#Centurion tow centurion boat drivers
#Centurion tow centurion boat driver
#Centurion tow centurion boat upgrade
#Centurion tow centurion boat full

At the helm above the tilt-steering were the de rigeur dual speedometers and single tachometer. The deck and sole (one piece) are then Plexus-bonded to the hull and inner structuring, forming what a Centurion representative called a 'unibody laminate.' Lamination materials included 22 mils of gelcoat with ceramic backing, 3-ounce mat, 7-ounce cloth, DB170 tridirectional fiberglass and 24-ounce woven roving.ДЄll instruments are in clear view at the Elite Bowrider's helm station. The system employs Plexus, a powerful adhesive, to bond an inner structure (stringer system) to the hull. Workmanship Centurion built the Elite Bowrider with its ICS/Plexus system. Time to plane was a dazzling 2.3 seconds, and it shot from 20 to 40 mph in 5.9 seconds. Top speed was 44.3 mph at 4600 rpm, and 10 seconds was all it took to get there. To make use of the 315-hp engine, Centurion paired it with a direct drive (1:1) with an OJ 13' x 13' bronze four-blade propeller at the end of the shaft.

#Centurion tow centurion boat driver

During these sometimes-abrupt maneuvers, as well as accelerating and decelerating in a straight line, our driver discovered another nifty aspect of the Elite Bowrider?minimal steering wheel torque for an inboard.

#Centurion tow centurion boat full

That bottom, complete with three skegs, produced crisp handling in slalom and circle turns at cruising and full speeds.

The inner strakes ended roughly 10 feet from the transom, while the outer pair ran the length of the hull. It rode on a semi-V bottom with spray rails integrated with the chines and four strakes. But the 2,800-pound boat delivered a painless ride.

#Centurion tow centurion boat drivers

Conditions on the Intracoastal Waterway during test were wind-blown 1- to 2-foot chop that, in the average tournament inboard boat, would deliver spine jolts and kidney punches to drivers and passengers. Performance Starting with its ability to handle slop, the Elite Bowrider impressed our lead test driver. At pickup time, he appreciated the bow rider's ability to turn without kicking up spray. In terms of tracking, he experienced none of the slight roll our ski driver reported. The boat responded so well to steering inputs that our normally understated driver described it as 'unbelievable.' Our wakeboard driver also gave the boat top marks for take-off power and agility. Although our test driver could feel the boat rock softly when the skier cut hard, it wasn't distracting. There was no need to hammer the throttle to pull a skier out of deep water three-quarter throttle was all it took. No compromises were required of our ski and wakeboard test drivers - both found the Elite Bowrider delightful. But remember, the Elite Bowrider is a compromise, and only the finest riders would know the difference. Filling the system boosted the wake size, yet did not produce kicker lips that expert riders need for maximum air. Even with the ballast system empty, the Elite Bowrider delivered solid wakes with smooth slopes and no lip -the kind of wakes on which intermediate-level riders can build confidence. Our skier, on the other hand, had big trouble trying to get the boat to budge off course in hard slalom cuts. The inboard bow rider yanked him out of the hole with zero trouble. While the boat did create minor turbulence, the wakes were flat, smooth and in his words 'almost nonexistent,' regardless of rope length and speed. Skiing Based on the rooster tail he saw behind the Centurion Elite Bowrider as our test team headed out on the water, our ski tester expected the wakes behind the boat to be less than ideal for serious slalom runs. As the boat sat at the docks in Captiva Island, Fla., it cost $31,462.

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Our test model had an upgrade to a MerCruiser 350 Magnum MPI engine, a 'silver' options package (pull-out cleats, four-speaker stereo system and bow cover) and the Air Warrior package (ballast system, tower and graphics).

Base price for the Centurion (the company has dropped 'Ski' from its name) Elite Bowrider with a MerCruiser 5.7-liter MPI engine is $26,995. The 23'-long, 8'4'-wide inboard bow rider delivers much of the best of both worlds. You end up with the Centurion Elite Bowrider. You want a water-ski boat and a wakeboard boat. You want to play golf every day and keep your job. (All photos by Tom Newby) Just about everything in life is a compromise. The Elite Bowrider delivers first-rate towing ability.