Boat Test: 2024 Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW

Boat Test: 2024 Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW

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Overview

Tahoe’s 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW commands attention. Its sheer size and art-deco-styled carbon-fiber enclosure and ­tower captivate onlookers.

My tester’s Waveglider performance-package option added triple 27-inch-diameter tubes with lifting strakes for better handling and quicker ­acceleration. With a Suzuki dual-­prop 350 AP, the boat hit 50 mph and punched to 30 mph in a crisp 7 seconds.

Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW out for a ride
The Waveglider performance-package option adds triple 27-inch-diameter tubes with lifting strakes for better handling and quicker acceleration. Bill Doster

Interior and Accessories

Stepping aboard at the bow, the carbon-fiber wraparound enclosure is set back a foot from the forward deck edge, giving some room to better handle dock lines. Sharp touches include pop-up cleats and stylish docking and navigation light pods. Just about any size party will enjoy room for comfort aboard the Grand Tahoe. The bow features enormously long twin-facing lounges with elbow room for three per side. There’s abundant storage inside the welded aluminum seat bases. Dual-action hinges make stowage access easy and convenient.

Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW bow seating
The bow section features twin facing loungers with room for three per side. Bill Doster

The new-for-2024 Admiral III helm station features dramatic automotive styling and futuristic digital instrumentation. It features soft-touch control switches and a Garmin display with an information center. The framed, smoked-glass windshield creates a secure cockpit, with high-back captain’s chairs for comfortable cruising. Fusion’s Premium XL sound system with eight speakers, an amp and a subwoofer provides the sound. Optional canister speakers mount on the tower and point aft for watersports enjoyment. In-floor storage is cavernous.

Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW helm
The new Admiral III helm station features soft-touch control switches and a Garmin digital information center. Bill Doster

Aft twin facing lounge seats create a third conversation pit, albeit a bit smaller than the bow section. A polished stainless-steel gate keeps everyone aboard safe while underway. A spacious aft deck provides more than enough room for watersports or just general relaxing near the water surface. The jewelry back here is a matching polished stainless-steel ski tow and a telescoping, folding boarding ladder. A small locker just in front of the Suzuki outboard hides the power-steering system. This Tahoe proved to be endlessly interesting and entertaining. It seems there was something new and innovative everywhere we looked. That bodes well for long-term ownership. With so much to play with, chances are you’ll never be bored with this 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW.

Read Next: 2024 Tahoe 2585 Cascade

Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW cockpit seating
Twin facing lounge seats ­create a third conversation pit. Bill Doster
Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW aft deck
The aft deck provides plenty of room for staging watersports. Bill Doster

How We Tested

  • Engine: Suzuki APL four-stroke dual-prop 350 hp
  • Drive/Prop: Outboard/Suzuki (one each right- and left-hand rotation) 15.5″ x 22″ 3-blade stainless steel
  • Gear Ratio: 2.29:1 Fuel Load: 85 gal. Crew Weight: 250 lb.

High Points

  • Wow appeal is big with a bright metallic-blue carbon-fiber perimeter enclosure and tower.
  • It takes big power to move a big boat. This nearly 29-foot Tahoe moves with authority using a Suzuki 350.
  • Party pits fore and aft accommodate big groups, while the captain and mate enjoy comfort behind the dual consoles.

Low Points

  • While the carbon-fiber enclosure looks incredible, our test boat’s bow-entry door had trouble staying closed in rough chop.
  • That power-steering unit could be mounted under one of the loungers, creating more room in the aft cabinet for lines and fenders.

Toughest Competitor

Vanderbilt’s 500S is 27 feet long by 9 feet wide with a Suzuki 300. It sells for $162,000 and has a top speed of 45 mph. Bennington’s Q25 Sport (28 feet long by 8 feet, 6 inches wide) retails for $236,000 with a Yamaha 425 hp XT0 outboard and tops out over 53 mph.

Pricing and Specs

Price: $260,750 (as tested)
LOA: 28’6″
Draft: NA
Beam: 8’6″
Displacement: 4,500 lb.
Bridge Clearance: 6’6″
Fuel Capacity: 100 gal.
Max Horsepower: 1,000
Available Power: 500 with single outboard; up to 1,000 with twin outboards

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW performance data
Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW Certified Test Results Boating Magazine

Tahoe – Alma, Michigan; tahoepontoonboats.com

The post Boat Test: 2024 Tahoe 2785 Grand Tahoe QLW appeared first on Boating Mag.

Source: https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/2024-tahoe-2785-grand-tahoe-qlw-boat-test/

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