New Boat in 3 Weeks!

Met with the GM of Hipp Marine today and discussed the terms of the new boat.  Looks like everything will be rolling in about 3 weeks.  We are getting a blue and black 2008 Calabria Pro-V.  The boat is already in storage, but it will take about 3 weeks to build a galvanized dual axle trailer with disc brakes.  Since its going to see quite a bit of salt water use, they are going with a galvanized trailer, but then painting it to match the boat.  Filled out some paperwork today to get the financing rolling and to see if they can get us a better rate than what our credit union can offer us.  We can either trade ours in for a decent price, or sell it and apply the total over the cost of what we owe on our current loan toward the downpayment.  Regardless, check back for updates as things develop!

Calabria PureVert Ballast System

After the hours of research I’ve been doing on the new Calabria Pro V’s we’ve been looking at,
the PureVert ballast system keeps catching my eye. I figured I’d write a quick article detailing this system.

The gravity-fed ballast system is really unique in the wakeboat world. It is integrated into the hull, so there aren’t any pumps or tanks to deal with.  There are two switches on the dash to fill/drain the right/left side tanks. You Just flip the switch and it fills up in about 45 seconds and drains in 15 seconds.  From most reviews, it really sinks the whole boat, and creates an amazing wake.

There are no pumps needed, because the system actually just opens to flood gates at the back of the boat under the swim step, and gravity floods the tanks under the boat.  To empty the tanks, you just open the gates, and drive away.  The forward motion pushes the water back out of the tanks and empties them quickly.

I can see this being awesome in normal use, being able to set up different amounts of ballast for every different rider very quickly.

Well that’s my quick description, I’ll keep posting more about this awesome boat!

Memorial Day River Trip

I hope everyone had a great memorial day, because I know we did! The WBSD crew loaded up and headed out of the horrible SD weather friday afternoon, rain pouring down almost half of the way out. It was a mess driving on the freeway in pouring rain AND towing a boat. Suddenly after dropping down out of the mountains past Ocotillo, the sky just cleared up and rain stopped. It was smooth sailing after that!

We pulled in to Squaw Lake around midnight, and set up camp. Officer Kjo arrived the next morning around 8, and we threw the boats in the water so we could get a quick session. His ‘06 Sanger V210 has about 700lb of ballast stock, but we threw out 600lb skylon sack in the back and loaded it up as well, and god damn that thing throws a hell of a wake! Its like ramping off a quarter pipe at 20 mph. Needless to say, some insane riding was to be had that morning, followed by a full day of even more insane partying. Sandbars were going off everywhere, so we pulled in for some good times, and then checked out clear lake which was had a pretty decent vibe as well.

We ended up the night with Kjo’s dad heading in to Squaw w/ their new Toy Hauler, so we threw up the bbq and knocked back some cold ones to finish off round one. Sunday started with an early morning sesh and some wakesurfing as well. We filled up the 600lb sack, and just cruise at about 11mph and it kicks up a decent wake for some surfing. With the ballast and that Hi-5 prop it gives you a huge lip to just mess around on. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a few sick moves thrown, like my filthy backslide for example:

We wrapped this day up with yet another round of sandbar/clearlake partying. The weather was awesome, music was blasting, sun was hot, ladies were hotter, beer was even colder, and times were good. Headed back to camp to regroup, shower, and find some dinner. Then we all passed out so we could get in another early morning session on Monday before heading back to SD. There weren’t too many people out on Monday, especially at 7:30, so we had some good glass to ride on. Dani was throwing huge airs and backrolls,

and Evan donated a few steezy grabs to the mix as well.

We made it in around 11 for breakfast, then hit the road back to SD. All in all it was a great weekend, with weather 10x better than what was going on in SD. Just making me excited for the Havasu trip coming up in June!

2008 Calabria Pro V

Well, it looks like we’ve chosen our boat. Due to our awesome local dealer, Hipp Marine, (www.hippmarine.com), and the guys at DBG Concepts, (www.dbgconcepts.com),
we’re pretty much set on a 2008 Calabria Pro V.

This boat is insane, here are the specs:
Specs
Passengers: 15
Dry weight: 3,500 lb.
Draft: 23 in.
Load capacity: 2,025 lb.
Fuel capacity: 55 gal.
Storage capacity: 57.5 cu. ft.
Bow: 5.5 cu. ft.
Center: 21 cu. ft.
Rear: 31 cu. ft.
Platform: 15 sq. ft.
Interior gunwale height: 26 in.
Sun-pad area: 25 sq. ft.

Standards
Base price: $68,980
Engine: MerCruiser Black Scorpion 5.7L, 330 hp
Prop: OJ 13 x 17.5 four-blade
Cruise: Accuski
Ballast: 700 lb. total
Two center tanks: 350 lb. each
Tower: Cal Air with quick-pin release
Mirror: Windshield-mounted
Driver’s seat: Swivel, slide
Dash: Tilt steering wheel
Gauges: 5-inch Medallion
Gas fill: Dual bow
Cooler: 12 qt., under walk-through
Cup holders: 14, stainless steel
Rub rail: Stainless steel
Platform: Removable, fiberglass
Graphics: Traditional, Swoosh and Checkers, Wave, Tribal
Colors: 18 exterior color choices in up to four color ways

Here is a link to a killer Virtual Test Drive from Waterski Mag:
http://www.waterskimag.com/VTD/2007/Calabria/index.html?manufacture=1&boat=1

I can’t wait! Of course, it’ll have a DBG Concepts tower and stereo!!!

Give me your opinions in the comments!

The Boarding School

If you haven’t been to the boarding school in Orlando, GO. Murray and Moye are great teachers and they treat you like friends. If you are looking to become a better rider and also have an experience of a lifetime start by going to theboardingschool.com

Murray rides doubles with you and teaches you good riding fundamentals in doing so. When I went for my set riding doubles with Shaun, he did a raley over me. Him over me was really cool, it shows you how high the pro’s get.

Travis Moye is a awesome boat driver, you wonder how their can be that big of a difference between a pro and amateur driver, there is a huge gap.  Travis’s double ups are crazy huge.

The boarding school is a good place for you and your friends or family to go ride. It is a really awesome experience.

Ty Morlang
43:2 Productions