Press Room

09/12/2007

RUNNING THE TABLE

 

The biggest problem with staying at Big Cedar Lodge in the Ozark Mountains near Branson, Mo., is that you never want to leave. Not just the spectacular resort itself, but even your “luxu-rustic” cabin overlooking a cove on Table Rock Lake, where you sit basking in front of a crackling fire that’s made justifiable by the slightly cooler-than-usual April weather — at least by lightweight Floridian standards.

 

But floating dockside at the resort’s Bent Hook Marina is one of the few incentives that can propel you out the door: a fresh-from-the-factory Tahoe 265 deck boat, the company’s new 26-foot flagship. And to pump up the enthusiasm factor is a trio of boys, rejoicing in a missed half-day of school, who are eager to tool around on a cool boat.

 

Fortunately, the sun rapidly preheats the temperature into the low 70s, and the bluebird sky contrasts with the Tahoe’s striking black-onyx hull, one of the five colors (including the flashy millennium red seen on pages 56-57) available on this model at no extra charge. The other eye-grabber is the ultra-sporty wakeboard tower option ($2,825) with a canvas that overhangs like the bill of a baseball cap.

 

The six-pack of boaters jumps on board via the loading dock-sized integrated swim platform, which features a portside walk through into the cockpit, thus preserving the generously padded upholstery that sports a classy-white with grey-accent-paneled motif from being trod upon by uncaring feet. Dallas Dodson and Connor House, ages 12 and 7, call dibs on the bowrider seats, which are ergonomically contoured and angled for optimum comfort. Parents will love the fact that the generous gunwale height keeps kids corralled safely on board. In fact, when a picture is taken of the adventure, Connor has to be propped up with a cushion so more than just the top of his head can be seen “prairie-dogging” above the side of the boat. Low bow rails make perfect handholds to grab onto when the 265 goes into the obligatorily aggressive test turns. Up front, the Tahoe has huge storage compartments under the bow seats, which lift off completely for maximum access.