At the helm everything is beautifully simple. The pontoon handled well with the mechanical throttle and smooth power steering. We loved the toggles and analog gauges because they are easy to see even in harsh sunlight. The helm also had a Simrad 7 depth finder, wireless charging, and a locking glove box. The two quality helm chairs could slide, swivel, and recline, which will keep the first mate as happy and as comfortable as the captain. Couples especially will enjoy cruising side-by-side here.

A power Bimini top comes standard with this model–a nice surprise since it’s not something we normally see on a value-driven price point boat. The convenience of deploying the Bimini with the push of a button made opening our shade cover a breeze. And because the speakers are positioned near the cupholders instead of just at the feet, the music is much easier to hear than in other models. The recessed cupholders meant our drinks stayed cool and felt secure, though we could also place them on the pop-up table with sturdier legs and an upgraded latch from the previous model.

These individual, water-tight chambers are pressurized to disallow water infiltration, should another area of the pontoon be punctured.

Kodie Woodhead, director of marketing at Hagadone Marine said, “We carry the Barletta brand because we consider it the ultimate luxury line of pontoons. Our motto is to be the premier provider of the best on-the-water experience, and our hand-picked models like the Barletta Cabrio reflect that.”