WaterSki Magazine

For 2006 Centurion has realigned its boat line to incorporate the Air Warrior series, which targets boat buyers who are jumping on board with the company for the first time. The Elite V Air Warrior offers just the right combination of performance and comfort that first-time boat buyers — and their wallets — will really appreciate.

Geared toward the world of wake sports, the Air Warrior provides all the essentials — 40-ounce snap-out carpet, spacious seating, V-drive performance — and features plenty of upgrades, such as the optional Sideswipe Exhaust for wake-surfing enthusiasts, all wrapped up in a reasonable 21 1/2-foot package. It’s versatility and affordability at its best with the reliable Centurion name to back it up.

For optimal wake performance behind the Elite V Air Warrior, you may find you need to trick it out just a little more than the standard factory setup. We recommend the Storm 3 package, which includes a host of wakeboard goodies such as a trim tab to help shape the wake, Perfect Pass Wakeboard Pro, and center and dual rear ballast tanks. The Storm 1 package on our test boat featured only one center ballast tank, so wake size was on the small side, although we liked the steep transitions for poppy wake-to-wake moves. Given the right add-ons, the Elite V Air Warrior has the ability to serve up some decent-sized, well-shaped wakes that will please a variety of riders.

One of the best features of the Elite V Air Warrior is its deep-V hull design, which allows it to mow through the chop without issue. We were really impressed by how well this boat held up through rough water, especially considering its size. While our test boat wasn’t equipped with cruise control, the C4’s speed-holding capability required very little work from the driver. And whether you’re pulling wakeboarders or the occasional slalom set, tracking was dependable and the boat held a straight path.

Riding on board the Elite V Air Warrior, it’s clear that Centurion devoted a lot of time to engineering a comfortable interior in this V-drive. The amount of legroom available in the wraparound lounge is noticeable, as is the room to walk around. And the C4’s 21 1/2-foot length is just as stylish as it is spacious. The metal side step accents are cool and functional, as are the large, easy-to-read gauges on the carbon-fiber-looking dash. We especially liked the drainable cooler in the walk-through, which was easy to reach and plenty big. There’s also enough storage for a couple of boards in the front storage compartment, and a little extra room in the rear.

Base price: See local dealer

Length: 21 ft. 6 in.

Beam: 93 in.

Seating capacity: 10

Fuel capacity: 36 gal.

Test Prop: Acme 13 x 17.5 4-blade

Test Engine: MerCruiser Black Scorpion 5.7L, 330 hp

Top Speed: 44.4 mph 4,900 rpm

Accel. To 30 mph: 5.3 sec. 129.3 ft.

Accel. To 36 mph: 7.2 sec. 215.1 ft.

Noise Levels (db): Neutral 65 D 64 R, 36 mph 89 D 94 R