{"id":3534,"date":"2025-01-18T10:02:25","date_gmt":"2025-01-18T10:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=3534"},"modified":"2025-01-18T10:02:25","modified_gmt":"2025-01-18T10:02:25","slug":"2025-helios-gt-r-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=3534","title":{"rendered":"2025 Helios GT-R 23"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>    2025 Helios GT-R 23<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    <!-- no image --><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><\/p>\n<div>\n<style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }<\/style>\n<div class=\"embed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/K4tmJnDm2x8?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignwide has-custom-font-size has-medium-font-size is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\" id=\"heliosVisit\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mean-helios-marine-group.mdsbrand.com\/pontoon-boats\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#007ca7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Visit Helios<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\" id=\"heliosDealer\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mean-helios-marine-group.mdsbrand.com\/contact-us\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#007ca7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Find a Helios Dealer<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p>Helios is a newcomer to the pontoon market, but the boatbuilder has done its homework well, providing a new option in performance pontoon boating with its GT-R 23, a 23-foot pontoon. Ours was powered with a 300 hp Mercury outboard.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-3-1024x768.jpg?resize=800%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Helios GT-R 23 cruising along\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-3.jpg 1200w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">The GT-R 23 is a wonderful balance of performance handling and a comfortable ride.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Helios<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<p>The ride was noteworthy, and a careful examination of the tubes explains why. Lifting strakes are positioned at both sides on the bottom of the inside tubes and only the inside of the outside tubes. A final tweak to the performance package is having outside strakes that sweep down from the top of the tube nose cones and lie along the outside of the tubes, 3 or 4 inches above the bottom. The arrangement results in exciting performance characteristics. The inside strakes produce the lift that pontoons need to plane, but the outside strakes are positioned to deflect spray <em>and<\/em> add lift on the hole shot. After the pontoon is on plane, the strakes are still deflecting spray but are high enough to allow the inside tube to heel in a turn. It\u2019s a unique design, and the handling it provides is a noticeable improvement in pontoons.<\/p>\n<p>Topside, the pontoon delivers a stylish look with rounded aluminum corner modules finished in high-gloss metallic paint. They join black powder-coated gates and rails with side panels. The design is sturdy and the rails are solid, preventing the oil-can-style drumming that some pontoons experience.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-2-683x1024.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Helios GT-R 23 helm\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-2.jpg 1280w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">The well-appointed helm makes for easy cruising.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Helios<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<p>The helm station adds to the performance look and feel with a well-placed steering wheel, throttle, and a comfortable reclining helm seat. Our test boat was equipped with a tow pylon rugged enough to be certified for pulling tubes\u2014something wakeboard towers and pylons can\u2019t safely do. In addition, there is special aft seating that converts from fore- and aft-facing back-to-back couches to forward-facing or aft-facing sun lounges. To escape the sun, the Bimini top can be raised electrically and conveniently.<\/p>\n<p>The GT-R 23 provides a unique style, top-of-the-line handling and comfort that pontoon owners demand.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"458\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-1.jpg?resize=800%2C458&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Helios GT-R 23 running on the lake\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-1-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-1-768x440.jpg 768w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Tubes are arranged in a way that results in exciting performance characteristics.<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Courtesy Helios<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Points<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Fusion audio controller with Boston Acoustics audio makes a rocking sound system.<\/li>\n<li>Touchscreen panel displays engine data and switching and color for LED lighting.<\/li>\n<li>Unique styling comes from contoured aluminum corner pods joined to black powder-coated fences and side panels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<section class=\"hydra-container\">\n<div class=\"hydra-canvas\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"438\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-Specs.jpg?resize=800%2C438&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"hydra-image\" alt=\"Helios GT-R 23 performance data\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-Specs.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-Specs-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BTG125-BBG-Helios-Specs-768x420.jpg 768w\">                <\/div><figcaption class=\"caption margin_top_xs full border_1 hydra-figcaption\">\n                <span class=\"hydra-image-caption\">Helios GT-R 23 Certified Test Results<\/span><br \/>\n                <span class=\"article_image_credit italic margin_right_xs\">Boating Magazine<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How We Tested<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<strong>Engine:<\/strong> Mercury Verado 300 hp<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>Drive\/Prop:<\/strong> Outboard\/Mercury Enertia 18\u201d pitch x 14.3\u201d 3-blade stainless steel<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>Gear Ratio:<\/strong> 1.85:1 <strong>Fuel Load:<\/strong> 50 gal. <strong>Water on Board:<\/strong> 0 gal. <strong>Crew Weight:<\/strong> 450 lb.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing and Specs<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Price:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>$148,538 (as tested)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>LOA:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>25\u20191\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Beam:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>8\u20196\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Dry Weight:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>5,642 lb. (with engine)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Seat\/Weight Capacity:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>15\/2,250 lb.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Fuel Capacity:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>73 gal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size aligncenter is-style-fill has-medium-font-size\" id=\"heliosContact\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mean-helios-marine-group.mdsbrand.com\/\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#007ca7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Contact Helios<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Helios<\/strong> \u2013 Loudon, Tennessee; <a href=\"https:\/\/mean-helios-marine-group.mdsbrand.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">heliosmarinegroup.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/boats\/2025-helios-gtr-23-bbg\/\">2025 Helios GT-R 23<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/\">Boating Mag<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><br \/>\n    Boating Tech Team<br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n<BR><\/BR><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.boatingmag.com\/boats\/2025-helios-gtr-23-bbg\/\">Go to boatingmag<\/a><br \/>\n \t<BR><br \/>\n <BR><\/BR><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2025 Helios GT-R 23 Visit Helios Find a Helios Dealer Helios is a newcomer to the pontoon market, but the boatbuilder has done its homework well, providing a new option in performance pontoon boating with its GT-R 23, a 23-foot pontoon. Ours was powered with a 300 hp Mercury outboard. The GT-R 23 is a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1557,1713,1512,126,148,2150,1714],"tags":[127],"class_list":["post-3534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2025-boat-buyers-guide","category-2025-boat-buyers-guide-pontoon-boats","category-boat-tests","category-boatingmag","category-boats","category-helios","category-pontoon-boats","tag-boatingmag"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3534"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3534"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3534\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}