Rolco Evolution
This Aussie-built ski boat can be customised to suit any watersports fan's needs- Low-down grunt
- Affordable pricing
- Excellent storage
- Centre-mount engine reduces cockpit area
- No cleats as standard
Back then, there were no companies manufacturing purpose-built marine engines. The engines in boats were generally automotive engines that were ‘marinised’ by companies and sold to boat builders.
The current owner of Rolco, Lloyd Brewer, was in the business of building marine engines and he supplied Rolco with engines that he bought from the USA. Rolco was one of Lloyd’s biggest customers so when the previous owner decided it was time to retire, Lloyd bought the company.
Lloyd soon decided that building engines and selling equipment wasn’t quite enough so he thought he’d try boat building himself. A keen skier, Lloyd knew what was required in a ski boat and he set about building what he thought would be the perfect tow boat for the job.
Rolco now turns out about 50 boats a year and, as stated, manufactures most of the components here in Australia. Everything from wiring looms, instruments and upholstery is done in the factory in Campberwell, Victoria, while the hulls are made in a separate factory in Echuca.
The boats come standard with a Rolco 350hp V8 Chev engine, however, this can be upgraded to the Gen III 350hp or the Gen III 410hp. Also standard is the ‘soft clutch’ transmission but our test boat was fitted with the FNR gearbox which would be our preference. The Evolutions run a centre-mount engine with a shaft drive spinning a four-blade prop.
The list of extras is quite extensive and Rolco will customise the boat to just about any extent. We’d opt for set of pop-up cleats as there’s not a lot to tie off to if you want to leave your boat in the water for the weekend and we’d probably go for some nav lights too in case we wanted to go for a cruise on a bay or lake and got caught out after sunset.
But for the family who wants to just get out on the water for a ski, the boats are ready to go ex-factory
The Evolution is 21 feet long and has a beam of 2.1 metres. Rolco’s varying V hull has been specifically designed to create a large wake at slower speeds for wake boarding and smooth, flat wake at higher speeds for slalom skiing or barefooting.
Under the water, the Rolco features three brass centre turn fins to aid tracking and turning and a large tournament-designed rudder to help tight turns.
The standard fuel tank is 120 litres and comes with a solid-state sender unit for a more accurate fuel gauge.
The boat is designed to seat seven on a very comfortable helm seat, with slide adjustment, a double observer’s lounge and rear bench seat.
A very impressive (and we’re told unique) feature of this boat is the full-width storage compartment across the transom. Opening from the centreline to each side on gas struts the locker can handle skis, boards or a fat-sacks for the keen boarder.
This aft locker means that skiers or boarders can have all their gear close at hand for when they gear-up on the big, carpeted boarding platform out the back.
There’s yet more storage forward of the observer’s lounge. Lift the back of the lounge and a cavernous ski locker is revealed. In this locker, you can store all manner gear including skis, boards, ropes and the like.
Next to the driver, there’s a handy storage compartment for your valuables and there’s more storage down each side of the boat.
The owner says that he’s set the boat up to haul people out of the water quickly and efficiently and he has no trouble towing three or four big boys through the slalom course.
We put a skier in the water to test it out and he reckons we nearly pulled his arms out. Tim, our skier, says he’s been behind many boats and this one has as good a wake for skiing as he’s experienced.
We found that at 30mph (26 knots) which about what you want for the slalom course, the tacho was reading a smidge under 3000rpm. Push the accelerator and in no time you’ve upped it 40 mph (35 knots) and 4000rpm. It’s timely to note here that the Rolco boats come with the company’s ‘GPS’ speedo which is deadly accurate and unlike most boats speedos, it’ll read right down to one knot.
The handling of this boat was truly impressive. Flick the Evolution into a tight turn at 25 or 30 knots and the Rolco will track true without side slip or the need to back off.
Skiers need tight turns and this boat won’t disappoint. Moreover, you can actually accelerate through turns rather than back off. It is a great-handling boat.
There’s a moderate V in the bow, and driving through the wake of our camera boat, found it sliced through nicely without slamming. Due to the low freeboard, we’d probably not take it out in the rough stuff, but then again it’s not designed for that, it’s a designated ski/board boat.
Tipping the scales at 1600kg on its dual-axle Easytow trailer, the Rolco can be towed by the average family sedan or ute.
The boats are backed by a solid warranty and all servicing and repairs can be done at the factory. Add to that the fact these boats are tournament and world-record accredited and you’ve got a pretty good package.
Mechanical/equipment: 4.7/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.6/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.7/5.0
Value for money: 4.9/5.0
X-factor: 4.9/5.0
Priced from: $39,990
Length: 6.4m (21ft)
Beam: 2.1 metres (6ft10in)
Engine: Gen III 5.7-litre V8 with FNR gearbox
Fuel: 120 litres
People: Seven
Supplied by:
15 Foden Avenue,
Somerton, Vic
Phone: 03 9308 0755
Email: info@rolcoboats.com.au
www.rolcoboats.com.au
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