The V1683 SC from Minnesota-based Warrior Boats is all about practicality. Not a bare-bones boat by any stretch, the Warrior has everything you need to find and defeat your quarry, without a bunch of frills to detract from the hardcore angling experience.

This boat is set up for a couple of fishermen to go out and attack their sport, as evidenced by the large foredeck and aft casting platform, each with aerated livewells to keep the catch lively throughout the day. The cockpit has plenty of walking room; two rod lockers hold your sticks at the ready, and the lockable aluminum-lidded storage compartments are a welcome feature on any boat.

SITTING PRETTY
A pair of contoured pedestal seats make the ride that much more enjoyable, and with four seat bases, you can sit pretty much wherever you want. The single side console was plenty big for a large captain’s legs, and the helm/seat/control ergonomics seemed to fit us just fine. The wrap-around windscreen is a tad too short to be effective in our opinion — no surprises there, most windscreens are for aesthetics, not function.
Our test boat was rigged with Suzuki’s new DF90 four-stroke, and this EFI four-cylinder made the V1683 get up and talk. During our test runs on Minnesota’s Lake Minnetonka, this rig reached 30 mph in an impressive 9.7 seconds, winding up a fuzz under 42 mph, with two men, 30 pounds of test gear, and 20 gallons of fuel on board — a stellar example of the right engine on the right hull.

DEEP AND TRUE
The Warrior’s deep-V hull did its job well, tracking straight and true at all speeds. Turns and other maneuvers couldn’t shake the V1683’s dedication to superb handling — it just wouldn’t let go, no matter how hard we tried.

Built like a brick boathouse, the Warrior V1683 SC carries on the Warrior reputation of tough fishability — a solid all-weather, all-water platform that can stage an all-out attack no matter what lake or river you choose to fish.

SWEET SUZY

California-based Suzuki Marine (714/572-1490; suzukimarine.com) has replaced its existing 90 hp four-stroke with the new DF90 — a lighter, leaner, more efficient and technologically advanced engine than its predecessor.

Noticeably compact (almost 3 inches shorter than the previous 90), this 91.7 cubic-inch inline four-cylinder has four valves per cylinder driven by a pair of hydraulically self-adjusting chain-driven overhead camshafts. The driveshaft is offset closer to the transom to move the center of gravity forward. Two-stage gear reduction (one set of gears at the crankshaft/driveshaft and another set of gears in the lower unit) bring the overall gear reduction to a super-low 2.59:1, meaning this 90 can swing large diameter, large pitch wheels with no problem.

Other internal tech improvements include a new oil pump and an updated lubrication system to let the oil flow more freely with less resistance for better lubrication. Suzuki has also tightened the tolerances in the shifting system, claiming a 40 percent improvement in shifting as compared to the old 90. The gearcase is positively svelte, so much so that Suzuki tells us it’s 36 percent more efficient.

Speaking of efficiency, the new DF90’s multi-point electronic fuel injection uses Suzuki’s Lean Burn Control technology to dramatically improve the engine’s fuel economy — especially at cruising speeds — by sending the optimum fuel-air mixture to the cylinders based on commands from the specially programmed on-board engine management computer.

Good looks, micro-diet and strong performance — this is one sweet Suzy.

WARRIOR V1683 SC

Base Price (w/Yamaha F50, w/o trlr.): $20,756.96
Price as Tested (w/Suzuki DF90, w/o trlr.): $23,755.00
Top Speed: 41.8 mph
0-30 mph: 9.7 sec.
Construction: Fiberglass
Console Type: Side console Length: 16’ 4”
Beam: 6’ 11”
Hull Weight (per mfr.): 1304 lbs.
Rigged Weight (per mfr.): 1692 lbs.
Trailered Weight (per mfr.): 2392 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 9 gal. standard/20 gal. optional
Livewell Capacity: 47 gal.
Maximum Horsepower: 90

Notable Standard Equipment: Fore and aft aerated livewells w/ EZ Pump Pickup, pre-wired for 12-volt trolling motor, lockable storage compartments, 2 pedestal seats, 4 seat bases

Notable Optional Equipment: 20 gallon fuel tank, 25” transom (90 hp only)

Engine Tested: Suzuki DF90
Base Price: $10,087
Type: Inline 4 cylinder EFI 4-stroke
Displacement: 1500 cc (91.7 cid)
Weight (per mfr): 348 lbs.
Recommended WOT RPM: 6300
Gear Ratio: 2.59:1
Propeller: 14 X 20” Suzuki stainless-steel 3-blade
Jackplate: NA
Setback: NA

WEATHER CONDITIONS
Air Temperature: 64F
Water Temperature: 70 F
Wind: 5 mph
Water Conditions: Calm

TEST RESULTS
Engine Speed Fuel Range(1)
(rpm) (mph) (gph) (mpg) (miles)
1000     3.5     0.3     11.7     210
1500     4.8     0.6     8.0     144
2000     6.2     0.9     6.9     124
2500     7.2     1.6     4.5     81
3000     8.3     2.7     3.1     55
3500     18.5     2.5     7.4     133
4000(2)     25.7     3.1     8.3     149
4500     29.5     4.2     7.0     126
5000     32.7     4.8     6.8     122
5500     36.8     6.1     6.0     108
6000     40.2     8.0     5.0     90
6350 (WOT)     41.8     8.2     5.1     92

(1) Based on 90% fuel capacity
(2) Optimum cruise speed

WARRIOR BOATS
Dept. BWB
P.O. Box 367
Maple Lake, MN 55358
320/963-5005
warrior-boats.com