Whether in terms of the exterior finish, the interior seating or the features and amenities, the 2110 brings new blood to the popular space and versatility deckboats are known for.

Whether in terms of the exterior finish, the interior seating or the features and amenities, the 2110 brings new blood to the popular space and versatility deckboats are known for.



Sometimes you can just tell when someone is working to raise the bar. The moment we set eyes on the brand-new Starcraft 2110 Calais we knew Starcraft was trying to do something different. When we learned that this specific boat had been in the works for five years, we knew this Indiana builder with more than 100 years of experience was serious about getting some attention.

With a length of 20 feet, 7 inches and a beam of 8 feet, 6 inches, the 2110 Calais is comparable to many other deckboats that are on the market today — until you take a closer look at what's inside and outside, that is.

Whether in terms of the exterior finish, the interior seating or the features and amenities, the 2110 brings new blood to the popular space and versatility deckboats are known for.

For the first time, Starcraft is using BMW colors and BMW paint along with a clear-coat finish instead of gelcoat. This is a decidedly upscale way of doing things and it also means if you get scratches on the finish the boat can be taken to any auto body shop for a quick repair. There's even a possibility that a person could order this boat and send Starcraft the paint code off his or her truck or SUV and the company would be able to match the color of the boat exactly to the color of the truck (Starcraft wasn't sure at press time if this would be an option for 2006, so please call in advance).

Looking inside the boat it was easy to see that Starcraft was going for a high-class look with maximum versatility. To port, for example, you'll find a multi-position backrest that can be placed upright to create a bucket-seat feel, slanted forward to create a rear-facing chaise lounge or swung all the way down forward to create a full-length lounging area. We were also told that the upholstery material is the same as that being used in many upper-end convertible cars.

Inside you'll also notice an array of standard equipment and chrome and stainless steel accents that add functionality and visual appeal to the boat.

Performance

While it's easy to be impressed with something so shiny and attractive, it's also important to find satisfaction in terms of power and performance.

Our test took place in the mid afternoon in about 4 mph of wind and a slight chop on Indiana's Lake Wawasee. We had two people aboard and half a tank of fuel (25 gallons — about 157 pounds). Our test craft was equipped with a 270 hp 5.0 GXi Volvo Penta with an SX drive spinning a three-blade 19-inch-pitch aluminum prop.

Acceleration was crisp with 4.9 seconds to plane and 10 seconds from 0 to 30 mph. There was a decent amount of bowrise coming out of the hole, but the boat climbed over the hump quickly.

With the throttle all the way forward we pushed the 2110 Calais to 50.8 mph at 5,000 rpm, which is right where this engine likes to be at full throttle. Settling into a cruising speed we found that 28.5 mph at 3,000 rpm was the most efficient speed, yielding 3.85 mpg for an estimated cruising range of 177 miles.

The 2110 Calais was fun in the corners, but we wouldn't characterize it as a super aggressive ride (which is not a common aspect of smaller deckboats anyway). In terms of cruising, the boat's 13-degree deadrise and 3,548 lbs. (not counting us or fuel) knocked down the slight chop cleanly. Of course you wouldn't want to attempt any frenzied bay or ocean conditions with this craft, but it should be fine if the lake turns slightly sour.

We had a chance to pull some toys behind this boat and found that it has plenty of performance for as much watersports fun as you can handle. The 270 hp Volvo provided plenty of power for our small crew, but those who plan to bring the whole gang along for a full day of watersports fun might want to consider bumping up the horsepower even further — you can go as high as 320. Extra power would be especially nice if you opt for the wakeboard tower and plan to do a lot of wakeboarding.

Overall

Starcraft isn't being shy about catering to the boater who wants all the versatility and comfortable room a deckboat offers along with a craft that has an unusually high degree of style and luxury. Some people might not care too much about an auto-quality paint job and a boat full of nifty standard features. Others, however, will take one look and immediately start doing calculations in their head to determine whether this boat will fit within their budget.

Depending on power choice, this boat should range between about $46,700 and the low $50,000 range (not including a trailer, destination charges or any options). Some options we think you'll want to consider are the wakeboard tower, the snap-in carpet and the bow filler cushions.

When you get into this kind of money for a small boat, you want to know that your investment is protected. The 2110 Calais comes with a five-year limited hull warranty, a five-year limited warranty on the optional snap-in carpet and a three-year limited warranty on upholstery vinyl.

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Manufacturer Contact Information

Starcraft Marine
201 Starcraft Driv
P.O. Box 517
Topeka, IN 46571
(866) 772-4538
www.starcraftmarine.com