Sutphen has a boat for everyone – from $67,000 with 350 hp to $120,000 for a full-dressed 21-footer
By Bill Jennings
Photos Credit by Michelle Goldfarb
When a third generation boat builder launches a refined twenty-one foot sports boat that looks great and can outrun other runabouts on your lake, you should know about it. But when the manufacturer prices this boat lower than your neighbor’s boats, you really should take a test ride.
One look at a Sutphen 21 and your visual sense will draw you in for a closer examination. The windshield has been replaced by incorporating a wind deflector into the deck design. While windshields are most commonly used to shield from wind, they can be a concern at high speeds, so Sutphen has replaced it with a ‘deflector’ built into the deck mold that does a good job of reducing airflow to your face without any danger from breakage. This feature, as well as small details like hide-away cleats, adds to the clean lines of the boat.
The cockpit is equally attractive. Firm but comfortable individual bucket seats are arranged two forward and three aft. The two-tone upholstery colour-matches the exterior gel coat and looks great. The five seats, standard in all Sutphen 21s, are indicative of the manufacturer’s obsession with quality. The billet aluminum footrests and four stainless steel cup holders are a nice touch. Storage is provided in the side gunnels along with a large open space under the foredeck, but I would add a fender rack in the spacious engine compartment. Overall, the 21 Sutphen is as timeless a design as that of an exotic sports car.
At Sutphen this ‘quality first’ philosophy continues through their construction process. The 21 series uses 100% Vinylester, Biaxial 1708, with a hand lay-up building process. The deck is Divinycell core, while the hull is a sandwich core of laminated marine plywood. Rich believes this construction produces a stiffer and stronger boat than using composite cores. The deck and hull are joined together by using stainless bolts in addition to glass bonding.
When the time came to water test the 21, Rich Sutphen offered me a choice of models. You might guess that I could not resist opting for the 525hp 21-SSX. After all, I figured Power Boating Canada readers would want to know just what sort of numbers this boat could really deliver. So, I fired up the engine and with a full fuel tank and unrestricted visibility, I turned towards open water.
Because of the high drive mount required to achieve speed priorities, the 21-SSX is slower than you would expect onto plane. With a couple of practice runs the technique can be quickly learned. Once the 32” pitch, four-blade propeller, hooked up in the water, acceleration was brisk. The helm layout consists of eight easy to read gauges in a row, with six switches to the left of the aluminum wheel. The throttle and gear levers are to the right. Once underway, I would have appreciated an arm support on the gunnel.
Setting the drive and tab trims, we began a tour of the lake. I noted that the ride was comfortable and dry. The small triangular keel ‘pad’ at the transom delivered sufficient lift and a smooth ride. Interestingly, the 1.35:1 gear ratio provided consistent 10 mph speed increases for every 500 rpm. In other words, at 3,000 rpm we ran 50 mph. At 3,500 rpm we ran 60 mph and at 4,000 rpm we ran 70 mph. The Zeiger steering is precise and solid. The 525 Sutphen powers smoothly out of turns – but drivers must be aware that tight turns in the 21-SSX are best accomplished when the boat has ‘set’ in the water and not while accelerating or running at top speed. The Sutphen 21 provides four easy to reach, stainless grab rails for added security. One more should be added for the passenger in the center rear seat. Later in the day, as our fuel level diminished, Rich and I went for a speed run, smoothly and easily achieving 94 mph at 5,300 rpm.
Specifications
Make: Sutphen Powerboats
As tested
For more information
Sutphen Boats