1999 Centurion Elite V

Manadrew · December 26, 2019

***Newly minted crew member here. The wife and I just picked up our first Centurion (1999 Elite V with 360 hours) and I am struggling to find any concrete info online about this specific model. There appears to be some real variability in the hull design and options between 1998-2002 for the Elite model and I purchased it off Craigslist without an owner's manual. For example, this hull has some "transom pockets/cutouts" that I can't find any info on and didn't see on all models from this era.

Do any of you helpful forum members know how to locate a PDF owner's manual? I emailed Fineline and they haven't reached out.

Hoping also to set her up for a modest surf wave and will be investing in some rear locker ballast bags and a surf gate. Anyone with a similar model Elite V and some experience with a ropeless setup got advice?

Thanks in advance all! I have been lurking in the forums for a few months and you all seem extremely helpful!

Andrew

TexP51 · January 27, 2020

Congrats, and enjoy! Nice looking boat. My 2002 Elite V C4 looks similar in hull design. The C4 was just a seating configuration that wrapped around - I think many, if not most, came with it. The 00-02 models could also have the Air Warrior pkg - still not sure beyond the graphics and paint what the difference actually was...

Recommend replacing the bilge setup from the older style to the newer low profile Whale style That mounts lowering the transom bilge. Keep the water impeller replaced every 2 years and you should have a nice boat with those low hours. I attached a few pics of my boat for comparison. - Rob

Manadrew · February 1, 2020

@TexP51 Thanks for the reply! That's a good looking Air Warrior and I am jealous of your dock set up. Out of curiosity, have you been able to set up your '02 for a "ropeless" surf wave, or do you just wakeboard/ski/tube?

Someone posted this photo on the #Centurionboats Instagram page the other day and it looks like the same hull design as the 98-02 Elite V. This might be a little out of my comfort zone with the aggressive lean, but I am planning on investing in twin 750's for the rear lockers, a suction mounted wake gate, and a 400lb sac to move around in the cabin. Hoping to get a surfable wave without having to pony up and buy an Enzo/Avalanche.

TexP51 · February 3, 2020

Wow - That boat is slammed! I wouldn’t be comfortable with that at all. I’ve been flying for 35 years - and if I’ve learned anything,, engineers put thought and numbers into their designs, and pushing past that YOU become the test pilot. You asked if we’ve been able to surf, and the answer is yes, but not like the pros.. We.re taking baby steps from just extreme tubing. My 13 y/o takes his mom’s 10’ paddle board and surfs all the time with not much more than loading all our items in the LS rear locker and putting everyone in the rear and LS. Even then you start losing some rudder authority. Kids have fun. Just me, I want a safe boat that we can get back quickly if need be, were gonna try a suction wake maker this year.

Stretch · February 7, 2020

I never had a gate on my 02, but I did have a lot of weight and it was absolutely surfable without a rope.

As always be careful and use common sense, I didn’t always run all this weight, in fact it was rare and I doubt I had all this in it, just bag sizes. Figure out what works for you and what you feel safe with. Safety first and second, take your time. You don’t need a magazine wave to surf

Edited February 7, 2020 by Stretch

Manadrew · February 8, 2020

@Stretch thanks for chiming in and for the ballast set up. I didn't realize a 900 bag would fit in those rear lockers. Were you able to get the 540s under the seats?