Sunsation Running Two Triple Verado 400R-Powered Center Consoles At Shootout

With business reportedly “the best it’s ever been” for Sunsation Powerboats thanks to its CCX line of performance-oriented center consoles, the Algonac, Mich., boat builder plans to run a pair of CCX models—a 32 and a 34—during the upcoming Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Both boats will be on display at Wednesday night’s Street Party sponsored by Waves and Wheels.

One of two Sunsation models that will compete in the Lake of the Ozarks, this 34-footer is powered by triple Mercury Racing Verado 400R outboards. Photo courtesy/copyright Brad Glidewell Photography.

Owned by Sunsation partner Jared Morris, the 34 CCX is powered by triple Mercury Racing 400R outboard engines and boasts a custom Waves and Wheels “Diamond” interior. The 34-footer also features what Sunsation’s Wayne Schaldenbrand described as a new “slightly wing-shaped” aluminum top, which he said “creates a little lift, but not too much.”

“We’ve actually seen 90 mph in that boat,” Schaldenbrand said. “We hope we can get it there in the Shootout. Jared is going to run it.”

Setting up the 32-footer with triple Verado 400R outboard has been a significant challenge that’s included “a couple of broke prop-shafts and lost propellers and one cooked center motor,” according to Schaldenbrand. Higher engine heights have proven problematic for the 32-footer, so they’ve gone with a more conservative setup and expect the boat to run 90 mph rather than the 95 mph they’d initially hoped for during the Shootout. The boat is owned by Rick Deneve, but either Schaldenbrand or Morris will drive the 32-footer during the top-speed contest.

“At 60 mph, you hit it and the boat is like a slot car,” said Schaldenbrand, then laughed. “It’s a fun boat to drive.”

Thanks to its Lake of the Ozarks area dealer Performance Boat Center, Sunsation will have CCX center consoles on display at the dock’s Captain Ron’s, the host venue for the event. There also are several slips reserved for Sunsation owners who compete in the event.

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