SYRACUSE — The newest models of pontoon boats from manufacturers in Indiana and Michigan were brought to Lake Wawasee earlier this week for the annual Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine boat test. The testing took place at Oakwood Resort Monday through Wednesday.

Brady L. Kay, executive editor of the magazine, reported 25 pontoon boats and two deck boats underwent consumer tests. All pontoons and deck boats were 2019 models. “A lot are prototype or first off the line,” said Kay. The evaluation of all the models will be published in the Pontoon & Deck Boat January 2019 boat test issue, distributed at the large boat show that month.

Kay explained the consumer test, on the boats that no one has seen yet, includes measurements, a check for safety “anything the consumer might want to know,” Kay said. “We try to help people looking for a boat, give them a good feel if they read the article,” he added.

The testing also includes technical numbers such as the top speed, RMPs, sound. It also notes if it’s a good engine or not.

Photographs and videos were taken of each boat. The information will be published in the January 2019 issue of Pontoon & Deck Boat, with the videos available on its online version.

The 2019 models tested included Bennington, Barletta, Starcraft, JC Tritoon Pontoon, manufactured in northern Indiana, along with Sylvan, SunChaser, Quest, Avalon, Tahoe and Manitou, manufactured in Michigan.

The last time magazine officials were at Lake Wawasee was in 2015.

Because a large number of pontoon manufacturers are in northern Indiana, Lake Wawasee was the ideal spot. “It’s easier for them to support our test,” said Kay.