Playbuoy Yachtsman 27: Performance Test

The Playbuoy Yachtsman 27 is a high-luxury pontoon boat that's built for speed. It could change your view of what a pontoon boat is — and what it can do.

If the Coast Guard ever decides to add pontoon boats to its fleet of cutters, we recommend that it give Playbuoy's Yachtsman 27 a serious look. We put the boat through a grueling series of tests, pitting it against massive waves and wake, and the sturdy Yachtsman 27 cut through the water without breaking a sweat.

However, there is one problem with our suggestion: Coast Guard vessels are known for being serious, down-to-business boats that put little emphasis on comfort — and the Yachtsman 27 is one of the most luxurious pontoon boats ever made. One can almost see the comfort dripping off it.

The men and women of the Coast Guard could probably look past all that luxury, though, and give the Yachtsman 27 the credit it deserves in the areas of speed and seaworthiness. We took several other boats out on the water the same day we tested the Yachtsman 27, and of all those boats (both pontoon and deep-V hulls), the 27-foot Playbuoy performed the best against the crazy amounts of chop we put it through.

Moreover, the Yachtsman 27 is lightning-fast by pontoon boat standards. Powered by a 225 hp Mercury OptiMax outboard engine, our test boat was able to hit a top speed of 38.7 mph — and that's with a quarter of a tank of fuel and three adults on board. There was some cavitation at wide-open throttle, but putting the engine down all the way seemed to correct it. In a world where many pontoons can barely break 20 mph, it was impressive seeing the Yachtsman 27 go from 0 to 30 mph in only 9 seconds.

Turns posed no problem; however, this boat does have three tubes to push through the water, and it takes more water to maneuver than some models sporting only twin hulls. Nevertheless, for a triple-hulled boat, turning was excellent — and it corners marvelously. Visibility is terrific at all times.

When riding aboard the Yachtsman, we felt safe. Whether you're behind the wheel or sitting at the bow, you get the distinct feeling this boat isn't going to let itself get pushed around. Its solid construction will see to that.

The fit and finish are impeccable. The graphics along the sides of the railing are attractive, and the upholstered pieces are comfortable, with flip-down cup holders built in.

Playbuoy's Yachtsman line also includes smaller 23- and 25-foot models, making the 27 the big brother of the bunch. The boat has a beam of just 8 feet, 6 inches, though, so trailering it is not a hassle.

Theater in the Round

The Yachtsman 27's bow is different from what you see on most pontoon boats, for two reasons: The first notable difference is the distinctly round shape of both the deck and the railing that wraps around the forward section of the boat. Most pontoon boats have squared-off bow areas, but not the 27. This semicircular bow space lays the groundwork for the other major difference: The forward entrance to the cabin is located off center, to starboard.

Having the entrance off center allows the port settee to wrap around not only the port side but also the center of the bow, so that you have one straight settee and one L-shaped settee up front, instead of just two straight settees. A port entryway is located behind the L-shaped settee, and a second L-shaped settee is located behind the entryway. This second settee continues down the port side and continues around in front of the transom. A huge sunpad is positioned over the outboard, giving the engine plenty of room to swing up, so it can be trimmed properly.

No space is wasted. A gate on the starboard side of the transom provides access to the back of the boat, where there's a small patch of open deck. There's just enough room for you to use the flip-down boarding ladder to crawl into the boat from the water.

The helm is positioned between the rear entry and the forward starboard settee. In addition to housing the brushed gold instrumentation, the helm console is also part refreshment center, with a sink. The woodgrain accents at the helm are top-notch quality, and a waterproof AM/FM stereo system with a CD player and four speakers is standard. An in-dash GPS with graphic depth sounder is also included.

When the captain isn't busy at the sure-grip tilt steering wheel, he or she can sit back and relax in the huge captain's bucket seat, which is almost big enough for two people. Overall, the boat has a capacity of — get this — 23 people (that's two football teams and a waterboy); however, we'd be more comfortable with a maximum of around 16 people.

Attractive 28-ounce diamond-textured carpeting covers the deck. Aft and forward bases allow the standard pedestal table to service the various settees.

Options on the Yachtsman 27 include a hard top, an aluminum deck, an inflatable bow sleeper bed, a portable head for the privacy station, a livewell under the bow bench, a ski tow bar, a full camper enclosure, a walk-on sun roof and a high-performance package. Our test boat's third pontoon is also considered an option.

The Yachtsman 27 might be a bit cushier than the Coast Guard is used to, but we think the deceptively rugged craft is worthy of a call to duty. When we're testing boats, we're often doing things that no sane boater should do, trying to make sure that these models are safe for you and your family. We really threw everything at the Yachtsman 27, and it passed every test admirably. Unlike some other luxury pontoon boats that are afraid to get their tubes dirty, the Playbuoy Yachtsman 27 is ready to wage war against errant waves — and it will keep you comfortable all the while.

Playbuoy Yachtsman 27 Specifications

Length	27'
Beam	8'6"
Number of tubes	3 (as tested)
Width of tubes	24"
Weight	2,506 pounds
Fuel capacity	36 gallons
Maximum power	250 hp
Base price	$39,995

Test Boat Engine

Model	225 Mercury OptiMax outboard
Propshaft horsepower	225
Cylinders	V-6
Displacement	185.9 c.i.d.
Bore and stroke	3.63" x 3.00"
Gear ratio	1.75:1
Compression ratio	9.4:1
Maximum engine speed	5000-5750 rpm
Fuel system	2-Stage Direct Fuel Injection
Weight	497 pounds

Standard Features

Doublewide deluxe chair w/adjustment slider, waterproof AM/FM stereo system w/CD player and four speakers, mooring cover, in-dash GPS w/graphic depth sounder, four-step folding ladder, rail mount stainless round gas grill, heavy-duty Bimini top, movable cooler table, mood lighting, 28-ounce diamond-textured carpeting, designer simulated leather seating.

Options

Hard top, aluminum deck, inflatable bow sleeper bed, portable head for the privacy station, livewell under the bow bench, ski tow bar, full camper enclosure, walk-on sun roof, high-performance package, third pontoon.

Performance

Top speed,38.7 mph at 5500 rpm
Cruising speed,25.1 mph at 3500 rpm
Miles per gallon at 25.1-mph cruising speed,4.1
Gallons per hour at 25.1-mph cruising speed,6.1
Range at 25.1-mph cruising speed,148 miles

Speeds as Tested