When Neil Boyd and John Noorlander teamed up to start Matrix Marine in South Australia six years ago, they were determined to deliver quality boats, to the standard of popular imported US models.

They laid the groundwork with the ever-popular Sorrento, a traditional Australian speedboat that continues to be extremely popular with wakeboarding and waterskiing families around Australia.

Two years ago they released the bigger Expression inboard, catering more specifically to the wakeboarding market. Now, the eagerly anticipated Expression MVS V-drive has been released.

According to Boyd, there has been plenty of interest and demand for the V-drive version of the Expression, but Matrix wasn’t prepared to release the boat until they were 100 per cent satisfied with all elements of build quality, performance, practicality and wake size and shape.

“Our rapid increase in volume of sales and market presence is now giving Matrix and our boat owners the rewards from building our boats to the highest standards from day one,” Boyd said.

“When people spend a considerable amount of money on a boat they have high expectations, and if those expectations aren’t met they are quick to let it be known. We aren’t prepared to release a boat onto the market until we know it will meet the high demands of our customers, and that’s why this boat has taken some time to come out.

“We are very confident that there is a demand for a high quality locally built V-drive that is still affordable for many people.”

Our test drive of the Expression MVS at Murray Bridge on a sunny September morning confirmed that the boat is indeed impressive in all the important areas.

For Riders
The Expression MVS comes with three solid ballast tanks holding 500kg all up. Two are situated in the rear and the other runs under the floor from the middle of the boat through the bow. This ballast system can be filled or emptied in around five minutes via three separate switches on the dash.

But at the end of the day it’s all about the wake, and the Expression MVS has come up trumps. The Matrix ballast system has been designed to suit all riding styles. By filling up the front ballast or rear ballast you can change the wake considerably from a long wide transition for large floating moves to a narrower rampy transition for the more novice wake-to-wake tricks and spins. With all the ballast tanks full, the Matrix puts out a very appealing wake with a long and gradual transition leading to a smooth, full ramp.

The MVS has a trim system fitted, enabling the boat when unloaded to reduce its wake size to keep old school ski enthusiasts still very happy.
The Matrix tower has been designed to fit the lines of the boat, and is easily collapsible in a matter of moments.

Inside
At 21 feet (6.45m), the Sorrento isn’t the biggest V-drive kicking around, but the interior has an enormous amount of passenger and storage room. It is rated to hold 12 people, spread throughout the main cabin area, with huge wrap-around lounge, and the equally impressive bow, which is both wide and deep.

While many boats feature lines that sweep down low to the point of the bow (allowing the odd bow wave to drench the passengers), the Expression has higher freeboard all the way. This, combined with a ‘nose up’ attitude, means passengers in the front will always stay dry.
There is plenty of storage around the boat, including two large hatches either side of the motor at the rear, which also house the fixed plastic ballast tanks (125 litres each). There is also more storage in the side pockets, as well as under every seat.

The observer’s seat lifts easily with the help of a gas strut, and behind that you will find a large area, big enough to house a couple wakeboards in bags. Another large compartment underneath the dash area is perfect for storing all that safety gear, which you can lock away and forget until an emergency strikes.

The stereo is fitted in the glove box, with a remote control on the dash, and there’s a self-draining esky tucked up the front of the bow area, which is large enough to hold 24 cans of whatever quenches your thirst.

At the rear of the boat there is a fibreglass boarding-platform, which is standard, with a non-slip rubber matt and handrails.

Driving
The dashboard features an array of Farrier gauges that are spread out along the line of the wrap-around dash. This set-up looks great and is very easy to read and relate to while driving along.

The mirror, mounted to the tower and positioned off to the side, stays out of the driver’s line of vision but is well positioned to check out what’s going on behind when needed.

The supportive, slide and swivel driver’s seat gives a great view of what’s going on through the high, curved windscreen, and controls for items such as the ballast system and adjustable trim plate are all within easy reach.

Without full ballast tanks, the Expression MVS feels extremely nimble and sporty, turning sharply and getting out of the hole in a flash with the help of the Mercruiser 330HP Black Scorpion.

With the ballast tanks full (an extra 500kg of weight on board) the boat obviously loses some of its sharp handling characteristics, but still handles and performs remarkably well under the weight.

Most impressively, the Expression is as smooth and quiet as many of the more-expensive, imported boats. It feels very solid at all times, and is completely free of rattles and vibrations that can make owning a boat a very disappointing experience.

The guys from Matrix were at pains to point out the time and effort that has gone into building a boat that is so solid and smooth.

“All the underwater gear, like the fins, rudder, skeg etc, is designed and built for this boat, rather than being bought off the shelf as you’ll find with some models,” Boyd said.

“It’s all streamlined and matched to the hull, and you can feel that on the water.”

The rigidity of the boat is achieved by using a complex fibreglass chassis system that is completely glassed over, rather than just bonded, and the under-floor buoyancy tanks are foam filled. The result is a hull that absorbs noise, both from within the boat and from the water, which gives a quiet, smooth ride.

Specifications
Length 6.45m (21’)
Beam 2.38m
Capacity 12 people
Fuel capacity 140 litres
Engine Mercruiser 5.7 litre 330HP Black Scorpion
Priced From $62,500
Contact Matrix Marine (08) 8350 0422 or any Matrix dealer

Article added on 31/12/1969. Last updated on 31/12/1969.