Over the past few years, we’ve seen a lot of demand for water sport boats. In fact, an increasing number of amateur yachtsmen are turning to watersporting boats for their next purchase. While these vessels were once built just for skiers, they’ve come a long way in the last decade. These boats are now very versatile and are well adapted to the needs of the pleasure boating crowd.
The good old waterskiing boat was in for a shock of changes when the wakeboard was introduced before the year 2000. First, wakeboarders opted for well-equipped waterskiing boats, but then new sports required more waves—and suddenly a lot more people wanted to stay aboard the boats to watch the show. So, in response to demand, innovations came flooding in the late 90s. New rear engine configurations, called V-Drives, freed up a lot of space on board, making the boats more versatile and more appealing to buyers. Since then, both innovation and sales have been continually increasing.
Today, buyers expect these boats to cut great waves for our favourite sports. Attuned to buyer’s wishes, manufacturers are constantly coming up with innovative solutions, modified hulls and bigger models suitable for all kinds of activities and water bodies. With products that are now more spacious, ergonomic and attractive, it’s no surprise that they make up a considerable portion of the 18- 24-foot pleasure boat market.
Limited performance?
The old belief that water sports boats aren’t comfortable is officially a thing of the past. And we’ve also come a long way from the limited performances of flat-bottomed boats. New water sport boats are very versatile. Equipped with drive shafts, these vessels offer a lot more than just a great wake for the sport of your choice. They’re also safer and more stable, while offering more precise sport handling. The options lists keep getting longer for these boats, which now offer incredible comfort. Cruise control, ballast systems and integrated marine maps are now all controlled by an onboard electronic system. It’s all right at your fingertips. Of course, powerful sound systems and heating are included, too!
Once you’ve put away your wakeboard for the day, you can still spend the day on board, enjoying the ride and taking a quick dip in your favourite lake or river.
Something for absolutely everyone
Since models vary from 20 to 25 feet, buyers need to seek information and advice—and even test drive a few models—before making a final decision on a boat. Specialty dealers offer this kind of service a few times per summer, allowing consumers to try out a few models before choosing their favourite. There are boats for every sport (waterskiing, wakeboarding and often even surfing), all types of watercourses and especially all budgets. Getting good advice is essential, as these are specialized and highly technical products that tend to cost a bit more.
Sport vs. pleasure
The pleasure boat market is now trying to catch up. Almost all manufacturers offer their sport versions with wakeboard towers and a sporty style. Outboards, turbines and sterndrives all have their own merits, but they will never offer the same wake and constant pull of a drive shaft, which is the defining characteristic of a sport boat. Without a drive shaft, it would be nearly impossible to perform and remain steady with the ballasts and water displacement generated by new hull designs. With nearly 3,000 pounds on board some models, these boats are able to deliver great performances while remaining safe and easy to maintain—which is not the case with just any pleasure boat.
Time to surf
For the past two years, manufacturers have been offering surf equipment for cutting the perfect wave without changing the side ballasts. You can now fill all ballasts and then press a button to decide which side you want to create your wave on. This innovation makes it easier to practice surfing, a booming sport. This is just the beginning, as a new device introduced in 2014 not only lets you choose the side but also the type of wave you want: ski or surf (the waves are different). Surfing is now the most popular sport in our country for a number of reasons, including proximity to the boat, slower speeds and increasingly big waves. And the products are adapting to keep up with the trend. What’s more fun than spending the day doing water sports with friends and playing in the water while enjoying some great tunes? Try it once and you’ll be convinced.
In conclusion, buying a watersport boat is now a great choice, given all the improvements that have been made in recent years. While these boats cost a bit more at purchase, they offer superior construction and remarkable performances. Plus, they are versatile and have a better resale value. For more information on products, talk to your local dealer. Take a new approach to pleasure boating with friends and family. Enjoy the 2014 season!
By : Jean-Philippe Huet