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Lots Of Comfort With A Little Fishing - Avalon Paradise
by By The Go Test Team
The Avalon Paradise L 22 RC is high on comfort and luxury along with measurable angler appeal
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The 22-foot Avalon Paradise L 22 RC is a good example of how far the basic pontoon concept has come since the days of a pair of square metal tubes, a simple wooden deck, a chain-link fence and a few lawn chairs.
Like many of today’s other modern pontoons, the 14-person Paradise L 22 RC is built to cater to a specific kind of pontoon enthusiast. Modest horsepower, a casual cruising attitude, a few fishing features and a focus on comfort point to a boat made for enjoying the water at a leisurely pace and dropping a line now and then to see if the fish are biting.
In the bow the fence is carried all the way forward to maximize interior space, and the top rail is lowered to get you as close to the water’s edge as safely possible for fishing. There are two overstuffed recliners in the bow with movable armrests. Whether used for fishing or relaxing, these will allow your passengers to enjoy the day in comfort.
At the forward corners of the bow there are two upholstered sections with stainless steel cupholders and flush-mount rod holders, allowing you to lean back and relax while waiting for the fish to take the bait. Both corner sections have storage below for tackle and other gear.
Just aft of the two chairs is a pair of port and starboard lounges with plentiful under-seat storage. The Avalon logo is embroidered into the seats for an upscale look. Under the port lounge you’ll find a large aerated livewell to keep your catch and expensive baitfish alive. Stereo speakers are mounted in the base of the lounges — there are four speakers total. There’s also a pedestal for a table to be located between these forward lounges.
In the rear part of the boat there is standard L-group seating with another lounge and another base for a table (two oval tables come standard). Avalon likes to remind boaters of its boats’ luxurious nature with a standard built-in wine rack, which is located in the chaise back of the port side of the L-group lounge — this boat is always ready for an enjoyable evening cocktail cruise.
As with any boat that claims it’s been made for luxury, the Paradise L 22 RC comes with a long list of standard features. Four stainless steel cleats and lifting eyes, engraved door panels with nets and a reclining high-back admiral’s helm seat are just a few of the standard features on this ‘toon. A full gamut of options is also available, including a wakeboard tower, a triple-tube performance package, a double-wide reclining admiral’s helm chair, vinyl flooring and more.
Performance
While many of the pontoon boats we test are outfitted with triple-tube packages and high horsepower for impressive performance, our Paradise L 22 RC had more of a casual cruising attitude. Under the deck we had a pair of 25-inch pontoons with side keels for a solid and sturdy ride with great stability. For power we had a four-stroke 90 hp Yamaha outboard with standard BayStar hydraulic steering.
We reached a peak speed of 23.6 mph at 6,000 rpm, right at the top of the Yamaha 90’s power curve. As we said, this boat was set up for enjoying the water at a measured pace. With a full 36-gallon tank of fuel you can expect a 13.8 mph cruising range of 160 miles, which should be more than enough for an afternoon of pleasant cruising and fishing.
While this boat would be good for a rousing pull on the inflatable, we recommend upping the power to 115 or 125 hp if you want to enjoy recreational wakeboarding and waterskiing. And if you really want more speed and performance, go with the optional triple-tube performance package and even more horsepower.
Overall
Avalon likes to lay it on thick in terms of luxury while working to keep prices out of the stratosphere. The end result is a polished look with plenty of comfort at a price that’s not going to break the bank.
Our Avalon Paradise L 22 RC has a base price of $28,900 with our 90 hp Yamaha test motor, which is not a lot of money for a boat that can take 14 people to the water and also allow you to fish in comfort. If you like to take a casual and unhurried approach to pontoon pleasure while enjoying a first-class ride, the Paradise L 22 RC is worth a look. GO
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This article first appeared in the February 2007 issue of GoBoating Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
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