Sylvan’s L5 DLZ Bar brings the party to this pontoon with a stern bar, complete with four pedestal stools to seat a thirsty crew. It’s a cool feature, though not always a practical one. Floor space is valuable when boat drinks aren’t on the menu. Sylvan creatively solves this conundrum by pivoting each half of the split-lengthwise bar to the floor when not in use. Cushioned backsides, hidden in bar configuration, reveal to form a sun pad that gets even bigger if you flip over the backrest on the adjoining L-shaped lounge. Drink up, then wind down on a rear-facing, doublewide chaise. Removable bar stools stow away along the starboard rail, so you really can have it both ways.

Not that the L5 needs a bar to be a party barge. That L-shaped lounge can likewise be complemented with a pedestal table. Across, a small galley includes a hard-surface countertop with more cup holders up top and storage below. Smaller forward couches fit up to four more passengers. Like the seating aft, all are wrapped in comfy soft-touch vinyl. There’s also plenty of storage in the roto-molded seat bases. Extra points for the speaker covers within. They provide better sound while protecting the more delicate parts and wiring from the gear you might store inside. At floor level, recessed toe kicks add to the cockpit space and make it easier to load gear. 

The sculpted fiberglass helm featured an optional Simrad display flanked by a chrome-bezeled tach and speedometer, with rocker switches below. All are set into two-tone panels with no visible fasteners, completing the upscale look. The JL Audio head unit is located to the left of the wheel. To the right is a phone nook, with USB and 12-volt ports directly below.

Belowdecks, the SPX PR25 Performance Package is now standard for 2023. It mates a trio of 25-inch pontoons with performance strakes to deliver faster planing and agile handling, with a hint of inside lean when cornering. Paired with a 300 hp Mercury Verado outboard, our test boat powered directly onto plane and reached 30 mph in 6.9 seconds. Top speed peaked at 44.8 mph. Underway or at rest, it’s a seriously fun ride.

Sylvan Marine – New Paris, Indiana; 574-831-2950; sylvanmarine.com