Sweetwater 2423 Elite

Sacre Bleu!

That was in the days of black and white television. TV has come a long way since then and probably the only thing unchanged in the whole scheme of things is the recipe for the Martini. The way we spend our leisure time has certainly altered and more so in light of recent world events. A Brisbane newspaper ran a story a while ago on the massive surge in caravanning. Van sales are the highest they've been in a decade, according the story. The popularity of boating has increased dramatically as well, mirroring the changing lifestyle values of the Australian public.

Houseboats, boats and caravans have been a way of life in Australia for the past 40 years with houseboats probably making up 70 percent of the floating traffic on waters like the Murray River down south.

In very recent times a trend has emerged where floating pontoons are being towed on trailers, allowing owners to enjoy a whole new world of boating options with comfort levels never seen before on vessels of this type. Having such a stable platform upon which to enjoy a barbecue, a swim or even an afternoon nap in the sun is also seen as a huge selling point for these boats, especially for those not keen on bobbing around crazily like a cork.

Sweetwater pontoon boats are relatively new on the Australian scene, but are apparently a very popular craft on the freshwater lakes and rivers in America. These particular boats are imported from the USA and assembled here in Australia. The company has fully realised the concept of a trailerable floating caravan with its Sweetwater range.

LOUNGE LIZARD
Trailer Boat tested the 2423 Elite on the Pine River just north of Brisbane. This is a tidal waterway with no wave influence other than from other boat traffic in the area.

Reversing the rig off its big flatbed trailer and into the water with a helpful nudge from the Mercury 115hp four-stroke was a snack. The 2423's pontoons draw about 30cm, so it can be launched quite easily even off gently sloping ramps in shallow water.

The pontoons are set well apart so stability is as good as it gets. There is no detectable change in attitude when you walk around the spacious deck, so it really is like moving around on a floating barge.

Its squarish appearance is also barge-like but with a lot more class. Pressed aluminium rails with cladding enclose the carpeted wooden deck that is screwed to an aluminium frame, which in turn is attached to the pontoons. A gate is located amidships on the port and starboard sides with another found in the bow. The door on the portside has two locator holes in the deck into which a collapsible ladder fits allowing easy access in and out of the boat in deep water. These gates lift up out of a slot and swing open. The bow door opens onto a short foredeck about 75cm deep. It's easy to get on and off this boat.

The forward half of the deck layout features a plush lounge on either side. The seats of each lounge lift out and the backrest drops down to form a large double bed. Even when laid out there's still enough room between the forward end of the berth and the gate to open it easily.

HOME FROM HOME
The console is located aft of the starboard gate. A removable short wind deflector sits across the centre of the module and forward of this a hatch reveals a twin sink with a freshwater pump located outside. A vertical hatch in the front of the console opens to reveal a rubbish bin and access to the freshwater bladder inside. Having a decent sink with fresh water makes life so much easier on board.

Directly aft of the lounge-like helm seat in the starboard corner, a padded lid lifts up to reveal a shower screen that can also be used as a Porta Potty alcove - or both. It lifts high enough for a 185cm person to stand upright while inside.

Another padded lid is lifts on a gas strut to grant access to the engine bay that is recessed into the back of the superstructure out of the way. To port of that is a locker that holds a 91lt moulded nylon fuel tank. With both lids down, the area turns into a very comfortable sunbed complimenting the L-shaped lounge that runs halfway across the back of the boat and up the port side to the access door. This rear lounge is serviced by a round table on a single pole support. It has an ice bucket with a clear lid in its centre and drinkholder rebates surrounding it. A bung in the middle drains melted ice down through the pipe support out through the deck. Obviously quite a bit of thought has gone into making this set-up as user-friendly as possible, and with considerable success.

The front of the lounge is recessed to hold a 25lt icebox. This is the only food storage cooling facility on this particular model boat but the deck space is enormous and a couple of large iceboxes could thrown aboard without getting in the way.

WIRED UP
Wiring looms under the floor incorporate spare power plugs for use with 12V appliances. We were unable to check their rating, so potential buyers should enquire as to their suitability for operating fridges and the like. The single battery was located under the rear lounge seat with enough room there for another as backup.

The full-length collapsible canopy can be separated amidships so that only one half or the other is shaded, allowing some passengers to soak up the sun and others to shelter from it. Zips in the canopy material allow for side curtains with clear windows to be attached. Enclosing the deck area is great idea if you plan to leave the boat on a mooring or to block wind-driven rain should the weather pack up. The side curtains are also useful for keeping insects at bay during those long summer evenings.

Bulk storage areas are located below lounge seats and they are moulded out of a nylon-type material. No bungs were present in these compartments but they could easily be installed to help drain water away from life jackets and keep everything mould-free.

NO SLOW COACH
Any preconception that this rig is a slow-lane barge is quickly dispelled when the binnacle throttle of the Mercury outboard is pushed down. There is no hole-shot with this boat. It moves forward from a standing start effortlessly and we ran it out to 27mph (43.8kmh) in quick time with four people aboard. It is super-responsive at the helm at speed but hard turns create the inevitable cavitation caused by pontoon drag. When cruising at low speeds the steering is very direct: ideal for navigating narrow waterways and for efficient docking. A short reverse thrust pulls the rig up promptly, and in general its manners were exemplary.

GOOD TIMES
The Sweetwater 2423 is rated to carry up to 14 people, and with a maximum power rating of 130hp, it really is a versatile rig as a daytime party boat or a home from home for a small family.

Considering the number of big boats that live on moorings only to be used in the confines of protected waterways like you'd find around the Gold Coast and canal estates in general, the advantages and flexibility offered by the Sweetwater 2423 really deserves closer scrutiny.

A trailerable 24ft rig offering more comfort and space than most larger monohull cruisers is the first serious point to consider. The next is the purchase price when both are compared and then there is the versatility, stability, performance and economy. Oh, and when your mother-in-law comes stay you can use it as a spare, self-contained house out in the driveway! I can hear Jackie Gleason now.

How sweet it is!