SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH Review
The stunningly beautiful community of Lucerne, in central Switzerland, is known around the world for its jaw-dropping views. It overlooks a magnificent blue lake, and the snow-capped Alps plunge straight into its deep, clear waters to provide a dramatic backdrop to the city’s lovingly preserved medieval architecture. In short, it’s a real eye-grabber, which is what SunChaser hoped to emulate with its namesake SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH pontoon boat.
With polyethylene corner fencing, seat bases, and sculpted helm console, the Lucerne should attract attention, looking like few other boats on the water. The good news is you don’t need a Swiss bank account to enjoy this fun pontoon. The SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH is designed to be easy to own, and that means it’s approachable, affordable, and easy to maintain.
But being affordable doesn’t mean it’s cheap. The builder keeps costs down by simply finding another way to deliver the basics.
At a Glance: SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH
SUNCHASER LUCERNE 20 LR DH
- Polyethylene construction to reduce cost and weight
- Excellent performance with smaller engines
- Improved driver visibility with see-through bow and stern gates
- More limited options list
- 115 hp maximum power
- No standard helm display
- Families looking for pontoon value
- Buyers who like to beach their boat
- Owners who don’t want a large tow vehicle
Specifications
- Length: 20 feet, 10 inches
- Beam: 8 feet
- Dry weight: 1,875 pounds
- Tube diameter: 23 inches
- Fuel capacity: 20 gallons
- Passenger capacity: 9
- Maximum horsepower: 115
- Base price: $40,959 w/Mercury 90 ELPT
Power
- Tested: Mercury 90 Four-Stroke
- Cylinders: I4
- Displacement: 2.1L
- Weight: 359 pounds
- Top speed: 28 mph
Features We Love
- Innovative polyethylene corner fencing
- Attractive console
- Black powder-coated rails, deck trim, and framing
- Bow swim platform
- Optional Humminbird MFD
- Stern swim platform and boarding ladder
- Woven vinyl Sea Weave flooring
- Optional power Bimini top
Design and Construction
SunChaser took a refreshing, clean-sheet approach to boat design, using a simple two-tube hull and innovative polyethylene upper corners to reduce construction costs. The outer fencing and inner seat bases are integrated into single, combined units. That cuts the sticker price, yes, but it also reduces weight. Reduced weight allows SunChaser to power the Lucerne with smaller engines that further reduce its base price and minimize ownership costs.
Using lightweight plastics gives the boat a unique look. Accented with black powder-coated rails, deck trim, and framing for the standard Bimini top, the SunChaser Lucerne LR DH looks clean and modern.
SunChaser Lucerne LR DH Layout
The interior layout uses the tried-and-true approach of lounge seating in each corner to create multiple separate conversation zones. An extended stern swim platform features a flip-up four-step boarding ladder, while a smaller bow platform proves useful for boarding from the dock or from a beach.
SunChaser included three full-size entry gates in the Lucerne 20 LR DH—bow, stern and port-side amidships—to retain maximum versatility. Look closely and you’ll note the bow and stern gates utilize a see-through design to give the captain optimal visibility when docking, and to help move air through the boat on hot summer days. That’s a feature normally found on premium-level pontoons, so kudos to SunChaser for going the extra mile here.
The standard 23-inch pontoon tubes provide a nine-person passenger capacity, which is great for a 20-foot boat.
Standard Features
What is most impressive about the SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH is its standard feature list. Buyers get enough goodies to give this boat real value. Under foot, the woven vinyl Sea Weave flooring—an optional upgrade on some boats—comes standard. A full-size manual Bimini top is standard, but many buyers will upgrade to a powered top they can deploy or retract at the push of a button.
For peace of mind, the boat also comes with an all-aluminum transom that, like the tubes and deck, is backed by a lifetime warranty.
SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH Helm
To really appreciate the value in the SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH, slip into the helm seat and take the wheel. Everything the driver needs is right there:
- Tilt steering
- A full gauge package with a speedometer, tach, and fuel
- Trim and volt gauges
- Space to mount an in-dash Humminbird Helix 5 multifunction display
- An upholstered sport steering wheel
Buyers also get a Wet Sounds stereo with four speakers as standard equipment.
Visibility underway is excellent, and a low-profile windscreen on the front of the molded helm console provides driver protection. A convenient drink holder occupies the far-right upper surface of the helm. The driver will appreciate the boat’s standard bucket helm seat and its fold-down armrests.
SunChaser thoughtfully included an integrated footrest for the driver, a couple of further drink holders, and a courtesy light.
Throughout the boat, the corner seats offer ample storage space in their bases. The seat bases also include a formed-in toe kick throughout, allowing more comfortable access when stowing or retrieving gear. It’s a nice example of SunChaser’s attention to detail that reflects the company’s long history.
Power and Performance
Rated to accept outboards of up to 115 hp, our review boat came equipped with a Mercury 90 hp four-stroke. It worked well with the Lucerne and delivered pleasing performance.
Weighing in at 1,875 pounds, the Lucerne 20 LR DH planed quickly with a touch of negative trim applied and quickly reached a nice cruising speed of around 20 mpg in a touch over five seconds. I noted very little perceptible bow rise during acceleration, which should make new owners feel confident quickly.
I recorded a top speed of 28 mph on the GPS, which matched the dashboard figure. It’s not a race boat but is fun to drive, and that’s the whole point. The Lucerne is all about relaxing, putting the rat race behind, and enjoying family time in peace. On that count, it delivers.
SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH Conclusions
While the SunChaser Lucerne 20 LR DH comes nicely equipped in its base form, lots of appealing upgrades allow buyers to personalize their boat. Beyond the aforementioned power Bimini top and Humminbird MFD, buyers can select from options including concealed mood lighting, docking lights, a high-back helm seat, painted pontoon tubes, a removable table, and a range of engine choices.
It’s a boat the right buyers will get to like quickly. It’s fun to drive and the seating is comfortable in all positions. The big aft swim platform and sturdy boarding ladder just hint at the good times. Perhaps most importantly, while the Lucerne may be designed to be easy on the wallet, it doesn’t come off as cheap thanks to its generous standard feature list, thoughtful design, and attention to detail.
SunChaser Pontoons For Sale
Craig Ritchie
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