There’s a lot to be said for boats that can serve multiple missions and perform those roles at the highest levels. So one of the first things we’d like to note about the 2017 Supra SA 550 is that when it’s time to surf, you don’t need to switch any weight around after your wakeboard session.
Instead, as our expert riders from a sister publication, Wakeboarding, discovered, simply use the Supra Vision Touch touchscreen, select which side you want to surf, and adjust with the huge wake plate. That’s it: The Supra Swell System takes care of the rest.
Also operated via Vision Touch, AutoWake impressed our test team. AutoWake optimizes the angle of the boat to produce precision wakes and surfing waves. It is fully integrated with the Supra Swell 2.0 System and Supra Smartplate. All three systems can be customized to suit individual riders. We were really wowed by the revelation that a monitor constantly adapts for changes in weight and load by infinitely tweaking depth in the water, roll and pitch. It’s worth shopping for a Supra SA just to see these features for yourself.
Supra executed amenity with the same degree of care they paid to technology. Choose from a variety of cockpit sole coverings. Billet aluminum is anodized, controls for speed and audio are integral to the steering wheel and the flip-up aft cockpit seating is sure to prove a hit. The wrench heads on our crew applauded the service access to the engine, ballast intake and helm electrics. The boat’s lines are strikingly rugged.
The Ford ROUSHcharged Raptor by Indmar 6.2L 575 powering our test boat delivered a 42.7 mph top speed and yet provided a thrifty 3 mpg economy at cruising speeds. This high-performance engine planed the boat in a blistering 3.3 seconds with empty ballast tanks and in 5.1 seconds with ballast tanks full. These are good performance numbers.
The Supra SA 550 is for crews seeking wake and surf potential on the professional level while demanding the bleeding edge in technology, style and innovation.
High Points
* The boat chosen to tow the 2016 Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour.
* Transom Surf Storage system is convenient.
* Board racks are standard on this — and every — Supra.
* A backup camera, two coolers, and controls on the wheel: Wow!
How We Tested
Engine: Ford ROUSHcharged Raptor by Indmar 6.2L 575
Drive/Prop: V-drive/15″ x 12.5″ 4-blade Nibral
Gear Ratio: 1.46:1
Fuel Load: 40 gal.
Crew Weight: 410 lb.
Ballast Tanks: Empty
Price
$114,300 (base)
Contact
Supra Boats Maryville, Tennessee; 865-983-9924; supraboats.com
