Running a high-profile custom boat-building business requires long hours and maintaining a high-caliber image on and off the water. Steve Singhal of Commander Boats in Corona, California, knows what it takes to keep boat orders coming in the door and works alongside his father, Sy, to put quality performance crafts on the water. To fit in with the customers who throw down the big dollars, Steve decided that a stunning truck and boat combination of his own would be good for business. While the bright-yellow, flame-engulfed '28 Commander Cat was in the mold, Steve focused on the tow vehicle part of the custom equation.
Starting with an '03 Cadillac Escalade EXT, the exterior was altered with the addition of 27-inch Lexani Johnson chrome wheels mounted on Nitto NT 101 P305/45VR22/27 rubber. The suspension was left untouched to provide enough room for the massive rolling combination, while pulling power was increased with a Gibson exhaust system. Steve now enters and exits the Caddy pickup through Lambo doors installed by the team at Vertical Doors. Chrome tow hooks, a polished billet grille, and HID headlights provide classy aftermarket style up front and expertly blend in with the large-diameter wheels and rubber.
With the exterior alterations complete, Steve paid a visit to Joslin Mobil in Corona to set up the interior with some off-the-hook sights and sounds. Audio experts Don Dodson and Mike Gavitt at Joslin worked together to assemble the brain-rattling ensemble. Heading up the arsenal of audio goods is a Pioneer TV/CD/AM/FM head unit featuring a 6-1/2-inch, motorized in-dash monitor. Jams crank through Crystal Kevlar 6-1/2-inch component set speakers complemented by four 12-inch Kicker Solabaric subwoofers mounted in a custom enclosure behind the back seat. A Precision Power 1000-watt PPI amplifier was used to drive the mids and highs, while a Precision Power 1800-watt PPI amp rocks the woofers. Providing extra mobile entertainment for privileged river passengers is a Sony Playstation 2 and five TV monitors dispersed throughout the cockpit. For extra power to run the mobile electronic mayhem, Joslin installed two Optima batteries with an isolator and linked the system together with Monster RCA cables.
As soon as the Escalade was complete and sporting some high-class exterior and interior restyling, it was the boat's turn for some custom attention. Destined for high-visual impact from the get-go, this Commander 2800 Canopy Cat emerged from the mold drenched in a bright-yellow gelcoat topped with blue and lime green tribal fire that crackled over the sponsons and blazed the hull from bow to stern. For a true offshore, race-inspired look, this 28-foot lake rod sports two canopies with windscreens to provide driver and passenger shelter during those high-speed passes. When the throttle is buried, the 625hp Ilmor Viper V-10 engine delivers water-shredding performance to the aquatic playground of choice through a Mercrusier XR drive spinning a 28-pitch, four-blade propeller. At the helm sits a custom three-spoke steering wheel surrounded by an array of Livorsi silver-face instruments conveying the operating conditions of the burly Viper mill. DNS Interiors hooked up the cockpit with white marine vinyl with blue and yellow inserts and incorporated a few flame patterns into the engine's hatch cover. Providing ample airflow for the Viper powerhouse is a custom fiberglass airscoop drenched in blue paint to help it contrast against the white upholstery. Custom interior and deck hardware from Eddie Marine provide some additional eye candy. In addition to the roar produced by the Viper powerhouse, the audio system in the boat takes decibels to the next level. Once again, Joslin Mobil stepped up to the plate and served up an eardrum-blasting sampling of audio excellence. Under the deck of this smooth performance cat sit four Kicker Solabaric 12-inch woofers with two Crystal 6x9-inch speakers and Crystal component sets sprinkled throughout. A Sony CDX head unit delivers Steve's jams of choice to the speakers and sets the mood for long hours of lake and river cruising. Transportation for this high-speed water rod is via a triple-axle Competitive trailer sporting chrome fenders, diamond-plate steps, and an integrated boarding ladder for easy exit and entry.
Steve Singhal has himself one impressive river rig that grabs the eyes of curious onlookers wherever it goes. This smooth and clean combination is the epitome of true luxury and packs wild style on every surface.