The worst thing that can happen to an angler is to catch a nice fish without anyone to show it off to. That’s not going to be a problem with the G3 228 F/C, a pontoon designed to bring the whole fishing club along.
Unique Factor
The grouping of four fishing chairs around a center table is unlike any other pontoon we’ve ever seen. The swivel seats are perfectly placed to give four fishing fanatics enough angling room, but they are still close enough to the table for snacking or card playing.
Our test boat is equipped with a vinyl sole – a perfect surface for fishermen who sometimes drop flapping fish on the deck. A little soap and water shot from a hose makes short work of the mess. But for those who want more luxurious flooring, the 228 is also available with 24-ounce non-snag carpeting, which is important since fishhooks can become frustratingly stuck to looped-pile carpeting.
Performance
Our G3 228 is powered by Yamaha’s F90 four-stroke, which is no surprise since Yamaha owns G3 Boats. This reliable powerplant started fast and idled quietly out of the marina on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri, registering just 58 decibels at minimum speed. The 228 Fish & Cruise floats on twin 23-inch by 25-inch logs that feature a U-shape with vertical sides and are filled with Maxi-Float closed cell foam for extra security. This allows the G3 to sit higher for better performance and handling. Despite the modest power, it climbed on plane in 3.3 seconds and reached 25 mph in 8.5 seconds. The acceleration was impressive since the top speed was 27.7 mph. This is about 4 mph better than you would expect for a similarly sized and powered pontoon with traditional round logs.
Handling
With two tubes that don’t feature lifting strakes, hard turns caused the G3 to lean outward, but because of its U-shaped logs it was minimal. We rode higher in the water, it handled the chop in fine fashion and we never felt like we were going to bury the bow. The cable steering system was unaided by hydraulics, which made steering a bit stiff, but there seemed to be little, if any, prop torque for nice tracking. But this is part of the Family Values Series of G3 boats, so this was a deliberate choice in order to keep the price down to an affordable $21,795 with the Yamaha F90.
Best Uses
Like the name implies, fishing and cruising are high on the agenda of what the boat does well. Anglers can rack up 15 rods in five locations. To make fishing easier, the fence is low up front, which might make it a little less toddler-friendly than the G3 228 Cruise. In front of the compact helm console, the jump seat bottom flips up to reveal a 12-gallon livewell that uses an 800 gph pump to keep things lively.
Because the Sun Catcher 228 doesn’t have forward couches, there is less storage than on other models, but the L-lounge in the stern features flip-up seat bottoms that reveal ample room for gear. A big plus is the seat bottoms stay open when you flip them up. Those who like to cruise will appreciate the 30-gallon tank. When combined with the excellent fuel economy of 5.4 mpg, the boat has a 146-mile range.
But if you think all this boat can do is fish and cruise, check out the owner feedback section on the next page. There you will read about this pontoon’s versatility, as Michael Ann Macaluso and her family explores possibilities that the average person probably wouldn’t consider.
Preferred Setup
G3 takes the hassle out of deciding how to equip your 228 by giving you everything you’d want as standard equipment including the Sony Marine Entertainment stereo system with CD and MP3 input. Your main choice is whether you want carpeting or a vinyl sole. The strapless Bimini top keeps obstructions to a minimum, but it’s still sturdy thanks to the beefy 1.25-inch supports. If skiing is in the picture, upgrading to the Yamaha F115 four-stroke is a good call and should put the top speed over the 30 mph mark. A good option is a ski tow bar to keep the tow line above the outboard. If you dip your pontoon in saltwater, choosing the galvanized trailer is the way to go. Anglers who want to add a trolling motor will appreciate the standard 12-volt connection that is already factory wired.