While the fastest catamarans and V-bottoms rightly get top billing at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout—it is after all a top-speed event—the fastest entries don't comprise the entire fleet. Fact is there are plenty of production and semi-custom performance boats that compete in the Shootout, which still embraces and attracts a lot of "run what you brung" competition.

Case in point: Semi-custom builder Sunsation Performance Boats has at least three models heading for the Shootout according to Wayne Schaldenbrand of the Algonac, Mich., company.

“I believe we have an SS32, which is about two years old, with a pair of 496 Mag HO engines that will be going,” said Schaldenbrand. “There should also be a brand-new XRT (32-foot-long) with the new twin 8.2L, 502 engines with the catalytic converters. We blueprinted the bottom of that boat, applied Speedcoat, raised the X-dimension and went from 30-inch-pitch props to 32-inch-pitch props. It runs 90 mph.

“My dealer in Iowa also is coming with an XRT,” added Schaldebrand. “It has 496 Mags with Raylar upgrades.”

In Other Sunsation News

•The company reportedly received two orders for its new 36-footer, as well an order for a 28-footer this week. “There’s even a possible F-4 coming from a deal we put together at the (2010) Miami Boat Show, so we’re all pretty happy around here,” said Schaldenbrand.

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