WaterSki Magazine

WATERSKI Magazine
2006-12-13 15:00:00 | 864 views | 1 Comments

BOAT REVIEW

Sure, reinventing this former wakeboarding flagship was a lot of work, but it’s clear that the Supra team also had a lot of fun developing this all-new Launch 22 SSV. Making it bigger for passengers and even better for riders required many long hours at the lake near Supra’s Tennessee headquarters. Now that the wakeboard boat is done, it’s no wonder why Supra is so excited about it. This 22 SSV hits the sweet spot–large enough for a big crew while retaining some nimble handling. Wrapped in Supra’s luxury appointments and wakeboarding features, including the new Smart Plate, it’s one of the hottest new wakeboard boats for ’07.

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
This new Launch 22 SSV is as major a step forward as the original version was when it debuted in its V-drive glory back in our 2001 boat guide. Most important of the latest changes is the new hull. At 10 inches longer and 5 inches wider, there’s room for five additional people and more gear. Plus, it’s 750 pounds heavier, which displaces extra water for bigger wakes.

To craft those wakes, the hull has increased deadrise, which makes a significant difference in softening the shape to be bigger and rampier rather than abrupt. The changes to that V design called for a huge amount of lake testing, since Supra favors working with its in-house engineers (who are wakeboarders themselves) and team pros on perfecting hulls through real-world performance rather than doing designs on a computer. There’s also less lift in the strakes so the boat doesn’t have to be weighted as heavily, though the capacity of the factory ballast is still an impressive 1,450 pounds.

SPECS
Passengers: 15
Dry Weight: 3,800 lb.
Draft: 25 in.
Load capacity: 2,100 lb.
Fuel capacity: 40 gal.
Storage capacity: 121 cu. ft.
Bow: 14 cu. ft. Center 64 cu. ft.
Rear: 43 cu. ft.
Platform: 10 sq. ft.
Interior gunwale height: 29 in.
Sun-pad area: 81 sq. ft.

STANDARDS
Base price: $51,995
Engine: Indmar Assault 5.7L, 325 hp
Prop: OJ 13.7 x 17.5 four-blade
Cruise: PerfectPass
Ballast: 1,450 lb. total
One bow bag: 650 lb.
Two rear bags: 400 lb. each
Tower: Rad-a-Cage
Racks:  Swivel
Wake shaper: On-the-fly adjustable plate integrated with PerfectPass
Pylon: Retractable, swivel
Mirror: Windshield-mounted
Stereo: AM/FM/CD Kenwood deck with MP3 input, six Kenwood speakers, dash remote, Sirius ready
Driver’s seat: Swivel, bolster
Dash: Vinyl-wrapped, deep aluminum bezel
Gauges: 5-inch Medallion plus LCD screen
Gas fill: Rear starboard
Cooler: 81 qt., under seat
Cup holders: 11, stainless steel
Rub rail: Stainless steel
Platform: Removable fiberglass with rubber, stainless-steel grab rail
Trailer: Tandem axle, disc brakes
Graphics: Three new ones: block, Celtic flame and brick
Colors: New charcoal color, four new gelcoat patterns, plus custom possibilities

OPTIONS
Engine: Indmar Assault 5.7L, 340 hp with catalytic converter; Indmar 8.1L, 450 hp
Stereo: LCD remote, Sirius subscription, 10-disc CD changer, tower speakers, amp, subwoofer
Platform: Teak
Misc.: Heater, Bimini top, rear steps, LCD TV

Phone: 800.320.2779
Web: SUPRABOATS.com