Lewis Outback Bowrider

Steve Parker of Lewis Boats set out to do two things: build a boat that could rival the imports, and make the best social skiboat money can buy. What he didn't realise was that his resulting boat, the award-winning Outback, would become a benchmark for Australian builders of bowriders.

With wakeboarding now considered one of the fastest-growing summer sports in the world, Parker is enjoying the payoff. Boats are lined-up at the Lewis factory like soldiers at roll call, each a little different to the next.

From metal-flake to a new printed mahogany finish, with matching accents on the trailer, options such as hot shower to blower heaters, Parker offers all the elements to create the perfect, personalised, social skiboat.

Consistency can be found, however, in time-tuned hull upon which these ingredients are built. The hull is wide for its length and graced with a useful amount of freeboard to carry a big passenger load. The windscreen is high for protection rather than low for looks, but in keeping with tradition there is, of course, a perky centremounted V-eight.

For those on the end of the tow rope, the wake fanning out the back of the Outback will be just as inspiring. But Parker makes the point that the people riding wakes these days can be easily classified.

"Most people are waterskiing and wakeboarding because it is a family or social affair. It's not the tattoo and thong brigade any more. Buyers of skiboats include young enthusiasts who speak a foreign tongue, IT and computer geeks. You name it," he says.

Anointed co-1999 Australian Skiboat of the Year, the Outback reflects the tastes of this new, sophisticated skiboat market. While the boat hasn't the pinched, raked lines, this bowrider that can carry eight people performs as though on steroids.

Put it all together and the Outback provides an enticing combination of custom finish, world-class fittings, creature comforts and performance. It's also keenly priced - around $34,750 including trailer - to tempt new blood to the world of watersports.

QUEUE AT THE DOOR
After more than three decades in the boatbuilding industry, Parker is now selling around 200 boats a year of which 30 to 40 are the Outback. The Lewis factory employs around 20 people. The hulls are made on the Central Coast and then transported to a separate fit-out factory in Auburn in Sydney's inner West, where the engine, dash and internal finishes are added.

Hull construction is fibreglass around oregon stringers with plywood flooring completely encapsulated in glass. Parker believes wood is the way to go for the frames.

"The proof is in the pudding," he says, adding that not one Lewis has returned with a problem in more than 30 years.

The Outback hull design is a complex one designed to create lift. The delta-plane hull has a fine entry and pronounced tunnels running from the bow to stern. These tunnels are the key to the Outback's excellent ride -they trap water for lift and put the boat up on its flat-running plank.

Yet, crossing other boat's wake, the Outback doesn't chatter thanks to its fine entry.

"The boat's sides have been raised to handle a hit of the rough," adds Parker. This augurs well for those long summer days when you prefer to do harbour and bay runs.

There are also two steps built into the running surface which, with a flat aft section, assist the boat in holding low-planing speeds. This way, the Outback works well whether towing trick skiers or barefooters.

MORE THE BETTER
Internally, Parker doesn't skimp on comforts for the skipper or observer nor those coming along for the ride. But in keeping with the changing face of waterskiing, the more comforts the greater the demand for the boat.

Most buyers opt for velour trim in place of marine vinyl and options such as a handheld hot shower, boat heater, CD-stacker, and carbon-fibre dash.

The way the testboat was set-up, there wasn't much lacking except perhaps a large underfloor icebox.

Having said that, storage is a strongpoint in the Outback. There are holds under the bow seats, beneath the observer's lounge for skis and wakeboards, under the rear seat for drinks, and in soft sidepockets made of netting for wetsuits, two ropes, and so on.

The bases of the seats and infills are made of recycled plastic, with high-density foam padding layered on top. Colour combos for the furnishings are almost endless, with the charcoal and burgundy combo on the testboat looking decidedly classy with the printed mahogany-pattern hull.

The bowrider layout includes two handrails, a pop-up navigation light, and seating for three up front. These seats have padded backrests - the infill cushion is extra - while attention to detail extends to a walk-through safety-glass windscreen with stopper on its opening section.

The observer's lounge is a two-person wide benchseat that allows one person to reel back and admire the wake. There is a rear vision mirror facing the driver, who's pampered by a fully-adjustable seat that, depending on your girth, comes in two sizes.

With a choice of woodgrain or carbon-look dash comes Faria gauges covering fuel, temp, oil, volts, speed, revs and a digital hour meter. The waterproof switches are top quality and, like the windscreen and dash, are imported from America.

A nice touch was the jockey seat built into engine box designed for shooting video. There is a jack nearby in the dash for hooking up the camera. Or, if you must, you can plug in the mobile phone.

Four speakers and a marine stereo come standard, as do six drinkholders and a rear lounge for three people. Because the skipole is centremounted with the donk, everything is kept flush on the gunwales.

There is a deck filler, pop-up raw-water shower, rear nav light connector and the vents for the blower. The engine is fed air by intakes built under the windscreen. Despite little in the way of sound insulation, the motor is remarkably quiet.

The rotomoulded fuel tank is mounted aft, partly to create boat wake. The tanks carries 112lt, which is enough to ski from sun-up to sun-down. A day on the water with the V-eight purring will consume around $60-$80 worth of fuel, advises Parker.

With its handy bow-seating areas, the Outback can comfortably seat six adults. However, the testers in the factory have had nine adults aboard and three out the back, and the boat and motor handled the load admirably. Try doing that with a skinny skiboat.

As a further endorsement, the RAAF and Navy have an Outback or two in their social-ski clubs (taxpayer funded, of course).

Compared with outboard-powered skiboats, the inboard has less slip and a better holeshot. With waves lapping at boarding platform, the Outback also appears an easy boat for weary skiers to climb aboard.

TIME FOR A RUN
Fitted with a 330hp MerCruiser Black Scorpion (rather than the standard 270hp Chevrolet-based 5.7lt engine), the test Outback took the Parramatta River in its stride. While seaworthy enough to cross the Heads, the boat would be an absolute delight to drive around the sweeping bends of a nice long river like the Hawkesbury.

Trick skiing speed came in 2000rpm or around 32kmh. For wakeboarding, 2400rpm returned 38kmh, and for barefooting 3400rpm notched up 58kmh. Top speed was around 80kmh.

Whatever the speed, the Teleflex steering was direct and the ride smooth thanks in part to a well-cut wheel from Sydney's Dave Porter. The prop, measuring 12 5/8in x 12 5/8in, was a three blader with plenty of surface area.

Vision was good from the helm while behind was a wake fanning out along Parramatta River like a perfect set at The Pipeline.

Suffice it to say I enjoyed my drive of the Outback. My encounter vindicated the judges decision about its winning the skiboat of the year.

In standard guise, the bowrider represents good value at $34,750 including an Easytow trailer. All-up weight is 1600kg, making the chic rig a comfortable tow for a family six.

All that remains is to find a less crowded waterways where you can jump the wake till the cows come home... Maybe next time.