Since 1960, Aloha Pontoons has been producing eye-popping pontoons in Little Rock, Arkansas. Its new Patriot-­themed boat is just over-the-top cool. 

Performance-wise, it’s in your face with a big Yamaha 350 outboard, which rockets it on plane in just 3.2 seconds and hits 30 mph in 6.1 seconds. Top speed is just under 50 mph. What’s underneath counts; Aloha’s all-welded framework and crossmembers firmly join triple 26-inch-diameter pontoon logs, lifting strakes and a full-length underskin, ­enhancing the performance ride.

The Patriot’s 65th Anniversary ­upgraded helm includes dual 12-inch Garmin displays, a rearview camera and RGB LED lighting controls.

It turns sharply, smoothly and handles open-water chop comfortably. Further, it does it without rattling or shaking. The Patriot has a 46-gallon fuel tank, which provides just under 150 miles of running at a most economical cruise speed of ­17-plus mph and 2,500 rpm.

Though it excels in performance, its main attraction is its appearance, features, design and construction. Aloha’s trademark perimeter fencing features 2-inch welded and sculpted bent tubing fitted with acrylic panels. The look, especially in the Patriot red, white and blue theme, is dramatic. Integrated into the welded fencing is a Sport Tower arch with an LED light bar and canvas top. The entry doorway up front features a see-through Lexan panel, making it easier to dock the boat. The foredeck is dominated by huge, curved facing loungers with cavernous storage space underneath. The captain’s console is raised off the deck for better visibility and command, with a nifty pocket in the front that holds four fenders. In-floor storage is standard. A styled portside storage cabinet houses a tip-out trash receptacle.

Aft, a portside love seat blends into a three-quarter-width lounge platform with a reversible seatback, which provides ­forward- or aft-facing seating options. The aft deck is extended and features a standard watersports tow pylon and matching styled boarding ladder.   

The Patriot combines American-made pride, can-do performance and luxury.

High Points

• Sharp-looking LED light designs and accents add pizzazz.
• All-welded framework makes a firm, durable ride.  
• Large T-top shades from amidships aft.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha 350 four-stroke outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha 15 1/2″ x 17″ Saltwater Series II 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 35 gal. Crew Weight: 250 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2025 Aloha Paradise Series Patriot 260 appeared first on Boating Mag.

There is a “same old sameness” to many pontoons, and only a few builders have managed to crack that mold. Aloha’s new Paradise Series shows it’s one of the trendsetters.

Instead of 1-inch, square side-rail tubing, Aloha employs the same heavy-duty 2-inch pipework used for tuna towers in sport-fishers. The company bends and welds the rail in the factory, shaping it to swooping lines that give this performance pontoon an even faster look. Then, instead of stretching aluminum skins over the tubes, Aloha fashions ⅜-inch-thick black acrylic panels. The look proves not only stunning, but also extra quiet underway due to the elimination of drumming aluminum side skins. Even the Bimini top arch is solidly fashioned from 2-inch tubing, and it’s all factory-painted with durable (acrylic or epoxy) paint.

If the Aloha Paradise looks sporty on the outside, step up to the helm deck, 4 inches higher than the crew deck, and enjoy the thrill of 350 hp. Once snugged into the reclining bucket command seat with adjustable armrests, we stretched our arms easily to the tilt wheel. A three-panel dash held all systems switches on the left panel, a Mercury Vessel View gauge in the center, and a Humminbird Helix 7 chart plotter and sonar system to the right. With the latter, there is little excuse for losing your way or running aground. On the front of the helm station, there’s a locker for fenders, and the locker is easily removable to gain access to the dash panel for electrical maintenance. Find batteries and battery switches inside the aft seat. Convenient.

Upholstery is carefully cut and sewn in Aloha’s factory to have contrasting colors, including a white pearlescent base color on our test boat, and the patterns are swooping banners complementing the lines of the side-rail tubing. The seat cushions are deep, softening the ride even in rough water, and the seat bases are solid, thanks to Aloha’s factory-made aluminum seat bases.

Aloha’s tubes are 26 inches in diameter and made of the heaviest 0.100-gauge aluminum. Ours were also factory-painted, but not until M brackets were welded to the tubes and crossmembers were welded to the brackets—a solid technique eliminating bolts and other fasteners in the chassis.

High Points

·The heavy-duty rail tubes and acrylic side panels are unique and exciting.

·Extra-solid aluminum seat bases are custom-built in the factory, not acquired.

·Three-panel dashboard has a space-age look.

Specs

LOA: 26′0″

Beam: 8′6″

Draft (max): 1′3″

Dry Weight: 3,100 lb.

Seat/Weight Capacity: 14/4,400 lb.

Fuel Capacity: 46 gal.

Price: $96,385

How We Tested

Engine: Mercury Verado 350 hp

Drive/Props: Mercury Mirage 15.25″ x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel

Gear Ratio: 1.75:1

Fuel Load: 25 gal.

Crew Weight: 250 lb.

More Information

Aloha – North Little Rock, Arkansas; 501-753-2866; alohapontoons.com

The post 2020 Aloha Paradise 260 Arch Sport Tower appeared first on Boating Mag.