Qwest Pontoons from Apex Marine showcase excellent performance, quality construction and feature-packed hulls. The L-Class 22 Splash Pad ­features a traditional-style aluminum perimeter enclosure atop the Q3V hull package, which includes triple 25-inch pontoons, with lifting strakes on the center tube and a full underskin. With this package and a robust Mercury 200 on the transom, the L-Class moves out quickly; it planes in 3.4 seconds and hits 30 mph in 7.3 seconds. Top speed is an even 40 mph.  

It’s a sipper at the fuel dock too. The most economical cruise speed is 14 mph, where the sound level is a whisper-­quiet 70 decibels and the Mercury drinks fuel at 2.8 gph (for 5 mpg). With its ­43-gallon tank, that means the Qwest can travel over 193 miles before having to fuel up. 

The center tube is 0.125-inch-thick aluminum, while the outside tubes are 0.09-inch-thick. The tubes mount to the deck with full-length extruded ­M-brackets that bolt to cross channels, which bolt to the deck.

In the bow section, twin facing curved loungers feature soft-touch upholstery with an inset quilted vinyl pattern. A generously sized lumbar cubby allows storing keys, sunglasses, phones and more. Weathered plank vinyl flooring is standard, and there’s an optional center toon storage locker on the triple toon hulls.

The pilot’s console is a new fiberglass design, with a Garmin 9-inch digital dash screen standard, and a JL Audio sound system with an optional amp and subwoofer. Powered cable steering is also standard. A standard Bimini top attaches permanently, minimizing rattles, with an ­electrically powered Bimini as an option.

Aft, the Splash Pad moniker is aptly applied, with a portside three-quarter-width lounger featuring a reversible, multi­position backrest to facilitate sitting forward or backward, or lying flat. There’s a stainless-steel perimeter fence at the stern to keep riders inside safely. 

Under the splash pad is a large storage compartment as well as access to the batteries. Aft, a stainless-steel ski tow and a stainless-steel, four-step folding boarding ladder come standard.

High Points

• Ultra Flow V2 furniture bases with toe kicks, speaker-wire protection, and EnkaMat airflow mats for keeping stowed gear dry.  
• Graphite Black and Cayenne graphics. 
• Aft lounger with three positions. 
• New fiberglass helm console looks great. 

How We Tested

• Engine: Mercury 200XL 200 hp FourStroke outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 28 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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The Qwest E-Class Lanai LTZ features a traditional aluminum perimeter enclosure atop the Q3V hull, which designates triple 25-inch pontoons with lifting strakes on the center tube. Rigged with a Honda 200, the Lanai clipped off a solid 41.4 mph top end at 6,000 rpm ­spinning a 17-pitch Honda propeller. It accelerates strong. Hitting 30 mph in just 6.2 seconds, the LTZ makes a good ­watersports towboat. It won’t hurt the wallet ­doing so either; we calculated 4 mpg at 16.4 mph. With the 45-gallon tank full, that’s over 160 miles of cruising with a 10 percent reserve. Running through wakes and lake chop, this boat never balked.

The E-Class Lanai LTZ sports a new helm station for 2024. It’s fitted with a 9-inch Garmin MFD, and topped with a slick flat-panel windscreen with black powder-coated aluminum side frames. Dometic XPA power-assist steering is a worthwhile option to control the Honda ­outboard. A Clarion sound system with four speakers comes standard.

At the bow, a small extended deck helps with docking and boarding. Inside, twin facing sofas create a bow conversation area sized for at least five adults. Across from the helm and high-back reclining and swiveling pilot’s chair, the port side features a long, L-shaped couch that will easily fit five without crowding, and in this configuration, the captain can be included in the conversation. USB chargers are fitted at just about every seating area, so crew can stay ­connected. A table and soft-side cooler are also ­standard equipment.

Out back, the extended aft deck ­features a portside mounted love seat ­ideally positioned for use in getting ready for watersports, or just hanging to watch the action from an aft vantage point.

Underneath is more stowage, ideal for tow ropes and life vests. An in-floor ski locker is optional, to fit even more watersports toys. A beefy ­stainless-steel watersports tow bar complements a stainless-steel folding, telescoping boarding ladder. The Lanai series in LTZ trim is well-equipped and performs at a high level, all for a competitive price of just under $81,000. 

High Points

• Made in America by Apex Marine, the E-Class Lanai LTZ features seat bases made from  proprietary Dura Lite composite. It’s rugged and light in weight.
• Long L-bench aft makes for a great gathering place that seats four comfortably, and includes the captain’s chair for a party of at least five. 
• The Garmin 9-inch dash display offers navigation and engine information.
• “Ultra-Flow” seat-base ventilation helps keep mildew away and contents dry.

How We Tested

• Engine: Honda BF200 200 hp
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Honda 14 1/4″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2:1 Fuel Load: 36 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Qwest touts its Splash Pad series of pontoons as fun-and-sun vehicles for a day on the water. One look at the layout and list of amenities for the Qwest 822 Splash Pad LTZ proves this to be true. It packs a lot into a 22-foot boat capable of hosting 13 people.

The key feature of the Splash Pad layout is the multiposition lounger in the rear section of the boat. The twin backrests can be adjusted to multiple positions to create a full-on sun pad when fully reclined, or forward-facing seating on the cockpit and rear-facing seating on the transom when fully upright. When the boat is at rest, the rear-facing seating makes a great spot to soak in the view. It also makes for a great staging area to take a swim off the extended swim platform or prep for a round of tubing or watersports. The standard ski-tow arch extends well above the outboard cowling so you won’t have to worry about chafing or catching the rope on the engine while towing.

The center of the boat features matching high-back captain’s chairs for the captain at the helm and the co-captain to port. In a really nice touch, Qwest built a flip-up table into the portside console that features two cup holders and a cellphone slot. The opposing couches at the bow have forward-facing backrests against the consoles and plenty of room for your gear in the large stowage bins underneath.

Expect top performance from the Gen II triple-tube package, which features three 25-inch tubes that improve buoyancy, stability and maneuvering at speed. All three tubes feature lifting strakes to help the boat get up and go. The center tube extends aft of the transom for the motor mount and features a built-in 45-gallon fuel tank that extends this boat’s range. The extended motor mount also allows for a much bigger swim platform and keeps the starboard-side boarding ladder farther away from the outboard’s propeller.

Throw in the luxurious LTZ trim package, and you’ve got a pontoon that looks great, performs well, and does everything you’d want on the water.

High Points

• Rear multiposition lounger lets the crew set up the seating to their liking for tanning, lounging or cruising.
• Open transom allows for fantastic water access from the aft swim platform when the boat is
  at rest.
• Triple-tube package ups the performance capabilities while expanding the fuel capacity to 45 gallons, providing more range to enjoy a day on the water.
• LTZ trim package takes trim and fit-and-finish to the next level while adding creature comforts.

Pricing and Specs

Qwest Pontoons – St. Louis, Michigan; qwestpontoons.com

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With its LS 818 XRE Cruise, Qwest packs a lot of punch into a smaller-size pontoon. Start with the boat’s layout. It’s great to see a pontoon under 20 feet provide three boarding gates—one at the bow, one in the forward seating area through the portside rail, and one along the aft platform. There’s seating for four people in the bow, with a corner bench seat and a couch in front of the helm. There’s an L-shaped bench to port of the helm and twin swiveling anglers bucket seats aft. It’s a great layout for cruising, fishing and watersports.

Qwest is known for constructing all of its seat bases out of Dura-Lite composite rather than the standard roto-molded plastic bases found on comparable pontoons. The Dura-Lite bases are lighter and easier to vent, making your stowed gear less likely to attract mildew. The luxury woven vinyl flooring is diamond sea grass—besides looking sharp, it’s sturdy, easy to clean and comfortable underfoot. The long standard-amenities list means you can buy this easily trailered pontoon good-to-go off the showroom floor.

The standard package for the LS 818 XRE Cruise is with twin 24-inch pontoons and a built-in 17-gallon gas tank that flows fuel to a max 75 hp outboard. Upgrading to the triple-tube package ups the maximum horsepower to 115, the fuel capacity to 45 gallons, and lets you add two more people to the party, with a max capacity of 10 people. Throw in the ski-tow bar to enjoy some tow sports. Adding the third tube ups the approximate dry weight from 1,500 to 1,800 pounds, which still fits into many midsize SUV tow ratings, so you won’t need the world’s biggest truck to tow it to your local waters.

If you like to fish, Qwest has got you covered beyond the twin swiveling captain’s chairs aft. The standard rear fishing station features an 11-gallon livewell and two rod holders. Serious about your angling? You can add wiring for a trolling motor at the bow. (Qwest’s parent company, Apex Marine, also makes a line of dedicated fishing pontoons called Angler Qwest.) When you’re not fishing, the insulated livewell doubles as a cooler, so your crew can have refreshments at hand.

High Points

·Rear fish station includes two rod holders and an 11-gallon livewell, so you can wet a line any time the mood strikes you.

·A long list of standard features means there are tons of amenities for a pontoon of this size.

·Standard Infinity PRV 315 Bluetooth stereo system with four speakers lets you blast your tunes from your phone.

·Five-step aluminum reentry ladder makes for super-easy reboarding after a swim.

Specs

LOA: 19′2″

Beam: 8′0″

Draft (max): 3′0″

Dry Weight: 1,500 lb.

Seat/Weight Capacity: 8/1,900 lb.

Fuel Capacity: 17.5 gal.

Price: $28,338 (with Honda BF40)

More Information

Qwest Pontoons – St. Louis, Michigan; 989-681-4000; qwestpontoons.com

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