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WATERSKI Magazine
The Little Kicker
The Wakeboard and Slalom fun await.
Click on the link below to view the boat video shot during the WaterSki Magazine 2001 Boat Test.
Keep in mind that these are Mpeg videos and if you are running a slow connection speed, the video might skip on the initial play. Just hit the play button after your initial viewing and the video should play without interruption the second time around – Enjoy!
American Skier Laz Air VideoWSM: Who did you have in mind with the LazAir?
American Skier: This is what we call the ultimate crossover boat. We feel there are plenty of buyers who not only enjoy wakeboarding, but also slalom skiing and perhaps jumping and the more traditional events. We build a boat that will fit into the family budget and be the ?Swiss army knife? of boats. For the guy who wants to wakeboard, we offer our ACT (Altitude Control Tower) and ACS (Altitude Control System), but still have incredible wakes when ready for slalom skiing. This hull was our world-class tournament rig in the early ?90s. We don?t intend this to be the ultimate wakeboard boat and we don?t intend it to be the ultimate slalom boat. But, we do feel it?s a better slalom boat than any wakeboard boat and a better wakeboard boat than any slalom boat. It?s a true blend. If you are looking for a boat that will do more than just wakeboarding and will give you a high dollar value or high resale value, this is a great choice.
How would you describe American Skier today?
We fit into a Lamborghini/Ferrari image: we?re handcrafted, small volume. Our materials and construction separate us from everyone else. We look at every boat with a clean sheet attitude. If we are going to put on a tower or a ballast system, we?ll come up with a better way to do it. We listen to our dealers and customers, then meet and hopefully exceed our customer?s needs.
What construction techniques do you use?
Most boats, ours included, have gone to an all-composite construction process. A fundamental difference between all-composite boats is your wood replacement selection. While other builders are content using basic floatation foam as a wood substitute, American Skier elects to use aircraft grade structural foam coring.
We use four high-density structural foam core stingers wrapped with glass, and then we have a 5/8-inch thick floor system. Once they are bonded together but still in the mold, we inject flotation foam into the cavities. So, it is structurally sound and solid.
Every component we build is hand-laid, mostly bi-axial and tri-axial cloths. This construction gives us a combination of high strength and less weight, resulting in better performance and durability.
What are some of the best features of the LazAir?
Our tower folds down below the windshield frame and is color coordinated with the boat. We are the only company using a six-point mount, which eliminates the need for specific laminates. Our ballast system keeps us well within safety ranges for the boat yet still gives us good wakes.
We knew the best way to increase the wake height and keep a good, clean shape was to put the ballast behind the stern. So, we designed a molded tank that creates the oversized swim platform and holds 450 pounds. In our testing, that much weight behind the transom was equal to almost 800 pounds placed inside the boat. We were able to achieve better wake enhancement by leveraging the ballast behind the transom.
Super Specs
Length (W/Platform) 20 ft. 10 in.
Beam 84 in.
Fuel capacity 24 gal.
Seating capacity 7
Test prop 13 x 13 L Dymex
Test engine Marine Power 320 hp EFI
Base price See Local Dealer
On the Water
Performance
Top speed 46.1 mph 4,800 rpm
Accel to 22 4.0 sec.
Accel to 36 6.8 sec.
Accel to 30 to 36 2.6 sec.
Noise levels (db)
Idle 65 D 66 R
22 mph 85 D 92 R
36 mph 94 D 100R
Slalom
This light and narrow boat produces small and soft wakes, which are easy to slice through for all levels of slalom. This was especially true in the slower speeds tested. From 30 to 32 mph the wakes are practically non-existent and butter soft. Tracking was surprisingly good for the boat?s weight.
Wakeboard
This is a well-defined wake that is small, but is a kicker. Because the boat is so narrow, the transition is quick but the lip is nice and clean. It?s not a pure wakeboard boat but is certainly a fun boat for intermediate to advanced riders. The ballast tank is under the swim platform, and it does make a significant difference in the wakes. It fills quickly and easily with a switch on the dash. Overall this boat is responsive, easy to hold speed in and feels solid going through the wakes.
Chill Factor
The cockpit layout isn?t conducive for a long day out on the water with multiple riders. It?s rather small and actually fits the needs of a slalom crew in a better manner. The no-thrills interior comfort is adequate, but riders and skiers alike will crave more comfort in the seating. The best place to hang out is on the huge, padded platform.
Summary
Disguised as a wakeboarding boat with its tower and ballast system, there?s no denying that this is a slalom machine. It is an easy-to-drive, responsive boat with a fairly narrow beam that still maintains good walk-around room. The square angular windshield gives more of a retro look. The concept of putting weight aft of the stern not only makes good sense, it also makes good wakes. Its Marine Power ?Blue Thunder? 5.7 engine with fuel injection and 320 horsepower is unique to the ski industry. It has a four-year warranty, and due to American Skier?s work on the exhaust and headers it provides excellent acceleration. This boat is clearly a well-made, well-designed product using top-quality materials, but it is relatively bare bones in above-deck features. On the other hand, you have a fully skiable, good intermediate wakeboard boat without some of the bells and whistles, but built to be passed on from generation to generation.
Contact Information
American Skier
925 Ave. G
Kentwood, LA 70444
Phone: 800-256-2022
Fax: 504-229-2223
Web:www.americanskier.com
Categories:
Ski Boats
