boat spotlight | by Capt. Tom Serio
premier 290 Grand Entertainer L
The ultimate party pontoon boat.
ooking at the Premier Marine website, pontoons.com, I’ve concluded that if you’re in the market for a pontoon boat and you can’t find a Premier model that you like, perhaps you don’t really know what you want. Among the luxury, touring, fishing, and cruising pontoons the company builds — including a Sky Deck model complete with slide — is the 290 Grand Entertainer. This may very well be the ultimate party pontoon boat. “Since it was introduced in 2012, sales continue to surpass expectations,” says Jim Antolik, Premier’s national sales manager.” Most apparent is the U-shaped island bar set aft. Fitted with built-in fridge, sink, ice bucket, bottle holder, undercounter purse hooks, solid countertop, and drawers, it handles guests’ needs with aplomb. The crowd will surely gather here thanks to four integrated pedestal bar stools. A stylish lighted cabana top includes stemware holders. Premier certainly did its homework regarding space planning and making the bar “work” as part of the overall feel of the boat. Full port and starboard bow couches that convert to chaise lounges are located at the bow. Optional configuration is
pontoons.com
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LAKELANDBOATING.COM
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octoBER 2013
Specifications
LOA: 29'4" Beam: 8'6" Weight (36" PTX): 3,700 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 47 gals. Water Capacity: 8 gals. Power: T-Yamaha 4-stroke outboards (500 hp max) Base Price (boat only): $53,421 MSRP: $137,537 w/T-Yamahas and options a starboard couch with twin port-side chairs. Mid-ship is a portside spotter chair. [Note: All furniture on board is made by Flexsteel.] Features of the “Liberty” helm include Calypso chromebezel gauges, Beacon electronics, tilt steering, Polk entertainment system, Flexsteel 7-Star helm seat, and more. Premier is as concerned with what happens under the waterline as it is with what happens above. The company’s PTX hull technology increases performance, stability and maneuverability while simlutaneously getting the boat on plane faster. The magic is in the U-shaped center tube, with flat planing surface and lifting strakes on the outer tubes. Select the optional 36-inch pontoon upgrade (30-inch is standard) for maximum comfort and control. In-floor storage, ski tow bar, hydraulic steering, bow filler couch, strip lighting, bow table, swim platform, LED docking and navigation lights, battery charger, high-performance speakers, grill, underwater lights, and more round out this platform. LB