2019 Lund ZX 230 DS

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

For 2019, Lund offers five models of pontoon boats from twenty to twenty-five feet in two series; LX and ZX, of which the ZX series in twenty-three and twenty-five feet are brand new offerings for this year.

This new ZX series is designed to be the more luxurious of the two series. Within each length of each series, Lund offers different floorplan configurations, each catering to a different boating lifestyle and each with different standard equipment and available options. Hence the ZX 230 is available in a “Walk-Thru” configuration, a “Fish and Cruise” configuration, and as a “Walk-Thru Dual Seat” (DS) configuration, subject of this review.

All three floorplans are identical from the captain’s most attractive molded helm console forward with two facing two person comfortably upholstered couches cum loungers complete with forward facing sloping backrests. Between them is a standard removable black acrylic oval table. Storage is found beneath the hinged seat cushions of these loungers plus beneath the hinged opening sloping backrests. An optional flip-out change room with curtain and available porta-potti is stored within the headrest storage of the portside lounger on this DS floorplan.

All three floorplans measure twenty-three feet, eight inches length overall on a full eight-foot, six-inch beam and are rated for eleven person capacity. All have three entry gates; centre bow, port side, and in the case of the DS, center stern. There is a full width bow platform and a larger full width stern platform cum swim deck with a standard four-step, stainless steel telescoping boarding ladder.

Two twenty-five inch diameter tubes with full length extruded keels and lifting/splash strakes are standard as is a 29 (US) gallon fuel tank. This standard configuration accommodates a recommended maximum of 150 horsepower. Add the optional Performance Plus Package which gives you not only the full length third center tube but also an under-hull spray shield, a deck-accessible in-floor ski locker, but also a larger 49 (US) gallon fuel tank, power steering upgrade, and the ability to choose from a total of fourteen choices of Mercury four stroke outboard power from 40 to 250 horsepower.

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The stern section of the ZX 230 DS aft of the captain’s helm console mirrors the bow section with two facing two person couches cum loungers with aft-facing sloping backrests and again with storage compartments beneath the seat cushions and backrests. Standard flooring is Golden Seagrass throughout. Optional flooring in tan or grey is available as is Grey Designer Weave or tan or grey “teak.” A second identical floor-mounted removable table is available to service these aft loungers.

A standard low-back swivel Pilot’s Chair with slider and height adjuster faces the most attractive captain’s helm console which itself features a standard custom tilt wheel facing two large and two smaller diameter gauges providing a speedometer, tachometer, fuel, trim, and digital depth readings and flanking a center opening cubby suitable for sunglasses, wallet, sunscreen, etc. If you choose the optional Mercury VesselView™ screen, it replaces this cubby front and center in the dash.

This console also features a removable tinted windscreen, a 12-VDC receptacle, two stainless steel cupholders, dual USB charging ports on its front surface, a Rockford Fosgate stereo with four speakers, a locking glove box, plus a storage compartment within which houses a trash container on the access door and a slide-out battery holder for ease of battery access and maintenance.

What makes this boat the Dual Seat (DS) configuration is the optionally available high-back, luxurious twin Captain’s Chairs; one to replace the Pilot’s Chair and the other mounted opposite it on the port side ahead of the aft port lounger and aft of the port side entry gate.

Other notable standard equipment includes an eleven foot black bimini top, black mooring cover, stainless steel flip-up mooring cleats, courtesy lighting, and a cupholder module. You will need to choose among four available freeboard metallic colour choices, tan or grey interior colours, plus three choices of metallic “hull” colours, thus providing a total of thirty permutations and combinations of colour choices.

Other options include hydraulic steering, Mercury Active Trim, onboard battery charger, a Sport Package which provides a half-length centre tube plus spray shield, ski tow bar, docking lights, a luxury lighting package, a double (full length) bimini with or without a full enclosure, a black electrically operated bimini to replace the standard bimini top, plus colourful accenting graphics.

This new ZX series from Lund offers luxury, performance, and versatility in a pontoon boat of manageable yet most accommodating size.

2019 Lund ZX 230 DS Photo Gallery

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