“You really don’t need any options with this boat.”
As we began to put this test together, that was the first thing we remembered the Aloha Pontoons representative saying while showing us around the 2005 Aloha Twin X32 -- easily the outfit’s biggest and most ostentatious pontoon offering.
For a long time we’ve thought boat manufacturers should make their more useful and desired options standard, so we were immediately interested in just how far Aloha decided to take this concept with the Twin X32. We’ll give you a hint: The brochure lists more than 60 standard features (including the kitchen sink) and only five possible options, all of which we feel should be optional save for the SeaLand Porta-Pottie, which we would have liked to see standard.
Otherwise, we completely deem this craft worthy of a “no options needed” stamp of approval. It delivers on every area of consideration, including performance, spaciousness, attention to detail, quality and functionality.
Just keep in mind that this is a rather highly evolved ‘toon, and it comes with a matching price tag. Also, beginners and people with fewer than 18 friends and family might want to look at something a little more downscaled -- this one is for the experienced pontoon boater with gobs of friends to entertain and gobs of green to spend.
All 32 Feet of It
At 32 feet, we can honestly say we know of only one other production model pontoon boat larger than the Aloha Twin X32, and it’s only 1 inch longer, so we’re not about to start splitting hairs. In fact, the general trend in pontoon boats has been to grow larger, which means moving from something like 22 feet to 25 or 26 feet for most manufacturers. So maybe Aloha was a bit ahead of its time when it came out with the X32 back in 2003.
Not a whole lot has changed on the craft in the last two years, save for updates with some components and a tweak here and there -- it would seem they got it right the first time.
One of the first things Aloha is quick to point out about the X32 is the swept-back bow on the outside of the forward seating area. This compound curve is made with roll-formed aluminum and gives the bow a modern aerodynamic look. And, because this boat is reportedly capable of pushing 60 mph under ideal conditions, the aerodynamic advantage might actually come into play (aerodynamics are not a typical concern of a pontoon boat).
Even though this look might have been inspired by a traditional bowrider, the comparison stops there. Unlike the cramped forward seating of a bowrider, the forward seating area of the X32 is flanked by two large chaise lounges with plenty of room for four or six people to cruise in comfort. A stab-in table comes standard and can be used in either the bow or stern seating area. Also, the padded top edge of all the seats is a good 5 or 6 inches above the outer deck rail, keeping hard edges away from elbows and heads.
Aft of the forward seats is the helm to starboard and an open passageway to port. The helm is plush with tilt steering and a reclining captain’s swivel chair with swing-up arms, map pocket and adjustable headrest. The instrumentation included all the necessary gauges and controls for a dual-engine setup, and we especially liked the Yamaha gauges, which matched the twin Yamaha 300 HPDI outboards (more on that soon). Finding the fish is also improved with a Humminbird Matrix 67 GPS fishing system.
The helm is also where the controls for one of the most over-the-top standard stereo systems we’ve ever seen are located. The system comprises a Pioneer AM/FM CD player with 200-watt amplifier, XM satellite radio and eight speakers, including four wakeboard-tower-mounted Sony speakers.
Just aft of the helm is a nifty entertainment center with a sink, alcohol stove and integrated storage for a 36-quart Igloo ice chest. The rest of the aft deck space is dedicated to more port and starboard seating. Storage is located under all the boat’s seating areas, including a pop-up changing room under the port forward lounge. Deck clutter is also minimized with dedicated fender storage built into the forward bottom of the helm (color-coordinated fenders come standard).
Tower of Power
We mentioned the Aloha X32 comes standard with a wakeboard tower -- another unusual feature for a pontoon boat. (It’s hard to believe, with all the strides pontoons have made over the years, that many people still think pontoons are plain, one-dimensional craft made with geriatric boaters in mind.)
Just the presence of a wakeboard tower means this pontoon is made to please the watersports crowd. Given the wake we produced during testing, we’d consider this a decent pull for both novice and mid-range wakeboarders and waterskiers. Tubers would obviously be stoked with the craft’s speed potential.
The tower also provides a place for the four additional speakers and some lighting that deserves a closer look. In addition to the satellite antenna and navigation lights, three halogen lights are installed to provide worry-free night navigation even without a bright moon. One light points forward and the other two point to each side, giving the driver a 270-degree view of what’s out there. There’s also a remote-controlled high-power spotlight to put the light right where you want it (there are so many electronics on this boat that it needs three batteries).
An air horn, anchor light and wakeboard storage fingers round out the tower.
Performance
A maximum horsepower rating of 600 is a lot for any boat that can fit on a trailer -- for a production pontoon boat it borders on record breaking (we’ve heard of more being strapped to the transom of a pontoon, but those weren’t boats being offered to the general public).
Add the fact that the Aloha X32 is outfitted with three 26-inch tubes with two lifting strakes per tube and you’ve got a boat that ends up looking like a pontoon that acts somewhat like a deckboat or a runabout.
Our test was conducted on the glassy waters of Missouri’s Table Rock Lake. The X32 with the twin Yamaha 300 HPDI outboards with 21-pitch Yamaha stainless steel props did 0 to 30 mph in 5.5 seconds and reached “plane” in about 3 seconds. Performance pontoons don’t plane like traditional fiberglass V-bottom boats, but the lifting strakes do allow them to achieve a notion of getting up on a plane.
In the turning category, however, we were reminded that we were definitely driving a pontoon boat, and a very large one at that. At speeds over 40 mph, the Aloha has a wide turning radius, which isn’t necessarily a negative; it’s just a fact of life for such a large pontoon boat. At slower speeds the craft was more responsive in the turns, which will be appreciated for those circling to pick up downed wakeboarders and waterskiers. Whether turning slow or fast, the standard twin-engine Sea Star hydraulic steering system kept the steering tight with no slop or play in the wheel.
In a straight line, however, the three tubes, lifting strakes and 600 ponies came together to give us a top speed (measured with our GPS) of 56.1 mph, which was achieved with two passengers and two full 40-gallon tanks of gasoline. With less weight in fuel and a slight chop to aerate the water, we could see how this boat might just reach 60 mph.
A final note about performance is that this boat is extremely easy to maneuver and operate at slow speeds around the dock thanks to the twin-engine setup and how far the engines are set apart.
Money Matters
Those of you who are seriously considering dropping the $55,000 or $65,000 it’s going to take to own this boat (engine selection and horsepower will make a big difference in price) might be interested to know that Aloha is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.
It’s our opinion that not everybody on the water would want one of these bad boys, but those who do want one and have the dough to spend will be glad to know they’re getting a craft from a second-generation family boat builder that has been honing its skills since 1960.
MORE INFO: Aloha Pontoon Boats/Waco; (501) 753-2866; www.alohapontoons.com.
This article first appeared in the February 2005 issue of GO Boating Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
