The largest tournament-approved direct drive in the industry, the 209 design defies ski-boat logic: It is perfect no matter what's attached to your feet. Supremely adept at pulling tricks or tubes and able to handle boards or booms, the 209 shines where other boats are fairly dull. With lineage to the world-record-holding EVO hull, the 209 lays down a frothy trail that's easy to cross on a single ski at 34 mph, then beefs up and tops off nicely when it's time to bring out the boards at speeds around 20 mph. What it delivers in skiability doesn't detract from its storage. Rear, gunwale, and underseat compartments abound, including an in-floor cooler for those on the other end of the ski rope.