Overview

With its ability to cruise, fish, dive, entertain and even overnight, it’s tempting to dub Regal’s 43 SAV the proverbial “jack of all trades,” but that would imply it’s also a master of none. On the contrary, I found this Sport-Activity Vessel one of the most well-thought-out, well-executed boats I’ve tested to date. From the intuitive flow of its layout to an abundance of features and design, Regal seems to have thought of nearly everything—and for everyone who comes aboard. 

Interior and Accessories

Peruse the 43 from stern to bow, and the boat reveals itself in five distinct zones, each of which suits a specific task or desire. Start at the stern, and the immediate impression is of the ultimate sandbar boat. Large terrace doors to both port and starboard lower to add nearly 50 square feet to the aft cockpit, creating an airy platform at the water’s edge. Twin settees face each other forward and aft. Pull a cold one from ice boxes on either side of the former; one smartly doubles as an ice maker. A 43-inch flat-screen TV pivots out from underneath the hardtop. Watch the kids run and jump off the open wings, or take a stroll along an unencumbered swim platform to access the boarding ladder. It opens outboard, away from the boat’s trio of outboards. In a rarely seen yet practical nod, there’s even an adjacent storage locker for a stern anchor, keeping a Danforth readily at hand when setting up off the beach. 

When it’s time for fishing, terrace doors pivot inward to complete its deep and secure aft cockpit. Each features a large dive door to access the dock or to pull in that big tuna. Two pressurized 30-gallon livewells await at the transom station. Twin 60-gallon fish boxes are beneath the floor to port and starboard. Rod holders are found across the transom as well as in gunwales, rocket launchers at each corner of the hardtop, and a polished wood rigging table that can be optioned adjacent to the forward settee. Outriggers can also be added for those seeking to troll. 

Step deeper under the protection of the hardtop to—voilà!—a summer kitchen. Prep fillets on the cutting board over its deep sink, toss onto the pair of electric grills immediately adjacent, and the freshest-ever catch of the day is on its way to being plated. Twin ­pullout drawer refrigerators offer an abundance of cold storage below. In between, a trio of drawers stash the necessary extras. Overhead, a 16-inch Garmin display is flanked by a pair of wireless phone-charging cradles and speakers. Plush helm seats forward complete the ­picture, pivoting 180 degrees to provide comfortable seating while watching some mahi sizzle, catching up with the latest college game day, or keeping an eye on the trolling spread. 

Turning to the helm, a pair of 22-inch ­Garmin touchscreen displays dominate the dash, each sporting a custom Regal interface with common task bar. A great example of how these screens could be configured was showcased during our test at day’s end—the eclectic onscreen mix including everything from navigation chart, engine data, and vessel controls to hullside camera and live college football game, courtesy of the optional KVH satellite dome on the roof. That same data can also be seen on the large aft screen, overhead monitor in the summer kitchen, and on Regal’s unique GarmRests—Garmin screens built into helm armrests that keep controls and ­monitoring a fingertip away.

Access the cabin via an electric door to the left of the helm. Highlights below include more than 6 feet of headroom and an abundance of natural light, courtesy of a large portside glass window forward and twin rectangular windows midcabin. Forward couches convert to a queen-size berth. Aft, two twin innerspring mattresses morph into a king with the use of a headboard filler cushion in the full-beam stateroom. The elegant head compartment adds a full-size toilet, glass sink bowl, and clear shower partition. Back topside, access the bow via a portside walk-through. Lounges wrap the perimeter, offering space for up to eight passengers. Pop in the pedestal table for food and drinks. Lower it, add a filler cushion, and turn the entire space into a sun pad.

Engines

Regal’s deep-V OceanTrac 2 hull delivered a smooth, confident ride in the 2- to 3-foot seas we encountered on our test day. Credit not only design, but also construction. Hull and stringers are vacuum-infused together. Carbon fiber is added to key areas for additional strength. As to performance, our test boat neared 53 mph with its trio of 450 hp ­Yamaha XTO V-8s. Optional power ­configurations extend as high as 1,800 hp. 

An interesting competitor is found in Scout’s 42-foot-4-inch 42 LXF ($1,341,804 with quad Mercury 350 Verados). A more ­traditional center-console, it offers similar multiuse versatility, with its own summer kitchen, single-berth cabin with well-appointed head and shower, and impressive array of tech. If you’re looking to rock the sandbar, however, its singular portside “beach platform” is more like a small dock. Lower the ­Regal’s massive twin terrace doors, and you’ve got your own floating island.

Read Next: Regal LX36

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple Yamaha 450 XTO Offshore V-8
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha XTO OS 16 ⁵/₈” x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.79:1 Fuel Load: 283 gal. Crew Weight: 1,170 lb.

High Points

• Standard Seakeeper 4 produces stability at rest, even in rough seas. 
• Optional Regal LivePower automatically switches power sources and keeps charge.
• Regal offers terrace doors port and starboard. These fold out to increase cockpit size and grant great vibe and water access. 

Low Points

• Anchor locker offers access to windlass and freshwater sprayer close at hand, but access to anchor rode can be challenging.
• Deep transom lazarette might prove difficult to access if you’re not agile.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Regal 43 SAV appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

From the land of Ferrari, it’s no surprise that the new Sessa C44 pops onto plane in just 8 seconds flat and, pushed by a pair of Volvo Penta D6 ­diesel IPS 600s, this ­stylish cruiser tops out at over 35 mph. Not bad for moving 14 tons of Italian luxury.

The Sessa C44 is a lean express cruiser, accented by a slash of windows in the topsides, but one of its surprises is that we found as much as 6 feet, 9 inches of headroom inside its cabin.  

Interior and Accessories

If you are a buyer appreciative of this boat’s style and performance, you will want to consider your boating usage because Sessa offers the C44 in your choice of two cockpit layouts. The extended cockpit version (for entertaining many) gives you two swoopy dinettes, protected by both the hardtop (with opening moonroof) and a sliding shade aft, while the standard layout ­offers a wide sun pad (no second dinette) with a spacious tender garage underneath. Both versions have a standard hydraulic swim platform that can handle up to a 900-pound tender or PWC, and the tender garage will conceal and protect a small boat up 7 feet, 6 inches in length. The skipper is cosseted in a bolstered helm seat, facing a Euro-styled dash with Raymarine Axiom GPS and ­Volvo Penta engine monitor. Just abaft the helm is an outdoor galley with a grill, sink and drawer-style refrigerator.

Step below into the lower salon, and you’ll find a large convertible dinette to starboard opposite a full galley with a four-burner Kenyon ­ceramic cooktop, microwave/convection oven, fridge, and lacquered eye-level cabinetry.  

The owner’s cabin is lush, with an angled queen berth that allows you to walk on each side (to keep your dignity intact while climbing in or out), plus a leather-topped bureau, full-height hanging locker, and enough stowage shelves and drawers for long weekends. The en suite head features a stall shower with Lucite doors.  

Forward, the guest cabin sports scissoring single berths that combine into a double, as well as private access to the day head with its curtained shower.  

Sessa, a three-generation family builder, might be a new name for some skippers on this side of the pond, but the C44 will add it to their vocabulary.

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin Volvo Penta D6 diesel IPS 600 (440 hp)
• Drive/Prop: IPS pod/Twin 3- and 4-blade counter-rotating nibral T6
• Gear Ratio: 1.82:1 Fuel Load: 175 gal. Crew Weight: 650 lb.

High Points

• Sessa’s North American team has a warehouse filled with parts, as well as a service team for nationwide support.
• A tender garage? Yes! Opt for one of its two layouts, and Sessa C44 offers a garage on the transom, just like a dinghy garage on a large yacht. This can house a dinghy up to 7 feet, 6 inches long with an outboard.
• The choice of two different layouts allows buyers to tailor this new Sessa to their specific needs. 
• A third outdoor galley is hidden in the transom, with a grill, a refrigerator and a sink.

Low Points

• The two fuel tanks, totaling 252 gallons, carry less fuel than competing-model boats, and crimp the range, allowing just over 200 miles at 26 mph. 
• The helm seat is on the narrow side for two people, and the absence of a seat opposite the helm means a companion must join the skipper. 

Toughest Competitor

The Galeon 450 HTC ($1,198,515) is similarly sized, with Volvo Penta V-drive diesels and either two- or three-cabin layouts. No transom garage, but it does offer foldout side decks.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Sessa C44 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

If, like me, you dozed through Ancient Greek Mythology class, Panacea was the goddess of all cures and ­solutions. And that is the perfect name for the new Intrepid 41. This big center-console will satisfy every one of your boating wishes and desires.  

Engines

If speed is at the top of your boating checklist, get a tie-down for your hat. This new Intrepid easily nailed 61-plus mph, and that was in a not-so-friendly Gulf Stream. Our test boat boasted a trio of the standard Mercury V-10 400s clamped to the transom.

You can check the option box for twin Mercury V-12s, punching out 600 hp each, but warn your guests to bring extra sunglasses to replace the ones that will blow off their faces.  

Interior and Accessories

You can bring a whole bunch of those friends too because the 41 ­Panacea is a party animal. An outdoor galley behind the helm seats features a grill to torture steaks, an Isotherm fridge to keep beverages chilled, a sink, and a pull-out cooler in case the fridge floweth over.

If you want to spend the night aboard with your significant other ­after blasting across to Bimini, Catalina or Nantucket, the spacious cabin sports 6 feet, 3 inches of headroom, a comfortably sized V-berth with convertible table, and a human-size enclosed head with shower and ­electric toilet. There’s even a mini galley (microwave/sink/fridge), so you can have your morning coffee and croissants without leaving the cabin.  

But will the 41 Panacea fish? Oh, yeah! The twin lighted livewells in aft corners of the cockpit have side windows so that you can check the health of your pilchards or pogies, macerators for sending off those baits that didn’t make it to the hook, five rod holders across the transom (more along the rails), and a hardtop braced for outriggers. Foldout seating is shaded by the pullout awning hidden in that hardtop and fish boxes that reside below the cockpit sole.

You say you’re a diver? The oversize hull door to port (an Intrepid invention) is large enough to easily handle chubby divers and a big fish. A boarding ladder flips out from a hatch in the cockpit floor adjacent to the door.   

The styling is the highly ­recognizable straight and rising Intrepid sheer that looks like it’s going fast at anchor. The rakish hardtop, with full-height windshield and ­recessed ­speakers and lighting, adds to the ­swept-forward look. 

Intrepid has perfected its high-speed, ­high-efficiency single-step hull, which aerates the running surface, allowing you to run faster, longer and farther. This is balanced by a trio of strakes on each side to fine-tune tracking and lift, plus hard chines that throw aside spray and stabilize the boat at trolling speed. Add to that the optional Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer, and the 41 is fire, as the kids say.   

As you’d expect in a go-fast boat, the ­skipper is awarded every desire. We applauded the comfortable seat with great lumbar support, as well as identical companion seats on either side. The no-distortion windshield ends at the stylish dash with twin 22-inch Garmin monitors and rows of Bocatech push-button switches for the various systems. Besides the Mercury Joystick Piloting for Outboards, the Vetus bow ­thruster aids in easy docking.  

But this is only half the 41 Panacea, which also aspires to be a luxurious bowrider forward of the helm. Wide walkways lead to twin sun pads with hinged backrests atop the cabin, and the seating wraps around a high/low table that retracts electrically flush with the floor. Pop-up cleats and an underhatch Maxwell horizontal windlass keep the foredeck clear, and anchoring can be controlled both at the windlass and from the helm. A thoughtful touch: a washdown pump in the anchor locker to get rid of muck. 

Speaking of uncluttered, the transom ­platform is a delight. Most outboard boats have a tangle of wires and hoses to trip anyone who ventures onto the platform, but all this maze is hidden below the Intrepid platform. You can step aboard from a dock, stroll safely across the platform in front of the Mercurys, and enter the cockpit through the starboard-side ­transom door.

Read Next: Intrepid 51 Panacea 

When it comes to service, an oversize hatch allows you easy access to the undercockpit Paguro 8.5 kW genset, as well as the optional Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer.

Shopping around? Check out the ­Cigarette 41 Nighthawk ($1,279,000), with similar ­bad-boy looks, quad Mercury 500s and a more Spartan interior. A more conservative-­looking boat that’s a bit longer is the Tiara 43LS ($1,560,425 base price), which hits 56 mph with twin 600 hp Mercury Verado outboards.

Underway, I loved the 41 Panacea, upgraded using customer comments about the now-retired 40 Panacea with a new and wider hull. Even Aunt Edna is going to grin when you grab the Brodie knob on the fat 14-inch stainless-steel wheel that begs you to spin doughnuts. Put the hammers down, and the Panacea pops onto plane in just 5.3 seconds. Launch off a Gulf Stream graybeard, and the Panacea lands softly, begging for more.

The Panacea, as Greek gods know, is truly a boat for all reasons. 

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple Mercury 400 hp V-10 Verados
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/16.8″ x 19″ Revolution X 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.09:1 Fuel Load: 275 gal. Crew Weight: 650 lb.

High Points

• I love the hidden hand grip that makes boarding through the hullside door safe and easy. Thoughtful, functional and executed with élan, it’s the type of thing upon which Intrepid has built its reputation. 
• Electric backrests installed in the forward lounges allow guests to sit up or recline without requiring the captain to stow or retrieve a removable backrest. 
• Gutters in the deck hatches are deep enough to handle Biblical quantities of rain or energetic use of the washdown hose, and keep gear protected from moisture and corrosion. 

Low Point

• The white dash reflects into the windshield, creating distracting “ghosts” and glare. I’d prefer a dark helm top for this reason.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Intrepid 41 Panacea appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Heading out from Rhode Island, where the NorthCoast 415HT is built, skippers might continue south past Block Island for 100 miles to fish the fabled Atlantic canyons, or perhaps turn east around Cape Cod and north for 300 miles of harbor hopping along Maine’s coast. The boat, with features well-suited to fishing along with accouterments for cruising, comes ready for either trip.

Weather isn’t likely to be an obstacle. The NorthCoast 415HT’s  broken sheer line and raised, flared hull sides forward — more the lines of a classic sportfisher than a true downeaster — pushed spray away as we knifed through Narraganset Bay, which was whipped into a stiff chop by 20 knot winds during our tests.

Engines

Quad Yamaha 300 XSB outboards ease fret over fuel gauge needles. Even pushing into 20-knot headwinds on our tests, those four V6s provide around 400 miles range from 600 gallons of fuel, allowing a 10 percent safety reserve, while running anywhere between 28 mph and 45 mph. Troll a canyon all day, bounce to a second location, and return home with fuel to spare, or choose favorite cruising harbors, not required fuel stops. Topping off in Newport, the boat can cruise 160 miles to Manhattan and then fish all of Long Island’s south shore on the way home. Pushing throttles near our 55.1 mph top speed (hampered by headwinds compared to Yamaha’s tested 57.6 mph max), hastens the trip home while still covering 300 miles from full tanks.

Yamaha’s Helm Master EX joystick takes the worry out of windy-day docking, as we experienced in a tight corner slip with a steady 15 knots blowing dead on the beam. Navigating, even in fog or at night, is aided by radar, plotter and FLIR, along with Raymarine’s Augmented Reality that overlays AIS traffic, GPS waypoints and more atop nav and video images on dual 19-inch Axiom displays. YachtSense monitors and controls ship’s systems from those screens, too — and all that is also standard equipment.

Interior and Accessories

The classic downeast enclosed pilothouse extends fishing and cruising earlier into spring’s chilly Atlantic waters and later through autumn’s blustery winds while the SeaKeeper 4, which runs quietly from 12-volt batteries alone, flattens pitch and roll. On August afternoons, dual overhead opening hatches, four large opening side windows, and the opening glass aft bulkhead will catch a cool breeze. Or button up, crank the 8kW diesel generator and chill in air conditioning — that’s all standard equipment, by the way.

Twin Release helm seats offer a touch of luxury. The pilothouse settee table adjusts height to serve meals or enjoy cocktails, and it lowers further to create a comfy day bed or add overnight accommodations. With the galley in the pilothouse, no one misses conversation, coastal sights or an impressive fish strike while grabbing a snack or serving up supper, which is aided by ample drawer and counter space along with a microwave, stove top and twin fridge/freezer drawers — again, all standard.

Down below, the private master cabin includes a hanging locker and drawers typical of boats in this class. There is a nice surprise — the foot of the island queen bed lifts, assisted by gas struts, to access a 7-foot-long storage locker ideal for full-length fishing rods, galley dry goods, or bulky items. The head includes a separate stall shower roomy enough to skip walking to marina facilities. The aft cabin extends beneath the pilothouse sole and houses both a double bed and a separate single folding berth.

Back up on deck, abundant handholds and ample side decks aid the trip to the bow, whether to fight a feisty fish or anchor in a quiet cove. At the front of the generously sized cockpit, an aft-facing double seat conceals a drink box, while a locker provides tackle drawers. Two live wells in the transom and two fish boxes beneath the deck come rigged with pumps and macerators. Large center hatches provide easy access to oversized sea strainers for the genset, Seakeeper and AC, along with other pumps and equipment. The aft transom door and side gunwale door provide easy access for swimming, boating a fish, or accessing a dinghy or dock — and yup, that’s all standard.

Read Next: NorthCoast 315 HT

NorthCoast’s already well equipped $1,083.514 base price also includes hull-side color choices. Our test boat’s Rupp Top Gun outriggers riggers and teak Arrigoni rocket launcher nudged the bottom line just past $1.1 million [NOTE: $1,104,203]. Cruisers will likely add the aft cockpit settee, instead.

For those less inclined to fish, the Back Cove 390, carries a bit more traditional down-east vibe, both inside and out, along with expanded cockpit seating and an interesting open transition from pilothouse to lower salon. Avid anglers might look at Coastal Craft Yacht’s 42 ExpressFish, which offers six propulsion options from triple Yamaha 425s to quad Mercury 450s.

How We Tested

• Test Engine: Quad 300-hp Yamaha XSB outboard motors.
• Test Drive/Prop: Outboard/15” x 20” (Yamaha Saltwater II stainless 3-blade)
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 286 Water on Board: 100 gal. Crew Weight: 450 lb.

High Points

• Yamaha’s joystick holds the boat in one spot, either free to swing by the bow or stern, or locked in both location and heading. Similar drift modes can follow a pre-planned course.
• Closing the aft glass bulkhead and door lowered sound levels by 4 decibels at cruising speeds, versus our already quiet readings with the door open.

Low Point

• Down below, the small settee is really just a nook for some alone time, leaving the pilothouse as the only entertaining area.

Extra Point

• With Yamaha’s quad outboards, conventional (outboard turning) props on port and starboard motors, mounted 8 feet apart, aid maneuvering, but the two middle motors turn opposite from conventional rotation to add lift that increases both speed and economy.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 NorthCoast 415HT appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

For the seventh year in a row, Finland has been named the Happiest Country in the World by the World Happiness Report, and I have a theory that it’s because their population owns more boats per capita than any other country in the world not named New Zealand. From this happy place comes the Saxdor 400 GTO, courtesy of chief designer and founder Sakari ­Mattila, who also either founded or co-founded Axopar, Aquador, XO and Paragon.

Interior and Accessories

The “O” in “GTO” stands for “Open,” because the area beneath the expansive hardtop opens on three sides, while an electrically actuated canvas sunroof lets the outside in. If bad weather threatens, side curtains deploy from the support pillars of the hardtop. With the aft window flipped down and an adjacent bifold door shut, the space is fully enclosed and protected.

The 400 GTO’s signature feature is its 13-foot-long pair of sidewalls, which Saxdor calls terraces, and that drop outboard to increase deck space when the engines are off. These transform the 400 GTO into a floating oasis with a party vibe that will draw envious looks at the sandbar. The stern area feels even larger thanks to the clear transom with port and starboard clear entry doors that expand the view. There’s a pair of swim platforms, and there’s enough real estate aft to walk fully across its 11-foot-8-inch beam.

The stern sofa serves dual duty as a rear-facing lounge for two or three. Then, when those reclining want to catch some sun, the entire lounge slides rearward and the backrest lays flat. Just abaft of the twin helm seats is a quad seating group that surrounds a large, height-­adjustable teak table to form a social area. When it’s time to weigh anchor and move, the sofa behind the helm seats raises and moves back electronically. A reversible backrest is then repositioned to accommodate three people facing forward.

Engines

At the helm, single Simrad NSO 16-inch and 9-inch screens come standard, but our test boat was maxed out with the Advanced Navigation Package ($16,100), which includes two more 16-inchers, along with a Halo 20+ Simrad radar as well as a VHF radio and a transducer. Saxdor is all-in on Brunswick technology and offers generator-­free power with one or two Mastervolt lithium-­ion batteries totaling 12 kWh or 24 kWh of ­capacity for $23,100 and $40,700, respectively. These also power the electric grill and stove, along with a standard refrigerator with an option to add another. These options require an upgrade from the standard Mercury V-8 300 hp Verado outboards to 350 or 400 hp 5.7L V-10 Verados that have high-output 150-amp alternators. The ­battery-management system integrates with the Simrad displays, so amp draw and remaining capacity are easily monitored.

There’s a portside walkway, but if you are 5 feet, 10 inches or taller and are heading to the bow, duck! The hardtop is low enough to warrant a “watch your head” warning sticker. At the bow cockpit, a ­U-shaped seating group accommodates five surrounding a teak table.

Down in the cabin, most weekenders will sleep with their feet toward the bow, where headroom dwindles and the beam narrows. A walk-in head compartment offers 6 feet of headroom, and a shower, sink, and standard electric head. Tilting up the companionway steps reveals a storage space that’s convertible to an optional kid’s sleeping area ($2,140).

The Nimbus 11 Weekender—although ­lacking the forward bow seating of the ­Saxdor 400 GTO—uses this space to increase the ­primary cabin size. It has only one, ­smaller drop-down side terrace, but an optional swim platform encircles the twin outboards for extra room while at rest.

Speaking of extra room, one of the most curious features is an optional aft cabin ($10,700), which guests enter by flipping up a section of the amidships cockpit lounge to reveal a hatch that’s like a secret passage to a safe room. Three narrow windows and a tinted hatch overhead admit plenty of light, and there’s a surprising amount of sitting headroom.

The Saxdor 400 GTO was one of the ­easiest 40-plus-footers I’ve ever run. ­Between the standard automatic ZipWake interceptor trim tabs and Mercury’s Active Trim, the skipper just selects the one-throttle ­option to keep rpm even, and advances the throttle without futzing around with tabs or trim, even if guests are wandering around. I could easily keep track of traffic on a busy day on the Intracoastal Waterway thanks to the ­exceptional helm visibility through the tall windshield and nothing to hinder the view on the sides or aft. Despite the water’s surface being chaotic thanks to wakes of all sizes, the twin-stepped hull provided a smooth ride, as evidenced by the legible numbers I wrote in my notebook, even at its top speed of 52.1 mph. It jumped to plane in 4.6 seconds, with a bow rise of only 5 degrees. It hooked up well in hard turns with no blowout.

Read Next: Six Boats Built for Adventure

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Mercury 400 hp V-10 Verados
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Revolution X 16.75″ x 20″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 179 gal. Water on Board: 20 gal. Crew Weight: 1,225 lb.

High Points

• The vertical stem and narrow entry help pierce waves.
• Twin two-speed windshield wipers keep vision clear during sprinkles and downpours. 
• The standard Sleipner bow thruster interfaces with Merc’s Joystick Piloting for Outboards. 

Low Points 

• There’s no head in the aft cabin; go knock on the master cabin door when it’s time.
• The swim ladder and hot-water transom shower are on opposite sides.
• No bow-anchor scuff plate. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Saxdor 400 GTO appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Brabus Marine’s Shadow 1200 Sun-Top is a high-performing sport yacht with style, luxury and performance that makes it at once a booster of ego and an arouser of envy. Fans of supercars will recognize luxury upfitter Brabus. Each Brabus offering begins with a top-quality foundation. In this case, that foundation is the already successful Axopar 45 XC.

Engines

We tested out of the port of Palma on the Spanish isle of Mallorca in the blue, blue waters of the Mediterranean. Powered by triple Mercury Racing 400R outboards, we hit 63 mph and raced from idle to 30 mph in 9.2 seconds. The hull’s twin steps share credit for this 47-foot, 18,000-pound boat’s speed and acceleration. The minimum planing speed I recorded was 18 mph—a good feature in any boat, if very rough seas are encountered.

In maneuvers, the Shadow 1200 delivers a runabout’s agility, requiring just a light touch at the wheel. As I charged into ever-faster turns as part of testing, the boat provided sure-footed exhilaration rather than nerve-wracking trepidation. I spent three days with this boat but did not experience any real seas during testing, though I can attest that the 1200 cut easily through the steep chop that developed with the afternoon breeze. The performance stated took place carrying a half-tank of fuel and a crew of six. This is a boat that can handle open water and a big crowd. Joystick control and a thruster make docking easier.

My assessment of the Shadow 1200 Sun-Top’s layout and outfitting? Quantifying a vibe, an emotional response to a product, proves fraught with pitfalls. It is so personal. I’ll simply suggest that this boat proves ­greater than the sum of its parts.

A look at the market supports my assertion. The Nimbus Weekender 11 ($799,091 fully loaded with twin Mercury V-10 400 Verado outboards) offers much of the Shadow 1200’s attributes, though at 40 feet and rated for 800 hp, it’s smaller. Wellcraft’s 435 ($1.17 million with triple 350 Mercury V-10 Cold Fusion White outboards, with joystick), though luxurious, similar in size, and with a swankier cabin, lacks the racy vibe of the Shadow 1200, as well as its more-versatile multi-activity layout. Intrepid, the builder who pioneered personalization of production boats, offers the high-performing, highly versatile Panacea 438 (builds average $1.5 million, our source states, with up to triple ­Mercury 600 outboards). A full-cabin model, the Intrepid ­offers an open aft cockpit versus the Shadow 1200’s walkaround layout. In short, the Shadow 1200 ­Sun-Top is a unique offering. Let’s look closer.

Interior and Accessories

The Shadow 1200 Sun-Top features a walk-around cabin layout that makes anchoring and docking easy, and provides a separate social and lounging area in the bow. Enter this cabin from either the helm or the winglike forward doors port and starboard. That’s functional and unique. Open the companionway and the wing doors together to create great flow between exterior and interior. Essentially, you gain a separate lounge area when the cabin is not being used as a berth. There’s an enclosed head in here, as well as the convertible V-berth, tables and a separate sofa. The 1200 Sun-Top we tested debuted with special Brabus Red leather upholstery that’s beautifully stitched and tufted. This striking upholstery, together with matching Sun-Top ­pipework and a hull that gleams in Phantom Grey paint, makes an impressive visual statement. The so-called 1-second wow factor that  Brabus strives for has been achieved.

There’s more magic in the Shadow 1200 ­Sun-Top’s topside layout. The helm, rendered in black, with a recessed catchall for small items and a brow above the flush-mounted screens, ­offers a ­commanding position of control. Visibility proved good, and switches and controls fell naturally to hand. The windshield deflects windblast and looks great with its raked black frame and the integral outline-style-font Brabus logo that creates a shadow of itself as the light shines through it. (Can you say “detail”?) Three high-backed performance chairs offer seating. Overhead, the Sun-Top provides light, air, function, protection and style with its retractable sunroofs and roof racks.

Aft of the helm is a wet bar that, thanks to ingenious cushions and when not in use, serves as a leaning post for a second row of crew behind the helm chairs. Aft of that, there are balcony doors—hinged portions of the cockpit sides that expand the space and social opportunities. A sprawling settee for four to six people resides under the aft-most section of the sun top. Farther aft, the cockpit is offered in three configurations.

Read Next: Brabus Shadow 900 XC

Choose the aft bench plan for a large, open activities cockpit and stern-facing seating. The U-sofa option expands seating and adds a table here. Most remarkable is the aft cabin option, which provides a double berth within and sun lounge on top. Fender boxes port and starboard prove convenient, and one conceals the grill. All versions offer excellent boarding access and ­access to the custom-painted outboards.

Seeking an adventure boat that will turn heads as fast as it achieves plane when you hit the throttles? Sea-trial the Brabus Shadow 1200 Sun-Top.

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple 400 hp Mercury Racing 400R outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/15″ x 18″ 4-blade Ventera, ­stainless steel
• Gear Ratio:1.60:1 Fuel Load: 200 gal. Water on Board: 20 gal. Crew Weight: 1,000 lb.

High Points

• This flawless paint job takes weeks to prep for and execute, and it shows.
• High performance meets high adventure.
• Great variety of deck plans.

Low Points

• Turns to port require looking out through the sun top to see what’s on your course.
• Chains, gates or doors are needed between the cockpit and the boarding platforms.
• I’d like a bigger fuel-tank option for even more range.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Brabus Shadow 1200 ­Sun-Top appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

When I pressed the throttles on the 457 CCS, it didn’t rear up like a ­Lippizan, but rather surged forward like a Kentucky Derby thoroughbred out of the starting gate. Formula’s proprietary double-stepped hull kept the bow down as it stretched forward in a long, loping gate, the two-speed transmissions of the Merc V-12 Verados proving their worth. In turns, sharp and hard-over, the 457 CCS held its ground, carved them smoothly, and without the chine tripping or spinning out. The outboards themselves held their ground, sensing with electronic magic the added load that turns cause. They fed in more power to keep the speed steady through the arc. In port, joystick steering and a bow thruster made docking the 47-footer (LOA with ­engines) a breeze. Even an amateur can do it with confidence.

We weren’t surprised by its performance—every Formula that our test team has ever touched over the years has offered a high-performance ­experience thanks largely to the FAS³Tech design and engineering.

In fact, FAS³Tech is the technology below deck on the 457. Instead of stringers and bulkheads laid into the hull and storage buckets glued in place, Formula builds a one-piece stringer grid that melds to the hull in a single piece, and includes all fish boxes, dry-storage compartments and machinery access to the bilge, plus ample wire chases for a nearly unlimited array of accessories. The boat is filled with gadgets such as inductive cellphone-charging brackets, electric adjustable seats, bow cocktail table and a full assembly of navigation equipment—just for starters. Once the grid is bonded to the hull, the two pieces become one. The deck is then bonded in, and three become one. Formula perfected this technique decades ago, when competitors were still using wood stringers and ­transoms.

Another exceedingly well-built center-­console is Pursuit’s Sport 428. Pursuit was an early starter in the sport-model realm, bringing the 280 Sport to market in 2008 and the 310 ST in 2011. Pursuit met the needs of fishermen with broader interests than just wetting a line. The style became so popular, Pursuit expanded it with several models, including the 428. Soon the company rebadged the entire line as “Sport,” but all bristle with a fishing backbone while catering to diving and cruising fans. The S428 ($1,339,935 with quad Yamaha XTO 425s) ­offers a platform more on par with Formula’s far-fishier 457 CCF, sistership to this 457 CCS. The Pursuit has dual-row helm seating with a deck galley to double as a rigging station and mezzanine seating that faces the cockpit. For at-anchor R&R, there is a starboard-side fold-down terrace in the gunwale, and for diving and easy dockside entry, a portside boarding door. ­Formula ­offers port and starboard transom doors to a spacious platform too. ­Pursuit’s 428 is just 43 feet, 9 inches with a 13-foot beam compared with the nearly 46 feet length overall and 13-foot-9-inch beam of the Formula. Size, plus the fact that the Formula is powered by Mercury’s new V-12 600 hp outboards versus the four Yamaha 425s on the Pursuit, accounts for much of the $600,000 ­difference in base price between the two.

Both competitors drench passengers in ­luxury seating with a dual lounge ahead of the console and wraparound seating at the bow.

Interior and Accessories

Formula’s length and beam make for a roomy cabin below deck that includes a double berth that converts from a C-shaped lounge, and it’s nestled into a cheerily lit (with recessed LED lighting and overhead and forward portlights) arrangement with a large head compartment with shower, and an abbreviated galley with microwave, coffee maker and fridge. The topside galley also has plentiful drawer storage, a fridge, and there’s a grill on the transom hiding beneath its own hatch, expanding galley features.

There are rod holders, and in place of a livewell in the CCS, there is a cooler. But when fishing is on the agenda, the equipment is there to help ­ensure angling convenience and success.

In addition to enormous deck compartments, there are compartments in all of the coamings for boat hooks, rods and gaffs if you do fish. They tilt outward from beneath the gunwales and tuck back in flush with them, to keep the passageway clear. Lines, fenders and life jackets are accommodated as well. A transom lazarette, or “boot,” can stow more mooring gear, but aboard our tester, this housed a Seabob water scooter—a Formula option painted to match.

It’s important to note that this boat is not only part of a series, and sibling to the even-more-fishing-oriented 457 CCF, but also either version of the boat is eligible for a program called FormulaFlex. FormulaFlex is an exclusive plan offering boat buyers individual personalization in key areas such as graphics, upholstery and electronics. Many of these preferential changes can be had at no additional charge. If a charge is required for a buyer’s request, you participate in FormulaFlex MyWay, allowing you to choose paid-for changes or options. The point is not so much the charge of a fee for the change as it is Formula’s willingness to make changes to ­accommodate buyers’ ­desires in the first place.

Read Next: Formula 387 CCF

While we can wax on about the deck plan, it’s better to report what our test truly revealed. The Formula 457 CCS is indeed akin to a thoroughbred, delivering a combination of performance, luxury, versatility and great opportunities for owner personalization.

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple 600 hp Mercury V-12 Verados
• Drive/Props: Outboard/29-inch-pitch stainless-steel contra-rotating propsets
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:2.5 Fuel Load: 650 gal. Water on Board: 50 gal. Crew Weight: 800 lb.

High Points

• Tempered-glass windshield raises on electric actuators; can be fully open while running.
• Standard Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer, bow thruster, and 18,000 Btu air conditioning in the cockpit.
• FormulaFlex and FormulaFlex MyWay programs offer great personalization. 

Low Points

• Cabin berth has ample room to stretch out, but vertical space allows feet-first entry only.
• The diesel generator is safer than gasoline power, but it requires a second fuel tank. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Formula 457 CCS appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

As we exited the inlet into a roiled Gulf Stream, importer Alain Raas grabbed a fistful of throttles on the new Aquila 47 Molokai power cat and put the hammer down. Behind us, 1,600 muscular horses whinnied, and we were off. I had two immediate uh-ohs. First, “­Uh-oh, this isn’t going to be pretty.” Second, “Uh-oh, we’re going to be featured in one of the inlet videos of people doing stupid things on boats.” 

But this new 47-footer sliced through the square-edged seas with aplomb, and the deeper we went into an upset Gulf Stream, the more my fists unwelded themselves from the grab rails. If the 47 didn’t notice the seas, why should I? 

For those who don’t know, Aquila power cats are imported by mega retailer MarineMax, which revolutionized the bareboat-charter world and have proved popular with private owners. The 47 Molokai is Aquila’s first foray into sport fishing and—oh, my—the boatbuilder clearly picked the brain of angling experts.

Interior and Accessories

For example, I lost count at 22 rod holders; the forward casting ­platform spanning the nearly 15-foot beam is a spacious 53 inches fore and aft; and there are 4-foot fish boxes on each side of the console, each served by macerator pumps. If those aren’t enough, there are a pair of insulated 74-gallon coffin boxes forward.

Oh, by the way, my worry about starring in an idiots-in-inlets video was the result of four hulking Merc 400s on the stern, and that was good for a solid 66-plus mph. Speed in your blood? Check the box for quad Mercury Racing 500Rs. Yee-haw—70-plus mph!

Tucked under the carbon-fiber hardtop (reinforced for the optional Pipewelders tower) are seven Stidd seats: three up front behind the helm, and four in the raised mezzanine to spectate the action. That helm is impeccable, from the eyebrowed black dash with twin (or triple) Garmin MFDs, C-Zone switching, custom Fusion audio, and Mercury joystick. Our test boat had been ­upgraded to Release Marine ladder-back seats—very comfy, very secure.

Fishermen will love being able to chase a fish round and round, with unimpeded 22-inch-wide walkways and 35-inch-tall padded coamings with recessed rails for security (kid safety too). When it comes to itty-bitty baitfish, the 47 Molokai has two 42.5-gallon transom livewells, with added livewells or tuna tubes optional.

Engines

But, as the car guys say, “What’ll she do?” With the quad 400s, we topped out at 66.5 mph but, dropping it back to between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm (37 to 54 mph), we had a range of about 600 miles with 10 percent reserve. That’s about 11 hours of running, which is a long haul, but it puts you deep in the islands or far down the Baja coast.  

The 47 isn’t just about speed though. With the joystick, it’ll spin easily to chase a fish and, using what hot-rodders used to call a “Brodie knob” on the wheel, it delights in doughnuts and slaloms till you’re bored.  

There’s more: Tucked into the low-profile ­console is a fully outfitted air-conditioned cabin with a queen-berth, 6-foot-7-inch headroom, big windows, overhead skylights and—ta-da!—a surprisingly spacious head with shower. One thing I really loved: walkarounds on each side of the berth (no inelegant clamber into bed from the bottom).

The soft-riding double-stepped hull carves square-edged seas and, because Aquila raised the tunnel height, there was almost no wave slap at trolling speeds and not a trace of “sneezing,” where spray is blown out the front of the tunnel (and then back at the crew).  

Construction ticks all the boxes, starting with watertight fore and aft bulkheads of carbon fiber (in case you ram something hard). The hull is vinylester (no blisters!) resin infused for superior strength and stiffness-to-weight ­ratios, nonskid surfaces are everywhere you might place a foot, and the anchor windlass with twin rode lockers all tuck under flush hatches in the ­casting ­platform.

If, as they say, the devil is in the details, then this power cat might need a full exorcism, because this is where the 47 really shines. Just take a peek at the massive hinges on the three boarding doors in the cockpit (port, starboard and aft), which provide easy diving and dock access.  

Best, the systems have been engineered and laid out by someone who has actually worked on a boat. Labeled and tidy, both the electric and plumbing are accessible and shipshape. The baitwells are fed from Hooker sea-chest pumps; the wiring is precisely loomed; and the two heavy-gauge aluminum fuel tanks have a transfer ­system, allowing the engines to run off both or just one. A charcoal fuel filter is standard because you know you’re going to get filthy fuel in faraway places. Just to keep things tidy, there are two freshwater washdowns (not counting the shower), plus a raw-water washdown.

Shopping around? The Invincible 46 Catamaran ($1,275,000) is narrower, with a head only and no berth.

With the ability to take a baseball team of friends fishing, overnight on the boat in cool comfort, or just to get your performance kicks ­blowing the doors off so-called hot boats, the ­Aquila 47 Molokai is (to use a 1920s ­adage) the cat’s ­pajamas.

Read Next: Aquila 28 Molokai Power Catamaran

How We Tested

• Engines: Quad 400 hp Mercury V-10 Verado outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard two-speed/26″ x 15.25″ 4-blade stainless-steel
• Gear Ratios: 2.08:1/2.5.1 Fuel Load: 600 gal. Crew Weight: 600 lb.

High Points

• Deep gutters on every deck locker, hatch and fish box can handle Biblical rain.
• Berth walk-around space is very civilized.
• Lithium batteries power the air conditioning for eight hours without a genset.

Low Points

• Aircraft-style overhead controls (including VHF) are hard to reach when seated.
• The single windshield wiper is offset and parks directly in the skipper’s view.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Aquila 47 Molokai appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

The saucy lines of the new OS 405 Offshore from Pursuit beckon a closer look from anyone who appreciates sleek styling. (Who doesn’t?) Once you step aboard this triple-outboard-­powered model and see the design elements and experience the functionality, you realize that this boat is more than just a “looker.” It is a superbly built and exquisitely detailed machine ­created to serve well in ­multiple capacities.

The OS 405 supplants the long-standing and popular OS 385 Offshore in the ­Pursuit lineup. You might call the freshly minted version a luxury express sport-fisher, and it is ­indeed ­engineered for serious offshore fishing. But it’s also designed for cruising and ­entertaining, with posh ­amenities and comfort that offer appeal beyond those seeking bluewater battles. 

What’s more, the OS 405 offers strong performance, able to reach speeds in the mid-50 mph range. This is combined with a wave-taming hull and systems that allow for easy control of the 43-footer whether ­running in steep seas or docking in tight quarters.

Interior and Accessories

Board the OS 405 through the inward-opening heavy-duty side door on the port side of the cockpit, and as you do, keep in mind that this feature can ease the landing of big tuna or swordfish, or facilitate the catch-and-release of a sailfish or marlin. On days when fishing is not a ­priority, a detachable swim ladder lets you take a dip or go diving and easily climb back aboard. 

The cockpit of the OS 405 exemplifies this model’s multiple missions. It includes two mezzanine seats, providing a place to relax on casual cruises or to sit and attentively watch the trolling lures for a marlin intent on crashing the party. A flip-out transom bench seat offers additional seating, but it folds away quickly once the angling action heats up.

A 50-gallon transom livewell holds all of the live bait you will need for a day of fishing, and a 75-gallon fish box with a chiller minimizes the amount of ice you’ll need to keep a catch of mahi cold and ready to fillet. In total, there are 89 gallons of insulated in-sole ­fish-box capacity in the cockpit of the OS 405.

When you’re done fishing, rinse down with either the raw-water or freshwater washdown hose. Use the freshwater sink in the transom to wash up. Then take advantage of the electric grill in the port corner of the cockpit to cook up a meal of fresh mahi and enjoy a drink from the fridge behind the helm seat.

All of the comfort features in the world don’t mean much if the boat is rolling excessively and tossing the crew about in rough seas, be it while trolling, drifting, or trying to take it easy while on anchor. Pursuit quells those concerns with a ­Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer, which eliminates roll to keep the crew—and the boat—on an even keel. It is easily accessed for service via a clever entry hatch in the cockpit. To power the Seakeeper, as well as other onboard systems such as the air conditioner, microwave and electric grill, is a Fischer Panda 9 kW diesel generator supplied by a ­31-gallon fuel tank.

Comfort and convenience continue throughout the bridge deck. It is more than just a ­command center for the captain; it is also a social gathering place with a strong sense of feng shui. Covered by a sleek hardtop with a sweeping ­single-piece, optically clear front glass ­windshield and side windows, the helm deck features Stidd captain and companion chairs, as well as wraparound seating with a dining table to port that also converts to a berth. Dual 10,000 Btu helm-deck air-conditioning systems double as ­windshield defoggers. 

Twin 22-inch fully networked Garmin MFDs adorn the helm, providing touchscreen access to marine electronics, as well as monitoring and control of ship’s systems. The Yamaha Helm ­Master EX Full Maneuverability system and a Lewmar bow thruster make for easy docking. 

Engines

Piloting the OS 405 proved fun. The triple XTO 450 outboards vaulted us to plane in 6.5 seconds, reaching 30 mph in 12.8 seconds and posting a top speed of 54.1 mph. Cornering was a breeze thanks to the electric steering of the XTO 450 outboards. The OS 405 sliced through seas with smooth confidence. Maximum cruising range comes in at 274 miles at 34.7 mph based on 90 percent of the 482-gallon fuel capacity.

Want to cruise to the islands and overnight? The Pursuit OS 405 cabin, accessible via a sliding door in the center of the bridge deck, will surround you and your crew in luxury. With 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom, cabin accommodations include a 16,000 Btu air-conditioning system, and an island berth that electrically converts to a lounging position. 

In addition, the cabin area features two ­hanging lockers, a full galley including a microwave, a ­32-inch TV, and a private head with a shower and 6 feet, 4 inches of headroom. You’ll also discover a private and surprisingly roomy midcabin with a queen berth. Tinted hullside windows and a bow hatch usher in plenty of cabin light. 

Read Next: Pursuit OS 445

Looking to comparison shop? Pursuit’s erstwhile sister brand, Tiara, offers the 43 LE ($1,424,900 with twin Mercury 600 hp V-12 outboards and joystick), which definitely skews to the luxury-cruising side of the express equation with features such as an aft seating/lounging/cockpit galley module that rotates to face forward, aft and 45 degrees in between, as well as a motorized foldout hullside terrace. Now you can also order a sport-fishing package for the 43 LE. 

However, if you seek a solid multifunctional express sport-fisher with lines that cry out, “Look at me!” and luxury amenities that everyone will love, you cannot ignore Pursuit’s new OS 405 ­Offshore,

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple Yamaha XTO 450 Offshore outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha XTO 16 3/8″ x 21″ 3-blade stainless-steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.79:1 Fuel Load: 477 gal. Crew Weight: 1,400 lb.

High Points

• Sleek styling will draw admiring looks ­wherever you cruise or fish.
• Roomy and protected bridge deck will keep crew dry and comfy no matter what the weather brings.
• A storage locker under the starboard ­mezzanine seat has an extra-deep tub that fits a cleaning bucket and fenders.

Low Points

• Pillars on each corner of the windshield tend to create blind spots for the helmsman.
• Triple Yamaha XTO 450 outboards is the only power package available for the OS 405.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Pursuit OS 405 Offshore appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

The Great Lakes waters can go from flat-calm to “sporty” conditions in the blink of an eye. Getting caught in rough conditions, with big waves and tight wave periods between you and safe harbor, is something that, when you go through it, makes you understand why ­Michigan-based builder Tiara Yachts “overbuilds” its boats. Tiara has long been known for building ruggedly seaworthy boats capable of withstanding rough seas. Tiara models are also steeped in luxurious amenities and a high degree of fit-and-finish. The new 48 LE, the ­flagship of its outboard-powered sport yachts, is just the latest in its lineup to prove that Tiara has earned this reputation.

Interior and Accessories

The place to start when reviewing this boat has to be the aft cockpit, with several great features that will surely make it a prime spot for recreating and socializing. Your eyes, and the rest of your body, will be immediately drawn to the power-actuated rotating lounge module. With the push of a button, you can rotate it a full 180 degrees. But its unique tracking system lets you stop it and lock it in place at any angle you desire. Facing forward, it creates a great conversation pit with the aft-facing lounges under the hardtop. Fold out the wings on the high-gloss teak table, and fire up the electric grill for some on-water dining. Facing aft, it provides a tremendous view off the transom while lounging at anchor. Angle it to port to enjoy the foldout ­terrace, another dynamic feature that provides swimmers with water access away from the outboards while at rest. The integrated swim ladder makes for easy reboarding.

Let the socialization continue in the salon under the hardtop, which is bathed in sunlight thanks to the 360-degree windows. Retract the sunroof to create a more open feel. The glass door to the salon slides open and the window to starboard electrically retracts into the bulkhead to create and open flow with the cockpit. Everything adds up to create a boat that’s primed for entertainment.

Belowdecks, both the master and guest suites are brightly lit and feel bigger than they should thanks to the expansive windows built into the hullsides. The master stateroom has its own head with separate stand-up shower that has a built-in bench. Even the guest head has a separate shower with a bench. Looking back, both are far superior to the one in my first apartment. 

At the helm, the captain will no doubt have as much fun, if not more, than the crew behind him at the double-wide helm seat with built-in teak toe kicks. The Garmin Marine Navigation System displays are easy to read at the dash and are bolstered by companion MFDs in the settee to port, so someone can take on navigator duties without crowding the captain.

In terms of performance, the 48 LE lives up to the Tiara legacy. The deep-V sport hull that tapers to 21 degrees of deadrise at the transom handles rough water outside the inlet with aplomb. Adding the optional Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer takes the boat’s already excellent seakeeping to the next level while running offshore. Crewmembers prone to seasickness will welcome the addition.

Engines

Tiara has designed the 48 LE to be perfectly-paired with a trio of 600-hp Mercury V12 Verado outboards. With this power package, this 16-ton boat climbs onto plane in just 7.4 seconds and hits 30 mph in a sprightly 10.5 seconds. What’s more, the boat does not squat while coming out of the hole, so the captain never loses sight of the water from the helm. We hit a top end of 52.5 on our test day on Lake Michigan—Tiara noted slightly higher speeds in its own Sea Trials. We did take note at how smooth this 48-footer handled turns at speed, like a much small and lighter boat. Tiara also notes that in its own trials, the 48 LE passed the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Quick Turn Test at wide-open throttle.

Still window shopping? It’s hard to directly compare boats at this level since they have so unique and customizable features, but do take a look at the Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS ($2,485,000 with triple Mercury 600s) which also has unfolding gunwales in the cockpit to enhance space and water access at anchor. Also take a look at the Intrepid 51 Panacea ($2,307,512 with quadruple Mercury 600s), which has living space belowdecks but is more of a center console layout.

But definitely keep your eyes on the stunning new Tiara 48 LE. It will turn heads at the dock, keep the crew comfortable and entertained, and handle some of the sportiest conditions you’ll see outside the inlet. Another case where being called “overbuilt” is earned. 

Read Next: Tiara EX 60

How We Tested

• Test Engine: Triple 600-hp Mercury Verado V12 outboard motors.
• Propellers: Verado 12 24.5” duoprops
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 442 gal. Water on Board: 100 gal. Passenger Weight: 950 lb.

High Points

• The Mercury joystick system is integrated with a bow thruster to make docking and close-quarters handling easier.
• Along with the starboard-side boarding door, there’s a built-in step-down into the cockpit, with a handhold to ensure easy transfer from the dock to the boat.
• Storage and bilge access is greater than that aboard boats with inboard or sterndrive power.
• The power-actuated rotating lounge in the cockpit can be locked in place in almost any position, helping maximize the ­entertainment possibilities.

Low Points

• Galley countertops could use a fiddled rail to keep food and dishware from sliding ­underway.
• Compared with inboards and sterndrives, ­outboards take up a lot of space on the ­transom platform.

Extra Point

The main cabin berth has wireless phone chargers built into either side so the owners never have to be too far away from their smartphones.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Tiara Yachts 48 LE appeared first on Boating Mag.