WaterSki Magazine

WATERSKI Magazine
2001-06-14 15:00:00 | 137 views | 0 Comments

Split Personality

A wakeboard boat that does more.



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!

Calabria Cal Air Video



WSM: With the new Pro-V as your primary wakeboarding boat, who should look at this?

Calabria: The Cal-Air still produces a great wakeboarding wake. It has the same innovative ballast system, the PureVert Wake System, which puts nearly 700 pounds of water weight into compartments between the transom and motor box. These are entirely contained within the floor and don?t take away from storage room. Because this system can fill or empty so quickly, we think this boat is a good multi-purpose boat. It has a great slalom wake and is perfect for a family that won?t reach pro-level wakeboarding. With the Cal Air, you won?t have to get into the money for a V-drive either. Obviously the size of this boat is significantly different than our V-drives. Some people don?t want to trailer a 23-foot boat that?s 102 inches wide. This boat is a lot easier to tow.



What changes have you made to the Cal-Air this season?

It has the new tower and a new dash that incorporates the optional CIMS (Calabria Information Management System) gauge, which has all the features like speed control, depth finder, engine information, water and air temp, etc. Structurally, there haven?t been any changes.



What other features make this boat?

A feature we have that really makes this boat good for riders is reverse chines in the keel. Normally, when a rider cuts towards the wake, the pull is so hard it makes the wake crush. So when they hit the wake they don?t get the pop they expected. These wakes (as well as the Pro-V?s) don?t curl over at all. The reverse chines in the keel create lift. When the wakeboarder pulls on the boat, the boat has a design feature that stops it from tilting sideways so the wake doesn?t crush into foam.



Super Specs

Length 20 ft. 0 in.

Beam 87 in.

Fuel capacity 29 gal.

Seating capacity 10

Test prop 13 x 13 OJ 4-blade

Test engine MerCruiser MX 6.2

Black Scorpion 340 hp

Base price See Local Dealer



On The Water

Performance

Top speed 44.2 mph 5,100 rpm

Accel to 22 4.43 sec.

Accel to 36 7.40 sec.

Accel to 30 to 36 3.15 sec.

Noise levels (db)

Idle 81 D 82 R

22 mph 99 D 101 R

36 mph 102 D 103 R





Slalom

The slalom pull behind the Cal-Air will be adequate for the wakeboarder who wants to take the occasional set. The wakes have some size and hardness associated with them and are best at speeds 32 mph and below. Core slalom skiers will find that the throttle armrest is too high and too close to the dash. Overall, a nice and comfortable multi-functional family ski boat.



Wakeboard

When weighted properly, this boat has a good up-and-down wake ideal for spins, rather than an up-and-out, which is better for charging into the flats. It is a great-handling boat, holds speed as well as you?d ever want and rides a sweet double-up. The wake on this boat is a little steep, and we?ve found with the ballast system filled you don?t want much more weight in the back of the boat.



Chill Factor

Everything about this ride is plush and was made with pride. Standouts include the soft and super-padded seating, spacious interior layout, dash display and the comfortable carpeting. Handling and performance is tremendous, and this boat rides the rough water with the best of them. There?s tons of storage with netting all around, a tilt steering wheel and killer options like a shower and heater.



Summary

Far from being made obsolete by its own awesome V-drives, Calabria?s Cal-Air holds its own. While the boat seems a little small for a pure wakeboarding machine, as a multi-purpose boat it shines. Some of its standout features are obvious and show part of the skill and workmanship behind this company. It?s hard not to notice the killer checkerboard gelcoat graphics, which are highly customized and sprayed to a minimum tolerance of 25 millimeters. The rear bench doubles as deck, and there?s a killer platform with slot for hydrofoil and cool standard jump seats, which fit neatly on each side of the engine cover. Calabria also went all out on the dash and driver?s amenities, using a sweet Clarion waterproof CD, wood-grain dash and steering wheel. Not as noticeable are the fastest ballast system in the industry, which takes over no storage space, and the functionality of the breakdown tower.



Contact Information

Calabria Genuine Ski Boats

2556 W. 16th St.

Merced, CA 95348-4355

Phone: 209-384-2566

Fax: 209-384-9383

Web:www.calabriaboats.com