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Regency Pontoons 254 LE3 Sport (2018-)
1 x 350-hp Mercury Verado Pro FourStroke
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Brief Summary
The Regency 254 LE3 Sport is the company’s marriage of a sporty-handling pontoon with a luxury feel all while being surrounded by a quality build. With her three performance pontoons handling the power provided by a max 350-hp Verado, she can effortlessly handle the thrills of running across the water at nearly 50 mph. Aft lounges allow spotting for wakeboarders off the ski tow pylon. And with her luxurious lounges, she can just as easily transition to a quiet evening of cocktails while drifting along with the sunset.
Test Results
RPM | MPH | Knots | GPH | MPG | NMPG | STAT. MILE | NM | dBa |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
600 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 5.2 | 4.5 | 241 | 209.7 | 49 |
1000 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 4 | 3.4 | 185 | 161.1 | 59 |
1500 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 1.7 | 4 | 3.5 | 189 | 164 | 67 |
2000 | 9.1 | 7.9 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 176 | 153.5 | 69 |
2500 | 13.8 | 12 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 196 | 170.2 | 76 |
3000 | 17.9 | 15.5 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 184 | 159.7 | 72 |
3500 | 21.4 | 18.6 | 7 | 3.1 | 2.7 | 144 | 125 | 74 |
4000 | 25.8 | 22.4 | 9.3 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 130 | 112.9 | 78 |
4500 | 29.6 | 25.7 | 12.2 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 114 | 99 | 80 |
5000 | 34.7 | 30.2 | 15.9 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 102 | 88.8 | 85 |
5500 | 40.6 | 35.3 | 18.3 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 104 | 90.3 | 86 |
6000 | 45.2 | 39.3 | 22.6 | 2 | 1.7 | 94 | 81.5 | 90 |
6800 | 48.7 | 42.3 | 29.6 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 77 | 66.9 | 86 |
Specifications
Length Overall | 27' 5'' / 8.36 m |
---|---|
Beam |
8' 6" 2.59 m |
Dry Weight |
6,560 lbs. 2,976 kg |
Tested Weight |
7,127 lbs. 3,233 kg |
Max Headroom | Open |
Weight Capacity |
2,438 lbs. 1,106 kg |
Person Capacity | 12 |
Fuel Capacity |
52 gal. 197 L |
Water Capacity | N/A |
Total Weight |
7,127 lbs. 3,233 kg |
Acceleration Times & Conditions
Time to Plane | N/A |
---|---|
0 to 30 | 7.1 sec. |
Ratio | N/A |
Props | 15 x 15 x 3 Enertia |
Load | 2 persons, 1/2 load, no water, 50 lbs. of gear |
Climate | 72 deg., 45 humid.; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: calm |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
1 x 350-hp Mercury Verado Pro FourStroke |
---|---|
Std. Power |
1 x 250-hp Mercury Verado Pro FourStroke |
Opt. Power |
1 x 300-hp Mercury Verado Pro FourStroke 1 x 350-hp Mercury Verado |
Captain's Report
Learn More
Watch Our Video
Features Inspection
Exterior
We’ll begin our features inspection with the exterior, where several improvements have been made to this model. The fence and railings are powder-coated and now come in either Charcoal Metallic or Black Metallic coverings that will complement the standard Black Metallic Diamond coat fencing. Premium color upgrades are offered ($1,000) that allow for additional color combinations. Regardless of color, the stylized look, distinctive three-dimensional side graphics, and powder-coated rubrail with its corner castings add volumes to the beauty of the 254 LE3 Sport. Additionally, the sound and vibration-deadening fence insulation makes for a quiet ride that’s immediately noticeable.
Moving down towards the water line, the logs are also powder-coated and this saves in eliminating the acid wash that marinas charge a premium for. Plus, they look great. Performance-wise they all have lifting strakes outside of the outer logs and to both sides of the center log that, as our test shows, make for excellent handling characteristics.
Interior
Moving to the interior, three gates allow us access to the inside. The bow gate measures in at 24" (61 cm), the portside gate is a wheelchair accessible 32.5” (82.6 cm), while the aft center-mounted gate is 19” (48.3 cm) wide and fabricated from stainless steel tubing with the REGENCY logo in the center.
Bow
The luxury begins at the bow where we have dual couches, one to either side. Both have premium upholstery, multiple density foam, and custom embroidery. All seats have lighted and lockable storage underneath. A pedestal table can be accommodated in the base recessed into the deck.
At the aft side of the port couch is a pop-up changing room that can easily accommodate a Porta-Potti. In the center of the deck is a storage compartment that measures 88” (224 cm) long and 23” (58.4 cm) deep, making it ideal for holding wakeboards in addition to tons of gear. At the bottom is an access port to a 500-gph (1,893 lph) bilge pump.
Helm Console
The fiberglass helm console is on an elevated platform, allowing the operator to see over the heads of the occupants of the forward couch. The panel is well laid out with dual SmartCraft gauges flanking a flush mounted, Lowrance HDS-7 7” (17.8 cm) display. This unit is also connected to a Bimini-mounted camera, allowing for a back-up view to be shown. This is a huge help for the operator, especially when towing a wake boarder.
Additional features include a phone management system that allows for placement of a phone to the left side of the panel. Accessory plugs allow for charging, but we’d also add USB ports for additional charging capabilities along with adding another level of connectivity to the stereo. Currently, the only USB connection is at the actual stereo mounted inside the console. Any connectivity will otherwise be via Bluetooth.
Stern
Continuing aft, the term “Sport” in the model name refers to the aft seating, in this case the dual aft-facing lounges. These two lounges are mirror images of each other and both include the beverage holders, accessory-charging plug, and side-mounted speaker. The starboard seat has three storage compartments underneath, one at the legs, one under the seat, and a third under the seatback. The port appropriately sacrifices the under-leg storage for batteries, steering pump, and battery charger with external plug access. Stainless steel grab rails allowing these seats to be occupied even when the 254 LE3 is underway surround both seats.
The table from the bow can be relocated here, but on a shorter pedestal, making it more appropriate for use as a cocktail table. Overhead, an electrically-actuated Bimini top allows for 11’ (3.35 m) of protection from the elements, adding significantly to the comfort level on the 254 LE3. It is also color-keyed to the boat.
Aft Deck
A center-mounted, stainless steel-framed gate allows access to the aft deck. This is covered in a non-skid matting, making it ideal as a swim platform. In the center is a removable ski tow pylon. To starboard is a flip-down, four-step reboarding ladder with sizable grab rails easing the transition out of the water. Add a rail-mounted propane grill ($315) to add even more functionality.
Test Results
The REGENCY 254 LE3 Sport has an LOA of 27’5” (8.36 m) and a beam of 8’6" (2.59 m). With an empty weight of 6,560 lbs. (2,976 kg), half fuel and two people, we had an estimated test weight of 7,127 lbs. (3,233 kg).
With the Mercury 350 Verado turning a 15x15 3-bladed Enertia propeller, we reached our top speed of 48.7 mph at 6800 rpm. Best cruise came in at 2500 rpm and 13.8 mph. At that speed, the 3.3 gph fuel burn translated into a range of 196 miles while still holding back a 10% reserve of the boat’s 52-gallon (196 L) total fuel capacity.
She accelerated to 30 mph in 4.8 seconds and 30 came and went in 7.1 seconds.
Handling
For handling, her three performance pontoons produce excellent handling capabilities. Each is powder-coated, 26" (66 cm) in diameter. All are high-performance, multichambered pontoon logs with welded-in lifting strakes, wave deflectors, and internal bracing for additional strength.
She comes up on plane from a nearly level attitude and just a touch of up-trim gets her into her cruising mode running at that same level attitude. She also remains fairly level in turns and just a slight slide takes the edge off of a performance turn. Held over hard, she’ll then lean into the turn quite comfortably. As we crossed the wakes of our camera boat, it was barely noticeable.
Pricing and Observations
The REGENCY 254 LE3 is priced at $66,995 when powered with a 250-hp Mercury Verado Pro FourStroke. Opt for a 300-hp Mercury Verado Pro FourStroke and the price increases to $68,995. Powering with the 350-hp Mercury Verado Pro FourStroke, as our test boat, draws a price of $72,055.
REGENCY is proud of its build process and quality, and as such, it stands behind its products with a 10-year bow-to-stern warranty, a lifetime limited structural and deck warranty, provisions for transferring the warranty to a second owner, one-stop factory warranty resolution, and no pro-rating, meaning full coverage throughout the warranty period. It seems that REGENCY also offers peace of mind in addition to peaceful times on the water.