Cruising along Indiana's Lake Wawasee, the former estate of Col. Eli Lilly comes into view. Lilly, who passed away in 1898, invented the gelatin capsule and founded Eli Lilly and Co., a global pharmaceutical company that's now one of the world's largest corporations. Fittingly, his lakeside cottage (built in 1887) and property is enormous, and it's also a nice spot for family boaters cruising the lake, who can "park" in the cove in front of the estate and relax with the kids.



Less than 50 miles from Lilly's grand estate is the headquarters of Harris Kayot, the manufacturer of the new deck boat you're cruising in today. The Kayot V220i is the latest entry in the company's V Series of deck boats, which features low profiles and a more "sports car"-inspired feel. The emphasis is also on roominess, particularly in the bow area.

The bow area is where you began your examination of the V220i a few hours earlier, admiring the 15-degree backrest, which delivers a nice, comfortable angle for lounging. There's solid storage room and a cooler underneath the bow seats, which open via gas-assisted shocks. Large, high-intensity courtesy lights with stainless-steel bezels are a welcome touch for easier night cruising, and a built-in bow ladder and anchor locker round out this part of the boat. With an 8-foot-6-inch beam, the V220i is trailerable, and a bow scuff plate protects the hull when you're towing your boat. You haven't even left the bow yet, and you're duly impressed by the features on this model.

Heading to the stern, you pause to check out the ample ski locker in the center floor helm area, then come face-to-face with the unusual circular stern seating, complete with a standard table in the middle. It's a great layout for chatting with friends and entertaining. There's more storage under the stern seating, plus a cooler in the middle. The test boat is equipped with the optional Sport Top, which provides added protection from the elements.

Powering the boat is a 260-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser MPI, a popular engine with this model (maximum horsepower is 320). Eager to see how it performs, you hop into the captain's seat and set out to explore Lake Wawasee and its 3,000 acres of water, which make it the largest natural lake in Indiana. The V220i busts from 0 to 30 mph in a respectable 9.5 seconds, and putting it through a series of gradually tightening turns doesn't yield any problems, even after you manage to whip up a little minor chop. The boat maxes out at 47.4 mph and feels solid at this speed, and overall handling is sport-boat quality.

Kayot put extra effort into designing the helm area on the V220i. For starters, the windshield is available in three variations, including standard (full, walk-through), short (wing walk-through) and delete (removable windscreen). With the test boat's delete version in, visibility is good. Digital SmartCraft gauges on MPI-powered boats are new for Kayot in '07 (carbureted engines get analog gauges), and they get high marks, although one on the right-hand side is a little hard to read. The steering wheel (a bit too tight to the captain's seat) and parts of the dash are woodgrain and look sharp. The test boat also has an optional Navman GPS that's worth considering. Both captain and passenger get bolster, swiveling seats.

Continuing your morning tour of Lake Wawasee, you pause at the "sand bar," a popular spot about 100 yards off the south shore. This two-acre section of the lake is only 3 to 4 feet deep, and with its sandy bottom and centralized location, it's a great place to take a swim, sunbathe or have a picnic on your boat. On weekends, it's not uncommon for a few hundred boats to gather here for relaxing and socializing.

It seems like the perfect spot to test out the V220i's sun pad and swim platform, so you cut the engine and head back to the stern. At the stern, the optional jump seat on the starboard side lifts up for access to the swim platform. A stanchion arm under the sun pad allows it to incline for more-comfortable sunning. The optional oversized swim platform is huge and doubles as another nice place to lounge (especially if you add the optional pad). It's also a good launching point for watersports activities, particularly if you opt for the wakeboard package. Dipping your feet into the water, you take note of the requisite boarding ladder, as well as two not-so-requisite cup holders.

The cup holders are one of the many examples of bonus features and attention to detail that Kayot has put into the V220i. The MP3 jack at the helm, along with digital remote for the Sony CD player/stereo, is another. And the wealth of stainless-steel accents throughout gives the boat a classy touch.

Other notable features include a pop-up ski tow, weatherproof battery switch box with resettable circuit breakers, and stainless-steel vents and docking light covers. The test boat has optional 40-ounce carpeting, and entertainment fans should consider the rail-mounted grill upgrade.

Kayot's V220i is priced at $52,000 as tested. The lack of a head/changing room - a trade-off for the extra space - is worth noting. For those who consider this feature a deal breaker, Kayot also offers an S Series of deck boats that it calls its "SUV" line, which retail for about $3,000 more than the V Series models. But judged on its own merits, the V220i is a versatile, roomy and well-thought-out deck boat. And as you cruise past Col. Lilly's old estate on the way back home, it's hard to think of a better place to be.

The Verdict

Kayot's V220i is a top-notch deck boat with loads of little details to make your boating experience more enjoyable. Performance is solid, and the roominess in the bow and the stern areas exceed expectations. Lack of a changing room or head is a consideration, but the positives and price point make this model an enticing option.

Kayot V220i

LOA 21'6"
Beam 8'6"
Weight 4,060 lbs.
Fuel 45 gal.
Top Speed 47.4 mph
(w/260-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser MPI)
0-30 mph 9.5 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 64 dB-A
Decibels @ 30 mph 84 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 93 dB-A
Base Price $42,690
(w/220-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser)
Price As Tested $52,000
(w/260-hp, 5.0L MerCruiser MPI)
Hull Warranty 5-year transferable
NMMA Certified? Yes



Kayot
2801 W. State Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 432-4555