Are you looking for an affordable family cruiser for the lake? The 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum offers you a fantastic option in a pontoon boat designed for fun experiences out on the water. This model comes with a solid design, decent handling and power, and enough space to take up to 14 passengers out for a good time on the lake, dam, or river.
The 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum is an entry-level pontoon with classic styling and plenty of lounge space at the bow and aft of the boat. You get a great driver experience with enough power for fully-loaded cruising. Let’s unpack everything you need to know about the 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum.
Contents
Design Overview
The 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum features a classic pontoon boat design. This boat is everything you would expect from the traditional styling principles associated with pontoon cruisers, from the aluminum tri-hull to the two-tone siding and fixed Bimini top.
The use of chrome around the end of the deck and pontoons shines like a 67 Chevy, and the two-tone colors are striking and available in several colors. The high sidewalls on the boat don’t have the same sporty look as the Bennington Fastback, but you get a look that screams cruiser more than high performance when eyeing the Avalon.
The plush lounge seating gives your guests a comfortable place to enjoy the day out on the water, and there’s a speaker system integrated into the seating for an enjoyable trip with your favorite tunes or podcasts playing in the background.
Engines
The 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum is the classic sleeper. One look at the boat and the last thing you would expect would be power, performance, and handling from this boat. However, the reality is that the Avalon has a capable powerplant, producing huge performance on the water.
The Mercury Racing 450R outboard comes in a bright white color to match the boat. The engine mounts to the transom, powering the vessel to speeds of 30-mph in 5.6-seconds. That’s some serious performance from the Avalon.
While it’s not in the sub-four-second range like the Manitou 27 XT SRW or the PlayCraft PowerToon X 300, it’s a solid performer capable of everything you need from watersports to cruising. You get a top end of 56-mph and fuel consumption of 2.4-mpg when cruising at 3,000-rpm.
Hull
The 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum comes built for powerful performance and agility. While it doesn’t have the sexy design of other models, it’s no slouch when cornering in tight runs. Avalon uses its patented “WaveGlider” tri-pontoon hull for this boat. The 27-inch pontoons double-bolt to the hat-channel crossbeams.
Avalon adds lifting strakes to the pontoons for extra lift and faster time onto the plane. You get an aluminum underdeck reducing the overall weight of the vessel and optimized airflow for better fuel efficiency.
Interior, Seating, and Deck
The 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum comes with a wide, spacious deck in the aft and bow, offering you a walkthrough from the transom to the bow lounge. The high sidewalls of the Avalon feature walkthrough access gates in the bow and stern, giving your immediate access to the water.
The deck features 3/4-inch PTP marine flooring, with optional in-floor storage for your gear. The 3-inch- perimeter rub rail surrounds the deck, giving you a good view of the water without sinking too far into the lounge. The chrome trim around the deck also features rubber inserts to limit docking damage.
The seat frames in the Avalon feature design and construction with lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum. You’ll find plenty of under-seat storage for your gear, with waterproof, ventilated compartments to prevent mold growth. The exterior of the Avalon reminds us of a classic car, with its two-tone paint job and no additional rails or lines giving it a clean, classic look.
You get comfortable twin loungers in the bow area, featuring Matrix 50 Ultrafine Touch vinyl construction. There’s embossed detail on the center cushions, and you get a tri-tone color scheme with a smooth touch to the material.
You can pack six fiends into the bow lounge, maybe four at a pinch. The pilot and co-pilot side behind the forward lounge, with the helm featuring a split cockpit with a walkthrough design. There’s a windshield that collapses to let people walkthrough, and the helm comes with plush, comfortable captain’s chairs. Adjust the swivel chairs to your preferred seating position, and use the collapsible armrest for comfort.
Portside seating offers you an L-style configuration positioned behind the pilot’s consoles. There’s a power-sliding moving backrest creating an aft-facing sun lounge. You get full slate teak flooring for an impressive aesthetic.
The captain’s cockpit features the Ensign 2 console with full instrumentation. You get a Garmin 73cv GPS and charting system with the optional Fusion sound system, including a 6-channel amp with six Fusion XS RGB-lighting speakers.
The Bimini top comes with a fixed aluminum frame as standard equipment on the boat. You also get built-in Deco docking lights as standard on the boat. On the stern, you’ll find plenty of space to prep your gear for wakeboarding, and there’s a tow post with a point just in front of the motor.
Avalon gives you a 10-year warranty with a lifetime warranty on the hull and floor.
Pricing
The 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum is a mid-level power pontoon cruiser. This model doesn’t have the powerful performance of the PlayCraft or Manitou flagship models. However, it’s half the money while maintaining a great user experience for the beginner boater.
The 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum retails for $129,900. However, it comes with several options for extras and accessories. IF you go with some of the upgrades, you could look at spending closer to $145,000. Check with your dealer for any commodity surcharges involved with the retail price.
Additional Features
Here are a few of the optional extras available with the 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum.
- Seat covers.
- Graphite interior package.
- Brushed pewter seat cladding.
- Premium sound system.
- Fusion RA-770 radio.
- 6 Fusion-CL RGB-lighted speakers.
- Fusion 6-channel performance amp
- Fusion 10-inch Subwoofer.
- USB audio inputs and charging.
- RGB Lighting package.
- Saltwater package.
- Fully-welded HPP fins.
- 100-gallon fuel tank.
- Additional Bimini top.
- In-tube gear lockers.
- Blackout package.
- Garmin 73CV GPS.
2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum – The Verdict
Overall, the 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum offers you a functional entry-level power pontoon cruiser. Sometimes, there’s no need to spend over $250,000 on a premium boat when you can get everything you need at half the price.
The Avalon offers you a spacious boat with plenty of luxury and entertainment for your guests. There’s loads of storage space, and it provides a fantastic driver experience. The base model is a bit bare-bones, but with a few upgrades, you get a boat that’s a real contender in its class.
The high-power 450-HP motor and well-designed pontoons allow for excellent handling and tight turns, making this a good crossover choice for watersports and cruising. If you’re looking for an affordable boat for the family, then you can’t beat the value you get with the 2022 Avalon 2785 Catalina Platinum.
