Gone is the mid-engine motor box that takes up so much interior space. Of course, this is made possible by the use of a V-drive engine configuration, which has the engine mounted aft and the driveshaft running forward into a gear box and then aft to the propeller in a descriptive "V" pattern. Aft of the rear bench seat is a large padded sun lounge that is also characteristic of the boat's leisurely intent.
CENTURION BOAT FINELINE CONTACT DRIVER
The driver has an adjustable bucket seat that provides good lateral support. Seating accommodations include open-bow cushions (although this is a relatively small area) and expansive wraparound seating in the cockpit that encompasses an aft-facing observer's bench, portside bench and aft bench. Its most obvious characteristic in this regard is the seating configuration, which seats eight - something traditional inboard tow boats don't offer. However, there is no doubt the Elite V-drive is designed with more of a recreational bent than its hardcore tournament-boat counterparts. With the ballast empty and the tower down, the boat resembles a typical tournament-style boat. To the contrary, Ski Centurion labels it a three-event boat. Although the Elite V-drive is a great wakeboarding package with the Air Warrior option, it doesn't mean that it isn't good for slalom or trick skiing. The Elite V-drive blends classic tow-boat lines with contemporary styling. A water-capacity gauge, similar to a fuel gauge, reads out the water level, which, in turn, helps you fine-tune the boat's wake. Another advantage is that it can be filled and emptied with the simple flick of a switch at the helm. The slick thing about this ballast system is that the rotocast plastic tank is totally below deck so that it is neither unsightly nor obtrusive. Adding to the Elite Air Warrior's wakeboarding appeal is a 25-gallon ballast tank integrated into the boat's hull.
CENTURION BOAT FINELINE CONTACT PRO
For convenience, the Pro Flight Tower fastens to the Elite Air Warrior with quick-pin mounts so that it can be easily folded down for storage. That translates into huge air every time you launch off the boat's wake. Custom-made by RBK, the black tubular tower adds to the boat's aesthetics, but more importantly, it adds 8 feet of vertical height to which you can affix the tow rope. Air tools Ski Centurion calls its tower the Pro Flight Tower. That is a huge variant, so it may pay to shop around. However, according to a company spokesman, prices will range from $35,000 to $43,000. Ski Centurion does not set retail prices, so its dealers can charge as much as the market will bear. The 21-foot-by-6-inch-long Elite V-drive I tested was equipped with the Air Warrior package, which runs about $2,900 above base price. The package consists of a wakeboard tower, ballast system and special graphics. The Merced, California-based boat builder offers six models in a variety of deck and engine configurations, four of which are available with the company's special Air Warrior package that is specifically designed with the wakeboarder in mind. Ski Centurion of Fineline Industries is such a company. Numerous boat builders offer some version of a wakeboard boat, but the best come from the handful of manufacturers that specialize in building ski boats. Without question, wakeboarding fever rages at an all-time high.
But now the preferred method of logging airtime is by soaring off a boat's fat wake with a board strapped to your feet. It used to be that the only way to rack up frequent flier miles was with the airlines. Passenger space is maximized in the Ski Centurion Elite V-drive (model shown without the optional Air Warrior package).
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