They say patience is a virtue. Apparently the Sugar Sand Tango Xtreme didn't get the memo. When this boat hits the water on a shady summer day on Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Georgia, it's not just the humidity that thickens the air, it's a sense of urgency. You jump into the Tango Xtreme with a fear in the back of your mind ' if you don't immediately start this boat up, it will almost certainly take off without you.

Make no mistake ' this boat was not built to be idle. The Tango Xtreme was made for speed. If the bright red colors and checkerboard design don't tip you off, then the hum of the 240-hp Mercury EFI V6 will. This dog wants to bite.

With three-quarters of a tank of fuel and a shiny gleam from the folks at Dream Marine, the Xtreme is ready for action. But while everything outside the boat says hot, it's the inside styling onboard that will make you feel nothing but cool. Boarding at the dock is easy with the non-skid walkdown ramp. It's a nice touch, considering the bow seat is usually the first to get stomped with dirty feet from pushing off from the dock. But just in case you miss the point of the ramp and hit the seats, the waterproof vinyl won't leave unwipeable marks behind.

Once aboard, you get the beverage check out of the way ' there's a built-in cooler in the bow seat, and if more room is needed, you can slide in your own small cooler underneath the amidships side passenger seat. Since you can't reach the coolers while underway, there are three cupholders spaced evenly throughout the boat ' one is within reaching distance of every passenger, but you'll have to share.' You immediately take the helm, knowing it's the best seat in the house, but your passengers can pick from four cushioned bucket seats. There's even a bench seat in the bow, although it's not recommended for non-swimmers or the faint at heart.

So unless your passengers are prone to risk-taking, they'll most likely prefer the bucket seats, designed with extra-thick padding to absorb whatever twists and turns you plan for the party. And in a jet boat like the Xtreme, there'll be plenty. The clever off-center bow seating arrangement is just one more example of how Sugar Sand took styling to an extreme. Grab handles on the side of both amidship seats are easily accessible, and your passengers are going to need them the instant you hit full throttle.' It doesn't take long for the Tango Xtreme to get there either. After just 3.3 seconds, the Xtreme planes out and settles low in the water. You literally go from looking up at the sky with the Mercury gaining momentum to all-out speed once it splashes down, grabbing the open water. It goes from 0 to 30 mph in 6.5 seconds, slightly above par for the jet boat crowd, and tops out at around 51.9 mph.

At full throttle, the Xtreme churns out about 114 decibels of noise. With the kind of performance you want, this engine was meant to be heard, and even at idle it registers a growling 87 decibels. As fast as the Xtreme is, the real fun is in the curves. Jet boats are known for turning on a dime, and the Tango earns every penny. Unsuspecting riders are sure to get jostled, especially in the bow, where things can get a bit hairy, so make sure you give the grip handles their due. Hats and loose articles of clothing are also fair game for the wind to get a hold of, with the kinds of trouble the Xtreme can get into.

And don't expect to stay dry. Every sharp turn is a chance at your own personal Splash Mountain.
For watersports enthusiasts, the Xtreme has the hardware to handle your needs. There's aft seating so you can easily put your wakeboard on and slip into the water. The spotter could sit there too, although with the wraparound seating and the bumps you'd expect from fast speeds, they'd be just as well-positioned in one of the side bucket seats, which face aft for good observation and even socializing at idle. A tow-rope pylon sits behind the center passenger seat.

Like on many jet boats, storage is tight. An in-floor storage compartment looks like a perfect place to store your board, but it's designed more for safety equipment like PFDs. Net storage underneath the driver and passenger seats can handle things like day bags and smaller items, while the bow storage is large enough for a cooler.

But the real fun of the day isn't what you packed with you, it's in the ride. The driver definitely has the most fun on this boat. With a Morse throttle control, it's easy to keep a leash on the rpms you're churning out. However, with such a flashy design and purpose, the Xtreme's plastic steering wheel leaves much to be desired. For a boat that prides itself on speed, you'd think Sugar Sand would have put a little more effort forth with perhaps a leather wheel, or one with more grip. Then again, it still turns when it counts the most ' at top speed.

Sugar Sand has paid special attention to safety. There are extra safety handles between the bucket seats next to the driver and traction flooring, so the deck doesn't turn into a slip n' slide at idle. And even in rougher seas, you'll feel like you're getting a smoother ride in the Xtreme because of the suspension seating beneath the extra-padded bucket seats. These springy cords act as shock absorbers and control the bounce when you're cutting through rough chop.

Upgrade the stereo to a Kenwood radio/CD player with three speakers and you've got a cruising machine on the water. Priced at $19,495, with the 240-hp Mercury, the Tango Xtreme is a jet boat ready for action. Only those with a lead foot need apply.