Ride Quality?

[osudelt69]

Hey guys, new to this site and have some questions.  I worked at a boat dealership that sold them new back in the early 2000's.  Thought they were really nice but never got a chance to ride in one.  What is the ride quality like in an S22/X22/SX22?  I am looking for v-drive but don't want to get beat to death on the lake?  Any suggestions for an avid skier and water sports lover?  I love the wrap around seating, v-drive, and open bow.  Do not care if it has the smallest slalom wake but looking for much better than an I/O!  Married with kids so boat must be family friendly, the epics have my attention!

[wakejunky]

S22 and SX22 have the same hull. both ride well in choppy water. not the best "ski" wake but for a V-drive its pretty good. the direct drives especially the 21 has an excellent ski wake but they don't take to the chop as well as a V-drive. Ive owned a E22 and an SX . absolutely love the SX for what i do and yes its excellent for a young family due to the wrap around seating

[osudelt69]

Thanks for the information.  Any other v-drive boats to consider that have the styling, performance, and price as a used epic?  I think they are pretty sharp looking.  Would like to know other options though.

[osudelt69]

Also, what kind of construction do they have as far as the deck and stringers?  Composite or fiberglass encapsulated wood?  Any concerns of rot?

[wakejunky]

composite. there is NO wood whatsoever on these boats

[eagle1wi]

composite. there is NO wood whatsoever on these boats

The only wood is the teak platform on some boats like mine.

From waterski magazine in 2001:

How is this boat built?
We use all fiberglass in the lamination, and there is no wood in
the structure at all. The stringer system we use is an all-glass
box system that is chemically fused and pressed into the boat hull.
When you chemically fuse two components together, it makes the boat
stronger and gives it a more solid feel in rough water.

[osudelt69]

composite. there is NO wood whatsoever on these boats

The only wood is the teak platform on some boats like mine.

From waterski magazine in 2001:

How is this boat built?
We use all fiberglass in the lamination, and there is no wood in
the structure at all. The stringer system we use is an all-glass
box system that is chemically fused and pressed into the boat hull.
When you chemically fuse two components together, it makes the boat
stronger and gives it a more solid feel in rough water.

Now they really have my attention! 

[osudelt69]

Do you guys have any links I can read up about these boats or other v-drives?  I know a ton about i/o runabouts but not these style of boats.  I would like to learn all that i can.

[denver]

you have pretty much come to the best place to learn about the epics! 

[osudelt69]

you have pretty much come to the best place to learn about the epics! 

Did you buy yours at Phil Dill?  I saw your Lake Lewisville posting...

[blindside]

Mines originally from Phil Dil, so was my X22. I like both of them but I prefer the S22 or SX22 just due to more seating and storage. I live just a few miles from there but had to go to Denver to bring my S22 home (He drove to Lewisville to get it lol).

[osudelt69]

Funny and small world...I worked at Phil Dill in the summers of 01 and 02.  Depending on when you bought it I might have helped prep it for new boat delivery.  I am a Marcus High School graduate and used to live in Flower Mound.  Hoping I don't have to drive to TX to get one lol

[toyotafreak]

My S22 graduated from Phil Dill. I drove there from SoCal (nonstop) to pick her up. That was '03. Never once regretted it! Did stop by the dealership while in Dallas on business and was able to copy a bunch of the wiring diagrams and bulletins posted on this site. It was a cool experience although they didn't tell me much about my boat's history. I had to remount the tower they sort of installed :-)