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2000 Southland 24 24ft / 7.32 m Pontoon Boats |
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2004 Southland Southland 2600 Champagne Edition Photos
2004 Southland Southland 2600 Champagne Edition Test Details
| Category | Pontoon Boat |
| Length | 26ft / 7.92 m |
| Dealers | Contact Southland Boats Dealers |
| Buyers Guides | Search For Southland Boats Buyers Guides |
| Boats For Sale | Search For Southland Boats For Sale |
2004 Southland Southland 2600 Champagne Edition Description
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Since 1992, Southland, a Quebecbased pontoon boat manufacturer, has been growing like waves on a windy day. Once considered a boat for "mature" audiences, today pontoons are appreciated by multiple generations, most notably for the freedom of movement they offer.You can fish, swim, dive, water ski and tube during the day, then take a relaxing cruise in the evening - and there's plenty of room for everyone.
We tested Southland's 2004 Champagne Edition 2600, a luxury pontoon boat powered by a 2004 Yamaha four-stroke 150-hp outboard, in some pretty choppy conditions.With a 26' long, 8' wide deck, the 2600 feels as big, if not bigger, than it actually is. Like a floating recreation room, the boat is filled with furniture - rather lounges, captains' seats with collapsible arms (wider for the captain) and an optional ottoman module.
The 2600 lets you entertain in style. The console features a sink, concealed garbage bin and an icebox.There are several tables with contemporary-looking, moisture-proof baked laminate tops and even a folding seat/bed with a huge amount of storage below. Off-white and beige-coloured upholstery is tastefully highlighted by forest green accents.
For overnighting, a full camper top ends at the bow, covering the entire deck. Southland calls it their "Top Gun"canvas, covered against fading for five years. Furniture bases are made from rotomoulded plastic, bumpers are anodized, the valence is extra-thick and cast aluminum corners have integral cleats. Pontoon tube material is 0.081 thickness H-5052 alloy corrosion-resistant marine aluminum.
Safety is paramount with Southland. Pontoon construction consists of a minimum five sealed air chambers, no longer than five feet long and 25 inches in diameter. Should a puncture occur, only one chamber would take on water. Instead of using rivets, Southland screws their floors to the crossbars."Z"bars connect the two floatation pontoons.
The floor sits relatively high, so water is less likely to beat on the bottom. Made from pressure-treated Douglas fir plywood, the floor is solid and not likely to warp, a guarantee Southland stands behind with a lifetime warranty.
While passengers delight in luxurious surroundings, so does the operator. A deluxe console features wood-grain face panels and matching tilt steering wheel, full instrumentation and a Clarion stereo/CD player. Aft, forward and inbetween, storage areas abound.The layout of our test model was particularly userfriendly, with two captain's chairs placed in the bow. Here too a gate is found, as well as two running and navigational lights built into a custom fibreglass mount.
With 24-inch sides, and an open tunnel of air, boats like this can get blown around, but handling and manoeuverability improves with time and experience. Yamaha's new F 150 outboard let it perform at a quick pace. At 5,800 rpm, the 2600 topped out at 32.8 mph on GPS.
Accelerating like a runabout, we cruised from 0 to 20 mph in four seconds, and 0 to 30 mph in six. Just for fun, I tested mid-range punch.The boat took just 3.5 seconds to accelerate from 20 to 30 mph. Considering 33 mph is the boat's top speed, that's a quick time.
Soft riding, the 2600 turned well and handled predictably throughout our test. The ride was dry, even in a stiff crosschop. Only once did I get sprayed, and I deserved it by turning tight to starboard through a two-foot wave.
Rated to float up to 24 persons, this is one stable platform for fun.
2004 Southland Southland 2600 Champagne Edition Test Specifications
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Test boat engine: Yamaha F150 Four Stroke, 2.67 L (162.8 cid) 150-hp, V-6 four-stroke gasoline engine.
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