First Take

There are anniversaries and then there are milestone anniversaries, and clearly Avalon understands the best way to celebrate a big one. The Michigan-based manufacturer is celebrating its first 50 years in the pontoon industry with the release of its latest Excalibur, and “stunning” is the best way to sum it up in one word.

Kind Of A Big Deal

One quality we’ve always appreciated from Avalon is its well-placed amenities and thoughtful layouts, and its latest high-end model proves to be just as impressive. There are just a handful of options on this model with a lot of key features being standard, but one upgrade that catches your eye from the start is the custom black and gold flake paint that is part of its anniversary celebration. Once on board you’re immediately drawn to the Commander windshield helm with the Viper III touchscreen dash that gives the captain complete control and ties in perfectly with the upgrade Fusion Audio premium sound system and the full RGB lighting package. We absolutely love the clean look of the dash as well as the access it provides, but if we had to be picky, we’d like to see some type of a locking glove box for the captain to secure wallets and keys. Other than that, this helm console has what you need and more.

The full wraparound windshield sets the tone for the sporty look, but it’s the GX Power Arch with built-in speakers and an 8-foot Bimini top that really bring it all together. And since it’s an Elite model, it comes with a custom bar in the stern that includes a sink with faucet on top with a refrigerator drawer below. Other key features include a wireless charging station in the bow, a deep in-floor ski locker, upgraded driftwood vinyl flooring and wider steps on the stern ladder.

Closer Look

As part of the Waveglider High Performance upgrade, the 27-inch diameter pontoons all have lifting strakes—on both sides of the center tube and on the inside of the exterior ones, and a 58-gallon fuel tank comes standard with this specific model upgraded to the 100-gallon tank. Above deck, the rail height varies from 25 inches tall in the bow to nearly 20 inches in the stern and the all-new 6000 series furniture includes ULTRAFINE touch seat vinyl that’s soft to the touch and extremely durable. The aluminum-constructed seat frames for the suspension seating provide plenty of storage below, and the quarter-inch gap between the floor and side panels allows for quick drying and added ventilation.

Performance

Clearly the Mercury Racing 400R is a thoroughbred and it pairs beautifully with the Avalon Waveglider hull. As a fully-loaded, high-end model it has some weight to it, yet we still comfortably reached speeds in the mid 40s with a quick throttle response, and she is surprisingly agile in the tight turns.

Final Thoughts

On this Excalibur there is a seamless blend of modern design with high-end luxury, comfort and performance. While the price as tested won’t work with every budget, it’s clearly a top-of-the-line model from a manufacturer who has been successfully building pontoons for decades. We’re excited to see where Avalon goes from here as it powers forward toward its next milestone anniversary.