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Anatomy of a sportboat

By John Wooldridge

What’s in the perfect sportboat? These are the features any owner would prize.

Designing the ideal sportboat Means taking into consideration all those things that boat owners want, including room to relax and watch the watersports action aft, and power options that range from conservative to flat-out fun. One boat can’t have everything—some are just not sized to permit it—but the Chaparral 276 SSi pictured here provides a good primer on the features that are most in demand.

Baja 19

Don’t let its size fool you. The 192 Islander may be one of the smaller boats in this roundup, but it inherits the renowned Baja True-V hull with a 20-degree transom deadrise to help tame a late-afternoon chop. Max-rated horsepower is a 260-hp MerCruiser to thrill you. With ski storage under the rear bench seat, plus in-floor and bow seat storage, there’s a place for all your gear. A full-width sunpad leads a long list of standard features, but your option list should include an Igloo cooler that fits under the portside dash, Sunbrella canvas, Bimini top and a depthfinder. www.bajamarine.com PRICE $20,267 POWER 190-HP MerCruiser 4.3L LENGTH 20'6" BEAM 7'11" FUEL 37 gals.

Crownline 26

A true crowd-pleaser, the 260 LS has a deep cockpit for passenger security, spacious in-floor and trunk storage for skis and wakeboards, and molded bow seating for two. The wraparound swim platform has two entry paths. Filler cushions create a full-width aft bench seat. The portside console holds an MSD, sink and vanity. Crownline’s exclusive F.A.S.T.-Tab hull has a 21-degree transom deadrise to handle a wide range of water conditions, rack-and-pinion steering for responsive control, and engine options from Volvo Penta and MerCruiser that will produce speeds up to 51 mph. www.crownline.com PRICE $62,567 POWER 250-HP MerCruiser 5.7L LENGTH 26'6" BEAM 8'6" FUEL 75 gals.

Cobalt 23

Innovation is a tradition at Cobalt, and the new 232 is the latest example of fresh thinking. For instance, the aft bench seat bottom is an extension of the sunpad that covers the motor. Simply swing the seatback forward to form an even bigger sunpad. Or check out the wakeboard and ski storage compartment in the transom; it’s easy to access from the swim platform. From the double-stitched upholstery to the jewel-like precision of the hardware, few sportboats have this level of finish. Power options from MerCruiser and Volvo range from 260 to 425 hp. Expect a 46-mph top speed from engines in the 280- to 300-hp category. www.cobaltboats.com PRICE $62,567 POWER 250-HP MerCruiser 5.7L LENGTH 26'6" BEAM 8'6" FUEL 75 gals.

Donzi 27

If your ideal sportboat is fast, low-slung and curvy, the 27 ZR is sure to please. A ventilated running surface matched with Merc’s 496 HO sterndrive provides a breathtaking ride at 70-plus-mph. Stand-up bolster seating for five is triple-stitched for long life, sculpted for support. The engine hatch has an electric lift. Top-flight Livorsi controls and instruments are standard, as is hydraulic steering—good news for the serious driver. Upgrades include Livorsi Billett racing controls and Monster gauges for improved handling and a sharper look. The cabin has a portable MSD and V-berth. www.donzimarine.com PRICE $91,860 POWER 425-HP MerCruiser 496 HO LENGTH 27'2" BEAM 8'4" FUEL 90 gals.

Four Winns 21

The 210 Horizon SS is loaded with the features watersports fans want, and available in two layouts: a standard configuration with companion sunlounge seat and twin jump seats aft, or a sportier version with twin buckets, an aft bench and sunpad. Both versions have an anchor locker with hidden ladder in the bow, in-floor locker for skis and boards, and a deep-reaching swim platform ladder. A Sirius satellite stereo system with a six-month subscription is included, along with a depthsound-er, tilt steering wheel and Sure-Load trailer. www.fourwinns.com PRICE $42,862 POWER 260-HP MerCruiser 5.0 MPI LENGTH 20'10" BEAM 8'6" FUEL 40 gals.

Glastron 20

The GXL 205 has features that make boating more fun. There’s a flip-up section at the U-shaped bench seat aft that makes for quick access to the swim platform—it forms a padded sun lounge when closed. Three-step ladders are located fore and aft; they’re great for boarding. A carry-on cooler slides under a section of the bench seat. The pilot and copilot seats have flip-up bolsters, and bow seating is molded for comfort and support, with good storage under to augment the centerline ski locker. The deep-V hull has a 21-degree deadrise at the transom, and can be powered with sterndrives to 315 hp. www.glastron.com PRICE $33,365 POWER 220-HP Volvo Penta 5.0 GL LENGTH 19'11" BEAM 8'0" FUEL 35 gals.
Regal 27

A large swim platform with freshwater shower and transom walk-through are just a few of the nice features on the 2700 BR. Its patented, ventilated FasTrac hull has a 24-degree deadrise at the transom for proven rough-water performance and great acceleration. The cockpit includes plenty of seating, a refreshment center with sink and Corian countertop and space for an optional refrigerator and gas grill. At the helm, white Faria gauges in a custom burl-wood dash enhance the boat’s sporty look. www.regalboats.com PRICE $66,797 POWER 280-HP Volvo Penta 5.7 Gi LENGTH 28'6" BEAM 8'6" FUEL 85 gals.

Chris-Craft 22

With its sculpted tumblehome stern, flared bow and two-person seating area (concealed by a hydraulic/electric deck hatch) forward of the windshield, the Lancer 22 Rumble blends tradition with modern sportboat amenities. A 270-hp sterndrive provides a thrilling 54-mph top speed. Power steering and a custom mahogany wheel make handling a dream, while the deep-V hull smooths the way for those runs to your favorite beaches. The optional Heritage package shown here adds teak to covering boards, foredeck handrails and the swim platform. www.chriscraft.com PRICE $65,000 POWER 270-HP Volvo Penta 5.0 GXi LENGTH 23'5" BEAM 8'3" FUEL 58 gals.

Chaparral 27

The beamy 276 SSi has more interior space than most sportboats in its class. Its deep bow has seating for up to three and converts to a sunpad with an insert. Three more can enjoy the view from the bench and bucket seats near the helm. The main cockpit has an outdoor galley and will seat or feed four, while two can relax on the sunpad aft. Engine options range from 320 to 425 hp. Power steering makes it easy to maneuver the boat when you have to pick up swimmers and equipment. The optional hinged radar arch has a towing point, so riders can catch big air. www.chaparralboats.com PRICE $72,179 POWER 300-HP MerCruiser 5.7L LENGTH 28'10" BEAM 9'0" FUEL 105 gals.

Monterey 23

Packing MerCruiser or Volvo Penta power up to 320 hp, the 234 FS is tailor-made for wakeboarding, skiing and towing. An oversized swim platform offers plenty of room for people and gear, with a telescoping stainless ladder stored beneath a flush-deck hatch to help prevent injuries. The helm has fog-free gauges, low-glare night lighting for end-of-day runs home, power steering and a bolster-equipped bucket seat. A wide, deep storage locker is for boards or skis. www.montereyboats.com PRICE $38,773 POWER 280-HP MerCruiser 5.0L LENGTH 24'0" BEAM 8'6" FUEL 62 gals.
Larson 22

When you opt for the Adrenaline Package on the Senza 226, the boat comes with custom paint, a stainless steel rubrail, docking lights, extended swim platform, snap-in carpet, plus a stereo remote and trim/tilt switch on the transom. Equipped this way, the boat really sizzles. The automotive-style dash features full instrumentation, including Faria fog-free gauges; there’s a sport steering wheel and Clarion marine CD stereo, too. Bucket seats with spring suspension make rough running smoother, as does the deep-V hull with 21-degrees of deadrise at the transom. Standard power is a 190-hp Volvo Penta sterndrive, with options available up to 280 hp. www.larsonboats.com PRICE $40,207 POWER 220-HP Volvo Penta GL LENGTH 22'3" BEAM 8'6" FUEL 56 gals.

Sea Ray 25

Any skipper will enjoy slipping into the driver’s seat of the 250 SLX. There’s a tilting, wood-accented wheel with built-in buttons for the Vessel Control System plus power steering. At the dash, there’s SmartCraft instrumentation. Add an optional Navman GPS/chartplotter and the 250 SLX becomes more than a towing machine—it’s a day cruiser that can go the distance and back. Seating choices include bucket seats at the consoles, an L-shaped bench in the cockpit for relaxation, and two comfy bow loungers. We like the enclosed head compartment in the portside console, and the wet bar with Corian countertop and stainless sink. A refrigerator is offered as an option, too. Base power is a 300-hp MerCruiser sterndrive. Max-rated hp is to 425. www.searay.com PRICE $59,198 POWER 300-HP MerCruiser 350 MAG LENGTH 26'6" BEAM 8'6" FUEL 75 gals.

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