Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
South Bay 825CLR 2009 vs South Bay 925CRO TT I/O 2011 — A Close Look at Two Pontoons
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the South Bay 825CLR 2009 and the South Bay 925CRO TT I/O 2011 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 600 hp, the South Bay 925CRO TT I/O 2011 has a 450-hp advantage over the South Bay 825CLR 2009's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the South Bay 925CRO TT I/O 2011 carries 54 gallons versus 31 gallons in the South Bay 825CLR 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
The South Bay 825CLR 2009 is rated for up to 14 people. Passenger data for the South Bay 925CRO TT I/O 2011 wasn't available.
Both are 2-tube and 3-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the South Bay 925CRO TT I/O 2011 and its 600-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the South Bay 825CLR 2009 with its 150-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeSouth Bay
MakeSouth Bay
Model825CLR
Model925CRO TT I/O
Model Year2009
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail2,495 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1131.71
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.2495
Weight - lbs.not available
Length [deck]24 ft. 7 in
Length [deck]27 ft. 6 in
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet24.83
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Detail28 ft, 4 in
Length overall - Meters7.95
Length overall - Meters0.1
Length overall - Inches313
Length overall - Inches4
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typePontoon
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter25 in
Number of tubes2
Number of tubes3
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41
Fuel tank capacity - Gal31
Fuel tank capacity - Gal54
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max150 hp
Engine max600 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,625 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people14 / 1,980 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity8 gal