Overview
Having rumbled to the end of the no-wake zone, you look around, and then twist the throttle on stylish ape-hanger handlebars. Your honey grips your waist, snuggling against your back, and the King Hell Attitude 17 Sport roars—and I do mean roars—onto plane, dew drops on the bow deck’s varnished mahogany peeling aft in speedy rivulets as you head for a top speed of 36 mph.
Engine
The Attitude 17 Sport brings key attributes of a big, brawny V-twin motorcycle to the water. The handlebar steering, the twist-grip throttle, the V-twin engine, and the springer-style saddle seats all contribute to its biker vibe. These trappings come wrapped in a glossy, varnished, low-slung hull painted flag blue and boasting varnished wood topsides and a sweet sheer that incorporates oodles of tumblehome as it descends from the bow toward the transom. It’s a boat that’s got cool to spare.
Interior and Accessories
Is it a PWC? You ride in this boat, not on it. And while cornering proved safe and sure, you won’t be cutting any button hooks at wide-open throttle or looking for breaking waves to jump. If this was a motorcycle, it’d be a cruiser not a dirt bike—it reigns over comfort and style. Plus, there’s room in the boat to stow a paddle, life jackets and other gear. I even had room to arrange my test gear (fuel-meter display, GPS, sound meter and level gauge), and keep a pad and pen at my feet, things we generally cannot do aboard a PWC. Also, we never got wet, not a drop; although, our test day lacked any wind.
The hull is cold-molded, and the V-twin is a custom job, neither of which comes cheap. With that in mind, King Hell President Chris Ashley informed me just before press time that the company will offer a fiberglass version of the boat, the Reward model, powered by a water jet. Ashley expects that boat to retail between $60,000 and $65,000.
The King Hell Attitude 17 Sport is a great boat for an affluent couple seeking a unique ride to a waterfront bistro, out to a friend’s boat, or to catch the sunset.
How We Tested
- Engine: 105 hp custom Bob Johnson gasoline V-twin
- Drive/Prop: ZF V-drive/ 10″ x 16″ 3-blade bronze
- Gear Ratio: 1.40:1 Fuel Load: 18 Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 280 lb.
High Points
- Rumbling and loud, everyone will notice you pulling up.
- Great finish work on our test boat. It looks as good close up as it does from afar.
- Cannot overstate the cool factor of running this boat. It’s a ton of fun.
Low Points
- Rumbling and loud, everyone will notice you pulling up.
- Hot engine and a slippery deck make going forward to tie up…interesting.
Toughest Competitor
This boat stands in a class by itself. If pressed, we’d say check out the Donzi 16 Classic ($65,700 with a 250 hp MerCruiser sterndrive) for similar ability to provide stylish, attention-getting waterborne transport.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $125,000 (with test power) |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 16’9″ |
| Beam: | 5’7″ |
| Draft (max): | 1’4″ |
| Displacement (approx.): | 1,400 lb. |
| Transom Deadrise: | 4 degrees |
| Bridge Clearance: | 3’10” |
| Fuel Capacity: | 18 gal. |
| Max Horsepower: | 105 |
| Available Power: | Single 105 hp V-twin gasoline V-drive; single 170 hp Rotax gasoline water jet |
Speed, Efficiency, Operation
King Hell Boats – Harvard, Massachusetts; 978-330-7722; kinghellboats.com
