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WATERSKI MagazineWakesetter 23 LSV
OVERVIEW
In boat design, there's a limit to how big a V-drive model can be and still maintain the sculpted shape of pro-level wakeboarding wakes. The Wakesetter 23 LSV is right at that limit, with a monstrous interior that doesn't sacrifice the performance behind the boat.
Credit goes to the V25 Wake hull, measuring 23 feet long by 100 inches wide on the LSV. While a rider soars behind the boat, more than a dozen spectators can lounge in interior space that earned a perfect 10. The legroom was even better — we had to give it an 11 this year. The nylon carpeting and thick upholstery feel more plush than what you'd find in most houses. Storage is especially expansive under the wide sun deck, since the two rear ballast tanks are hidden under the floor. There are also out-of-sight tanks under the walk-through and the bow.
Crank the stereo, open the 96-quart cooler and just chill. Aside from the actual riding, that's what wakeboarding — and this 23 LSV — are all about.
WAKEBOARDING
It's no surprise that wakeboarding icon Darin Shapiro uses an LSV. Our test run revealed perfectly round peaks with kick, a long and smooth transition with no trough, and a landing zone second to none. After flying off a peaky, solid double-up, a WaterSki tester said it was one of the smoothest such rides he had ever experienced, and an awesome turning radius for a large boat. No matter how big we went, the LSV had a solid pull with straight tracking, thanks in part to the big Gorilla fins that strive for direct-drive-style handling. Out of the box, this boat is loaded for wakeboarding with a Titan tower, the Wedge hydrofoil, four sub-floor tanks for a noteworthy 1,250 pounds of factory ballast, and a new Ballast Monitoring System. Most impressive.
LOWDOWN
• The LSV is a wide 23-footer that manages to satisfy wakeboarding pros with its terrific wakes.
• Full wakeboarding package can be upgraded to the Illusion tower (our personal favorite for its rear-swooping design) or the new carbon-fiber tower.
• Comes standard with capacity for 1,250 pounds of ballast spread over four concealed tanks.
• Standard 340-horsepower engine is great, but 450-horsepower test engine gave us skiing-style acceleration.
• Chromed dash, chromed emblems and Italian steering wheel and throttle knob elevate the high-class vibe.
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 48.9 mph 5,300 rpm
Accel. to 30 mph 4.9 sec. 120.1 ft.
Accel. to 36 mph 6.5 sec. 194.6 ft.
Noise Levels (db) Neutral 69 D 60 R, 36 mph 80 D 91 R
SPECS
Length 23 ft. Beam 100 in.
Seating Capacity 14
Fuel Capacity 55 gal.
Test Prop Acme 13 x 16 4-blade
Test Engine Indmar 8100 Vortec 8.1L, 450 HP
