Test#0929061388

Test Power-- 1 x 225-hp Honda 4-Stroke Outboard

Best Cruise-- 19.0 mph @ 3000 rpm

WOT-- 40.9 mph @ 5900 rpm

Forest River Marine builds one of the most executive looking pontoons I have ever seen. These high quality boats have set a high bar for others to reach with great standard amenities and a healthy list of options. The 925 CRTT not only provides a comfortable, high quality ride, it provides performance with its three tube design with splash guard underneath to prevent drag from the water hitting the bottom.

**Video coming January 2007**

Luxury and Performance in the South Bay 925 CR

By Capt. Bob Smith

The 925 CR is one of the best looking pontoons I have looked at over the years. Forest River Marine call their South Bay pontoon series the Luxury Series and the Luxury Performance Series and I believe they can defend this claim. Just seeing them riding high in the slips, I could tell they were a notch above most everything I had seen.

Bow Features

Starting up front, the 52” long nose piece stands out. The center tube comes equipped with a Schrader valve. I asked about this and was told it is to help prevent “oil canning” which can be a problem with some pontoons. It is also used to test each pontoon for leaks. The 925 CR pontoon has the Schrader valve up front because there is a large in-floor storage box just aft the bow entry gate. C-channel cross members are spaced every 16” to give the deck better durability and more attachment points. An under belly splash shield improves performance in this model by reducing drag induced by waves rolling against the bottom.

Elliptical stainless steel docking lights are mounted in the side panels up front. The side panels are insulated .030 gauge paneling raised for better drainage. The anodized D rails are designed for strength and appearance. The under rail lighting adds ambience at night and flip up cleats allow docking lines to easily pass through. Our test model featured highly polished corner guards to prevent some of the accidental dock rash.

The front gate offers a great pathway for getting into the bow seating area. If you need to maximize seating, you can opt for a fill-in bench that covers the opening of the bow gate. All the seating on board has hinged seat bottoms and roto-molded seat bases. The starboard lounger seat swings toward the center and offers room to store tall items vertically. Over on the port end, the lounger back hinges at the top and offers another cooler space inside. The tweeters for the stereo are mounted in the seat back along with twin drinkholders in a burlwood type finish. The large speakers are mounted in the seat bases and produce great sound. The optional in-store storage compartment can handle the canvas and it even comes with its own bilge pump to keep it dry. Moving towards the back you’ll find another wide entry gate on the port side. Here you will readily see the heavy-duty side panel braces that insure a sturdy panel.

Fiberglass Helm Station

Across from the port entry is a fiberglass helm station that is built for comfort and convenience. Tilt hydraulic steering makes handling nearly effortless. You don’t have to get out of the captain’s chair to control the tunes with the Jensen stereo remote located next to the wheel on the left side. Faria gauges have gold bezels for an extra rich look. Our model came outfitted with a Garmin 145 to keep watch over the bottom and to look for fish. Lighted rocker control switches are grouped together and in a panel to the right are engine indicators and the Honda throttle/shifter. Our test model came with the optional King Captain’s chair which was really comfy. It’s features include an adjustable headrest, flip arm rests, adjustable seat position, pneumatic seat lift, and an adjustable seat back.

Underneath the helm station is storage and access to the dash connections. A small panel just above the storage hatch conceals the stereo system, a rocker switch on the side controls power to the pressure water on the sink in the helm top. The filler for the water tank is next to the sink along with the hydraulic steering fluid cap. A small storage box on the front has a liner so you can use the box for an ice bucket.

Aft Seating

Aft seating is in an “L” shape with additional hinged seat bottoms over roto-cast seat storage bases. A two post snack table sets up quickly for lunch and there are more speakers mounted in the seats back here so everyone can hear the music. Across the back is a large padded sun tanning space with raised bolster along the outside edge. The handy changing room makes having family on board more pleasurable. Under the aft section there is access to the center-mounted fuel tank, the battery, battery switch, and battery charger which are mounted on the port side.

Equipped for Watersports

Through the stern gate you have a standard washdown hose, vinyl coated platform with stainless steel grab handle for reboarding. Our model had the extended swim platform with concealed stainless steel ladder and ski tow bar across the center aft section over the engine.

Specifications & Performance

The three-tube version 925 CRTT from South Bay measures 27 feet overall in length and rides on a deck width of 8’6”. Her dry weight is approximately 2825 lbs without the engine and she carries 29 gallons in her center mounted fuel tank. This model is rated for a maximum of 275-hp outboard engines.

We tested the 925CRTT on Lake Lanier in Georgia in the late fall. She handled more like a speed boat and responded very quickly to turns and throttle inputs.

For room, luxury, and performance in a pontoon, it seems you can’t go wrong with Forest River Marine’s South Bay 925 CRTT.

• Top speed for the Forest River Marine South Bay 925CR (2007-) is 40.9 mph (65.8 kph), burning 18.5 gallons per hour (gph) or 70.02 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Forest River Marine South Bay 925CR (2007-) is 19.0 mph (30.6 kph), and the boat gets 4.22 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.79 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 110 miles (177.03 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 225-hp Honda 4-stroke (outboard).