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Red-Carpet Treatment - Avalon Elite 24
by Go Boating Test Team
Avalon’s Windjammer-C RC Elite 24 offers pampered pontoon cruising with ample angler appeal
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The first thing we noticed about the Avalon Windjammer-C RC Elite 24 was its deep burgundy red deck, which gave us a slight sensation of royalty as we stepped aboard for our evaluation. We’ve tested a number of Avalon pontoons in the past, and we’re always impressed with how the builder combines a look and feel of luxury to create a noticeably pampered pontoon experience.
The mission of the Windjammer-C RC Elite 24 is comfortable cruising for 14 people with a little fishing here and there, which explains the low rail and pair of chairs in the bow. The chairs, however, aren’t your typical little fanny-hugger pontoon fishing seats. They are full-blown swivel recliners with full backrests and swinging armrests -- whether using these for fishing or for relaxing, you can count on literally sitting in the lap of luxury.
The lower rounded bowrail gives you better access to the water while fishing, and in each forward corner you’ll find corner pods to enhance your angling experience. On the top surface of the pods are two cupholders, a flush-mount rod holder and a flat utility surface that will be useful while preparing your lures. Small fabric covers unsnap to reveal storage areas, which are handy for stowing a small tackle bag and other fishing essentials. To complete the fishing equation you’ll find a standard livewell/baitwell under the port lounge.
All the lounges have a stylish three-tone wave pattern that provides a pleasing contrast while complementing the luxurious feel of the boat. The lounge to starboard has a forward-facing chaise, while the lounge to port is open on both ends. Both feature plenty of carpeted storage below.
A portside gate is just forward of the L-shaped cockpit lounge, which has a rear-facing chaise to port and is open to starboard where it terminates at the rear-entry passageway. There is more carpeted storage under the cockpit lounge as well as storage under the chaise back and under the port cap-rail cushion.
Aft of the cockpit seating is a large sunpad that flips up to reveal a large pop-up changing room, additional storage and access to the fuel tank. The outer edge of the sunpad has a raised cushion to provide an extra measure of safety and comfort.
The helm of the Windjammer-C RC Elite 24 butts right up to the rear end of the starboard chaise lounge and features a standard arrangement of gauges and instruments as well as a standard in-dash depth finder/fish finder, which will help get you closer to where the fish are biting (a combined depth finder/fish finder/GPS is available as an option).
Facing the helm is the throne (or captain’s chair) with a high back and swinging armrests. Every seat on the Windjammer-C RC Elite 24 will make you feel like you’re royalty.
All the way aft to starboard is the rear entry, which makes this a three-gate pontoon (forward, port and rear). Above it all is a standard 10-foot Bimini top with a running light, a boot and a rugged 1.25-inch frame.
Performance
Every pontoon has its own personality and the Avalon Windjammer-C RC Elite 24 is all about cruising in style and comfort. It’s a big comfortable boat made to take the party with you wherever you go, so blistering speed isn’t a huge priority here.
For our test we had two people aboard and a third of a tank of fuel (about 8 gallons or 50 pounds). For power we had a 90 hp Mercury 90 EFI four-stroke spinning a 13-inch three-blade aluminum prop. The maximum horsepower for this boat is 115, so there’s room to boost performance a little bit if you want.
We clocked a 0-to-20-mph acceleration time of 5.4 seconds and posted a top speed of 25.5 mph at 5,900 rpm, which is right near the Mercury 90 EFI’s rpm limit, so the prop was well matched. We found an efficient cruising speed of 16.5 mph at 4,000 rpm, which will yield a cruising range of about 123 miles, which is more than enough for a typical pontoon outing.
Steering was expectedly wide and predictable, and the two 23-inch-diameter tubes with nose cones and splash fins handled the small amount of chop without complaint. As we said, the Windjammer-C RC Elite 24 is all about delivering a comfortable ride, and that’s just what we got.
Our 90 hp outboard had plenty of power for cruising around the lake and soaking up the scenery. Since you can go as high as 115 hp with this boat, we would recommend doing so if you’re crew plans on breaking out the water skis, wakeboards or inflatables. You could get by with the 90 hp motor, but the extra power of the 115 hp engine will definitely get you bigger smiles when it’s time to break out the towrope and water toys.
Overall
We liked the luxury appeal of the Avalon Windjammer-C RC Elite 24, as well as its comfortable ride. Add to that a very respectable amount of built-in fishing functionality and you end up with a versatile pontoon that will get you to your favorite fishing hole in unprecedented comfort and style.
Due to differences in regional markets, Avalon doesn’t set national retail base prices for its boats, but we’re told the Avalon Windjammer-C RC Elite 24 should list for around $23,995, which is certainly an attractive price for this kind of red-carpet treatment.
If casual cruising in pampered comfort is your thing, the Windjammer-C RC Elite 24 has you covered. This is one of the most affordable first-class pontoon tickets you’re going to find on the lake.
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This article first appeared in the July 2006 issue of GoBoating Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
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