2004 Centurion Avalanche

[j3r3m7]

Ok, so I'm looking into the suitability of an ex-demo 2004 Centurion Avalanche at the Azura Marine broker down in Poole, UK.

Boat Spec
Model: 2004 Centurion Avalanche 22' 100"
Engine: V-drive Mercrusier 350 Mpi 315HP with Sideswipe Exhaust
Enigne hours: 90
Colour: Finished in Too Red with Stainless Steel Rub Rail
Balllast: Centre + Twin Rear
Extras: Storm II Package inc , Sony CD Stereo + Amp + Sub, EZ Rider Bolster Seat, Bow & Cockpit Covers, Custom Metal Flake Graphics, Digital Depth/Temp Gauge, PerfectPass Wakeboard Pro, Twin Axle Custom Colour Coded Trailer
Warranty: Full Factory Warranty
Photos: Dealer photo page
Guide Price: £29,500 ex Vat

I'm due down there on Friday to check out the boat in the flesh. I have seen it briefly before, a year ago when I was passing through Poole. It looked good then so will be interested in how it is a 12 months on.

My Requirements
Storage: In water at Marina for 10 mos/year, on trailer 2mos
Useage: Salt water useage on estuary, sea and river. Wakeboarding, wakeskating and wakesurfing. Cruising and general coastal use.
Safety: Good on coastal waters, high sides for younger passengers
Power: Enough for me, the missus, my mates and full ballast tanks
Handling: Smooth rough water behaviour
Styling: As cool as poss, minimal bling additions required
Cost: Sub 30k

I'm really after some comments on what do you guys think this particular boat? e.g. suitability, value for money, stylishness etc

[Agis]

Very nice looking boat mate although not sure if I could live with the silver stripe. Apart from that boat looks sweet and very good value compared to equivalent Mastercraft or equivalent.

I have heard on the US forums that Centurions are better/safer rough water boats then Mastercraft or Correct Craft etc but have no first hand experience to clarifiy this.

If you like Red Boats have you considered this one. Private sale so won't have the dealer back-up but its been on sale for a while now (maybe 6 months) so maybe available sub £30K.

http://www.boatsandoutboards.com/view/F82079/

[Agis]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Ok, so I'm looking into the suitability of an ex-demo 2004 Centurion Avalanche at the Azura Marine broker down in Poole, UK.

Boat Spec
Model: 2004 Centurion Avalanche 22' 100"
Engine: V-drive Mercrusier 350 Mpi 315HP with Sideswipe Exhaust
Enigne hours: 90
Colour: Finished in Too Red with Stainless Steel Rub Rail
Balllast: Centre + Twin Rear
Extras: Storm II Package inc , Sony CD Stereo + Amp + Sub, EZ Rider Bolster Seat, Bow & Cockpit Covers, Custom Metal Flake Graphics, Digital Depth/Temp Gauge, PerfectPass Wakeboard Pro, Twin Axle Custom Colour Coded Trailer
Warranty: Full Factory Warranty
Photos: Dealer photo page
Guide Price: £29,500 ex Vat

I'm due down there on Friday to check out the boat in the flesh. I have seen it briefly before, a year ago when I was passing through Poole. It looked good then so will be interested in how it is a 12 months on.

My Requirements
Storage: In water at Marina for 10 mos/year, on trailer 2mos
Useage: Salt water useage on estuary, sea and river. Wakeboarding, wakeskating and wakesurfing. Cruising and general coastal use.
Safety: Good on coastal waters, high sides for younger passengers
Power: Enough for me, the missus, my mates and full ballast tanks
Handling: Smooth rough water behaviour
Styling: As cool as poss, minimal bling additions required
Cost: Sub 30k

I'm really after some comments on what do you guys think this particular boat? e.g. suitability, value for money, stylishness etc

This is the same boat that is in this months May 2006 issue of "Buy a Boat Magazine" its on Page 46

[rossl]

The price stays £29,500 ex Vat?? Will you have to pay an other 5k in VAt on top.

[j3r3m7]

Saw the boat yesterday, the rain just held off which was handy

Condition
In general the boat was in excellent condition for a 2004. It had 100hrs on the engine clock and therefore has been well underused. The hull was immaculate, the interior also very good with only minor bits and bobs showing it has been doing a lot of sitting around.

Ergonomics
The layout was very spacious with the big wraparound central area able to handle a group of 8 people easily. The drivers seat was fairly adjustable with a pop up bit to enable a higher viewpoint for fiddly mooring manouvres and the like. Dashboard had the perfect pass on the right, good for tweaking when driving.

Mechanics
Didn't do a test drive but the engine and running gear looked fine. Odd spec of rust on the drive shaft but that was it. After chatting to the dealer it turns out a 2yr factory warranty is on offer which would give good piece of mind and risk reduction.

Wakeboarding Bits
Storage: Loads of storage and a massive area under the passenger seat to stash boards and ropes.
Tower: Not bad design, not like a new X-Star style blingmaster but not too old school.
Platform: Walk through transom was a good feature for my intended use though doesn't quite look as cool as a whopping sun deck.
Perfect Pass: Std looking device, so would do the job admirably
Ballast: 3 tanks with plumbed in filling system.
Sound System: Fat kicker amp and sub looked good, didn't get to have a go but looked fine.

Sea Worthiness
Hull: A chunky V equals good offshore handling, the Centurions are renowned for being the most suitable so good score here
Fittings: Fittings were rust resistant, think brass but will check with dealer.

Conclusion
This would be the perfect boat for my sea going requirements. It looked good, had excellent levels of trim and wakeboarding features.

The only slight downer from my perspective is that having just spent nearly a year travelling I didn't feel the 30k + Vat (e.g. 35K) was immediately justifiable for a 2yr old boat. I think it more comes down to the price of UK based wakeboard boats in general... If you think of the car you can get for the same dosh then a wake specific boat just feels overpriced.

Luckily I've got the time to shop around as my season probably won't be that enjoyable (read warm enough) until June so I've got some other boats to check out before I consider the Avalanche as a real prospect. Who knows, I may decide everything else is even less good value and then see if Azura are happy to do a deal to get rid of a boat they have had for a couple of years...

[Tower_boy]

yikes 35k for a 2004!

Sounds like an awesome boat but <b>rediculously<b/> pricey.

I always say it but call Nautique! ask about a 2nd hand SV211... should meet all your requirements. They are high sided, a crap load of storage (did an install on one a few days ago and i would guess-timate it have 2 to 3 times the storage my SAN had and the same again in freeboard). Also not to far for you and an easy tow should servicing be required (down the M4 to surrey). Boat will have snap in carpet for the wetter days, and a small step up in quality against the Centurion.

You might, at a real push be able to get a fairly basic brand new one for that kind of money.