Wakeboat Rental in Arizona 2024 Centurion RI 245 — 450 HP

When I started looking for a wakeboat to add to Wave and Ridge, I tested boats from four different manufacturers over two seasons. The Centurion RI 245 won because it throws a legitimate surf wave that experienced riders actually want to ride, and it is stable enough for a family of sixteen to spend eight hours on it.

The Centurion RI 245 is an inboard direct-drive, which is the only engine type that allows safe wakesurfing. The propeller sits under the hull, not behind it, so riders can surf just feet behind the boat. You cannot wakesurf behind an outboard. The boat seats 16, has the Ramfill adjustable ballast system, and comes with all the equipment you need for a full day.

Who Rents the Wakeboat?

Here is something that surprises people: the majority of our wakeboat renters are not experienced wakeboarders. They are families, friend groups, and party crews who want a big, powerful, comfortable boat with everything included.

Families who want to tube and cruise. This is our most common customer. Parents want a boat big enough for the kids, the in-laws, and the coolers. The Centurion seats 16 comfortably, and because it is a heavy inboard boat, the ride is smooth even when Canyon Lake gets choppy in the afternoon. Kids love tubing behind this boat because the power is consistent and controllable.

Groups celebrating something. Birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette groups, graduation celebrations, corporate outings. Sixteen seats, tower speakers, and a full day on the lake.

Wakesurfers and wakeboarders. If you are here specifically for wake sports, this is the boat. The Ramfill ballast system lets you dial in the wave shape. The inboard direct-drive is what makes wakesurfing possible.

Wakesurfing vs. Wakeboarding vs. Tubing

Wakesurfing: Ride a short surfboard on the rolling wave behind the boat at ~10-11 mph. Start with a rope; experienced surfers drop it and surf hands-free. Beginners welcome.

Wakeboarding: Stand on a board with bindings, ride the wake at 18-22 mph, use the wake as a ramp for jumps. Steeper learning curve. Boards in several sizes included.

Tubing: Sit on an inflatable tube towed behind the boat. No skill required. The crowd favorite for families. The driver controls how wild the ride gets. Tubes included.

Most groups mix all three over the course of the day. The transition takes about five minutes.

What You Should Know Before You Book

Pricing starts at $999 for a half day. That is four water hours plus a one-hour grace period. Full day (8 water hours) is $1,499. Weekend rental (Friday through Sunday) is $4,250. All equipment included.

Fuel is additional. We send the boat out full; you bring it back full. Budget $150 to $250 for fuel on a full day depending on your activity mix.

Captain experience matters. Arizona does not require a boating license, but driving a 5,000-pound inboard boat is meaningfully different from driving a jet ski or an outboard. Consider adding a captain ($40/hr). A skilled driver also makes a huge difference in wave quality. For safety guidance, the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety site is a good resource.

Weather matters. Wind is the enemy of wakesurfing. Arizona mornings are usually calm, but afternoon wind is common. Monsoon season (July through September) can bring sudden storms. Check the Arizona Game and Fish boating page for current conditions.

By Steve Underwood, Founder of Wave and Ridge: I have been boating on Arizona’s lakes since I was 10 years old. That is 32 years on these waterways. The Centurion RI 245 is the real deal—a genuine surf boat with the power and technology to create a rideable wave that experienced surfers and first-timers both enjoy.