Shockwave 25' Step Tremor: Performance Test
Shockwave 25' Step Tremor proves that beauty and versatility don't have to be mutually exclusive.
December 3, 2001
The Shockwave 25' StepTremor ran almost 70 mph and delivered nimble handling.
The 25' Step Tremor from Shockwave Custom Boats in Lake Elsinore, Calif., was a 4,400-pound boatload of fun wrapped in a pretty package. It had the attributes you'd want in a quality bow rider: comfort, decent performance and the ability to tow wakeboarders and skiers, all for a $66,300 price tag. Stripping away the optional MerCruiser 502 Magnum MPI engine and the additional stereo gear saves $8,400.
We know this to be true because we had the pleasure of running one of these boats at our Parker, Ariz., test facility.
Performance
Bottom construction was a standard deep-V with a three-quarter-inch step. The step was positioned about 6 feet forward of the transom and ran straight across, not vented forward or aft, with four strakes running through the step. The bottom also included a five- to six-degree negative chine about 3 inches wide.
Our Shockwave bow rider was powered by a MerCruiser 502 Magnum MPI engine using a Bravo 1.5:1 drive that turned a 15 1/4" x 24" Bravo One propeller. With that somewhat tame setup, the Shockwave reached a top speed
In acceleration runs, the bow rider went from zero to 58 mph in 15 seconds. Time to plane took 4.6 seconds without tabs and 4.4 seconds with tabs. In midrange acceleration tests, the bow rider went from 20 to 40 mph in 5.2 seconds. It also went from 30 to 60 mph in 10.8 seconds, which was a little slow, but it is important to remember that this was a stock engine-no lumpy cams or outrageous power curves here. A more powerful engine would make this boat even better.
In handling tests, the bow rider was perfect in 20-, 30- and 40-mph slaloms. And it executed all turns at cruise and full throttle with a poise uncommon in stepped-bottom boats.
Weight shift was nonexistent, and the bow rider held fast to the water at low and high speeds alike. Throttle response at slow speeds and in the midrange was above average. The only average performance showed up at the top end, where, again, the mild engine just ran out of breath.
Workmanship
The boat's lamination schedule consisted of 100 percent hand-laid knitted fiberglass and hand-rolled resin encapsulating four full-length stringers. Cored mat was used extensively throughout the deck and hull.
The smoked-plexiglas, wraparound windshield consisted of five pieces, and although it looked solid, closer inspection showed the workmanship to be a little disappointing. The curved glass didn't fit flush in its track, and one of the strips that held the glass in place ran right through our driver's field of vision.
Hardware on the boat, starting from the bow, included a pair of powder-painted nav lights and a pair of powder-painted handrails on each side. To tie up, Accon Pop-Up(r) cleats were positioned amidships on each side of the boat, with another pair located near the stern. A Dana fuel fill was located on the port side in a matching powder-painted blue bezel. The boat also sported a billet transom-mounted ski-tow and grab handles.
The engine cover was a wood hatch that was smartly upholstered on the outside and carpeted on the underside. It was hinged at the transom and operated by a single electric screw jack.
The engine beneath was mounted on L-angles through-bolted to the stringers for support. Shockwave used standard Mercury and transom mounts to keep everything secure. Wiring was held neatly and tightly in a flexible conduit loom. Also, a pair of Gil boxes kept the batteries in place.
Interior
A race-style throttle and shifter and blue bezels for all gauges gave the boat's helm a sporty appearance.
In the cockpit, gray marine-grade carpeting was perfectly installed without any signs of seams or bunching. Two sturdy drop-out bolsters earned raves from our testers. On the passenger's side, we found a billet grab handle below a small glove box, and at the helm, a special molded cutout with a Gaffrig shifter and throttle. Beede gauges, privately labeled for Shockwave, adorned the dash, and a Ritchie compass and Gaffrig depthfinder were mounted in clear view. The 25 also came with a Dino tilt steering wheel.
The 25' Step Tremor's cabin was simple yet functional.
Immediately forward of the cockpit through a door-less cutout was a comfortable, fully carpeted mid-cabin with two facing lounge seats. In addition to providing comfort and a place to hide from the rain, it provided ample stowage behind the seatbacks. Just forward of the midcabin was the bow-rider section, where we found another comfy place to rest and more stowage beneath the seats. A locker in the sole could accommodate water toys and fenders.
Skiing
Our testers found this boat more suitable for wakeboarding than skiing. Takeoff power scored high marks during wakeboarding tests, but yanking up a slalom skier took a little more time and effort than testers would have liked. Again, increased power would make this boat better.
Once on plane, the 25' Step Tremor tracked well, exhibited good throttle sensitivity and afforded the driver excellent visibility
Overall
For the buyer looking for more than just an ordinary bow rider, the Shockwave could be the ticket. It was as versatile as it was visually striking. It showed quality workmanship and would certainly be one of the more attention-getting craft on the water.
- In addition to bolsters for the driver and copilot, there was seating for three to four people on the boat's rear bench.
Hull and Propulsion Information
| Deadrise at transom | 24 degrees |
| Centerline | 26'4" |
| Beam | 8'2" |
| Hull weight | 4,400 pounds |
| Engine | MerCruiser 502 Magnum MPI |
| Cylinder type | V-8 |
| Cubic-inch displacement/horsepower | 502/415 |
| Lower-unit gear ratio | 1.5:1 |
| Propeller | MerCruiser Bravo One 15 1/4" x 24" |
Pricing
| Base retail | $57,900 |
| Price as tested | $66,300 |
Standard Equipment
Unlimited paint and graphics design, interior graphics to match boat, 180-watt CD player (with detachable face and remote control), Billet hardware, Gaffrig controls and depth gauge, Shockwave logo gauges, compass, tilt steering, dual ram Bennett trim tabs, stainless-steel bow rails, flush-mounting running lights, dual batteries with locking switch, through-transom exhaust with stainless-steel frame, anchor locker, one-piece swim step, stainless-steel Bimini top.
Options on Test Boat
Upgrade to MerCruiser 502 Magnum MPI engine ($7,500), amplifier and four extra speakers ($900).
Acceleration
| 3 seconds | 18 mph |
| 5 seconds | 23 mph |
| 10 seconds | 43 mph |
| 15 seconds | 58 mph |
Midrange Acceleration
| 20-40 mph | 5.2 seconds |
| 30-50 mph | 6.3 seconds |
| 30-60 mph | 10.8 seconds |
Rpm vs. Mph
| 1000 | 8 mph |
| 1500 | 11 mph |
| 2000 | 19 mph |
| 2500 | 31 mph |
| 3000 | 39 mph |
| 3500 | 45 mph |
| 4000 | 55 mph |
| 4500 | 63 mph |
Top Speed
| Speedometer | 78 mph |
| Radar | 69.8 mph at 5050 rpm |
| Nordskog Performance Products | GPS NA |
Planing
| Time to plane | 4.4 seconds |
| Minimum planing speed | 17 mph |
Fuel Economy
| At 45 mph | 3 mpg |
| At 55 mph | 2.7 mpg |
| At WOT | 2 mpg |
| Fuel capacity | 75 gallons |
Manufacturer
Shockwave Custom Boats
Dept. PB
1315 Flint St.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(909) 674-9229
www.shockwaveboats.com.
