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WATERSKI MagazineNever Compromise
Versatility reigns supreme in this multi-function
V-drive.
WSM: Who should buy this boat?
Centurion:
This is a compromise boat. It is more aimed toward the wakeboarder
because it is a V-drive, V-bottom boat that really throws a
significant wake. It's not overly wide, so it penetrates the water
pretty well. On one hand it's a purist?s boat because of the way it
handles and because of the wakes, but we are really aiming for the
family who wants to wakeboard. Its primary function is a
wakeboarding, but we were surprised that it has a reasonable slalom
wake with an empty ballast configuration.
What are some advantages of this boat?
This is a little more economical than the Elite V-drive. It?s a
little sportier, not as big, and a little more of a hot rod. It has
good storage because the whole back seat opens into a giant
continuous storage area. This boat has continuous ICS construction.
In addition to the structural advantages, it allows you to have
removable carpets because you get a really nice gelcoat surface
underneath. The benefits from removable carpet are obvious in that
they can be removed when you are going to have a lot of traffic in
the boat or they can be removed for cleaning. When it comes to
selling your boat in a few years, you can put the clean or unused
carpet back in and the boat looks new.
What features stand out on this boat?
Everything in the boat from the cupholders to the seats is tooled
in. The step-through bow configuration is unique. We have new
graphics, changed fabrics and gauges on the dashboard. We have a
gauge that shows how full the ballast is. The seat cushions are
designed to be comfortable for long rides — we use a foam firm
enough to hold up for years and years. The driver has an air lumbar
support, which is great for rough-water cruising.
What's the best reason to buy this boat?
We sell value. We try to design a boat that is fairly simple to
build. They may look complex, but because of the ICS system it's a
refined process. We spent a lot of money and effort on the tooling
process and try to transmit the value to the customer and make the
boat a great value. We don't spend tons of money on marketing.
Summary:
Simply put, this is one of the most versatile boats in the
water-ski market. Its modest 40-gallon ballast system allows the
boat to make a significant transition from slalom-friendly wakes to
something serious riders will enjoy. With a few more people or
extra fat sacs, this boat comes close to providing a world-class
wakeboard wake. This V-drive has excellent visibility and there's
no bow rise, so you?ll never lose the horizon, even when weighted.
Beyond that, this may be the best-handling V-drive out there. The
boat is so remarkably responsive you forget you?re in a V-drive. A
steal at under $35,000, the manufacturer calls this boat a “design
compromise,” doing everything well, but in reality it goes beyond
that. It has no compromises. It's a tremendous wakeboarding boat
and an unbeatable V-drive slalom machine. Its only shortcomings
would be that there isn't as much seating as in many other
V-drives.
Ski Centurion Eclipse V-Drive
Performance Dual
Top speed 44.1 mph 4,800 rpm
Accel. to 22 5.5 sec.
Accel. to 36 9.3 sec.
Accel. 30 to 36 3.2 sec.
Noise levels (db)
Idle 65 D, 64 R
22 mph 93 D, 88 R
36 mph 97 D, 97 R
Slalom
Wakes are fairly small for a V-drive wake, although they?re a
little firm. We were impressed with this V-drive?s tracking and its
ability to hold speed. This boat has the same hull design as the
slalom powerhouse, the Eclipse. Equipped with a V-drive bottom, it
will provide fun, attainable wakes for open-water skiing up to
mid-level slalom ability.
Wakeboard
Unweighted, the wake is minimal but has a decent lip on it. The
factory ballast definitely made a difference and makes the wake a
good, solid, intermediate ride. When fully weighted with extra
ballast the wake gets really fun — it's more of a kicker wake with
a thin, crisp lip. Riders charging in from the flats seem to punch
through the wake somewhat, so for that style we recommend
significant weight added up front. This, however, tends to make the
boat nose-heavy through rollers.
Chill Factor
This is a great boat to drive but only average for hanging out. The
rear sundeck is angled in three planes, so it's not a good sun pad.
The bow only has a forward seating bench, and there is no
wraparound seating in the main cockpit. One great aspect is you can
keep this boat looking showroom sweet because the carpet pulls out.
There is tons of storage under the passenger seat because of the
deeper floor.
