Boat Test: 2026 Starcraft SX 25 Q DC
Boating Mag·Boats·Feb 4, 2026
Visit Starcraft Build Your Starcraft Find a Starcraft Dealer The SX 25 Q DC offers rock-solid feel and handling. Bill Doster Overview Pardon the hazy 1980s television nostalgia but I think it was The A-Team’s Colonel “Hannibal” Smith who used to say through cigar-clenched teeth that he loved it when a plan came together. Starcraft must be feeling the same way about the reimagined SX 25. A sleek new molded fiberglass exterior instantly vaults the craft into the flagship realm in terms of style. Time on the water proved construction and obvious attention to detail in the build were also top-notch, with a solid ride and nary a rattle to be heard whether railing through corners or romping at full speed across the waves. Mercury’s 400 hp V-10 Verado XL proved a worthy last piece of the puzzle. It woke from a whisper-quiet slumber at idle to move swiftly through the powerband. The end result may be the most complete, most impressive pontoon we’ve tested to date from the Indiana builder. The dash’s dominant feature is a standard, ultra-wide Simrad NSX display. Bill Doster Interior and Accessories As you’d expect, that remodeled perimeter enclosure proves the boldest part of the plan. As has become the trend among flagship models, molded walls replace old-school aluminum fencing and panels. Starcraft takes a minimalist approach, relying on sleek, modern fiberglass surfaces with a contrasting inset along side walls and angled accents at the bow—on our test boat, all were finished in an attractive steel blue with a matte finish. Small, but bright, LED docking and navigation lights are integrated forward; aft, Starcraft’s RGB-illuminated logo adds a touch of pop. Blacked-out TaylorMade windshield frames, top rails, aft fencing, and skirting enhance the upscale vibe. The pontoons, however, make a subtle statement. Rather than simply blacked-out, they were stylishly paint-matched to the steel-blue walls. In a sea of competitive flagships at the dock, the latter proved eye-catching. Step aboard. Heavily bolstered bow couches are finished like all furniture in a cognac shade of cool-touch vinyl that revealed a leather-like look and feel. Contrasting quilted accent panels are found in the lumbar region, broken up by insets housing cup holders and USB/USB-C charging ports. Hinged seats lift to access roto-molded storage and, in a practical nod, stay open to make life easier when juggling an armload of gear. New for ’26, flip-down armrests increase comfort when in the forward-facing lounges. Don’t miss the clever drop-leaf table. Open, it holds ample food and drink, but drop the side leaves and the centerline cup holders remain while pathways are opened up for passengers to pass when boarding or exiting via the front gate or just simply moving fore and aft. Couches run parallel in the bow. Bill Doster Head the latter direction and note the SX’s dual elevated consoles. Both are topped with their own stylishly curved TaylorMade windshields and offer a degree of wind and weather protection. Below, ample storage is provided for carry-on bags or to slide in a cooler. The helm console follows the upscale/minimalist theme with a single ultra-wide Simrad NSX touchscreen dominating the dash, linked to C-Zone controls. Sometimes, however, it’s quicker and easier to just to hit a button rather than navigate through menus. Soft-touch, backlit controls are smartly arrayed to port and starboard. Both consoles feature recessed wireless charging cubbies for phones as well as UBB/USB-C charging ports. The port console adds a glove box to secure smaller items, just keep in mind it’s not lockable should you leave the boat. A small prep station awaits behind the helm. Use its solid-surface counter for food prep, a bottle opener to pop some caps, and interior storage for trash or supplies. Opposite, Starcraft’s Quad Lounge completes interior accommodations. As the name implies, it morphs into four separate positions from a 5-foot-6-inch-wide sunbed to forward or rear-facing recliners, or back-to-back lounges that complete a social scene forward while offering a more private couch facing aft. Smart buyers will opt for the stern rail enclosure package, as it allows passengers to use the latter seat while underway and not just while on the hook or at the sandbar. Read Next: Starcraft RX 25 Q DC Starcraft’s Quad Lounge incorporates a forward-facing bench/aft sun pad combo. Bill Doster Engine As to performance, equip the SX 25 with up to 425 horsepower. We already tipped off the impressive acceleration and midrange of our tester’s Mercury 400 XL. It ran out to 30 mph in 5.6 seconds before topping out at an even 50 mph. It also proved a fun boat to carve around at speed, with Starcraft’s HMX PR25 Performance Package adding a third 25-inch pontoon down the center and interior lifting strakes to allow the boat to dart in and out of corners without losing its grip. A subtle inside lean kept occupants comfortable and secure. Need a point of comparison? Godfrey’s Sanpan 2700 likewise adopts fiberglass exterior panels for ’26 and comes in a similar bench/sunpad combo aft. Equipped with the same Mercury 400, it starts around $190,000. Harris’ Grand Mariner 250 mixes molded bow components with traditional fencing. With a rear lounge and similar power, it starts at $180,985. Perhaps the closest competition comes from a branch on Starcraft’s own family tree. Sylvan’s G5 DLZ DC boasts a similar exterior, dual consoles and its own unique aft lounge. With identical power, it starts at a competitive $146,525. Maybe that’s yet another plan that came together. The SX 25 Q DC offers impressive acceleration. Bill Doster How We Tested Engines: Mercury 400 Verado XL Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Revolution X 17.25” x 20” 4-blade stainless steel Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 40 gal. Crew Weight: 375 lb. High Points Bow gate’s acrylic panel increases the captain’s visibility when docking. Center tube adds space for a large in-floor locker—great for larger, bulkier items. Power canopy is standard. WetSounds MC-2 stereo includes six primary speakers, a pair on the transom and remote touchpad control. Low Points Be wary of jamming items into the console; the wiring is neat but not well-protected. A few welds on the cladded tower looked sloppy. Pricing and Specs Price: $156,146 (with Mercury 400 Verado XL) LOA: 27’8″ Beam: 8’6″ Draft (max): 3’0″ Displacement: 4,300 lb. Bridge Clearance: 5’10” Fuel Capacity: 60 gal. Max Horsepower: 425 Available Power: Single Suzuki/Honda/Yamaha/Mercury outboards to 425 hp Speed, Efficiency, Operation Starcraft SX 25 Q DC Certified Test Results Boating Magazine Contact Starcraft Starcraft Marine – New Paris, Indiana; 574-831-2950 ; starcraftmarine.com The post Boat Test: 2026 Starcraft SX 25 Q DC appeared first on Boating Mag .
