Tow boat test.

[Jody_Seal]

2012 AWSA tow boat test under way at lake Grew headquarters lake, Polk city Florida. Only company's pulling the sled this year is Nautique Boats and Centurion. Nautique supplied three versions of their Ski 200, A 5.7,6.0 and a 6.0 HO. Centurion 5.7 and 6.0. Slalom center line deviation yesterday, Jump deviation today and trick evaluation. So far so good for all involved. Also all the boats have Rev-r installed for Speed control.

Lots of sparkle on the water with a wide array of color and flake in the gel.

Malibu and MasterCraft will supply product for Speed control evaluation only and validation of new software.

All is good south of I-10

[jdarwin]

@jodyseal - when will "R" be available for download?

[MattP]

So no hull change for 190, 197, and TXI for 2013?

[ForrestGump]

I know for a fact that MC is testing final configs of new hulls this week with a few of their dealers who ski that they invited in with their in-house test and design team.

 

I'm not sure what the exception process for a new hull is that missed getting tested at the normal boat tests but are out for the following year prior to the next boat test. Maybe Jody knows.

[Horton]

@ShaneH If I was to bet I would say any new MC would be a 2014

[ForrestGump]

Yes, but they'd likely still have to file for an exception for use prior to the 2013 boat tests next October because the next year boats start production in early july and first deliveries are in August. Well before the next boat test.

[vtjc]

Malibu got an exception for the TXI to pull some tournaments prior to the formal test. Should be an issue for one of the big three. I am excited to see the new MC hull when it finally comes.

[skinut]

Jody-What is the SN 6.0L HO? What is the HP difference between the standard 6.0L?

[ForrestGump]

Standard 6.0 is 409hp. HO is 450hp. Named ZR409 and ZR450.

[Drago]

Pic's? Do we really need 450 hp? I use my truck to pull stuff, not a BMW

[ForrestGump]

Looks just like the regular ZR409 6.0. Just a cover with a different name on it.

[6balls]

Depending on where the extra hp is in the rev range, may not be all that big of a difference. I drove and skied Jody's 450, but did not have a comparison.

[ForrestGump]

A slalom skier will never feel that extra 41hp. Jumper? They'll love it.

[Jody_Seal]

Tow Boat test update:

Not sure when ZO will release the latest software, Will was installing the last known version of Revision R at the tests on all the boats. My boat was utilized after a 2013 dash and control up date and it came home with the latest rev-7. Will seems to have the down low on release.

Manufactures now have every three years to update and re-validate their products with AWSA instead of two years. This was Centurion and Nautiques year to do so. Dennis brought a great looking TXI for Speed control only Validation.

Like I said earlier a lot of sparkle on the water this time around, metal Flake and clear coat seems to be the rage.

For the Nautique's it looks like we were able to pull the sled and qualify with other Propellers That significantly run at lower RPM's at slalom speeds, This is good news.

Being that I am not privy to Centurions performance I believe they passed with flying colors.

Thanks to Ski Fluid: Scot and Kiwi for setting aside their valuable ski school time and Scot for the many jumps he took for the cause!

 

[BlueSki]

@jody seal, thanks for the updates, it will be good to learn what prop configurations passed. Is it safe to assume they were something other than the 422 given that the 422 has not been used the past few years?

[Jody_Seal]

It is not set in stone but we did test with a 422 and a 654 on the 5.7 boat. we tested a 422 and 668 on the 6 liter. At this time not sure which direction we want to proceed in. At least I hope we will be able to have the option as a owner preference as to one or the other in either engine packages.

[Nick Sullivan]

Edit

[Nick Sullivan]

Sorry, I can't seem to figure out how to post a photo off photobucket.

[Nick Sullivan]

Boat test Centurion

[ForrestGump]

I really like the 654 on the 5.7.

[disland]

The backboards in the boat always freak me out. I dont want to know about those things

[EricW]

Do the boats actually pull a sled? I am thinking a tractor pull sled wouldn't float to well...

[Nick Sullivan]

http://www.usawaterski.org/pages/divisions/3event/AWSATowboatManual.pdf

[454SS]

Like the black windshield on the carbon pro didn't like the shiny ones they did have.

[Bobbyroy]

It was fun to tow the model and weigh it down to its lines, but I don't know enough to recognize if there is anything to be learned from its bow wave or wake.