More Than A Memory
There are plenty of amazing features on South Bay's custom 927 CPTR pontoon, but it's the story behind the boat that makes it special.
by Ryan McNally and Sarah Pelot
You're staring at the hand-assembled, 525-hp Mercury racing engine with a mixture of awe and
disbelief. Complemented by a mirrored engine compartment, this power plant is a thing of sheer
beauty. But while you might expect to see this engine on the latest 35-foot performance boat, today
you're at the stern of a custom-built South Bay 927 CPTR TT IO pontoon. It's got eye-popping
features everywhere you look, from the wakeboard tower to the kicker speaker covers to the deluxe
refreshment center and back to that head-turning engine. But while there are plenty of good looks
and muscle on display, it's the heart behind this boat that makes it special.
It's a typical muggy morning at Lake Lanier in Georgia. You've just met Christopher G. Allen
and his son Chris, and set eyes on the custom $100,000 South Bay pontoon they purchased through JOA
Marine in Buford, Ga. You wonder what could have led these two to design a 27-foot pontoon that
costs nearly as much as some 30-foot cruisers. But as their story unfolds, you discover the reasons
behind this seemingly impractical decision.
About four years ago, the Allens started looking at purchasing a boat, and quickly decided
on a pontoon because of its versatility and ability to accommodate grandparents, children and
teens. But since they wanted to design it themselves, the challenge was to find a boat company that
would team with them in custom-building a model. Enter South Bay.
The company was a great fit, willing to work with the Allens throughout the whole process -
even using the blueprints they had brought with them, building the boat from the ground up. The
Allens, who founded the company Stigler-Allen Construction Inc., know a thing or two about quality.
"We're carpenters, but we're turning into builders," says Christopher. "We love to plan stuff from
the beginning to the end, and still do it with our own two hands."
As you walk the boat, you learn about the details that went into constructing this special
ultra-high- performance pontoon. South Bay Southeastern Sales Representative J.P. Ward explains
that there's an additional bulkhead supporter built into the rear third of the boat to eliminate
flex in the tubes. Optional secondary lifting strakes were strategically placed on either side of
the center tube to help compensate for the additional weight the heavier Mercury racing engine
adds.
"We planned on a budget of $100,000 and stuck to it," says Christopher. Every detail of the
boat involved carefully considered decisions. "The things on the boat that were integral - that's
where we tried to spend the money," says Chris. "Like houses and cars, you want to see your
investment," adds Christopher. "It cost us a lot, but we think we got a lot for our money."
It's tough to disagree as you pore over the features on display. Standing toward the boat's
stern and getting hit with the Bazooka speakers is an amazing experience and leaves no doubt: This
is the most impressive sound system you've ever seen on a boat. The Allens ordered 13 speakers -
including four rear-facing speakers on the wake tower - two 600-watt amps, and a subwoofer.
Attention to detail is apparent throughout the boat, from the outstanding fit and finish to
the fully fenced rail system to the kicker speaker covers. There's generous storage under all
seats, wide entry gates with standard stainless-steel no-slip step pads (port only) provide easy
entry, and the vinyl landing outside the starboard stern entry helps prevent guests from tracking
in water. The boat is artistically laid out, with sweeping lines that live up to the catalog-speak.
The optional color scheme selected by the Allens - the "champagne" package - lives up to its swanky
name.
"The idea was to have something that could do everything - and be an investment," says
Christopher. "Life changes, and you want to be able to move with the changes." Staring up at the
deluxe wakeboard tower, it's clear that this boat can do more than just rumble. The tower package
includes the standard PA system, stainless-steel bimini top, remote control spotlight, rearview
mirror and the aforementioned speakers. All the fastening points on the tower are built into the
boat's frames, giving it the durability required to withstand running at 54 to 57 mph.
And if the Allens want to entertain? In addition to the mammoth space and plush seating, the
927 also has a 48-inch helm console that includes a sink with 8-gallon receiver, electronic-feed
faucet, granite-like finish, top-side cooler, top-side cup holders, cutting board with utility
storage, and room underneath for storing a cooler or fridge. And when you're docked and ready to
celebrate your high-speed jaunt across the lake, a built-in wine rack will allow you to sit and sip
in high class.
The bow is a great place for conversing, starting with the two "king" chairs, which are not
only huge and plush but also boast the same height-adjustment controls as the helm chairs. The
6-foot ski locker seems like it runs all the way to China. And the double bimini will provide extra
comfort.
Space isn't an issue on the mammoth two-person sunpad at the stern, which is a ray-catcher's
delight. And since this boat is amply equipped for watersports, the optional swim platform with
rear motor cover is an essential.
Still, all the other impressive stuff aside, there's no avoiding the boat's most
attention-grabbing feature: the 525-hp racing engine. Most high-end pontoons max out between 300
and 350 hp, but the Allens blew past that figure. "We weren't looking to run at 58 mph on the
water; we just wanted something we could put six or seven people on that wouldn't struggle -
something that would be effortless," says Chris. "That was the idea behind the larger engine ... we
didn't want something that we'd outgrow within a year."
Racing the 927 CPTR around the lake, it's clear that you won't outgrow the fun of driving
this boat anytime soon. Handling is solid at full throttle - which in this case means motoring
along at nearly 55 mph - and the boat feels like a brick as it cuts through chop easily. That is,
if a brick was nimble and cornered unusually well for a pontoon, as this model does.
The helm station is actually one of the few areas the Allens didn't splurge, going with the
standard analog gauges and eschewing DTS or SmartCraft controls. Instead, they went big on a roomy,
plush King Captain's chair, which makes a great vantage point for the built-in Garmin fishfinder.
"We hear all the time, ‘You're crazy to spend that kind of money to do something like
this.'" says Christopher. "And it is, if you're gonna trade in the boat in a few years for the next
bigger one," says Chris. "But we wanted something that would last."
Most importantly, they wanted to fulfill a dream of their late wife and mother, who passed
away recently due to cancer. "Joanne loved boats - it made her so happy to be on the water," says
Christopher. "She was always so serious, but then she'd get out on the water and just light up. She
had always said that it would be great to find something that everyone could participate in, and we
finally found that in this boat. When she was sick, she'd say, ‘When this is all over, we'll get
back to the lake.'" Chris says, "After we lost her, we realized we didn't have all the time in the
world."
The boat was a joint dream and effort by father and son, right down to a particularly
special detail: the transom decal that spells out "Miss Joanne." "The decal of her name is her
actual signature," says Chris. "I found a company that could duplicate it, and we picked out the
colors and graphics. The boat colors were her favorite colors too."
The Allens are pleased with the finished product, especially its versatility. And wherever
the boat goes, it carries a special place in the Allens' hearts. "Joanne would have loved this,"
says Christopher. "She would have thought it was crazy, but she would have been the one smiling the
most."
The Verdict
This boat oozes luxury from stem to stern, starting with the whopping 525-hp Mercury racing
engine and continuing through the wakeboard tower, sound system, seating, and overall fit and
finish. Handling and top end is superb. Priced at nearly $100,000, you’ll have to pay a lot for
this ride, but what a ride it is.
South Bay 927 CPTR TT IO
LOA 28'2"
Beam 8'6"
Weight 3,355 lbs. (boat only)
Fuel 51 gal.
Top Speed 54.7 mph (w/525-hp Mercury racing engine)
Time To Plane 3.9 seconds
0-30 mph 8.1 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 71/78 dB-A*
Decibels @ 30 mph 93 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 99 dB-A
Price As Tested $98,500 (w/525-hp Mercury racing engine)
Hull Warranty Limited Lifetime
*Captain’s Call On/Off
South Bay/Forest River, 51773 CR 39 N. Middlebury, IN 46540, (574) 825-8696,
www.southbaypontoon.com
