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WATERSKI Magazine
Livin? Large
The perfect cruiser for playing and lounging.
WSM: Why did you build this boat and who is it for?
Centurion: People want to carry a larger load and extend their rough-water usage. The Concourse addresses the consumers? demand for a bigger boat. This is the direction everyone wants to go. We even took it a step further because we maximized the space to a new level with a 23-foot boat. I don?t think you can get any more room into a 23-foot boat than we did here.
What did you do to gain the space?
It?s the way we treated the gunnels. We expanded the cockpit to the maximum, and we created all kinds of new storage areas in the boat. The idea is to make everything as convenient as possible. For example, we have access to the rear storage from a hatch door. The step-around is pretty cool too, because it serves as a giant wakeboard locker and it?s easier to get in and out of the boat from the back. A lot of it was logical designing and finding ways to execute it.
What about the construction techniques?
The entire boat uses the I.C.S. system. First we create a bottom mold in the conventional way, and then we create a deck mold in a less conventional way — the floor of the boat is really part of the deck. Then we have a third structure mold that we install into the bottom of the boat with Plexus. Plexus creates a molecular bond between the laminate and the sub-structure. We do pre-design work that distributes all of the load throughout the three parts of the boat. It?s a unibody construction where everything is interrelated and attached to one another. This allows us to build a boat this big that still has some good strength and rigidity factors.
Does the Concourse have design characteristics from your other boats?
This is a brand-new boat for us. The running surface has the same heritage as our Elite V-drive, but this boat is the next step in the evolution because it has a bit more vee.
Is this a water-sports boat or more of a big-lake cruiser?
It does both. It is a real viable water-sports boat. We?ve got the cool tower on it and the ballast tank and all the Air Warrior stuff. So call it what you want. It?s a cruiser, but also works as a water-sports boat.
Super Specs
Length: 22 ft. 7 in.
Beam: 102 in.
Fuel capacity: 37 gal.
Seating capacity: 11
Test prop: 13 x 14 OJ 4-blade
Test engine: MerCruiser 6.2L 340hp MX Scorpion
Base price: See Local Dealer
On the Water
Performance
Top Speed 43.5
Accel. to 22 4.6 sec
Accel. to 36 10.06 sec
Time to 30 to 36 4.3
Noise levels (db)
Idle 62 D, 68 R
22 mph 82 D, 90 R
36 mph 87 D, 97 R
Slalom
We were pleasantly surprised at the wakes for a 23-foot boat. The wakes are a little big, which is expected, but are forgiving and totally conducive for recreational to mid-level abilities. Perfect for the family looking for a roomy party boat with good multi-functional appeal.
Wakeboard
Equipped with a quick-filling, 45-gallon ballast tank, this boat has a wide, rampy, clean wake, but the transition is a little undefined. It handles double-ups like a champ, and its ability to hold speed ranked among the best. It has awesome tracking and stability with and without weight. Wake size was pretty impressive without weight and it got really good when the boat was weighted. We recommend 75 percent on the trim tab when the boat is factory-weighted to get the best lip performance.
Chill Factor
A big and fun boat to drive with good handling characteristics. The cockpit is roomy and comfortable. Having a side walk-through in a V-drive has great convenience and will be very appealing for anyone interested in spending time behind the boat. The driver?s seat is equipped with a swivel. Has plenty of storage.
Summary:
Centurion has reached back and hit a home run with the brand-new Concourse 23. The handling on this, the biggest of the Centurion line, is excellent. The Concourse mows down rough water and rollers like a champ. For families used to the conveniences of a stern-drive layout, the boat offers tons of room to get around the cabin and to the platform. Best of all, the Concourse easily provides quality water-sports performance, having outstanding marks for advanced wakeboarders. This boat is an innovator in many categories, like storage and layout. It has great storage ideas where you can access compartments in ways that are much easier than the norm. The walk-though to the platform is a cool convenience, making platform access easy and giving the boat an even bigger feel. It accessorizes well with the standard snap-out carpet, the round cocktail table and optional booming stereo.
Contact Information
Centurion
Fineline Industries
455 Grogan Ave.
Merced, CA 95340-6401
Phone: 209-384-0255
Fax: 209-384-0267
Web:www.skicenturion.com
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