J.V. Marine 1900 Venom Skiboat

Built in Victoria for JV Marine, the 1900 Venom has appeared on the local boating scene with a minimum of fanfare.

Seemingly out of nowhere, it has joined the ranks of a growing stable of quality Australian-built recreational skiboats.

The Venom is a new direction for the Victorian based retailer in Huntingdale.

It's glossy red hull and slinky, low lines stand out in a showroom packed with upright white family fishing boats, from the likes of Caribbean, Savage, Quintrex and Haines Signature.

If you think the effect in the showroom is striking, wait until you see the Venom on the water.

A CELEBRATION
Like most skiboats, the Venom is designed to appeal to the skiing family - the largest market for performance craft in Australia. It's a fickle market demanding craft that are family built and equipped, high quality and budget-sensitive.

The Venom is positioned a little abeam of other emerging skiboats, and JV's John Stav says the cause to celebrate, is the craft's uniqueness.

With the Venom, the company has launched a stand-alone model it believes will capture a share of the younger buyers. It is aimed squarely at those seeking the wind in your face experience of a performance-orientated outboard along with above average skiing credentials.

Depending on the success of this model, a second Venom model is now on the drawing board - a larger version which will also be outboard-powered.

A veteran of the performance boat race circuit himself, Stav knows what works. When he first spied the Venom he immediately identified the potential of a good all-round high-performance skiboat with looks to kill.

"I believe outboard-powered skiboats are more sophisticated, are cheaper to maintain and offer better fuel efficiency."

INSIDE AND OUT
Trailer Boat was recently invited to test the Venom in all its glory at bayside Melbourne's Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron.

Sitting on its trailer, the sparkling package of bright red boat and custom matched trailer, packed a visual punch.

The overall impression was one of strength and durability. Sleek lines of the bow curved to meet the low rounded foredeck which, in turn, formed a sporty 'fairing' in the place of a conventional windshield. The fully integrated line from bow to stern gave the impression it came out of the mould, ready-to-race.

Even the transom is a full-width ski-ready unit and neatly moulded to the hull.

Measured up, the hull has an overall length of 5.8m and a beam of 1.9m. Although quite narrow, there's adequate interior space if the cockpit is kept uncluttered. Ample storage space in the sidepockets and underseat ensure the area is kept clear.

Helm aside (we'll get to that later) the seating comprises an observer's seat, which swivels to allow the passenger to face the bow, if preferred.

This seat actually lifts off to reveal forward ski storage which extends through to the bow. The system is fussy and not as practical as a conventional ski locker, however a new owner would probably master it quickly.

The rear bench seat sits low in the cockpit and comfortably accommodates a few hangers-on. It also lifts up to reveal additional storage space for odds and ends.

There are no grabrails or intricate corners in the cockpit, leaving the interior functional and fuss-free. For all appearances, the emphasis of this set up is practicality on the water, not family picnics with the in-laws.

In keeping with the appearance of a sportscar, all the seats were trimmed in a grey and red marine velour which complemented the bright exterior.

The standard 200lt fueltank is mounted just forward of the transom, behind the rear lounge. The outboard - in this case a 150hp Johnson V-six - is mounted on a pod set back from the hull.

For buyers who want a larger capacity engine, the Venom is rated to carry up to 225hp. However, Stav believes it would be throwing money away for what would translate as perhaps another 10kmh at the top end. As it is, the 150hp Johnson mated to this rig, takes the Venom to speeds of over 100kmh - more than adequate for all but the most gung-ho users.

IN TOTAL CONTROL
The obvious analogy is to compare the Venom to a race-bred sportscar. The dash and helm area is designed along those lines, fitted with the essentials for maximum performance.

The driver's bucket seat sits low and was noticeable because of its body-hugging support. Sitting at the wheel, I could comfortably see over coaming to the tip of the bow.

The wheel is directly in front and well-positioned for a comfortable straight-arm grip. The throttle, gearshift and trim controls are via a conventional single-lever OMC controller, a user-friendly alternative to foot controls.

The dash panel continues the practical theme and is moulded in black vinyl - much like the interior of a classic sportscar.

The cockpit coamings curve smoothly around from the helm to form a windbreak. It sits quite high, which is deceptive when the Venom gives such a low-profile impression from the outside - a safety bonus for families with young children.

All five engine gauges are easily viewed, and there's room to incorporate electronics and accessories to suit personal requirements.

A switch panel set low to the left controlled auxiliary power, bilge pump and anchor or nav lights.

Unfortunately, it was not correctly labelled and in practice, you needed to flick the nav lights to switch on the bilge pump.

This 'auxiliary' equipment is fitted as standard, as is a marine stereo and removable skipole.

ALL GET-UP
The day of our test was crystal clear, on a glassy bay - an ideal day for skiing save for the water and air temperature! Without a volunteer on the chilly winter morning, we settled with putting JV's new plaything through it paces without a skier out back.

Underway, it is immediately apparent that the Venom's relatively soft ride and responsiveness is its best quality.

Pushed by 150 OMC horses, it had plenty of get up and go. Top speed was an indicated 100km at 6000rpm, where it was more than happy to settle.

As mentioned before, there's more pace available. Here the 150 Johnno was matched to the hull in order keep the 'on-water' pricetag within the realm of budget-buyers.

The Johnson was also a perfect balance to the Venom's modified-vee (19° deadrise) hull.

Quick take-offs lifted the bow slightly, but then settled into a level skier-friendly attitude from around 55kmh at 3000rpm.

The great feature of outboard power on a skiboat is its ability to not only provide plenty of midrange power to pull a skier, but also top-end power when you need it.

The Venom liked the Johnson trimmed at around the halfway mark as indicated on the trim gauge best, and responded immediately to changes in trim angle.

The hull has two spray rails up forward for bow lift, and another two that run back stopping just short of the transom.

A planing plank runs the full length of the hull, with a narrow entry forward, before widening significantly at the stern.

Skiers will love this boat's tendency to grip and remain flat in tight turns, a trait aided by reverse chines.

It doesn't offer quite the same level of straightforward handling as that of sterndrive and inboard-powered craft,but in their place, is a friendly and responsive craft that will allow the owner to learn and grow with the boat.

Indeed, overall, the Venom gives the impression that it will give anything you ask of it.

It could be an ideal craft for the novice to learn on and the more experienced to just push the throttle to 'fast forward' position and enjoy.

Priced at $28,900 as tested, it is well-positioned to attract skiboat buyers that have been looking for something that little bit different.

ARE YOU SURREAL?
The test session concluded, we headed back to Trailer Boat HQ, just as a midday fog blanketed the Bay. Just minutes before, the sun had shone on a brand new boat called Venom. Was it lucky timing, or had we been caught on the set of The Truman Show?

In any case, it bodes well for the young and upcoming Venom empire...