SEE THE
VIDEOSPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 4.17 4.80 1.20 3.48 4.00 138 158 0 62
1500 5.74 6.60 2.00 2.87 3.30 114 131 2 65
2000 7.21 8.30 3.30 2.19 2.52 87 100 5 70
2500 10.51 12.10 5.20 2.02 2.33 80 92 5 75
3000 18.60 21.40 4.80 3.87 4.46 153 177 3 77
3500 23.38 26.90 6.20 3.77 4.34 149 172 2 83
4000 27.98 32.20 8.10 3.45 3.98 137 157 1 84
4500 32.76 37.70 11.20 2.93 3.37 116 133 1 88
5000 35.71 41.10 14.80 2.41 2.78 96 110 1 89
5400 38.93 44.80 17.20 2.26 2.60 90 103 1 88
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDHigh Points
XStandard extended swim platform
stretches a full 3 feet, further
distancing the prop while offering
welcome space for both relaxation
and gearing up for watersports.
XColor choices include bold electric
blue, red, yellow, orange and lime;
more conservative shades include
white, charcoal, gray and black.
The hull accent color is carried
over into accents on both uphol-
stery and the steering wheel.
XStandard features include a Blue-
tooth AM/FM audio system; Bimini
top with storage boot; docking
lights; and removable table.Specs
· LOA: 21'10" · BEAM: 8'6" · DRY
WEIGHT: 2,940 lb. · SEATING/
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 13/1,850 lb.
· FUEL CAPACITY: 44 gal.How We Tested
ENGINE: Volvo Penta V-6-240-CE/FWD
DRIVE/PROPS: Volvo Penta Forward
Drive/K4 Propset
GEAR RATIO: 1.95:1
FUEL LOAD: 44 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 320 lb.
Price
$64,199 (as tested)STARCRAFT
Star Step 221
E I/O Surf
to accommodate nearly any state of re-
pose. It also makes a great staging area
for your boarders to get ready for a surf or
wakeboarding session.
The Star Step’s unique name comes
from the design’s vented hull chines, a
feature that Starcraft notes will not only
help shape surfi ng waves but also improve
overall performance by introducing a lay-
er of air bubbles below the hull to reduce
friction. Equipped with the 240 hp V-6
version of Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive,
our test boat planed in 4.3 seconds and
peaked at 44.8 mph while displaying the
quick and nimble handling inherent to
Forward Drive. The Forward Drive system
still employs Volvo Penta’s Duoprop
system, giving it extra bite for improved
slow-speed handling around docks.Deck boats aren’t often thought of as
choice wakesurfi ng platforms, but Star-
craft’s Star Step 221 E I/O Surf proves
itself a worthy candidate for even the most
serious recreational rider.
Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive
provides the propulsion,
keeping surfers out of harm’s
way by relocating the prop to
the front of the drive where
it’s tucked well underneath
the hull. Nearly 900 pounds
of plumbed ballast and Wake
Worx surf tabs boost and
shape the wake to surf-worthy
stature, especially when you
also take advantage of this
deck boat’s 12-passenger ca-
pacity. Zero Off speed control
and an elevated watersports
tower complete a surf packagethat also proves benefi cial to the wake-
boarders in your crowd.
The E in the title stands for Enter-
tainer, a nod to the boat’s social layout
and amenities. Seating essentially rings
the perimeter, interrupted only by a con-
venient starboard transom walk-through
and portside entertainment center. The
latter includes a sink with faucet, along
with a pair of lighted cup holders and
stowage below. Additional stowage is
found below nearly all seating, along with
a 36-quart Igloo cooler in an open nook
below the center seat. The 3-by-4-foot sun
pad aft off ers an inviting place to stretch
out fl at or recline, with backrest cushions
that open either lengthwise or widthwisePHOTOS: BILL DOSTERTo see our video
of the Star Step
221 E I/O Surf,
scan this tag or
visit boating
mag.com/
bbg18/starcraft
starstep221.
STARCRAFT MARINE
New Paris, Indiana; 866-772-4538; starcraftmarine.comC
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