Something Extra
Magic Powerboats turns its most popular model into a wakeboard edition.

When it comes to utility, there aren't many go-fast boats than can compete with a West Coast custom deck boat. Center-console V-bottoms with triple-engine setups may come close, but they don't have the ease of access, amount of seating options or fun factors such as blenders and rockin' stereo systems.

The folks at Magic Powerboats decided to take that functionality a step further with their most popular model, the 28 Deck Boat. No, they didn't add rod holders; they turned the boat into a wakeboard edition called the 28 Deck Boat DTS.

Most people don't think of a deck boat as a wakeboard boat, but Magic proved otherwise. The Lake Havasu City, Ariz., builder didn't miss a thing on the 28 Deck Boat DTS it delivered to Parker, Ariz.

It included a fully automated ballast system with 50-gallon tanks near the bow in each sponson. The built-in tanks, which take about 6 minutes to fill and empty, have gauges so you can check the level. Magic also mounted large Dana Marine trim tabs on the boat to get the wake just right.

A custom Wake Designs tower was essential to the wakeboard setup. Not only did the powder-painted aluminum tower feature wakeboard racks on each side and a mirror above the driver's position, the $6,595 tower folded down for storing the boat.

And what's a wakeboard boat without a set of speakers on its tower? Magic followed the lead of many wakeboard-boat companies and added two rear-facing speakers. The speakers were a nice complement to the boat's JL Audio stereo system.

The final tow-specific option was the MerCruiser 496 Mag HO engine that was equipped with Mercury's SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) system, which explains the DTS in the boat's name. With the system—a $5,600 upgrade—Magic was able to use Mercury's SmartTow. The SmartTow program combines an rpm-based cruise control with a setting to determine the pull intensity for getting riders out of the water.

The SmartTow and other gauges were easy to see from the starboard-side driver's spot, which featured a tilting helm and Mercury's Zero Effort controls on an extension from the gunwale.

While we didn't get a chance to do any testing from behind the boat (next time we'll get a wakeboarder to provide some input), we did run the 28-footer through a variety of performance drills.

Putting the 425-horsepower motor to good use was a Bravo Three XR drive and the new Pro-Finished Bravo Three XR propeller set. The front four-blade propeller had a 15 3/4" diameter and a 26" pitch, and the back three-blade prop was 14 1/2" x 28". Utilizing the propulsion package, the 28 Deck Boat DTS had a top speed of 59 mph at 4,900 rpm. The manufacturer has seen 63 mph, which our test driver said is achievable in the right conditions. The boat got on plane in 5.9 seconds and needed 6.9 seconds to run from 30 to 50 mph.

For a hybrid deck boat/wakeboard boat, Magic did a stellar job. It costs more than $140,000, but the 28 Deck Boat DTS offers much more than a standard wakeboard or deck boat.—Jason Johnson

Click to enlarge.