A stylish pontoon boat with a cool retro look, fitted with more luxury than you can imagine. It’s the Avalon Ambassador 27 Entertainer, and its now available in South Africa. The Editor, Dean Castle, dons his finest attire and takes a closer look at this lavish pontoon boat.
Avalon is a company which seems to understand that there are different types of buyers in the pontoon boat category. Building sumptuously kitted craft to suit the most discerning of buyers, there’s sure to be a model which suits your wants and your pocket. This is the Ambassador 2785 Entertainer model which is arguably the top of the range – but if being the belle of the ball isn’t your style, you can always dress the craft down to something which doesn’t make you stand out from the crowd.
Let’s take a look at some of the features that make the 27 Entertainer the ultimate in opulent pontoon-style boating.
Deck layout
Starting at the stern, you’ll find some great features including simulated teak flooring as standard fare, cleats which pop up when you need them – or are neatly hidden away when you don’t, and large boarding ladders are fitted to either side – which is pretty unique.
Within the sturdy side walls, which are especially great for adventurous kids, you’ll find the right place and space for everything. Hatches to port and starboard at the stern house the engine oil and starter battery – with convenient mounting for a second cell adjacent to the battery switch. Three locking gateways are located around the craft – one at the stern, one on the bow and one centre-mounted at the cockpit.
The helm is on a platform that is elevated off the main deck, providing the skipper with a feeling of complete control when at the wheel and offering stellar all-round vision. The single, high back, reclining admiral’s chair adds a surprising level of comfort with ultra-soft padding and two flip down arm rests. The skipper’s console has all you’d expect, including padded storage, engine gauges, a small wind defl ector and space to install an optional GPS system of your choice.
The entertainment capabilities of the Avalon Ambassador really start to shine through with a quality bar table to port (with removable bar stools). To starboard and in front of the skipper’s console is another addition to the entertainment arm of the Avalon Ambassador – a James Bond-type refreshment centre. It includes stainless steel drawers with padded interiors, and another stainless, refrigerated drawer lies just behind. Then, the pièce de résistance: at the flip of a switch an electronically operated glass and bottle holder rises from the counter top with your favourite drink ready to be shaken or stirred. To keep the area looking even more chic, a panel covers the single basin sink that can be removed should you desire.
Dual lounge seats are forward and include storage underneath, and because this boat is clearly built around entertaining, additional glass, bottle and ice storage is under the port seat backrest.