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Reprinted from the June 2004 issue with permission of Go Boating Magazine.
Perfecting the Art of Movementby James Corns A ride on the Crownline 216 LS is as breathtaking as the boat itself There are so many similar bowriders out there on the market right now that you could hold almost any model up to another and they would look like twin boats; however, if you were to hold up the Crownline 216 LS to the others, it would stand out as different. In fact, even held up against its Crownline kin, the 216 LS would be the favorite child. The boat’s striking lines and graphics work in unison to create a boat full of movement, which is not just the state of moving but also an artistic expression used to describe works of art that imply motion. The 216 LS thereby has movement even when it is standing perfectly still.
As wonderful as that form of movement might be, however, the real thing is even better. We found that out firsthand during our test of the 216 LS off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida. We always get plenty of chop on those ocean waters, which makes for a thorough test of a boat.
At a dry weight of 3,700 to 3,900 pounds, the boat is rather zaftig, which aids the boat when confronting waves but also makes for noticeably slower speeds in the low rpm. For instance, the boat only goes from 5.3 mph at 1,000 rpm to 7.9 mph at 2,000 rpm, but after the boat gets moving, it quickly makes up for it, jumping to 20.7 mph at 2,500 rpm and 28.2 mph after it goes to plane at 2,900 rpm. Moreover, when we timed the boat from 0 to 30 mph, it got there in 9 seconds, which is faster than many other boats can achieve. Our test boat was powered by a 260 hp MerCruiser 5.0L MPI stern drive, and we had two adults and _ of a tank of fuel on board for the ride. Under those conditions, we were able to hit an admirable top speed of 44.5 mph, at 4,600 rpm. Handling and maneuverability were exemplary, making turns a pleasure. There was no sliding in turns, and the boat has a nice, tight turn radius. The 216 LS not only got the job done, it got it done well. One Ride Will Convince You
We say it time and again, with every Crownline boat we test, but the company rules when it comes to fit and finish and we’re going to keep reiterating this fact tirelessly until it ceases to be true. It starts up front at the bow, with the V-shaped settee’s very plush seating. Filler cushions can be used to turn the entire bow into one large sunpad. An anchor storage locker is located at the very tip of the bow, and a telescopic boarding ladder can be added here as an option. A small cooler is built into the settee, underneath the forward cushion. Our one critique of the bow settee is that the backrests have no angle to them. The thick cushions let you lie back as you look forward, but it would be nice to have the extra back support. Moving back through the walk-through windshield, we came upon the passenger and helm consoles. The boat has a full set of instrumentation, which features stainless steel bezels that set off the Faria gauges. The tilt steering wheel comes with rack-and-pinion steering, and there are switches for controlling the boat’s courtesy and navigation lights. The passenger console has a lockable draining glove box and two built-in drink holders. A Sony marine stereo with a single-disc player and four speakers is standard, but a Sony premium stereo upgrade is available, and it includes a removable face plate, a remote and the option of adding a six-disc changer for an additional charge. You can also add a high-performance speaker system with a high-powered amp, a subwoofer, two extra speakers and a speaker upgrade to coaxial. A large, finished ski and kneeboard stowage locker is built into the deck, between the two consoles. This is where Crownline’s penchant for fit and finish is on display. In addition to being lockable, the locker is nicely finished and comes with hinged lids and a removable rubber pad. A U-shaped settee wraps around the back side of the cockpit. The cushions along the starboard side are configured in such a way that you can remove some of them to create walk-through access to the stern swim step. In addition to the integrated swim step, there’s an extended swim platform. A large sunpad is located between the U-shaped settee and the stern swim step. It covers the engine compartment, but makes it easy to get to. This is also a good time to mention the boat’s fully integrated structural fiberglass liner, which gives the boat’s interior a clean look. Few other bowriders can match the ride of the Crownline 216 LS, and even fewer can match its fit and finish. The 216 LS is small enough to be an entry-level boat, but it’s equipped enough to lure longtime boaters who want a bowrider that will last them for the rest of their boating lives. We must warn you, though: A ride on the Crownline 216 LS is as breathtaking as the boat itself. MORE INFO: Crownline Boats Inc.; (618) 937-6426; www.crownline.com. Circle TK on reader service card, page TK
Reprinted from the June 2004 issue with permission of Go Boating Magazine. |
With its 21-degree deadrise, the 216 LS performed swimmingly, breaking through the chop with aplomb. The boat felt very sturdy and well constructed when we hit some of the more pounding waves. There was no blowout or cavitation during our run, and the bow never goes too high, so visibility remained excellent the entire time.
We’ve already mentioned the beautiful look of the boat’s exterior, but its interior is equally attractive. Although the layout of the 216 LS is nothing groundbreaking, the execution of every piece of fiberglass and upholstery is remarkable. We challenge you to find a more finely built bowrider at a price anywhere close to this.
