Matrix Sorrento Bowrider

What do you get when you combine two guys with 30 years of boatbuilding and design experience with the will to build the best possible ski and wakeboard boat that money can buy? The answer is the Matrix Sorrento.

John Orlender and Neil Boyd are the men in question who put years of development into the Sorrento before retail production began in September 2000. Based in Adelaide, Matrix Marine has been overwhelmed with orders for the Sorrento which has seen more than 40 boats produced in its first year of production. This success has resulted in Matrix Marine expanding and moving to larger premises which will aid increased production.

This is by no means your average ski boat. There is absolutely no timber used in the construction of this boat. The all fibreglass construction starts with the stringers and includes everything, right down to the seat boxes. All fittings are high-quality stainless steel also, so there is nothing on the boat that can corrode or rot. I guess that's why the manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty on construction.

The hull is produced using a shoebox construction method whereby the hull and deck overlap and are then glassed together, providing a very solid platform indeed. Even the pin striping is in the gelcoat, not just stickers applied as an afterthought.

LINE OF DUTY
We tested the bowrider version of the Matrix Sorrento at the National Watersports Centre at Carrum (Vic) on a bleak and blustery day (how unusual). Not the ideal day for donning the wettie and going for a board, but it's all in the line of duty.

We stuck a couple of Victoria's best skiers and wakeboarders out the back to see what they reckoned. It was thumbs up on both accounts. At slalom speed the Sorrento produces a nice flat wake but fill up the 300lt underfloor ballast tanks and it's wakeboarders' heaven.

The testboat was fitted with an optional MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI. Rated at 315hp spinning a four-blade prop, the Sorrento had ample power to perform all its duties. Standard power is the 270hp MerCruiser. Although I'm sure this powerplant would be sufficient, it's always nice having a few extra nellies behind you if you want them.

All Matrix boats come turnkey from the factory fitted with MerCruiser engines - it's up to you which one you choose. All the options fitted to the testboat were factory options also. So you can fully spec your boat including tower, hull colour, sound system and the like when you place your order. No stuffing around with aftermarket options and damaging your pride and joy in the process. This also lets Matrix keep a close eye on quality control to make sure that no inferior fittings go onto any of its boats.

HORN FOOD
The testboat looked absolutely horn sitting on its custom Easytow trailer.

The bowpit features three comfy seats for passenger to chill up front and enjoy the ride. A split windscreen allows access to and from the cockpit to the bow.

Sitting at the helm is a real treat - you feel like you're in command of a jet fighter as you fire up the big V-eight with the keyless ignition. The carbon-fibre dash and extensive instrumentation complete the illusion.

The helmseat is on a stainless steel adjustable slide and the hand throttle falls perfectly to hand. Adjustable steering wheel and big ski mirror ensures the driver is in total control.

A twin observer seat is located to port from the helm. Again this seat is a fully moulded fibreglass unit which can be raised on gas struts to reveal storage space for ropes, jacket, wetties and the like.

The split engine box takes centre-stage in the cockpit and is fully upholstered with a few drinkholders to boot. There is a surprising amount of room to move around the engine box. No doubt this is a product of the boat's beaminess.

Across the aft end of the cockpit is a three-seater benchseat with more storage below. Behind this seat is a sunpad which opens to reveal a huge boot in which boards and skis can be stored.

Cleverly, this boot lid can be raised from both the cockpit and the boarding platform, so you don't have to be in the boat to get your board.

Another tricky feature on the Sorrento is the heavy-duty rubber matting located on the boarding platform. This stuff will still be intact when most carpet versions are living their life as dog mats.

TIDY TOWER
The tower is indeed the piece de resistance. This black alloy beauty really finishes off the sexy look this boat exudes. For those worried about storing a towered boat - don't. This baby folds down and rests on gunwale protectors, so there's no damaged gelcoat either. With the tower down, the highest point is the top of the windscreen.

An optional bimini was also fitted to the testboat, which is a smart option for long baking days in the sun. Although it was more use on our testday at keeping the rain off rather than the sun.

If you're looking for an Aussie built ski/wake boat that is comparable to the finest US imports and you're prepared to pay for quality, then without doubt you should take a closer look at the Matrix Sorrento.