Starcraft Starstep 221 E Surf Review

Celebrating its 116th anniversary this year, Starcraft has come to learn a thing or two about building versatile, affordable boats that meet the needs of growing families. Today, that family almost certainly includes one or more wake surfers. So the company took one of its most popular deck boats, re-imagined it with surfing in mind, and the result might just go on become one of their best-selling models yet – the all-new Starcraft Starstep 221 E Surf.

This craft adds a whole new level of capability to what was already a really great boat. Built on a stepped hull with a full-width cutaway about midway along its length, the design allows faster planing times, less bow rise, crisper handling and better performance with lower horsepower – and makes it a great starting point for a wake surfing boat.

Starcraft’s Starstep 221 E Surf Edition produces luxurious wakes for surfing, while retaining all the style and zip that made this model such a popular runabout to begin with.

Not content to leave well enough alone, Starcraft then added a ballast system (consisting of a 465-pound center tank and twin 380-pound bags in the stern) pus Volvo Penta’s 4.3L engine with its unique Forward Drive. With its forward-facing tandem propellers, the Forward Drive keeps those spinning blades safely tucked under the boat’s hull and well out of the way should the surfer take a tumble close by the boat. And how does it work? Amazingly well, with the near-3,000 pound Starstep 221 E Surf pushing a beautiful thigh-high wave with a long, clean face that’s ideal for surfing.

Wrap-around twin bow lounge seats can convert to a full-width sunpad with the addition of a drop-in center cushion.

Starcraft achieves this performance without giving up any of the Starstep’s original comforts or amenities. The huge, open cockpit provides comfortable seating for 13 people, the driver on a high-back swiveling Captain’s chair with a flip-up bolster. Passengers enjoy plushly-upholstered wrap-around lounge seats made from a new foam that offers just the right balance of comfort and support. Lift the hinged seat cushions and you’ll find ample storage for all sorts of gear.

A small console with a sink, faucet and storage space beneath is a thoughtful addition to this boat.

Our test boat came with Marine Mat soft-touch decking on the swim platform and throughout the interior. Marine Mat provides a secure, non-slip surface even when it’s wet, and it looks great as well. There’s a near full-beam rear sunpad over the engine housing, which doubles as a handy rear-facing seat when you’re getting set up for a turn on the wakeboard. You can arrange the sunpad surface as a rear-facing seat back too, creating an ideal spot to loaf, lounge, and watch the sunset.

There’s more sunning space in the stern with the near full-beam aft pad. A tilt-up cushion makes it a great space to kick back.

The stylish helm console of the Starcraft Starstep 221 E Surf is dominated by a stylish sport steering wheel, with plenty of room behind it for an in-dash display screen. An Infinity Bluetooth stereo sits to the left of the wheel, and the console also includes a couple of integrated beverage holders. Overhead, a stylish tower includes an integral Bimini top that provides a welcome escape from the sun.

The clean, contemporary helm gives the Starstep an understated elegance.

Opposite the helm on the port side of the boat, a small but efficient console with a solid-surface countertop offers a sink with faucet, twin beverage holders, and a large storage cabinet beneath.

The helm seat is a sporty bucket with a flip-up bolster for enhanced visibility.

Volvo Penta’s powerful V6 and Forward Drive doesn’t just make this a great surf boat, it also gives it plenty of OMG factor when buzzing around the lake. The Starcraft Starstep 221 E Surf accelerates like a rocket, and handles beautifully with its performance hull design and the high-torque bite of the Volvo’s tandem props. With a bit of trim adjustment this is a legitimate 50 mph boat, and just so much fun to drive you won’t want to return to the dock.