Boating — December 2018

(Brent) #1

SEE THE
VIDEO


SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 4.61 5.30 1.00 4.61 5.30 261 301 0 75
1500 6.43 7.40 1.60 4.02 4.63 228 262 1 82
2000 7.30 8.40 2.40 3.04 3.50 172 198 2 83
2500 8.34 9.60 3.80 2.20 2.53 124 143 3 86
3000 11.30 13.00 5.50 2.05 2.36 116 134 6 87
3500 17.12 19.70 7.00 2.45 2.81 139 160 7 95
4000 21.46 24.70 8.70 2.47 2.84 140 161 6 95
4500 26.24 30.20 11.10 2.36 2.72 134 154 6 96
5000 27.89 32.10 13.10 2.13 2.45 121 139 5 96
5600 31.28 36.00 17.80 1.76 2.02 100 115 5 96
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

High Points
XCATS: The Centurion Articulating
Tracking System is like a skeg
that can move, allowing you to
customize wakes and waves.
XRamfi ll (optional): Filling up a
giant subfl oor ballast system in 90
seconds has its perks.
XQuickSurf Pro: This system turns
a mass of water into a totally
surfable wave with the push of
a button.

Specs
· LOA: 21'7" · BEAM: 8'6"
· DRY WEIGHT: 5,350 lb.
· SEATING CAPACITY: 14
· FUEL CAPACITY: 63 gal.

How We Tested
ENGINE: 409 hp PCM GM L96
DRIVE/ PROP: V-drive/14^1 / 2 " x 14^1 / 2 "
4-blade Nibral
GEAR RATIO: 1.72:1
FUEL LOAD: 45 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 365 lb.
Price
$148,870 (as tested without
tax/prep/shipping)

CENTURION


Ri217


and steepness. While it doesn’t reach the
size and power of the Ri237 or Ri257, the
Ri217 still packs a punch that a wide vari-
ety of riders will enjoy. At under 22 feet,
it’s not set up to make the mega-size waves
its bigger sibling models are capable of, but
nonetheless it delivers impressive wake-
boarding and wakesurfi ng experiences.
Total ballast capacity is 4,950 pounds,
with Plug N Play included.
For those who want the Centurion
pedigree in a more manageable package,
the Ri217 wave suits a wide range of riders
and ability levels, especially with the gi-
ant Ramfi ll ballast and QuickSurf system.
You still get Centurion’s killer side-by-side
touchscreen-dash setup and Downfi re
speaker system, all in a boat that holds 14.
Bring on the fun in the sun.

The Ri217 may be the smallest boat in
Centurion Boats’ Ri line, but thanks to its
Ramfi ll and QuickSurf systems, our day
testing and riding on the lake proved it
packs a sizable wave and provides big wa-
tersports fun. It also possesses great style,
and the new black-framed windshield and
the black low-profi le Ramfi ll
vent are two reasons why.
Next, take a look at its
basic performance. With a
409 hp Pleasurecraft Marine
engine under the hatch, the
Centurion Ri217 scooted to
36 mph turning a 14½-by-
14¼-inch Nibra l prop
through a 1.72-to-1 reduction.
It accelerated briskly, reach-
ing 20 mph in 6.9 seconds,
and even when the ballast
was full, it achieved plane
in under 5 seconds. (Ballast
empty, it planed in less than

4 seconds!) So, in addition to packing the
power and torque to carry a crew and
throw a wave, it delivers enough speed to
have fun cruising to a favored surf spot,
or to get you back to the dock in a jiff y if
weather should threaten.
Notably, the Ri217 diff ers from its
sister ships, the Ri237 and the Ri257, in
a more signifi cant way than just length
overall. It utilizes the signature Centurion
deep-V hull from years past. With this set-
up, you’ll utilize CATS more to dial in the
wave and get it just how you want it. For
our purposes surfi ng on the starboard-
side, CATS was set to 10. With QuickSurf
engaged and ballast set up, the wave was
clean and had a playful, moderate shape

PHOTOS: COURTESY CENTURION BOATS

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

To watch our
video review of
the Ri217, scan
this tag or visit
boatingmag
.com/bbg18/
centurionri217.


C


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