Starcraft SLS 3 Review

Starcraft has been building exceptional boats for boating families since 1903, and in that time the Indiana-based boat builder has learned a thing or two about what buyers really want. Incorporating cutting-edge designs and every performance tweak possible, the company’s SLS series has long been known as the sports models in its extensive pontoon boat lineup. But when Starcraft recently decided to update the SLS series, they left no element untouched, giving the all-new Starcraft SLS 3 an altogether new level of acceleration, handling and comfort.

The real beauty of the Starcraft SLS 3 is that it’s such an unassuming ride. That’s especially true when you step aboard and note the elegant, plush interior upholstery, with full-length twin lounges front and back and a pair of swiveling Captain’s chairs with fold-down arm rests amidships. The corner lounge seats are the ideal spots to stretch out and dry off in the sun after an invigorating swim. And it offers more than enough power to pull the kids around on a tube or a wakeboard.

The SLS 3 maintains a traditional pontoon layout with inviting lounge seats in all four corners and a pair of Captain’s chairs amidships.

Forget about old-school carpeting on this boat – Starcraft made a point of ensuring the SLS 3 comes with maintenance-free Sea Weave flooring from bow to stern. Sea Weave is a sensible choice for a family boat, as it dries faster than traditional carpet and wears like iron while providing a neat, contemporary look. Other deck finishes are available as options, including realistic natural and weathered teak.

A removable, pedestal-mount table with integrated beverage holders fits between the stern loungers keeping a cold drink always within reach. It also makes a terrific lunch spot, with a view that can’t be beat.

A square panel on the aft face of the front port-side lounge opens to reveal a pop-up change room.

One particularly useful feature is the convenient fold-out change room, located in the rear face of the port-side front lounger. Lifting this door extends a metal hoop that holds a shower curtain-like privacy screen, so you can swap wet swimming gear for dry clothes without raising any eyebrows. There’s even a cut-out provided so this space can accept an optional portable toilet.

The driver’s helm console houses the control head for the standard Infinity AM/FM stereo, as well as a handy drink holder.

The helm is fresh and neatly laid out, with essential gauges mounted right up top leaving plenty of space for a flush-mount touch-screen display of the buyer’s choice.

The helm of the Starcraft SLS 3 is straight-forward, with the classic white-on-black analogue gauges mounted directly over the padded steering wheel where they can be easily seen, and leaving plenty of space to the right of the wheel to accommodate a flush-mounted multi-function display of the buyer’s choice. The helm seat has a useful slider function, so you can adjust its position to where it fits you best. Overhead, a Bimini top on a durable square-tube frame provided a welcome escape from the mid-day sun.

The upholstery work in the SLS 3 is top-notch, with just the right balance of support and comfort.

But the unique engineering that really sets the SLS apart lies below the floor. For starters, it rides on three 25-inch pontoons, the center one providing a convenient in-floor storage well for large bulky gear, like wakeboards or water skis. It also gets Starcraft’s heavy hat chassis for enhanced stability and strength as standard equipment, along with the company’s PR25/20 HMX performance package which includes lifting strakes on both the outsides and insides of each outboard pontoon. Along with several other tweaks, the HMX package is what gives the Starcraft SLS 3 its fighter jet-like ride.

With its big aft swim platform, ski tow pylon and aft-facing speakers, the SLS 3 makes a great platform for enjoying water sports.

In straight-line acceleration, the three big tubes pop this boat up on plane in no time, easily pushing it to the 50 mph mark. But with its HMX performance package, the real fun starts when you need to turn. It digs right in like a V-hull performance boat, delivering a fighter plane-like ride that’s thoroughly astonishing and crazy fun. The boat drives more like a bike than a boat – you just point it and it goes. Crank the wheel hard and even when you’re going too fast, it just leans in and turns, without effort, without fuss, and without losing its grip. It’s literally personal watercraft-like handling in a boat that seats up to 12 people.

With loads of seating space in an attractive that’s easy to drive and easy to maintain, the SLS 3 checks a lot of boxes for boating families.

Looking for a pontoon boat with the luxurious appointments and heart-stopping performance of a high-end sports car? Then the new Starcraft SLS 3 might just be what you want. With its creature comforts, exhilarating handling and Lifetime Plus 6 warranty, this is one thrill ride that can’t help but delight even the most discriminating buyer.