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WAKE-UP
(18-3) By Steve Fennell
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 Experience
sheer excitement on the water this summer with some
of the hottest wakeboard boats for 2003. More power,
new seating layouts and innovative wake technology are
just a few of features designed to deliver wakeboarding
action and pure family enjoyment.
REGAL SESSION 22Xi
Built to attract the attention of the Generation-Y crowd,
the Session 22Xi boasts a sleek profile, an expansive
interior and all the cool bells and whistles for high-flying
excitement. Upon a first glance, you can't help but
notice its sleek wake tower (which collapses when not
in use), complete with board racks, 80-watt speakers
and an integrated Sunbrella canvas bimini. The multi-media
entertainment centre boasts an 11-inch Sharp TV, DVD,
a Clarion CD player, 10-inch woofer, four tweeters and
a pair of Clarion four-way amps. The tower also conveniently
collapses when not in use.
The Session has an overall length of 24 feet, two inches
and a beam of eight feet, six inches - providing ample
space for what Regal calls an "Arena Seating" layout.
The "Upper Deck" bow section features two aft-facing
loungers with backrests and a filler cushion. Appropriately,
the "First Class" bolster seats are reserved for the
driver and passenger, while the "Sky Box" consists of
an aft bench that stretches the entire beam. In addition
to a pair of "Box Seats" ingeniously tucked into the
transom, the platform's "On Deck" chair enables skiers
or boarders to get ready for a ride.
Combined with Regal's Pachyderm System (which features
four independently controlled 920-pound ballast tanks
to create a large wake) and a hefty 6.2L MerCruiser
Black Mantis engine, this boat is designed to deliver
a season of wakeboarding thrills.
MASTERCRAFT X-9
Chances are highly likely that families looking for
summertime action on the water won't be disappointed
by MasterCraft's X-9. An overall length of 21 feet and
a 96-inch beam creates ample room for storage, additional
mid-ship space and seating for twelve. There's a large
contoured observation seat forward, a rear bench (which
also converts to a sun pad) and a padded helm chair
for cruising comfort. The bow offers more seating.
The X-9's contoured helm boasts a ProGrip steering wheel,
electromechanical chrome-bezeled servo-driven gauges
and an LED display console remote, in addition to a
polished shifter knob and an over-sized convex mirror.
Located overhead is a standard ZeroFlex Flyer Tower
featuring new spring-loaded board racks and a swivel
light. Tower options include a light bar, two 150-watt
Clarion speakers and polished chrome speaker cans with
recessed 55-watt floodlights.
In the power department, the X-9 packs a 5.7L 310 hp
V-8 Predator V-drive and a 35-gallon fuel tank to give
you a longer riding time before refueling.
The standard package can also be beefed up with a variety
of options, such as a double KGB ballast system, new
graphics, chrome steering wheel cap and a pylon top.
MALIBU WAKESETTER 21 XTi
When Malibu earned Powerboat Magazine's 2002 Tow Boat
of the Year title with its Wakesetter 23 XTi, designer`s
returned to the drawing table. The all-new 21 XTi is
an impressive, well-rounded wakeboarding entry honoured
as the 2003 Tow Boat of the Year, the company's ninth
award in its eleven-year history.
In addition to featuring 100 per cent fibreglass construction
in the floor, stringers and transom, all seat frames
are assembled with high-density polyethylene - a virtually
indestructible plastic, says the company. The 21 XTi
rides on Malibu's SV23 (23-degree) V-hull, designed
to deliver smoother rides in rough water, and a 10-degree
vee at the transom to produce high-flying wakes. And
just to make sure wakeboarders or skiers get a solid
ride, the 21 Xti is powered by a hefty 310 hp Vortec
engine.
The cockpit features a large wrap-around lounge, an
observer's seat and a six-position swivel driver's chair
with automotive-style lumbar support. Entertainment-wise,
Malibu added a large refreshment centre, oversize cup
holders and an Infinity sound system. Gunnel net storage
can accommodate sunglasses and/or keys, while deep storage
channels are designated for wakeboards, skis and gear.
There's also room for those extra "must-have-onboard"
items behind the observer seat and compartments in the
bow.
SVFARA MARINE SV609
For 2003, Calgary, Alberta-based Svfara Marine has enhanced
its already-impressive SV609 to deliver even more wakeboarding
thrills, highlighted by an all-new SVGen wake tower.
Each model that comes off the line at the company's
manufacturing facility in Winfield, BC, incorporates
hand-laid fibreglass with closed-cell flotation foam
in the hull to maximize strength and provide a quiet
ride.
Among several new features this year is the seating
layout featuring hand-sewn custom upholstery. The layout
includes an aft bench aft stretching the entire beam,
a two-passenger observer seat plus a forward-facing
bench in bow. Svfara has even included an aft sunpad.
All upholstery is Katamaran marine 32-ounce vinyl with
a Pre-Fixx protective finish over high-density multi-layered
foams. The standard SV609 also comes with a six-speaker
AM/FM CD stereo system, several drink holders plus a
trailer.
A fully loaded Euro-style helm features Faria gauges
and a Morse MV3 throttle to monitor and control the
power of the standard 315-horsepower Mercury MPI engine.
This year, the builder also plans to introduce the SV696,
a 23-footer with an Internal Ballast System, ergonomically
designed interior plus a wet bar and beverage cooler.
SEA-DOO CHALLENGER X
If you're looking for a ride to brag about, you just
might want to check out this Sea-Doo. Powered by a 2.5L
240 hp V6 EFI Mercury M2 Jet Drive, the Challenger X
has a collapsible seven-foot wake tower and mid-ship
Fat Sac ballast tank geared to make you a strong wakeboarding
contender.
The cockpit layout includes three seats in the bow and
a driver and passenger chair. The helm is very driver-friendly,
featuring full instrumentation and the added benefits
of navigation lights, a control steering system and
even a wide-angle adjustable rear-viewing mirror. As
an added bonus, this Sea-Doo comes with a swim platform
and ladder, and a 40-gallon fuel tank to extend riding
time.
Storage areas under the sundeck and aft seats easily
accommodate drinks or snacks. An AM/FM/CD stereo system
adds that extra touch of entertainment.
TIGE 24V
The all-new 24V is the largest model in the company's
lineup, equipped with some pretty exciting features
to heat up your summer. Its exclusive Convex V hull
has an exaggerated rocker design, a 30-degree entry
Vee plus a 17-degree deadrise for smooth, quiet rides.
To entice buyers with promises of the "ultimate rush,"
the company offers its new and improved TAPS technology
and a brawny PCM 375 hp ZR6 6.0L Chevrolet Vortec engine.
The expansive cockpit contains a bolstered driver's
chair, a large bench that stretches from mid-ship on
the starboard side all the way around to the portside
console, and more seating in the bow.
Storage is abundant on the 24V. Gull-wing hatches on
either side of the large aft sunpad lift to reveal a
huge compartment that runs from the port console to
just behind the helm chair. Compartments behind the
observer's seat backrest and underneath the port and
starboard lounge cushions offer even more space for
"stuff."
Other features and creature comforts include a fully
loaded, spacious helm, removable table, anchor locker,
insulated cooler, several drink holders and an AM/FM/CD
stereo. Some options you may want to consider are the
brushed aluminum Tige wake tower and Sunbrella bimini
top.
SUPRA LAUNCH SSV
For 2003, Supra's all-new walk-through version of its
popular Launch SSV was designed to provide easier access
to the bow and a huge basement storage locker to store
additional gear. There's more space underneath the bow
cushions, under the large aft sundeck and behind the
observer's seat backrest. This seat also hides a built-in
cooler to store drinks and snacks.
Other introductions this year include a new spacious
interior featuring French seaming and enhanced accent
vinyl upholstery. The layout is also highlighted by
Supra's new "Stadium Seating" designed to allow boaters
to convert the aft portion of the large L-lounge to
a rear-facing bench. There's also U-shaped seating in
the bow and custom "Rise-R" driver's seat. The SSV comes
with a standard Indmar Assault Vortec 5.7L 320 hp EFI
engine. To handle the power, the helm is equipped with
TeleFlex Tournament Steering and custom instrumentation,
including dual speedos, tachometer, hour meter, dual
horns and oil and temperature gauges.
This Supra also boasts a stainless steel "Rad-A-Cage"
tower, complete with board racks. A three-bag built-in
Bertha ballast system adds 900 pounds of weight for
enhanced wakes. Buyers can add an optional hydraulic
wakeplate that can be adjusted on the fly. While an
MP3 player is standard, other options include a bimini,
removable aft swim platform and colour-matching torsion-axle
trailer.
MOOMBA OUTBACK
The Moomba Outback has been totally redesigned for 2003,
armed with some hot new features to provide enhanced
comfort and performance. A standard Indmar Assault 310
hp V8 V-drive engine lies under the hatch. If you need
more pulling power you can always beef things up with
an available 375 hp HO V-8 - easily handled by the TeleFlex
tournament-style controls at the new helm console.
Cockpit accommodation consists of an adjustable helm
seat, starboard observer's seat and a large aft bench
that, on a hot summer day, easily converts to a large
sundeck. There's more seating in the bow, along with
two speakers, drink holders and handy grab rails.
When it comes to skiing or boarding, the optional three-bag
ballast system can add 900 pounds of ballast. A large,
removable fibreglass non-skid platform with a handy
grab rail, offers a spot to prepare for rides. A single-torsion
axle trailer is part of the standard package. To add
a slice of much more music, Moomba offers an optional
AM/FM MP3 CD with remote, 80-watt amp and 10-inch subwoofer.
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