Boaters have a right to ask a lot of their boating investment. In terms of dollars, the investment is probably exceeded in outlay only by the family home, or maybe the car. But the value of boating rises much higher because of the way life's obligations cut into leisure time.

That's why we think multi-purpose boats are so valuable.

A boat that fishes is fabulous. A boat that skis is marvelous. While the industry has built plenty of fish-and-ski boats, many of them lack sporty style and grace. Plus, compromises to accommodate both sports often make them weak performers in one or both. A boat that fishes well, skis beautifully and does it in hip style would be divine.

If this sounds like the formula for your boating happiness, the Seaswirl 1851 DC (dual console) Airboard might be your cup of tea.

We tested it on a painfully chilly day at Havasu City, Arizona, and found plenty of good things to say about it. So did professional wakeboarder Eddie Roberts.

Wait a minute. Wakeboarding from a dual-console outboard? Aren't these boats made to combine fishing and cruising characteristics? And don't outboards have notoriously wimpy wakes? Ordinarily, yes. But check this out.

The 1851 sports a 32-gallon livewell at transom center just ahead of the engine. Fill it just as if preparing for live shrimp or shiners and you've got about 250 pounds of ballast right where you want it. Good idea, we thought.

Then Seaswirl went to their tuna tower manufacturer and asked them to custom-design a wakeboard tower for the Airboard.

''Oh, and by the way,'' they asked, ''can you add four rocket launchers to it for our angling buddies?''

What did Eddie say after his hypothermic board ride?

''I got plenty of pop for inverts and the wakes are surprising.''

In terms of shape, Eddie rated them a 9.5 on a scale of 1 to 10, and that's comparing them to his wakeboard inboard of choice back in Florida. He gave them an 8 for being solid. As expected, with only three people in the boat, size was 6.5 on his 10-point scale, but it could be improved with a bigger load. Besides, anything more than a 5 on a pro¿s scale will be plenty for average Joes.

''We didn't try trim tabs, either,'' said Eddie. ''For the guy that's got more than just wakeboarding on his plate, but wants to get serious air on a board, I think this boat is perfect.''

As a family cruising boat, the dual-console is comfortable and rugged. Comfortable because the bow casting pad with integrated gear locker lifts out to provide leg room for the first class seating up front. It's rugged, because with the casting pad installed and the cushions removed, anglers can quickly hose down fish scales, slime and other nasty stuff that fish leave behind.

The cockpit seating is just as versatile. Fully swiveling bucket seats accommodate the helmsman and his favorite passenger. Two removable padded jump seats at the transom give comfort to another couple. The boat will seat six adults comfortably and fish three or four with ease, yet the Coast Guard allows you to cruise with seven in a pinch.

There's a cooler at the passenger console that will hold a 12-pack with ice. It drains overboard. So does the scuppered fiberglass liner deck and two fish or gear lockers in the bow. Reboard easily after a ski ride from the transom-mounted landing platform with telescopic three-step ladder.

Now, let's get back to the fishing. Port and starboard gunwale rod lockers hold two rods each. They're carpeted to protect your gear and lockable for overnight storage. The passenger console sports a two-drawer tackle locker to hold plenty of hooks, swivels and sinkers, plus a dozen hardbaits for bass, walleye, sea trout or whatever your game.

If you're staking out a bridge for fishing action, anchor off the bow -- there's plenty of storage for line and chain in the locker -- and set two rods in the gunwale holders. Need more? Don't forget the rocket launchers on the tower that are ideal for trolling or just holding a baited line.

The decks and gunwales are protected everywhere with a durable non-skid finish. We even went scuba diving recently from the Airboard and found reboarding with gear was as easily accomplished as on larger boats.

Our test boat was equipped with Yamaha's 150-hp HPDI fuel-efficient direct injection outboard. We have no complaint with the acceleration or top speed. The helm sports Yamaha's LCD gauge package, which combines all engine-monitoring functions, plus fuel oil and burn rates, in two easy-to-read screens.

The 1851 DC Airboard is a solid, heavy build, ideal for rough water, and it can take up to 175 ponies. But no need to shell out more bucks for more propulsion. Our test herd of 150 was enough.

We thought the V-bottom gave a good ride in two-foot chop, even at full-throttle, though we'd recommend backing off a bit for the family.

Any complaints? We only found one cupholder on board. It was at the passenger console. The helm has plenty of room to add electronics, though, and still leave room for another cupholder. That'll give us a rainy day project and a chance to add our personal thumbprint to an impressive SUV. We couldn't ask for more.

NICE TOUCHES

1. Removable casting deck module adds versatility without negative compromises
2. Wakeboard tower is stylish -- and functional for angling, too
3. Console cooler is surprisingly roomy
4. Removable jump seats stow for fishability or install in seconds for comfort
5. Self-bailing deck keeps the deck clear for skiing or fishing
6. Sony stereo with four speakers adds fun, luxury and value

Test Engine: 150-hp Yamaha HPDI

Test Load: People (400 lb.); fuel (35 gal.)

Top Speed: 45.1 mph @ 5,500 rpm

Time to Plane: 2.8 sec.

Time to 30 mph: 7.4 sec.

Speed @ 3/4 Throttle: 33 mph @ 4,100 rpm

Noise @ Idle: 68 db

Noise @ 30 mph: 81 db

Length Overall: 18' 6''

Beam: 7'6''

Dry Weight: 2,650 lb.

Seating Capacity: 7

Load Capacity: 1,245 lb.

Fuel Capacity: 62 gal.

Base Engine: 115 hp

Maximum Horsepower: 150

MSRP (base boat): See local dealer

Warranty: 10-year structural hull warranty

POWER CURVE

600 rpm: 3.0 mph

1,000 rpm: 4.0 mph

1,500 rpm: 6.0 mph

2,000 rpm: 7.5 mph

2,500 rpm: 10.6 mph

3,000 rpm: 21.4 mph

3,500 rpm: 28.1 mph

4,000 rpm: 31.8 mph

4,500 rpm: 36.0 mph

5,000 rpm: 39.5 mph

5,500 rpm: 45.1 mph