Starcraft pontoon boat seating arrangement

[Leveboat]

Hello boaters! My husband and I are looking to purchase our first pontoon boat, and was hoping to get some insight on the seating floor plan. We found a 2016 Starcraft CX21R, which has two captains chairs in the middle of the deck, and two-sweater benches in each corner of the boat. While the layout definitely increases the floor space and opens it up a bit, I'm afraid that there will be too much space between all of the seats, creating a disjointed experience for our guests. Then again, it would be pretty neat to be sitting side-by-side as co-captains ... which is probably how we'll spend most of our time on the boat anyway. I think I'm just skeptical because I've never seen a layout like this before.

We don't have kids (yet), and would mainly be for entertaining friends/family. We're also getting a dog, so the additional floor space could be nice.

Does anyone have experience with a layout like this? I realize this is definitely a personal preference, but would love to know if anyone else has a boat like this! Pictures are attached for reference.

Also, I'm not too familiar with the Starcraft brand. Is it a decent manufacturer?

Thanks!

 

[ahicks]

I don't see anything wrong with that floor plan. Kinda neat because it IS different. My only thought is that all else being equal, people have a tendency to fill the front seats first. I don't know if that's to take advantage of the sunnier place to sit, to avoid having to talk over the engine (no matter how quiet it is), or if we're all like dogs and just like to sit in front by nature!

Myself, I'm an old fart and get enough sun by accident, will generally avoid it given the opportunity on a 'toon ride. I'll likely go for whatever is available in the shade.

 

[ezmobee]

I really like that arrangement. Starcraft is a solid mid-tier builder.

 

[Leveboat]

Appreciate the insight ahicks! We definitely like doing things differently Most of our friends have wakeboard boats, so it helps to hear about your experience!

 

[Leveboat]

Thanks for the feedback ezmobee. It seemed like a pretty well-built machine! Looking forward to a water test this week