Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Palm Beach Fishing 235 2008 vs Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 260 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Palm Beach Fishing 235 2008 vs Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 260 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 260 2012 measures 26,3 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Palm Beach Fishing 235 2008 at 23,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 260 2012 tips the scales at 2 619 lbs — 2 591 lbs less than the Palm Beach Fishing 235 2008 at 28 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Palm Beach Fishing 235 2008 has a 75-hp advantage over the Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 260 2012's 175-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 260 2012 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Palm Beach Fishing 235 2008 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 260 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Palm Beach Pontoons Echelon 260 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 26,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Palm Beach Fishing 235 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePalm Beach Fishing
MakePalm Beach Pontoons
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise21℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail14 in
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.36
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches14
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail16 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches16
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail2,800 lbs
Weight - Detail2,320 lbs. 3 Tubes - 25 in.: 2,619 lbs. 3/4 Center Tube: 2,530 lbs
Weight - kg1270.06
Weight - kg1187.96
Weight - lbs.28
Weight - lbs.2619
Height [transom]25 in
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet26.25
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters7.16
Length overall - Meters8
Length overall - Inches282
Length overall - Inches315
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]26 ft
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max250 hp
Engine max175 hp 3 Tubes - 25 in.: 200 hp 3/4 Center Tube: 225 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum people9
Maximum people16 3 Tubes - 25 in.: 18 3/4 Center Tube: 15
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,310 lbs. 3 Tubes - 25 in.: 2,630 lbs. 3/4 Center Tube: 2,185 lbs
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2