South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ – What Kind Of People Is It For?

South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ Review

Reference price: from $150,085 (excluding trailer)

Type: Pontoon boat

Weight: 3130 lbs (net)

Capacity: 15 people

What we like about it: Cool looks, ample and very comfortable sofa seats, powerful speed.

What we don’t like about it: It’s a little pricey.

Rating (4.8/5)

As it is well known, South Bay has always been a brand that constructs boats according to the highest standards. Its deck is incredibly sturdy, made not only of composite materials but also assembled with bolts instead of screws. Therefore, it boasts an excellent beam structure.

The South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+, as a pontoon boat, breaks the conventional perception of pontoon boats being slow. It can be equipped with a powerful 900HP outboard motor, which is enough to make your adrenaline soar, making it perfect for thrill-seekers. With a deck length of 27′ 7″ and a width of 8′ 6″, it can accommodate up to 15 people. If you have many friends or a large family, you don’t need to worry about running out of seating space.

Now, let me share with you my experience riding the South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ as a reference if you’re considering buying one.

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Driving Experience

My good friend Anders is an avid boater who always seeks speed on the water. He’s also wealthy, so he custom ordered a South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ last year, and he finally received it last week. Well, if you want a perfect boat, you need to wait for it. He invited me to join him for the maiden voyage and experience his beloved boat at Crab Island, Florida.

The moment I laid my eyes on this boat, I couldn’t help but think that if I were also wealthy, I would undoubtedly customize a boat like this without any hesitation. It looks incredibly cool! The majority of its hull is made of fiberglass, which shines brightly under the reflection of sunlight. Anders chose the combination of Tiffany Blue and white, giving the boat a luxurious appearance.

Start-up Effect

As Anders opened the throttle and turned the steering wheel, observing the joy on his face, I could sense his excitement as the captain. I sat beside him in the co-pilot seat, and there was a tinted windscreen in front of me. It even felt like the perfect environment for me to read a book. If I wanted to listen to music, I could simply turn on the stereo controller. Honestly, watching him effortlessly operate the 12.3″ Murphy digital color touchscreen, with its clear display, made me eager to try out its performance and driving feel. However, I’m not familiar with boating yet, and Anders told me that due to its powerful engine, it’s more suitable for experienced water skiers to handle.

Curiously, I asked him how it felt during the boat’s initial break-in period. Excitedly, he told me, “You know what? The seats on this boat are so comfortable that it feels like I’m driving from the comfort of my sofa at home. And the display screen has so many functions, meaning we can utilize it well for fishing and GPS navigation. I can even choose to play music from any of the speakers on the boat. Once you become proficient at boating, I’ll let you experience it firsthand.” His words made me even more eager to feel what it’s like to drive this amazing boat because who would refuse the opportunity to drive such a cool vessel?

Riding Experience

On this trip, it wasn’t just the two of us; Anders had four of his close friends with us as well, and each of them occupied a comfortable seat. On this boat, you don’t have to worry about where to sit. Every seating position is spacious and equipped with cup holders, with speakers located conveniently nearby. You can experience exceptional comfort from any position on the boat.

Before long, the moment we had been anticipating arrived. Anders retrieved a surfboard and a tow rope from the storage area beneath the seats. He and I attached the tow rope to the massive ski tow at the stern. All six of us could easily stand at the stern because of the boat’s ample space in that area.

As the speed increased, I effortlessly swayed on the surfboard along with the powerful waves. This boat has a high-performance engine that makes me completely forget that I’m on a pontoon boat. It feels more like surfing on a yacht by the seaside, with the seawater splashing on my face, washing away the fatigue from my daily life, leaving only the exhilaration.

Specification

This boat has a lot of impressive features. Firstly, its electric arch can quickly open the Surlast 10′ Bimini Top when you feel like it’s too sunny. On each side of the arch, there are also large speakers installed, which is perfect for those who appreciate the ambiance and strive for perfect sound quality.

The boat also offers ample seating areas. The entire hull is divided into three resting areas. The bow has two small L-shaped sofas on each side. Towards the rear of the helm, there’s a massively connected sofa, as spacious as a private karaoke room, allowing Anders to easily join our conversations while driving. Of course, if you want to be closer to the water, you can sit at the stern on a spacious sofa, directly facing the water.

It also features thoughtful details in its layout, such as making full use of the desktop on the co-pilot seat. On the left-hand side, there’s an accessible storage compartment, and on the right-hand side, there’s an open sink, providing convenience akin to being at home even while on the boat. However, one inconvenience is that it doesn’t have enough tables. If you’re out with your family, this could be a bit troublesome.

Other Versions

My friend Anders told me that he also considered another boat from the South Bay Sport series when customizing, the 25SPORT SL9 DC 3.0+. Let me analyze it as well to broaden your range of considerations.

25SPORT SL9 DC 3.0+

As part of the same series, the layout, materials, and required features of the 25SPORT SL9 DC 3.0+ are almost identical to the South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+. However, the key difference is that the former can accommodate fewer passengers and has a lower weight capacity, making it a compact version of the SL9 DC 3.0+.

Due to its smaller weight capacity, the deck length of the 25SPORT SL9 DC 3.0+ is also reduced, making it more suitable for those with fewer seating requirements. However, it can cover a longer distance as it has the same fuel tank size as the CR9 DC 3.0+, even though it doesn’t offer any price advantage.

What we like about it

• The dazzling fiberglass hull is a standout feature.
• The plush vinyl sofas provide the ultimate seating experience.
• The externally lit speakers at the stern and on the electric arch are exceptionally cool during nighttime.
• The spacious swim platform allows for more crew members and proximity to the water.
• The abundant rest sofas ensure that even with more friends joining the party, there’s no worry about available seating.
• The huge and sturdy ski tow ensures a safer waterskiing experience.
• The 12.3″ Murphy digital color touchscreen with GPS, depth sounder, fuel level, and a range of features makes your water journey more enjoyable.
• The 31″ high-back helm chair with headrest and hydraulic height adjustment is extremely comfortable, making every crew member feel like a captain.

What we don’t like about it

• There isn’t much tabletop space on the boat, which can be inconvenient when dining.
• The steering wheel lacks a comfortable material wrap, which can lead to fatigue in the hands after prolonged use.
• The price is indeed quite expensive and may not be affordable for everyone.

FAQ

• Can this boat go in the ocean?

Although this boat has a powerful engine, it is still a pontoon boat. It is designed specifically for calm waters, and you can navigate it in permitted bay areas. However, if there are strong winds on the day, calm waters may not be a safe boating area. Despite the sturdy appearance of its hull, it can still be overturned by strong winds.

• How long would I have to wait if I had this boat customized?

Several factors determine the waiting time. For example, the time you place your order and the number of customers ahead of you who have customized their boats. Typically, spring is an ideal time for pontoon boat activities, and in some regions, boating season may last only 3-4 months per year. Therefore, during spring, there can be thousands of boaters waiting for their new boats. To ensure you can stick to your boating plans, you may even consider placing your customization order a year in advance, as certain boat brands are in high demand.

• Can I waterski behind a pontoon boat?

It depends on the horsepower of the pontoon boat you are riding. Typically, the ideal speed for waterskiing is 18-24 miles per hour, requiring an engine with at least 90-115 horsepower to allow you to glide along the wake. However, greater horsepower will provide a better experience.

South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ SPECS

Standard

Video

Comparison Table

South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ vs Harris Grand Mariner 250 SLDH

As for me, I believe that the configuration of the Harris Grand Mariner 250 SLDH is very proportional to its price. Although it has a smaller capacity compared to the South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+, when you’re on the deck, you’ll feel that it’s very spacious.

It doesn’t focus too much on seat arrangements but instead offers a well-balanced development of excellent performance. There is a long L-shaped sofa on both the port and starboard sides of the bow. However, if you want to lie down comfortably, you can move to the stern. The three interconnected large rest areas at the stern can be converted in three ways. They can be positioned upright, and leaned against the backrest for relaxation, or the backrest can be lowered to create a flat bed for resting. You can also flip up the sofa at the stern and park it at any angle that makes you comfortable.

Furthermore, any of the rest areas on the boat can be opened and turned into storage space. There are coolers at both the stern and bow, so even on the boat, you can enjoy refreshing cold drinks. However, it cannot be equipped with an engine as powerful as the 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+, so it’s not designed for high speeds. Nevertheless, it is an eye-catching presence at night. The bottom of its hull features large LED lights, and the color can be easily changed using the touchscreen panel on the dashboard. In terms of price, it is more budget-friendly compared to the 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+.

South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ vs Sylvan M SERIES M3 CLZ

Compared to the South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+, the layout of the Sylvan M SERIES M3 CLZ feels very sleek and is more suitable for consumers who prefer a minimalist style.

Both boats are made of eye-catching fiberglass, and although the Sylvan M SERIES M3 CLZ lacks the flashy electric arch that the 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ has, it offers more tabletop space. In the middle of the L-shaped sofa at the stern, there is a rotating table with cup holders, allowing the captain to engage in conversations with the crew while driving.

If you or your family have a desire for some quality time together, the seating layout of this boat is perfect. There are two reliable backrest double seating areas on both the port and starboard sides of the bow. On the left side of the helm, there is also a cozy double seating area, and at the stern, there is a large double sofa where you can even lie down. It’s the perfect choice for a romantic date.

This boat is also eye-catching when driven at night. The seats are equipped with adjustable lighting underneath, and it has a fuel tank capacity of 60 gallons. In other words, it can easily provide you with a full day of outdoor use.

South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ vs Premier 270 INTRIGUE REV

The Premier 270 INTRIGUE REV, like the South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+, can be the perfect companion for those seeking extreme speed. However, the latter places more emphasis on passenger capacity, accommodating up to 19 people.

At the bow, there is a huge U-shaped sofa that can comfortably seat ten people, and there is also a small table in the front. However, compared to the spacious sofa, the small table may not be able to hold much. On the other hand, there is a larger table at the stern. When you don’t need the table at the stern, you can lower the surface and place a compatible cushion on top. That way, you can sleep on the cushion, just like you would on a bed at home.

Despite having numerous seating areas, this boat also offers ample open space. You can stand almost anywhere on the boat and enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. Perhaps due to allocating most of the cost to accommodate the large sofa, it doesn’t have as many detailed features as the 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+. For example, it lacks a flashy electric arch, and there are no colored windshields in front of its displays. If you’re looking for a practical and high-speed boat, this one would still be a good choice.

Summary

All in all, if you have abundant funds and seek a flashy exterior, the South Bay 25SPORT CR9 DC 3.0+ will not disappoint you. Honestly, it may be more suitable for adrenaline-fueled water sports with friends. If you frequently go out with family, this boat may not be as practical in some aspects, and at this price level, you might have more options.

If you’re not completely satisfied after learning about it, please keep an eye on our homepage. We will continue to update with more types of boats. I believe there will be one that meets your expectations. Alternatively, you can contact us, as we have high-quality boats that offer better value for money. We’re here to address any questions you may have.