The 175 Flight is a bowrider style meaning the bow is designed to include seating and is aimed squarely at social boaters and families. The Flight package adds a tower, swim platform and head turning graphics to turn a standard bowrider into a social wakeboarding boat with a minimum of fuss and hassle for the owner.What they do extremely well is build to a standard that most people would be more than happy with, in the end, saving you money on things you don’t really need.One of the most obvious design features has been at the rear of the boat around the engine box. Previously this box has largely been wasted and unusable space which, while designed to compliment the overall style of the boat, could have been used more creatively. The usability, always craved but never delivered is here in spades. The engine box now features a flat non-skid surface on top with a lower recessed area which doubles as a step and area for items you want off the floor while underway. The ubiquitous moulded cup holders have also been integrated to be more accessible.The engine box also has latches to keep it closed, instead of relying on gravity to do the job. When opened the lower portion of the box is cut low enough to allow easy maintenance access all around the standard 135hp 3.0L Mercruiser. The extended swim platform adds 0.6m to the overall length of the boats and is bolted lower to the water than the existing moulded 30cm wide platform. This makes it ideal for putting on boards before hitting the water and also includes a port to allow visibility of the stern-drive unit below. A recessed three step boarding ladder on the starboard side is well placed to allow the driver visibility of anyone climbing back onto the boat.Inside the 175 Flight, the passengers are accommodated on twin jump seats located either side of the engine box or on a back to back seat which is a design that has been around for many years now. This seating arrangement creates open space in the cockpit while also allowing either a forward facing ride to the nearest on water restaurant or a rear facing ride while observing a boarder or skier. Folding the passenger seat flat is a bit of a task but once locked in place makes a tidy and comfortable sunbed.The helm seat on the 175 is extremely low and ensures you are looking through the windscreen rather than at the frame or over it. I found it quite comfortable to sit in while underway.Of particular interest was the new minimalist helm layout which in its new streamlined appearance will make it easier for the driver and entry level boaters to keep an eye on all the engine readouts without be bamboozled by an array of moving dials. The new dash design condenses what was seemingly a dozen dials or switches into just two multipurpose readouts framed by two more moulded cup holders which, no doubt will accommodate more than just drinks on occasion. Below is a switch panel which sits alongside the tilt steering wheel.The passenger console accommodates the stereo and a 12 volt power supply. Perfect for wallets and keys.
The helm and passenger seats are separated by a walkway forward. Underfoot is a roomy storage compartment, It does drain directly to the bilge and perhaps if it were my boat I would line the compartment with some foam or rubber mats. The walkthrough windshield is gasketed on both sides and doesn’t rattle underway. The bow seating is comfortable enough, and there is enough room for me being 5’9 tall. The usual storage accommodations are underneath both seats.PerformanceThe 175 is easy to handle with the steering providing a sure and safe response. The 175 does experience some bow lift when accelerating onto the plane but due to the proximity of the bow to the helm position, the driver can maintain visibility of the water ahead at all times.Utilising the trim button is simple and you do notice the spray moving back along the hull as you accelerate and feel the wheel loosening a little, letting you know you have hit sweet spot for your trim setting. Turning in the 175 is a smooth and comfortable affair, even for your guests as the hull of the boat seems to bed in with no input as you commence a turn. Boarders may view this as a downside for watersports, however, you simply apply a little more throttle to keep things entertaining.The 175 is capable of a top speed around 65 km/h which is quite exhilarating when you are a couple of feet off the water and will sit on the customary 32km/h required for boarding quite comfortably for extended periods.The boat produces an ample wake for this and the torque of the engine can lift a reasonably sized individual out of the water quite quickly which is impressive for the 135hp engine we thought may struggle. The wake isn’t world class championship size but will keep most weekend warriors more than happy with the lift it offers.SpecsLOA 5.33m
Beam 2.11m
Deadrise 19 degrees
Weight w/engine 1087kg
Fuel 79.5L