Supra SE450 and SE550: Going To Extremes

Supra’s New 2015 SE models, the SE450 and SE550, take wakeboarding and wake surfing to new heights.

By Brett Becker

October 23, 2014

Coming on the heels of its successful SA line of tow boats, Supra has just announced its new line of boats borrowing the design theme and taking the concept, well, to the extreme. The new 2015 Supra SE450 and SE550 are yet another leap forward in the tow boat market. SE is unofficially the acronym for surf extreme, something for which this new boat was designed.

The Supra SE line is just a bit longer and a little wider than its SA stable mates, but it’s clearly advanced by every measure.

“The SE takes the performance, bold designs, refined interiors and precision engineering of Supra Boats to extremes,” said Amy Mauzy, spokesperson for Skier’s Choice, parent company of Supra Boats. “Made for the extremes of big water and large passionate water sports crowds, the SE is the ultimate in Supra’s line of World Class tow boats.”

For example, Supra says the boat produces the largest, cleanest, custom-shaped surf wakes, thanks to the hull design, 3,200 pounds of ballast, and the Swell Surf System, which is an option. While you ponder that ballast figure — 3,200 pounds, really? — let’s dig in to the Swell Surf System.

Key to the system are the specially-shaped trim tabs that adjust to parallel with the transom surface. That is, vertical. That allows the driver to adjust the shape of the wakes, from a gradual ramp ideal for skim boarding to a barrel shape for surfing. An added bonus is that the tabs keep the bow of the boat down, so the driver can see ahead while everyone else enjoys the action behind the boat.

The settings are all controlled from the driver seat on the Supra VISION touch-screen system, which allows you to transfer the wake to the other side of the boat as quickly as in 1.8 seconds. You also can tune the wakes further with the standard Supra Ride System, which consists of a center tab on the transom and Zero Off speed control. The system also includes a collapsible tower, which comes with board racks, speakers, and a Bimini top.

The boat tips the scales at 5,300 pounds dry, so when you add all the standard and available ballast, plus passengers and gear, you’re looking at close to 10,000 pounds of displacement. That’s a lot of weight, but Supra accommodated that task appropriately by adding more power. Lots more.

The “base” engine in the SE450, if you could call it that, is Ford’s Raptor V8 marinized by Indmar Marine Engines.

This Raptor V8 found in the SE line is a beast when it leaves the Ford plant. It’s a 6.2-liter SOHC V8, which churns out 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque. The SE450’s Indmar Raptor engine has an increased output of 440 horsepower and 427 pound-feet of torque. If you want get serious, you can opt for the SE550’s engine, which gets a Roush supercharger that increases output to 575 horsepower and 580 pound-feet of torque. Uh, that should be enough.

Inside, the SE450 and SE550 employ many of the same design cues present in the SA line of tow boats. For example, the bow is a pickle-fork design, which has some styling points unique to Supra. However, it’s also hugely practical in that it affords more space in the bow seating area.

In the cockpit the SE line benefits from the convertible rear facing seat, which lifts and locks with one hand. There’s also a cushion on the port bench that lifts to create an aft-facing lounge. To starboard, there’s a permanent aft-facing seat, making this a great vehicle for watching or coaching riders behind the boat.

Wake surfing has invigorated the tow boat market the same way wakeboarding did some 20 years ago. It has sparked some serious creativity and no holds-barred designs, and Supra’s new SE450 and SE550 are prime candidates that should be on any serious shopper’s list. They build on the success of earlier models, and take it to the next level.

Specifications
Length	24'6"
Beam	8'6"
Draft	2'2"
Deadrise	Variable-degree
Displacement	5,300 lbs
Fuel capacity	83 gal.

Base price for the SE 450 is slightly above the six-figure mark, which includes the 440-horse Raptor engine. Moving up to the SE 550 adds around $10,000 to the cost and includes the 575-horse Roush supercharged Raptor engine.

Other Choices: There are a number of options when it comes to high-end tow boats, like the Mastercraft X46 and the Centurion Enzo. To get a glimpse at a number of other top contenders, read 10 Best Tow Boats for Water Skiing and Wakeboarding.

See Supra listings.

For more information, visit Supra.

Written by: Brett Becker

Brett Becker is a freelance writer and photographer who has covered the marine industry for 15 years. In addition to covering the ski boat and runabout markets for Boats.com, he regularly writes and shoots for BoatTrader.com. Based in Ventura, Calif., Becker holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s in mass communication from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.