Velocity 220 Bay
Six months after purchasing the company, new Velocity Powerboats President/CEO Brad Resch is making good on his promise to develop new models. The first Velocity 220 Bay was recently unveiled and went through its first test last week.
With a 200-hp Mercury Verado outboard, the boat ran a top speed of approximately 55 mph and cruised at 42 mph, burning 3.8 gallons of fuel per hour at that speed.
“We started with the smallest one first and are working our way up,” said Resch. Next up is a 260 Bay and then the company will step up in a big way to a 39’ center console.
While the type of boat may be a new venture for the company, the renowned Velocity pad bottom remains the same. “On these boats, the original design has a concaved chine, which is key to keeping the boat dry and stable,” said Resch. “The Velocity performance hulls equate to fuel economy and achieving fast speeds without a whole lot of horsepower.”
The 260 Bay is built off the VR1 hull that set kilo speed records with 425-hp, 500-hp and 525-hp engines. Standard power on this model is a 250-hp outboard and Resch said some people are already asking about a 300. That motor should push the boat to speeds around 60 mph, according to Resch. Like the 220 Bay, the 260 Bay has an 8’1” beam.
**Velocity** had offered a 22′ center console/bay model, but the 220 Bay is a new deck design. Among the noteworthy features on the 220 Bay is the space. “Guys at the plant think they’re standing in a 26,” said Resch.
He explained that Velocity redesigned the new boat’s console calling it the Comfort Helm. It’s larger than other consoles in the class to provide more stowage space and protection from the elements. There’s even an adjustable height windshield available as an option. The helm was reconfigured to allow the steering wheel to be positioned at a more convenient angle and the throttle pad was modified to make operating the lever more comfortable. The two-person bolster has a drop-out bottom cushion for seated or standing operation and the seats were designed to support an occupant’s lower back and legs. “I’m sick of being on a little boat and having a sore back after a day of boating,” explained Resch.
For fishing, the foredeck is raised as a casting platform and there are three fishboxes in the 220 Bay, one in the bow and two more aft. Abaft the bolster is a tackle station and there are flip-up seats on each side in the aft corners.
In the final evolution of Velocity, Resch is establishing a dealer network to sell the bay boats and center consoles and he said response has been good. He’s hoping for five to six dealers in Florida before he expands outside the state. Performance models will still be sold factory direct. In the future, he’s thinking about moving toward vacuum bagged construction, which would help when volume increases.
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