Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine – March 2018

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When you buy a new house these days, one of the first

problems to tackle is the “open floor plan.” This design allegedly

makes your life easier because you can arrange the furniture

any way you’d like, splitting a large open space into two or

three distinct rooms. After hours of pushing couches around

and contemplating lamp placement, you’re tired and cranky and

really miss having walls to do this for you. Unless you bring in

the professionals, open floor plans just end up with a pile of

furniture in a room too big for anyone to feel comfortable in and a

trip to the chiropractor.

Sometimes pontoon seating gives me the same headache as

the open floor plan house I have. When you have wrap-around

seating all the way around your boat, my friends and family

just end up in a big circle staring at each

other. Heaven help me if I’ve got someone

who wants to fish! The non-anglers are

constantly shifting around, staying out of

the way of those trying to make a catch. I

just throw my hands in the air and make

sure I group my friends into two categories:

fishermen and cruisers. Never the two shall

meet!

Peace Keeper

Imagine my delight, however, when

Lowe Pontoons showed up to our Shootout

Boat Test with the 2018 SF 212! Lowe

takes advantage of the natural break in

a pontoon layout made by the helm to

separate the craft into two distinct areas:

an angler’s haven in the bow and a lounge

in that stern that is perfect for friendly

chatter. The ’toon we tested is the luxury

fish package in gray, black and chrome with powder-coated rails

and sleek graphics, sure to impress. The standard version gracing

showroom floors across the country features a tan and brown

interior, which isn’t quite as sporty.

Angler-Friendly

Two fishing seats, available in standard or armrest

configurations, command the bow. The seats sit a bit stiffer

than expected, but Lowe engineers are thinking long-term and

most likely anticipating the break-in period that is usually the

downfall with other seating. Just forward of the helm console sits

a 14-gallon aerated livewell. Starboard to the fishing seats is a

tackle center, with rod holders and storage. Portside is the battery

compartment for the trolling motor.

Equipped with a Lowrance GPS Sonar System, no fisherman

in your party should ever come home empty-handed. The center

front gate is not flush with the floor, allowing the standard trolling

motor to slide through easily when not in use.

Cozy Confines

The aft ward lounge features two stern-facing chaise lounges

that wrap around to the rear gate. This arrangement makes for a

perfect view of anyone being towed behind the pontoon and the

close, fun conversation that makes days on the water memorable.

Plenty of storage is available underneath all these seats, so you’ll

never have to worry about leaving the toys on shore to make room

for guests. A standard 9-foot Bimini top brings the shade along

wherever you end up and keeps the crew from roasting in the hot

summer sun.

Enough cupholders to float the boat, easy to wash and

naturally cooling woven vinyl flooring and aluminum tubes

squarely situated on 16-inch spaced cross members round out

the SF 212’s signature look. At the helm station, you’ll find a

chrome-accented steering wheel, intuitive dials and lighted

toggles, as well as plug-ins for all the tech you need. The

captain’s chair sits opposite an equally impressive passenger

chair, keeping the first mate in your life happily riding in style.

http://www.pdbmagazine.com Pontoon & Deck Boat March (^201839)