Boating – June 2019

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TEST

RESULTS

AVAILABLE POWER:

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drain some of the ballast to help keep the

wakes cleaner and symmetrical. You’ll still

be greeted by pro-level wakes with a smooth

transition and tons of pop. The shape and

transitions of the wakes and waves can be

customized to a rider’s preferences by ad-

justing the Stinger Wake Plate.

If you’re worried about losing visibility

over the bow while getting on plane with

a big boat like the Fi25 and all that ballast,

passengers and gear on board, don’t be. The

QuickSurf system combined with the Sting-

er Wake Plate creates QuickLaunch, which

allows the 25-footer to plane with minimal

bow rise in surprisingly quick fashion. Our

test boat, without a full load, was on plane in

just under 5 seconds. Loaded, the Fi25 will

plane in just under 6.

While the wakes and waves are the

stars of the show on the Fi25, the interior

is a close second. Room abounds inside

this 25-footer with room for 17. The cabin

seating is customizable for different seat-

ing arrangements, thanks to a sliding rear

seat that can lock in multiple positions and

a removable tabletop. The 17,000th of an

inch thickness and extra top coat of the new

marine vinyl from Spradling make it more

comfortable and durable than ever.

At the helm, the captain is treated to a

comfortable chair with built-in bolster that

slides and rotates. Installed in the dash,

Centurion’s Touch Vision Split HD screen

allows for easy navigation and intuitive con-

trol of the boat’s major functions, including

ballast, speed control, surf systems, interior

lighting and more.

One standout feature of the Fi25 we test-

ed is the DropZone tower, built by Roswell.

Thanks to innovative design tweaks like its

water-drop extruded construction, it is now

both lighter and stronger. Actuated by two

free-floating worm-drive motors, the tower

folds in 10 seconds and goes back up in 14.

Those free-floating drives prevent the ac-

tuators from binding and creating vibration.

Outfitted with Roswell’s powerful Crossfire

speakers, a large Bimini for sun protection,

and convenient touches like LED lighting

and hooks for towels, ropes, vests or anything

else, the DropZone tower is a must-have.

To make it even better, though, it is also

equipped with tow points on each side. If

you have a beginner wakesurfer, hook up the

rope to the side they’re surfing on—it makes

getting up and learning to ride much easier

because you don’t have to deal with the prop

wash from straight behind the boat.

Our test model was powered by a

GM Marine 6.0L HO V-8 with 450 foot-

pounds of torque—plenty of oomph for

the Fi25, even under a full load. And with

an 89-gallon tank, you don’t have to worry

about making trips to the gas dock to refuel.

As with most large wakeboats, shifting is

seamless and quiet, but steering in reverse

can be cumbersome, especially when load-

ed with weight.

Compare the Fi25 against the Malibu

25 LSV ($133,000 starting price), which is

rated for one extra passenger at 18, or the

Nautique G25 ($177,000 starting price) that

holds 19, but know the Fi25 bests both in the

oft-important onboard ballast game.

Stowage abounds in the Fi25, and all of

the cabin seats are hinged, allowing for easy

access underneath. A stern locker acces-

sible from the swim step is designed to hold

extra ballast for those looking for even more

kick in their wakes and waves. Or, when

drained, it can fit a large wakesurf board.

There is board storage on top of the Bimini

as well. Of course, with a 25-foot boat you

have room for your whole family. And then

a couple more families. —Garrett Cortese

High Points

XWakes and waves are incredible—among

the best Centurion has ever made—and can

be customized to suit any level of rider.

XRear storage built into the gunwales is

great for wet vests, ropes, etc. when a rider

is getting back into the boat.

XFloor locker between the driver and

observer seats is large enough for a cooler.

Low Points

XMounting the backrests in the sliding rear

bench is cumbersome when compared to

competitor models that are built in.

· LOA: 25'0" · BEAM: 8'6" · DRAFT: 3'0"

· DISPLACEMENT: 5,850 lb. · BALLAST: 5,050 lb.

· SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 17/2,550 lb. (above

ballast) · TRANSOM DEADRISE: 20 degrees

· BRIDGE CLEARANCE: NA · FUEL CAPACITY:

89 gal. · MAX HORSEPOWER: 550 · AVAILABLE

POWER: Single GM Marine or PCM V-drive

Price: $180,805 (as tested)

Similar to its sister,

the Ri257, the wakes

and waves aren’t just

impressive, they are

world-class.

HOW WE TESTED

ENGINE: 450 HP GM MARINE HO 6.0L DRIVE/

PROP: V-DRIVE/16" X 15" 4-BLADE GEAR RATIO:

1.72:1 FUEL LOAD: 89 GAL. CREW WEIGHT: 320 LB.

CENTURION BOATS

Merced, California; 209-384-0255; centurionboats.com

SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION

rpm knots mph gph^ naut. mpg stat. mpg range n. mi. range s. mi. angle soundlevel

1000 4.69 5.40 1.65 2.84 3.27 210 242 0 80

1500 6.43 7.40 2.51 2.56 2.95 189 218 0 84

2000 7.73 8.90 3.89 1.99 2.29 147 169 2 84

2500 9.65 11.10 6.33 1.52 1.75 112 129 5 87

3000 13.30 15.30 8.61 1.54 1.78 114 131 7 91

3500 18.86 21.70 9.43 2.00 2.30 148 170 6 91

4000 24.16 27.80 12.51 1.93 2.22 143 164 5 92

4500 27.98 32.20 16.02 1.75 2.01 129 148 3 94

5000 29.98 34.50 18.91 1.59 1.82 117 135 4 95

5600 33.02 38.00 27.21 1.21 1.40 90 103 3 201

MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

72 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JUNE 2019