For five generations and counting, Smoker Craft has served the marine industry by offering a range of quality boats, including SunChaser pontoons. Introduced in the late 1990s as a price-point boat, the evolution of this line to where it is today is quite impressive.

Starting with the exterior and the power Bimini, the painted pontoons and the black, white, and gray panels with a distinctive pattern give this boat character. As you enter from the bow, the new see-through front gate has a fun, yet practical feel to it. There are two chaise lounges in the bow, with a hidden pop-up changing room built into the back of the port one. It stands over 5 feet tall when fully open and stores easily when not being used. The two-tone white and gray vinyl used for the furniture is quite stunning, and the best part is that it’s extremely comfortable as well.

For the captain, the tall helm console on the elevated platform gives a commanding view. The 7-inch Simrad touchscreen is the focal point of the dash, with multi-function gauges on the right and access to the upgraded Wet Sounds audio unit on the other side. Below is a row of well-labeled rocker switches and a USB port. There is even a locking glove box for the captain, which is something we always appreciate.

What’s better than a high-back helm chair for the captain? How about an identical one directly across for the co-captain! Both slide, swivel, and recline, and we especially love the small cubby, USB port, and cupholder for your first mate. Just behind the captain’s chair is a narrow storage box, providing additional space.

For the new model year, the SB DH layout with the rear multi-function lounge has been redesigned, and we love the versatility. With a handle located at the top of the backrest, you can easily convert this space into a rear- or forward-facing lounger, a completely flat pad, or even back-to-back bench seats. From a safety perspective, having this lounger completely enclosed by a full railing is a nice touch. As part of the stern railing, a ski/tow bar has been integrated for a distinctive look and feel.

The painted black pontoons are an option, but one worth considering. They complement the look SunChaser is going for, and also make the boat go faster. Okay, not really, but it at least looks sportier. The three 25-inch-diameter pontoons are part of the X-Treme PR25 Third Tube Performance package, featuring lifting strakes on both sides of the center pontoon and on the outside of the exterior pontoons. Up top, the rail height varies from 24 inches tall in the bow to nearly 28 inches in the stern.

With the electric steering, she is responsive and thrilling to drive. With the X-Treme hull paired with the Yamaha 300hp outboard, we were able to effortlessly bank into some sharp turns. After a zero-to-20 mph time of 4 seconds, we reached a top speed in the 40s at full throttle.

While still capable of offering pontoons starting at $30K, its higher-end models such as this Eclipse 25 demonstrate just how much this manufacturer has to offer across the full spectrum. We see added value in this SunChaser as tested with several optional upgrades that could be considered must-haves.

X-Treme PR25 Performance Pkg., Performance Strakes, Extended Rear Deck, Full Heavy-Hat Understructure, Gauge Pkg., High-Back Helm Chair, Integrated Ski/Tow, Wet Sounds MC-2 Stereo w/Bluetooth, Wet Sounds Speakers, Hydraulic Steering, Table w/Cupholders, Docking Lights, Power Bimini, and 115hp Engine.

Audio Plus 225 Pkg., In-Floor Storage, Painted Tubes, See-Thru Front Gate, Power-Assist Steering, Dual Battery Switch, Lighted Cupholders, Simrad G07 Flush Mount Multi-Function Display, and LilliPad REVO Boarding Ladder.