ROLCO EVOLUTION AND PHOENIX REVIEW
Echuca is a mecca for skiboats, evidenced by the great numbers of boats towed on highways from Sydney and Melbourne to this Murray River port, every available weekend or holiday.
Fortunately when the ski boat owner arrives, there's plenty of facilities and a well-watered, broad Murray River to enjoy. Even when the meandering giant Murray is bustling with all manner of floating craft, with a little courtesy - giving the rest of the boaters a chance - there's room for all. A great place to test two of Rolco's finest, under the magnificent umbrella of grand red gums.
Rolco boats are designed and manufactured in Australia, particularly for the waterskiing and wakeboarding enthusiasts. By manufacturing all their parts in-house and selling direct, Rolco achieve excellent economy in their boats.
The fun began with launching the Phoenix, with all passengers remaining dry on board during the launching, followed by the Phoenix easily drifting away from the trailer toward the middle of the Murray - too easy! Then a quick push on the starter-button and the V8 brute leaps into life, despite not being used for days.
You might expect a loud burble from the V8, but Rolco reckon that a good muffler saves occupant's headaches and complaints from the residents, so there's ample sound-proofing. This tames the big Gen III V8 to a discreet burble-burble at low speeds, developing to a smooth purr that only a big American donk can produce.
Conversations don't require yelling as the noise level is very modest indeed. Not every boat brand on the Murray shares this philosophy, with some announcing their loud presence a long distance away, but I was impressed with the smooth, quiet power of the Rolco-installed V8. In fact the installation package ensures the ride is quieter than many outboards. The bonus is Rolco claim super fuel economy.
I FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED
The more you travel at speed in a boat, the more you crave coming back for more. With such a wide river, at ski speed around 40kmh, it's not difficult to keep clear of snags, provided you note any above-water evidence and mentally project its likely course under the surface. A change in the water's surface colour or waves near the bank also hints at shallows, again easily avoided.
Both the Phoenix and the Evolution have a minimum wash, with a mirror-image pattern, flat and smooth for skiers, and a larger wash for lower speeds for wakeboarding. This is principally due to the low vee angle of their hulls, confirmed by watching the resulting wake in the observer's seat. This especially suits skiers and all the fishermen we passed at speed, relaxing with their lines.
Power from the Chev comes on smoothly, with no exertion. The car-style foot throttle effortlessly converted to power and the boats sported controlled predictability. This included remarkably relaxed, stable tight turns, with not a hint of skittishness, assisted by the brass centre turn fins. The Evolution has three fins and the Phoenix has two. Each Rolco has a custom steering wheel and legroom to suit any drivers, with adjustable seat rails.
We'll look at the Evolution in more detail, as it had the most options, plus the Phoenix is similar. The low raked profile aids low wind resistance and looks super-cool to speed lovers. Despite the close proximity to the water, during a speed burst, none of the occupants got wet. With a WOT of 45mph, or 50mph for the Phoenix, power is more than enough for inland rivers and lakes.
GEN III HEART
The Evolution was fitted with a Gen III V8, produced for Chev trucks, so there's plenty of exhilarating pure grunt torque down low, assisted by the fuel injection. Rolco estimate fuel economy can be in the order of less than 10lt/h.
Construction is solid fibreglass, with F17 hardwood bearer spines and marine ply floor, covered in carpet. An optional bank of stereo speakers was attached to the Evolution tower, powered by a Clarion audio system. The sound quality is good and the volume exceeds the engine's best efforts, as the music announces the arrival of this fun boat.
Heavy duty plush cut pile marine carpet is throughout, including in storage lockers. The vehicle-style upholstery is as good as it gets. Vinyl is hot on a sunny day, so Rolco utilise the same crushed velour fabric used in vehicles like Ford's XR6 and XR8 vehicles, with contrasting patterned inserts. This is very comfortable and offers excellent resistance to wear and tear. As Rolco boats are made to order, a wide range of fabric colours are available, in fact the entire décor inside and out is easily ordered to meet individual taste and requirements.
The observer's seat is generous enough to seat two comfortably and we were able to navigate to the rear seating at speed, with the skipole providing excellent support when needed.
Rolco have utilised almost all available space for storage, right down to drinkholders for the driver and observer. In fact there are no less than seven stainless steel drinkholders, large enough for stubby-holders, for big thirsts as the crew cruise in comfort. A nice touch is the storage area for the driver's keys, mobile phone or other items. Skis and all the kit a family carry are accommodated in the array of storage bays. At the rear, the huge carpeted ski locker's twin doors open with gas struts - a nifty feature. There's plenty of space to store a couple of skis or wakeboards and associated ropes plus gear. Down each side there's pockets and a carpeted storage behind the observer's seat.
But of all the accessories, it's the new wide-angle rear vision mirror that Lloyd from Rolco finds the most useful. The magnificent panorama of the rear view offered by this mirror is the best backup to the observer and keeps the driver aware of the skier's safety even better and quicker than the observer's updates.
The boats are licensed for seven people, with not too squeezy room on the padded seats. A generous carpeted boarding platform at the rear is spacious enough to stand, sit and launch from, with well placed grabrails. Exiting from the front near-flat bow deck to the shore is a breeze too.
WHAT WE LIKED
V8 Power to spare
Driving position and controls
Instruments are now even better
Features like storage ideas throughout
Finish
Stability
Value
NOT SO MUCH
The observer's drop floor is excellent but compact when a centre skipole is installed
With the Phoenix starting at just $29,990, there's great value in a Rolco
Specifications: Rolco Phoenix
HOW MUCH?
Price as tested: $43,020
Options fitted: Rolco Gen III 350hp Soft Clutch engine, Competition centre pole, wakeboard tower, wakeboard and ski racks, bimini-mounted mirror, boat cover, tower-mounted biscuit bimini, billet bimini, tower mount rings, navigation lights, tilt steering, Clarion four-speaker stereo with sub woofer and amp
Engine fitted: Rolco Gen III 350hp Soft Clutch
Priced from: $29,990.00 w/ trailer
GENERAL
Material: Fibreglass
Length overall: 20ft (6.1m)
Beam: 2.1m
Weight: 1450kg on trailer
CAPACITIES
Fuel: 140lt
People: 7
ENGINE
Make/model: GEN III Chevrolet 350hp
Type: V8 petrol w/ multiport fuel injection (MPI)
Weight: 300kg
Rated HP: 350
Displacement: 5.3lt
Gearbox: Soft Clutch
Propeller: L12 x 14in four-blade
Specifications: Rolco Evolution
HOW MUCH?
Price as tested: $53,620
Options fitted: Competition centre pole, wakeboard tower, wakeboard and ski racks, tower-mounted biscuit bimini, billet bimini, tower mount rings, bimini mounted mirror, boat cover, navigation lights, Clarion four-speaker stereo with sub woofer and amp, four Polk Momo tower speakers with aircraft landing lights
Engine fitted: Rolco Gen III 350hp, FNR Equipment with RWEP (Rolco Wake Enhancing Plate)
Priced from: $35,990 w/ trailer
GENERAL
Material: Fibreglass
Length overall: 21ft (6.4m)
Beam: 2.1m
Weight: 1600kg on trailer
CAPACITIES
Fuel: 140lt
People: 7
ENGINE
Make/model: 'As above'
Propeller: L13 x 12in four-blade
SUPPLIED BY
Rolco Boats,
15 Foden Avenue,
Somerton, Vic, 3062
Phone: 0428 627 463; (03) 9308 0755
Email: info@rolcoboats.com.au
Website: www.rolcoboats.com.au
Originally published in TrailerBoat #227