http://www.marlinmag.com/article_print.jsp?ID=13665Marlin
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Toyota Epic SX
Oh What a FeelingKiller wakeboarding machine with a Lexus heart.
Click on the link below to view the boat video shot during the WaterSki Magazine 2001 Boat Test.
Keep in mind that these are Mpeg videos and if you are running a slow connection speed, the video might skip on the initial play. Just hit the play button after your initial viewing and the video should play without interruption the second time around - Enjoy!
Toyota Epic SX Video
{GO TO THE LINK)
WSM: Who should buy this boat?Toyota: We are going after the recreational wakeboarder. It?s a roomy boat inside, and it has a good ride in rough water. At the same time with the integrated ballast tanks it has a great wakeboard wake. We also see high-end wakeboarders taking to this boat. It has integrated fiberglass tanks built into the hull at the center of gravity, so the ballast system doesn?t take up storage space. All the weight doesn?t go to the aft end, so the boat sits level in the water. The two 40-gallon tanks operate independent of each other, so you can keep the boat level from side to side.
What are the best features of this boat?Our engine is so far advanced compared to what our competitors offer. It features an aluminum block and cylinder heads with a stainless-steel exhaust system. The result is a lightweight engine with an excellent power-to-weight ratio. Toyota?s VVTI changes intake valve timing continuously to deliver an optimum torque and horsepower curve while maintaining idle quality and improving fuel economy. Being a dual overhead cam with variable valve timing means your power band is seamless. It doesn?t matter what load limit or altitude you are at because it automatically adjusts the timing as you are running through the rpm. It makes for an extremely smooth, quiet, efficient engine.
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.
How does the SX fit in your line?We have five boats, three direct- and two V-drives. The SX is part of the V-drive family, and it has a completely different hull than the direct-drives. We call this hull an Omega hull. It has a deep vee in front, which tapers back to where it?s basically flat in the stern. This makes good wakes for the skier or boarder. The hull has 32 degrees running back to 11 degrees. It allows us to get a good ride in rough water while providing large, well-shaped wakeboarding wakes. The SX hull is the same as the S22. The difference being the SX comes standard with a four-blade stainless-steel prop and a 1.46 to 1 gear reduction transmission for extra accelleration, a tower and a ballast system.
Super Specs
Length: 21 ft. 7 in.
Beam: 93 in.
Fuel capacity: 43 gal.
Seating capacity: 10
Test prop: 13 x 13.5 Cutter SS 4-blade
Test engine: Toyota VT300i 4.0L V8
Base price: $40,000 to $45,000
On the Water
PerformanceTop speed 41 mph 5,800 rpm
Accel to 22 5.69 sec.
Accel to 36 9.50 sec.
Accel to 30 to 36 3.65 sec.
Noise levels (db)
Idle 55 D 56 R
22 mph 81 D 85 R
CommentsYou are not going to find a better wake than this. With the 80 gallons of ballast, the SX has enough wake for all but the most advanced riders. With the extra fat sacs (two rear, one forward), it is totally world-class. Make sure you keep some weight up front and the wake shape and width will be perfect. The ballast system was a little slow to fill, but you have independent drains for balancing.
Shape/Transition: Clean and solid
Ability to hold speed: Good
Driving Double Ups: Solid
Ballast fill time: 11 min. 0 sec.
Ballast Balancing Qualities: Yes
On the Water
Wake Unweighted Factory Weight Weighted
Wake Size 3 2 1
Lip 2 1.5 1
Tracking/Stability 1 1 1
Scale: 1 World class, 2 Tournament quality, 3 Suitable for experts, 4 Suitable for advanced recreational use, 5 Suitable for recreational use.
Chill FactorThis engine just hums - nice and quiet, runs smooth and never vibrates. Another awesome feature is the trunk storage behind the V-drive hatch. This boat is beautiful throughout and has perfect ergonomics for the driver. We thought the passenger seat was too small, but the back angle on all the seating is the best we?ve seen and the vinyl seems extra-cushy, smooth and classy. There?s storage under each seat and convenient steps to aid in getting in the boat.
SummaryThis is a great boat with a killer wake. Naturally, a wakeboard boat designed with the input of Darin Shapiro is going to be a winner. But that doesn?t mean it?s an experts-only ride. With the ballast full and some extra weight, it?s fully tournament-ready with the exception of it being a little slow out of the hole. Without the weight, it has a clean, solid launch pad even suitable for little kids and beginners. The interior is awesome, the wraparound seating is clean and comfortable and the driver has a polished dash with big 5-inch gauges. Toyota also has some excellent features we haven?t seen elsewhere, such as a trunk behind the engine compartment, a beautiful white-painted tower with an integrated bimini, and digital gauges on the independent ballast tanks. A luxury machine like this has a full assortment of electronics options and even a tech support line. With so many features, you?d think Toyota has been leading the market for years. This boat will certainly lead it for years to come.
? 2004 World Publications, LLC
