Regency Pontoons 254 LE3 (2015-)

Brief Summary

With the 254 LE3, Regency is taking direct aim at the super-sized luxury performance pontoon market. It comes with three 26” diameter pontoons fitted with lifting strakes and base power is 250-hp, producing a top speed of more than 40 mph. Plush reclining lounges pamper passengers and the captain gets the same treatment from the high-backed captain’s chair.

Key Features

• Backed by our 10+Life Warranty
• Three 26'' (66 cm) diameter high-buoyancy multichambered powder-coated pontoons
• LED-enhanced navigation lights, docking lights and full-length pontoon accent lighting
• Self-closing magnetic-latch gates
• Bronze powder-coated Bimini top hardware, deck brackets and pontoon logs
• In-console Bluetooth-capable AM/FM stereo with swim platform-mounted remotes and 6 speakers
• Sleek, elevated, heavy-duty fiberglass console with simulated teak non-skid mat
• Adjustable, reclining oversized captain's swivel helm seat with self-leveling arms
• Power-up, power-down, color-keyed Sunbrella Bimini top with LED lights
• Full-width heavy-duty extruded Z-bar deck supports, thru-bolted to M-brackets
• Mooring cover

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	27' 5'' / 8.36 m
Beam	8' 6'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	3,860 lbs. 1,751 kg
Tested Weight	4,460 lbs. 2,023 kg
Draft	N/A
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	35 gal. 132 L
Water Capacity	13.5 gal. 51 L
Total Weight	4,460 lbs. 2,023 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	N/A
0 to 30	7.1 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	17'' pitch Enertia
Load	2 persons, 17/20 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	87 deg., 62 humid.; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: calm

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 250-hp Mercury Verado Pro
Std. Power	1 x 250-hp Mercury Verado Pro 4-Stroke
Opt. Power	1 x 250-hp Mercury Verado Pro 4-stroke 1 x 300-hp Mercury Verado Pro 4-stroke

Warranty

Deck Warranty Extended	Limited Lifetime

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

Regency's 254 LE3 is a triple-toon model that offers impressive comfort in a feature-rich boat on which to welcome guests for cruising, watersports and entertaining.
Regency’s standard equipment list includes nearly everything a buyer would choose, including items such as a Lowrance HDS-9 depth finder with an aft-facing camera, a stereo with a 400-watt amplifier, a privacy/changing curtain and a stainless-steel propeller.

Major Features

Performance.

Three pontoons equipped with lifting strakes puts the speed and good-handling characteristics into the Regency 254 LE3. They allow the boat to plane off and run at speeds approaching 50 mph with a 250-hp outboard. The boat is finished with under-deck aluminum shielding, which improves water flow off the bottom, enhances performance, and makes the boat more comfortable.

Powder Coating.

Regency is part of the Tracker Marine Group family and in 2013, Tracker added a powder-coating furnace to its factory in Lebanon, MO. The powder-coated finish is more durable than paint and Regency uses it on the pontoons, Bimini top hardware, deck brackets and rails.

Power Bimini Top.

For a little bit of the wow factor, press a button at the dash and the 11’-long Sunbrella Bimini top rises on its own. There are LED lights incorporated into the frame.

Aft-Facing Sun Pad.

Positioned on the port side of the stern, this lounge has space for two to stretch out and soak up the rays. The base also houses a pop-up changing room curtain and three on board batteries.

Self-Closing Gates.

The bow, port and stern gates are self-closing and have magnetic latches.

Features Inspection

Cockpit

A primary purpose of any pontoon boat is to accommodate a crowd. Starting in the bow, there are two long lounges with reclined backrests. Because of the portside boarding gate (it’s wide enough for a wheelchair), the longer starboard lounge extends to the forward end of the helm console. Adjacent to the helm is an L-shaped lounge and there are in-sole receptacles for the removable table in front of this lounge and in the bow as well.

The helm console

is raised 4” (.10 m) above the cockpit sole with simulated teak non-skid decking. The elevated position puts the driver in a position where he or she will always have a clear view of his or her surroundings. A removable molded windscreen provides shade for two multi-function gauges that include the tachometer, speedometer, trim monitor, volt meter, fuel-level indicator and water-pressure gauge. The stereo has an MP3 input jack with remotes at the helm and on the transom.

Cockpit storage

is in deep lockers in all the seat bases, in the helm console, which has a dedicated spot for a portable cooler, and in the ski locker in the cockpit sole that measures 80” long and 23” deep. There is also an expandable pocket on the back of the driver’s seat.

The refreshment center

is located just aft of the helm and it comes with a sink with a hinged cover and a pull-up faucet and a 13.5-gallon (51 L) pressure freshwater system. With Staron Quarry Bluff countertops, the refreshment center features cupholders, stainless grab rail, switched courtesy light and 12V receptacle.

The swim platform

spans the boat’s 8’6” (2.59 m) beam and has simulated teak decking. The boat comes with a removable ski tow pylon and the boarding ladder is a folding four-step model located on the starboard side of the platform.

Power

Regency powers the base version of the 254 LE3 with a 250-hp Mercury 250 L Verado Pro and offers the 300-hp version as an up-grade. We tested the boat with a Mercury 250-hp Verado Pro 4-stroke outboard, turning a Mercury 17” pitch Enertia propeller. The boat comes standard with a stainless-steel propeller, which is not typical for a pontoon boat.

WOT Speed.

We hit a top speed of 47.1 mph at 5800 rpm and consumed 26.55 gph, giving the boat a range of 56 miles at wide-open throttle. Best cruise was at 3000 rpm where the boat ran 17.5 mph and burned 6 gph, giving her a range of 92 miles with 10% of the fuel capacity in reserve.
In maneuvers, the 254 LE3 starts a turn with little outside leaning before banking into the maneuver and carving through cleanly. She transitions smoothly through slalom turns and completed circles in a couple of boat lengths. The raised helm and captain’s chair gave our driver great sightlines throughout the test.

Construction

The Regency 254 LE3 is built with three powder-coated multi-chambered pontoons formed out of .100” 5052 aluminum. The bows are reinforced to protect against dock impacts and the transom is fabricated with box-beam construction. Regency uses 7-ply pressure treated plywood for the boat’s deck, which is reinforced with through-bolted supports and extruded aluminum brackets. Side fence panels are elevated to improve drainage and are installed with insulation designed to prevent vibration. The powder-coated rails are all 1.25” thick.

The electrical system

consists of three batteries, one of which is dedicated for engine starting and an on board charger. Regency uses an automotive-style fuse panel and there are 12-volt accessory outlets throughout the boat.

Options to Consider

Warranty

The following items are part of the Regency Warranty --

Ten-Year Bow-to-Stern Warranty

-- that means factory-installed workmanship and materials are covered for ten years from the time of purchase, including electrical components, livewells and plumbing, carpet and vinyl, furniture, Bimini top and much more. Your engine is covered by the Mercury manufacturer's warranty.

Lifetime Limited Structural and Deck Warranty

-- provides coverage for pontoon logs, motor pod, other structural elements including deck supports, perimeter fence rails and gates, and more, for the life of the boat.

Transferability to Second Owner

-- the resale value of your boat can be enhanced by provisions to transfer warranty elements to a second owner. Your Regency dealer can help you put applicable elements into effect when you are ready.

One-stop Warranty Resolution

-- 10+LIFE coverage offers a one-stop solution, eliminating the need to pursue separate warranties with component manufacturers.

Full Coverage During Warranty Period

-- means there is no pro-rating, or reduction of your coverage over time. So the peace of mind you enjoy at the outset carries throughout your coverage period.

In addition, Regency even backs its optional trailers by warranting the Galvashield steel tubing against structural failure due to corrosion for three years!

Price

Observations

At 27’5” (8.36 m) long, the Regency 254 LE3 is one of the new breed of supersized pontoon boats. With the performance-oriented triple pontoon configurations and a 250-hp outboard, the boat can get on plane and cruise at runabout-like speeds and even tow wakeboarders and tubes. Thickly cushioned lounges and supple upholstery give the boat an upscale feel and should keep passengers happy. The price includes just about every feature a family could want, which facilitates the buying process.
Regency with this 254 LE3 is building a boat with largely the same materials and specs as the most expensive pontoon boats in class. Perhaps most impressive is her “10-year stem-to-stern” warranty that covers everything except the engine – which is a notch or two above the 5 and 7-year warranties that have traditionally been seen on premium pontoon boat brands.
Regency is intended to be a premium brand and it is clear that the builder is prepared to stand behind the boat for a long time – longer than most builders in class.