Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/299139
R e A L S k i B O a t S If there is one thing your 15 year old is right about, it's tournament inboard ("real ski") boats deliver performance unmatched by either an outboard or sterndrive/I.O. boat when it comes to water sports. An inboard delivers a different standard of performance, especially in regard to handling and safety. "Just putting a tower on a boat doesn't make it a "real ski" boat, says Dan Thomson. "For responsiveness an inboard is more like driving your car compared to what you are used to with an outboard or sterndrive. You will enjoy pulling a skier instead of dreading it." "The difference is obvious when at the helm," says Thomson, "Demo Days, the first weekend in May, is a great opportunity to come out and experience the difference, but we always have boats available for a test ride." D I R e c T D r I V e v s . V - d R i v E Inboard boats come in two drive configurations. Direct Drive and V-Drive. The main distinction is the placement of the motor. A direct drive positions the motor in the middle of the boat. V-drives position the motor in the stern. Traditionally direct drives catered to the needs of waterskiers, and the V-drive was an innovation that addressed the pro-wakeboarder's quest for bigger and bigger wakes. Most families, however, are not focused on just one sport. And what you do after your sets are done may be as big a factor in determining whether you should go direct or V-drive. M o O m B A v s . N A U t i Q u E I asked Denny Fox, salesman for Fort Fremont Marine, why they carried competing manufacturers of ski boats. "They aren't really competing," says Fox. "Moomba created a niche for itself with a philosophy of letting the buyer decide which frills were necessary in a ski boat. They gave you more options in regard to the options, yet It's not just about performance. Both direct-drive and V-drive inboards place the prop forward of the transom. The benefit is peace of mind for the safety conscious boater who wants to waterski and wakeboard. T H e I n B o a R d A D v a N t a g E S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N performance wasn't compromised. As they have grown with the industry, that tradition has remained." Nautique, on the other hand, is one of the original tournament inboards in the industry. They are known for their innovation, performance, and luxury. If you want the best, you want a Nautique. Fox said, "Having both manufacturers available allows me to put you in the boat that best serves your needs." So I asked Fox how the process of arriving at the right boat works. "Well, I'll give you the short version," he replied. "I have a customer who summed it up best! It was Dr. Bob Ballard. He asked a lot of questions. I asked even more. We arrived at the boat that was the right fit for his family. Then Dr. Ballard said, 'Great! Now I just need you to take care of it for me, dude!' " "We did," said Fox. Of course that left Ballard with one thing to do… Just Add Water!