Sylvan S3 Extreme Review

Sylvan Marine’s all-new S3 Extreme builds on the runaway success of the New Paris, Indiana-based company’s S-series pontoons introduced last year. The “S” stands for “Sport,” and the new series was designed to fill a void between the top-of-the-line Signature series and the popular Mirage line.

The 23-foot S3 (and its larger, 25-foot S5 sibling) proved so successful that Sylvan has expanded the S-series for 2015 by adding S3 Extreme and S5 Extreme models. These new boats take everything great about the originals and dial it up with new black-finished trim, all-black RPT tubes bold graphics, and new interior treatments.

An available Executive Helm package places the comfortable helm seat on an elevated platform that’s lit with LED courtesy lights.

The most stunning aspect of the S3 Extreme is the way it abandons the fully wrap-around aluminum fencing that has been the hallmark of pontoon design for many years, and offers a more open, flowing design with the extensive use of sculpted fiberglass components. Gracefully curved, stealth black D-rails accentuate the side fencing, leading the eye naturally to the S3 Extreme’s oversized swim platform. With its stainless four-step telescoping ladder and substantial stainless ski tow bar, it leaves no doubt that this pontoon was built with water sports in mind. The rear deck features Sylvan’s new Sea Weave flooring, which offers a secure, non-skid surface that’s soft on feet and really fits with the boat’s fresh, contemporary look.

While the kids are out back taking turns on the wakeboard, the rest of the family can camp out on super-comfortable twin rear loungers and enjoy all the action. The starboard-side lounger flips up to reveal a large change room concealed beneath. Having this feature located near the stern of the boat makes a lot of sense for skiers or wakesurfers who want to change quickly back into dry clothing.

The starboard-side rear lounger flips up to reveal a spacious change room.

A hefty black grab rail mounted on each side of the boat provides the ideal mounting spot for an optional power Bimini top, rear-facing speakers or a wakeboard carrying rack.

Both the driver and companion seats are pedestal-mounted captain’s chairs with fold-down armrests, raised headrests, and bold color-accent piping. The molded fiberglass helm has classic black-on-white gauges standard, but owners can spring for a fantastic dash upgrade that includes a Murphy touch-screen display. Neatly integrating engine controls and gauges into a single streamlined interface, the Murphy display fits the S3 Extreme’s high-tech design, and it is a perfect complement to its LED-lit amenities, including cupholders, speakers, courtesy lights under the furniture, underwater lights, under-deck lights, docking lights, and more.

An available digital display integrates a number of gauges and functions into a single panel, and just looks great!

Up front in the bow, the S3 Extreme features a pair of loungers with a removable, pedestal-mounted table with two integral beverage holders to the centre. The forward-facing seat backs for each lounger offer a convenient (and comfortable) flip-down arm rest. Underfoot, 28-ounce deck carpeting is luxuriously soft and fast drying.

Like all Sylvan pontoons, the S3 Extreme is built tough, using the company’s exclusive cross-channel construction with heavy duty hat risers that are double through-bolted to the deck. This allows Sylvan to cover the S3 with its Lifetime Plus 6 limited warranty, which provides lifetime coverage on major structures like decks, transoms and tubes, while providing six full years of coverage on components like the marine grade carpet and upholstery. Best of all, this warranty is fully transferable to the second owner, in case you ever decide you need a bigger boat.

Accent piping on the upholstery echoes exterior styling cues.

Visit SylvanMarine.com for more information.

Sylvan S3 Extreme Specs
Length: 24”10”
Beam: 8’6”
Weight: 2,425 lbs.
Passenger capacity: 13
Fuel capacity: 113L/30 gal
Pontoon Diameter: 27”
Maximum Power: 150 hp (250 hp with Tri-Toon)