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The Boat
The HTM popped 20
from the mold in 1998—their
first
production year. This year, they’ll build
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50.
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Their popularity is largely a product of
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chemistry: The SR-24 platform loves big
loads of power. A good three-fourths of SR24s built run more than 500 horsepower.
Our test SR qualified for that cut easily. HIM had tucked one of their 540-inch, 625HP packages (prop rated at 590) beneath the sleek, glass, power-assisted hatch. The 540 ran 9.5:1 compression, and was built with Edelbrock heads, a single four-barrel and a hydraulic roller cam. Exhaust ran through a set of EMI (Eddie Marine) four-inch Thunder Pipes. The setup was rigged with single-ram IMCO steering, and was bolstered with HTM’s performance rigging package,
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which is basically a full-on preparation for big power, whether now or later.
The Bravo One was left stock, excepting an IMCO drive shower and nose cone with low-water pickup. It turned a 30-inch Bravo four-blade, which used our 4,700 rpm peak to power an 86.2-mph radar pass. HIM advised that peak rpm was more like 5,500, but we didn’t find it.
Aside from the exhilarating performance, the SR’s introduction fulfilled a promise made by Columbine while the hull was still in the dreaming stages. It would, he assured, transform the underdeck area of a 24-footer from a glorified storage space to a functional environment, lending a strong practical side to the hot-rod platform. The hard-deck 24, with its unique bow incline and deck shape, even incor
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porates a refrigerator and sink into the full-sleeper layout.
The SR-24 bowrider was introduced six months after the cabin version, and it now accounts for more than a third of SR lake traffic. It adds an interesting option to the cabin boat: a combination of full, forward recliner bow seats, and a very functional day-cabin area.
HTM has made an obvious, ongoing effort to build quality into every production component, and Designer Marine hits the mark with their seating. The SR’s bow seating section, unique in its rectangular design, is perfectly suited for full-length reclining, or will seat two to a side.
Drop-through bolsters are anchored to the nonskid glass floor with stainless steel railing and mounts. They felt secure and comfortable at speed, showed good density and converted easily with a mechanical assembly. Railing was anchored to the bolster backs, and to the gunnels for rear passenger comfort while standing.
Flamed blue graphics and HTM logo- work were tastefully integrated throughout the cockpit and in the induction scoop, an inte
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