Cruising Table Rock Lake and hanging out in nearby Branson makes for a unique experience. Located in the southwest corner of Missouri, Branson is a different world - some would call it a "bizarre" world - away from Las Vegas or New York. With 100 shows in 40 strip mall-like theaters, the small town boasts the largest per capita number of musicals in the world. But most seasoned show-goers probably wouldn't jet in to catch the opening night of the "Circle B Chuckwagon and Cowboy Music Show."

Lacking the neon-drenched lure of the Vegas strip or the gritty reality of Times Square, Branson instead offers a homespun assortment of acts, like the "Shoji Tabuchi Show," whose lead, with his smiling face and haircut like Moe from the "Three Stooges," graces billboards as far as 100 miles away. Then there's Yakov Smirnoff, the mad Russian. Yakov's got a string of billboards with his whacky, grinning face that read, a bit ominously, "Danger, Explosive Laughter Ahead!" There are also copycat Vegas shows, like "Spirit of the Dance" (second cousin to "Lord of the Dance") and "Cirque," by Neil Goldberg (minus the "du Soleil") as well as the Hughes Brothers, an Ozarks version of a boy band; musical tributes to old Broadway and to Elvis; vintage headliners like Glenn Campbell, Neil Sedaka, Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Vinton; and dozens of other shows.

But there's also a downhome charm about Branson that's in sync with that part of the country - an innocence that's a refreshing contrast to the sheen of Las Vegas or cynicism of Manhattan.  It's the American heartland and a reminder of happier, simpler times; that's probably why people flock here.

Similarly unpretentious, nearby Table Rock Lake offers some of the finest boating in the heartland. The tree-lined shoreline spans 745 miles, running from Missouri into the foothills of Arkansas. The banks are lined with summer cabins and multimillion-dollar mansions, which have homeowners like Brad Pitt and Johnny Morris (owner of Bass Pro Shops). As one of the most scenic lakes in the country, Table Rock is also home to legions of pontoon boats. Like Branson's music theaters, they come in an assortment of shapes and styles.

Boating World recently had an opportunity to test the 2007 G3 Sun Catcher LX3 22 DLX, one of the finest pontoon boats seen on Table Rock. The G3 Sun Catcher LX3 22 DLX is not technically a "new" model, but rather an "upgrade" - DLX stands for deluxe - of G3's triple-log 22 series. But there's something special about combining the performance benefits of a third pontoon with the equivalent of two side-by-side Lay-Z-Boys on the front of the boat. The G3 Sun Catcher LX3 22 DLX also boasts new features like a restyled console, helm seat, docking lights and more. It's an open boat with an emphasis on performance.

With the 150-hp Yamaha 4-stroke, the G3 Sun Catcher LX3 22 DLX hits a respectable top end of 35.9 mph. An optimum top end for this boat, it provides a nice balance to the enhanced performance of the third log and the wide-open topsides. The G3 Sun Catcher LX3 22 DLX is rated for up to 200 hp, which might be a bit lively if you're carrying a group of 14 and it gets nasty out there. But 90 hp at the lower end of the spectrum is moving into "slow-boat-to-China" mode. There's no good reason to have a triple pontoon if it's going to be underpowered.

The beauty of this triple log is that kids can waterski behind it, and it maneuvers more or less like a sport boat (though hard-over steering at speed is a chore). We enjoyed running through the brisk chop in Table Rock, with the pontoons slicing and dicing, rather than pounding in the water. The logs have a 23-inch-by-25-inch U shape that lessens drag, thereby adding performance and stability (also foam-filled for flotation). They run the full length of the transom, except for an overhang in the bow that covers the sharp entries, so kids won't stub their toes when jumping off the boat.

The G3 Sun Catcher LX3 22 DLX feels solid at speed, and that's largely because of the boat's structural foundation. The one-piece, 16-inch "on-center" cross members are thru-bolted to the tops of the logs and nose cone to form a snug-fitting skeleton for the bottom. The U-shaped logs have a gauge of .100 (industry standard tends to be .080), and the nose cones are double-plated for shock resistance. The all-aluminum motor pod is attached to the frame at 12 points. Essentially, the pod and logs form a solid transom across the stern. Compare that to many pontoon companies that attach their motor pods with six bolts, and you see that this pontoon is built for the long haul.

The topside is where this G3 Sun Catcher LX3 22 DLX really shines. After testing four other brands of pontoon boats the day before, the G3 takes top honors for fit and finish, and for great deck layout. It's a boat that would make a nice family day boat or a cocktail cruiser in the evening.

Essentially, it's a living room disguised as a float boat. The centerpieces are the three "captain" lounges (one at the helm, two in the foredeck) that measure 28 inches high, 22 inches wide and 19 inches deep. The seats recline, swivel and slide, with headrests and lumbar indentations for your back and behind to provide the ultimate in relaxation while cruising. With wind and sun in your face, the scenic lake becomes a big-screen TV kind of experience. There's a nifty two-drink cupholder between the chairs (if you were a real couch potato, you could turn the chairs toward the water and fish from them, your feet propped up on the rails). A  21-inch-long table with four cupholders sits between the chairs and the right lounge (measuring 21 inches by 56 inches), which also has moveable drinkholder trays. There's a nice sense of open space in the front area; you can socialize without feeling crowded.

The back half of the cockpit also has a social bend to it. The L-shaped aft lounge measures 61 inches by 19 inches, and the aft L portion is 49 inches across. The lounge cushions are soft, and the off-white vinyl, distinguished by brown stripes and gold piping, gives them a classic look. A 12-gallon livewell (with 800-gph aerator pump) sits underneath the lounge - a nice touch for fishermen. Storage is good under the lounges; long piano hinges and plastic box interiors (with lips that drain away rain) show the quality of the boat (though the three-piece wooden support blocks look kind of chintzy, compared to the rest of the fit and finish.) The generous 70-inch-by-57-inch cushioned aft deck with a soft, cushiony lip around the edges, makes a nice sunpad. The changing room measures 24 inches by 70 inches and contains a small seat.

There's also a rear storage compartment at the transom beside the outboard for stowing gear like PFDs or wakeboards. The stern door, one of three lift-up doors with fingerguards, leads to a solid four-step retractable ladder off the back, with a high support for pulling yourself out of the water. Again, there's nothing cheap about the ladder's construction. That attention to detail gives you the sense that G3 hasn't skimped on any features - even the smaller ones - just to save costs. 

There are a couple of small design limitations: There's a storage compartment in front of the helm console, which is nice, but G3's designers left only 18 inches between the 13-inch-by-17.5-inch opening and the front lounge. That's pretty tight for putting anything that doesn't bend into the space. The opening would be better positioned along the other side into the cockpit, given the tight space. Speaking of tight, the throttle seems a little close to the console to keep your hand firmly on it. The mini-windshields look too much like the ones in jet boats and seem to take away from the classic pontoon design (though it's better than no wind/rain protection).

But, overall, the helm is a good place for extended cruising. The faux-metallic console has four easy-to-read gauges (speed, tach, trim and fuel), and a flush-mounted Garmin 145 fishfinder. (The test boat, belonging to G3's national sales manager, has a Garmin chartplotter - not a bad option for a long lake like Table Rock, which has many branches.) The Sony satellite-compatible stereo system has AM/FM radio and a CD player, with upgraded marine speakers for entertainment value. The console has two storage spaces and two 12-volt outlets. With the Captain's chair and the 30-gallon fuel tank, you could drive all day.

Other creature comforts on the boat include an easy-deploy bimini, 28-ounce sculpted carpet that extends all the way to the end of the foredeck, ski tow eye and tilt steering (though turning the wheel hard over at speed is a bit of a chore). Options include a full canvas enclosure for camping out, a tandem axle trailer (the trailer is not included in the base price), and a "slider" refreshment center with cushions.

The G3 Sun Catcher LX3 22 DLX balances performance and comfort without being excessive in either way. Kind of like Branson, where tradition and showmanship come together, it will always have class with a little downhome appeal. It's a delicate balancing act that'll keep 'em coming.

G3 Sun Catcher LX3 22 Deluxe 

LOA 22'
Beam 9'3"
Weight 2,440 lbs.
Fuel 30 gal.
Maximum HP 200
Base Price $28,495
(w/90-hp Yamaha 2-stroke) 
Price As Tested $34,595
(w/150-hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard)
Hull Warranty 5-year transferable
NMMA Certified? Yes

G3 Boats
901 Cowan Drive
Lebanon, MO 65536
(800) 588-9797
www.G3boats.com

Test Data
Performance data was gathered with a 150-hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard, two people on board, quarter tank of fuel and slight chop on the lake. Prop was 15.25 inches by 15 inches.

Top Speed 35.9 mph
Decibels @ Idle 58 dB-A
Decibels @ 30 mph 82 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 87 dB-A

Standard Features
Deluxe console with speed, Tach, trim and fuel gauge; molded tinted plexiglass windscreen; tilt steering; Sony satellite compatible CD stereo, upgraded speakers and a one-touch retractable stereo cover; flush- mount Garmin 145 fishfinder, Yamaha binnacle controls, cables and switches; performance lifting strakes; two forward captains chairs; tanning deck; privacy enclosure with padded seat; 28-ounce sculptured marine-grade carpet; lift-up gates with stop and finger guards; ABS table (four-cupholder); 12 total cup holders; contoured bimini top with boot; 1.25-inch aluminum bimini top frame and support; and rear entry with a four-step boarding ladder.

Options
Tandem axle trailer with brakes and 13-inch tires, galvanized trailer upgrade, spare tire and wheel with 13-inch carrier, slide refreshment center with two Sun Catcher pillows, and floating ottoman/cooler with cupholders.