervals.

At the tip of each pontoon is a welded-on cleat.

A lifetime-guaranteed, seven-ply marine plywood floor sits atop those members, held with a combination of through-bolts and self-tapping screws. At the highest cease of the spectrum, through-bolts are often used throughout. The combination here, notwithstanding, is an adequate toll-cut measure.

Beneath the deck, several thoughtful touches stand out. At the tip of each pontoon is a 5" welded-on cleat. Cleats are handier for tying up dockside or staking/anchoring bow-in to a embankment, and their placement eliminates cleats or U-bolts at the corners of the deck, where they could be snagged by a toe or line. The entire perimeter of the deck is trimmed with an attractive 4¼" aluminum band, featuring an inset rubrail that volition ward off harm. SunCruiser likewise places the fuel tank within the aluminum motor pod, which opens up substantial space for storage to a higher place the deck and keeps the heart of gravity low and centered. Splash deflectors, equally well equally a partially enclosed "doghouse" for the engine, go on splashing contained.

Topside, a 26" high, i¼"-bore aluminum railing lines the craft's perimeter. Information technology'due south raised ¼" to a higher place the deck to permit for drainage, and is through-bolted in identify. An embossed aluminum skin is attached outside the rails for a sleek appearance; foam tape is used at points of runway-to-skin contact to preclude rattles. To avert the indigestible expect of many pontoons, SunCruiser has softened the corner radius forrad. It gives the boat a sleeker look, without really compromising space.

Pontoon boats are called party barges for a reason, and the 210's layout plays the part. Seating for 12 is divide between 2 generous forward lounges with sloping, chaise-style backs occupying the port and starboard sides, split at the bow for a gated entry. That gate'south 36" opening is oversized in width to adapt a wheelchair. An additional 24" gate is located behind the forward port lounge, and followed past a wraparound settee aft. An elongated tabular array works well in the space provided, and hands pivots to permit guests in and out.

The acrylic helm panel has several nice details. A cooler fits underneath.

To starboard is the captain console, with a pivoting captain's chair. At the stern, one more than gate occupies the starboard corner, leaving a generous v' 4" ten 3' 8" raised sunpad to comprehend the remaining ii-thirds of the beam. By relocating the same fuel tank, the surface area beneath is left broad open up for stowage. For extended fourth dimension on the water, I'd suggest adding the optional popular-up privacy frame and fabric ($183), along with a porta-potty.

The battery is accessed below the rearmost cushion. All cushions lift on pneumatic struts, avoiding often-finicky latches. An extra-wide, three-step ladder facilitates swimming and reboarding.

Again, particular items demand attention. Take that helm console. At this toll, it could arguably accept been rotomolded plastic or a forest box covered in vinyl. Instead, SunCruiser opts for an upscale, acrylic console that essentially dresses up the looks of the gunkhole.

Built into the console you'll observe a Jensen marine stereo http://www.jensenmarinedirect.com forth with a handy MP3 jack, besides equally a small indented tray to keep the player secure—and a 12V outlet to go on it charged. A small bleed (plumbed overboard) keeps that nook from collecting water. Below is designated space for a 28-quart, removable Igloo cooler.

The bimini is supported by a sturdy aluminum frame.

Seat bases are all rotomolded plastic. As they're covered in vinyl for an bonny exterior terminate, wood would have likely been cheaper, but the plastic bases make for a clean, low-maintenance end for the interior stowage. The seats also feature a overnice eternalize under the thigh and a slight backward tilt to keep passengers comfortable and secure.

And then there'southward the standard Bimini top. Information technology's made from premium, solution-dyed acrylic tweed, and supported past a sturdy, 1¼" extruded aluminum frame. Snap-in connectors permit for easy removal and secure the frame when towing.

Performance? Pontoons aren't thought of as speed machines, merely it's dainty to take the power to tow a ski, wakeboard, or tube, likewise equally go somewhere in a hurry if necessary. With a Mercury 90 and 13" pitch aluminum prop (engine choices run from 25- to 90-hp, and 115-hp with the optional center log), nosotros initially experienced a 26-mph superlative, but noted a tendency for the bow to plow, which resulted in the occasional handling quirk. Switching to a 15" prop alleviated much of the problem, and raised the top speed to 27.half dozen mph with our lite, two-passenger load.

However, the boat remains sensitive to weight distribution. Treatment, however, is surprisingly nimble. I cranked the gunkhole through some impressive turns during our video shoot, wishing only for power-assisted steering to reduce the need to muscle the wheel. Information technology responded in a confident manner.

My lasting impression: the SS 210 delivers on its promise. It'southward an attractive, well-constructed boat with a multitude of features that go beyond the typical "budget" model. It as well has the versatility to proceed anybody in the family unit interested, going from prowl to play with relative ease.

Party on, SunCruiser SS210.

For more than information, visit Suncruiser.

hemmelheadshot Jeff Hemmel was a senior editor at Watercraft World with work appearing in Consumer'south Digest, Boating, Motor Boating, and more than. Jeff has won 17 writing awards, is an inductee into the International Jet Sports Boating Association Hall of Fame, and won its 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Journalistic Contributions. For more info, visit his website.

Written by: Jeff Hemmel

Jeff Hemmel writes for boats.com, Boating, PersonalWatercraft.com, and Powersports Business organization. The former Senior Editor at Watercraft Globe, Jeff is a multi-time award winner likewise as a 2008 inductee into the IJSBA Hall of Fame. His beginning book, "The Anti-Pirate Potato Cannon...and 101 Other Things For Young Mariners To Effort, Exercise, & Build On the Water," received a bronze medal in the 2010 Moonbeam Children'due south Book Awards.