Skicraft Excel 21

Designed by Ron Craddock of Skicraft, the Excel 21 is the latest in the Excel range of performance skiboats.

Tested at the National Water Sports Centre at Carrum (Vic), along with Skicraft's flagship - the Senator XR - the Excel 21 is the company's 'sportsboat'. It's aimed squarely at the 18-30yrs 'boys and their toys' market... Although this boat is no toy!

A sleek-looking, fast and easy-to-handle craft, it would be no surprise to see the Excel 21 command a cult following.

NOT ALL TALK
At 6.4m (a true 21ft) in length, the missile-shaped Excel 21 features Skicraft's patented 'Vectron' design hull, with a 12° shaft angle at centre mount, and boasts the exclusive ZBL (Zero Bow Lift) technology - which prevents any noticeable bow lift as the craft powers onto the plane.

Visibly noticeable, however, is the lack of a windscreen - but a stylish, low-profile wind deflector performs adequately at normal ski-speed of 36mph (around 58kmh), where wind rushes over the top of both the driver's and observer's head... And rush over our heads the wind did!

The testboat (fitted with the standard 270hp MerCruiser running a 1.125-inch double-tapered prop shaft) sat comfortably on the plane at 1500rpm and hit a GPS-recorded 83kmh at 4600rpm, providing more than enough adrenaline to score points among its target market. Pulling into corners at full revs, the boat literally 'hung on' without any hint of drifting.

While the 270hp MerCruiser (tucked away under the padded engine box) provides enough 'get up and go' to put a smile on anyone's face, engine options range from this base model through to the 330hp Black Scorpion. Each engine is teamed with aircraft-quality, braided fuel lines.

To keep an eye on every critical feature, from speed and fuel through to oil pressure and engine temperature, a series of easy-to-read MerCruiser gauges are flush-mounted in the stylish dash, while MerCruiser's warning system will make the driver aware if situations become extreme.

Driver comfort is at a premium, with an adjustable driver's seat that can be lifted up and down as well as forward and backwards - which, together with a tilt steering wheel, will ensure the driver 'sheer driving pleasure'.

Not so common on boats these days, the testboat's controls consisted of a hand gear lever and foot accelerator. But this is optional on any Skicraft boat, with the generally more preferred hand gear and accelerator lever in one, fitted on request. Such is the case with the 'security-conscious' coded keyless ignition system, which can be interchanged with a traditional keyed ignition, for those who don't mind the extra key jingling on the key ring.

CREATURE COMFORTS
The chic graphics on the brilliant white hull of our testboat created an aesthetic effect, however it can be finished with metal flake or custom graphics depending on customer preference. Vinyl or velour interiors can be fitted, again dependent on customer choice, and plenty of floor space exists, even with the mid-mount engine, with a centre-mount ski pole located just forward of the heavily-padded engine box.

As mentioned, ergonomically the driver is well catered for on the Excel 21. And there's also emphasis on passenger comfort, with a curved dual-observers seat - with access to an icebox underneath - and a rear lounge that extends the full beam of the boat.

The clip-out rear seat allows the boat to be loaded with 'Fat Sacs' for wakeboarding, or for packing gear for a trip away, while a huge rear boot - which will fit wakeboards and skis - opens out over reportedly the biggest boarding platform of any skiboat on the market.

The forward ski locker is also fully carpeted and easily accessible - which provides further storage, as do mesh ski pockets along both sides of the boat. A glove box provides a safe place for wallets, sunglasses, phones or other bits and pieces.

The testboat was also fitted with a Clarion CD marine stereo, which has the option of being upgraded further to a stacker.

Interior lights illuminate the entire interior of the Excel 21 at night, including the ski lockers, and a bilge pump is standard on every boat.

Fit-up options for the entire Skicraft range will surprise most people, given the standard features included on any of its base models are comparable with the deluxe models of competitors' ranges.

Packaged on an equally stylish Easytow tandem trailer, which can be customised to match the boat, the Skicraft Excel 21 offers quality, performance, and a price claimed as second to none.