New 2007 South Bay Boats

About South Bay Pontoon Boats

In 1996, Forest River founder Peter Liegl had a vision. He foresaw an RV company dedicated to helping people experience the joy of the outdoors by building better recreational vehicles. Continually growing, Forest River operates multiple manufacturing facilities throughout the mid-west and west coast.


Our large production capacity enables us to fill our customers' orders promptly without cutting corners or rushing through production procedures. This ensures that each Forest River product is conscientiously built and undergoes thorough, detailed inspection before it's shipped to the customer. This ensures that every family who desires quality recreation will find a Forest River product that serves their needs, interests, budget, and lifestyle.


The nearly 28-foot EXP provides a serious level of watersports action matched with all of the amenities of a high-performance pontoon. The solid-welded 25-inch tubes of South Bay Pontoon Boats Trifecta design help provide stability and a smooth ride. The wake tower, made for South Bay Pontoon Boats by Xtreme, is an important feature, and it was designed to attach to the chassis to offer lasting strength and reliability. The tower also collapses so the boat will fit into a garage.


While pontoon boats aren’t known for producing very good wakes, the South Bay Pontoon EXP dodges that bullet by being conscious of its weight distribution. The stern-drive engine at the rear and the center-placed fuel tank combine to produce a good wake. There’s also plenty of space for boards and skis in the ski locker in the deck, and though the locker is cut into the deck in the center tube of the boat, South Bay Pontoon Boats sturdily supports the frame of the locker so as to not compromise the strength or integrity of the boat.


The South Bay Pontoon helm is well equipped and classy looking, and steering the EXP is a breeze thanks to the hydraulic steering and dual-prop setup. At the stern is a pop-up changing room, sunpad and freshwater washdown, while just in front of the helm is a small sink. Though fun behind the boat is important to the EXP, so is making sure the passengers are comfortable, as the 12-seater features plush seating and ergonomically thoughtful lines.


The grumble of the Mercury OptiMax blended with the wind and slap of the waves, but no other sounds squeaked from the hull. Hatches stayed securely shut with tight-fitting, hard rubber "fist and socket" closures. Hatch latches, in fact, were so secure it sometimes took two hands to open them to retrieve the bait net from a locker. We appreciated that they snapped shut with a positive connection.

Rods took the slamming rough ride without damage, thanks to a well-designed rod locker that included tip tubes and butt cradles that kept each one secure and easy to remove with no tangled lines and hooks. The anchor locker on the bow was large enough to handle our Mighty Mite grapnel.


Our bay boat was equipped with a small, hard T-top that provided useful shade and gave passengers a secure place to get a stable grip in the chop. We left the two swivel fishing chairs ashore and stowed snap-down stern seats to avoid sliming them with the bait net.