Weather experts say frequent storms across the Northeast may lead to an above-normal snowfall for the season and extend winter into midspring. Just what you wanted to hear, right? This might be the perfect year to head to South Florida for the boat shows. The Miami International Boat Show and Yachts Miami Beach are scheduled to run Feb. 16-20. Book that flight!
If you’re in the market for a new boat, there’s no better place to look. “The variety of boats in Miami is amazing,” says Richard Rostant, 59, of Sarasota, Florida, a longtime sailor who will be at the shows looking for a cruising powerboat in the 40- to 50-foot range. “Several very different powerboats appeal to me, so I can look at them all in one location and whittle down my interests.”
Rostant plans to check out the Formula 430 SSC and the Back Cove 32, which we feature here, along with a handful of other new boats that deserve your attention on the docks.
Jeanneau NC 895
Jeanneau, the French builder best known for its sailboats, also offers three powerboat lines under the names Leader, Velasco and New Concept. The NC 895 is the newest boat from New Concept, and it makes its U.S. debut at the Miami International Boat Show. She’s a rugged pilothouse outboard cruiser that would be at home in the Northeast, Great Lakes or Pacific Northwest. Accommodations consist of two enclosed cabins and a head with a separate shower stall and sink. The pilothouse has a galley to starboard and a dinette that converts to a double berth on the port side.
LOA: 29 feet, 2 inches • BEAM: 9 feet, 9 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 6,746 pounds • DRAFT: 2 feet, 1 inch • FUEL: 106 gallons • POWER: single Yamaha F350, twin F175s or F200s • SPEED: 44 mph top, 27 mph cruise • PRICE: $180,000 (twin F200s) • CONTACT: Jeanneau America, Annapolis, Maryland, (410) 280-9400. jeanneau.com
Cape Horn 32
With its new 32-footer, the Florida builder has maintained its hardcore fishboat edge but refined the interior for family use. Bow and cockpit seating and a console head are standard. Anglers will appreciate the toekick space from bow to stern. Components are nicely overbuilt, such as the beefy hinges on the live well lid. A full-height windshield meets the hardtop. The Cape Horn 32 rides a deep-vee hull with 23 degrees of deadrise at the transom. The boat gets high marks for its fuel economy: 2.2 mpg at 28 mph and nearly 2 mpg from 34 to 40 mph.
LOA: 31 feet, 10 inches • BEAM: 9 feet, 1 inch • DISPLACEMENT: 5,400 pounds • DRAFT: 1 feet, 10 inches • FUEL: 273 gallons • POWER: twin Yamaha F300s • SPEED: 61.5 mph top, 28-40 mph cruise • PRICE: $177,280 (with three-axle trailer and F300s) • CONTACT: Cape Horn Boats, Milton, Florida, (850) 626-2211. capehornboats.com
Formula 430 SSC
The 430 SSC (Super Sport Crossover) is Formula’s first outboard boat since the 242 Sport Fisherman with twin 175-hp Johnson 2-strokes, launched in 1986. “Outboards have come such a long way,” says company president Scott Porter. “Their benefits cannot be overlooked.”
The 430 SSC melds the traits of a bowrider, a sport coupe and a center console. “I don’t think there’s another boat out there like this one,” Porter says. “The open bow is so big we call it a bow cockpit.”
Every area on this boat is big for its class. The starboard helm has three seats, and the console can hold a trio of 16-inch displays.
Formula designed the 430 SSC for easy movement fore and aft with a flush deck and a wide, port-side walkway. Windows enclose the bridge deck on three sides. The dinette can seat up to eight and converts to a sunpad, as does the bow seating. A third lounging area is just forward of the swim platform.
The cabin includes a dinette that converts to a double berth, an aft stateroom, a stand-up head and a galley. Formula hand-lays the 430 SSC’s hull and overbuilds in high-stress areas, such as the hull-to-deck joint, Porter says. “We don’t skimp when it comes to building materials,” he says. “The ride is improved greatly when you have that additional weight pushing along.” Formula plans to introduce a sterndrive version of the 430 SSC.
LOA: 43 feet • BEAM: 12 feet • DISPLACEMENT: 25,200 pounds • DRAFT: 3 feet, 5 inches • FUEL: 500 gallons • POWER: quad Mercury 400R, 350, 300 Verados • SPEED: 62 mph top, 35-45 mph cruise (400Rs), 58 mph top, 35-45 mph cruise (350s), 53 mph top, 35-40 mph cruise (300s) • PRICE: $1.117 million (R400s), $1.075 million (350s), $1.054 million (300s) • CONTACT: Formula, Decatur, Indiana, (800) 736-7685. formulaboats.com
Regulator 31 CC
The latest deep-vee center console from the North Carolina builder is powered with twin 300-hp Yamahas. The 31 comes with a starboard dive door and forward seating with integrated forward-facing backrests. She cruises at 35 mph, getting 1.43 mpg for a range of 386 miles. “This boat is a hardcore fishing machine … that has every amenity you need for a day on the water with family and friends,” says company president Joan Maxwell.
LOA: 36 feet, 5 inches (with bracket and engines) • BEAM: 10 feet, 4 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 10,500 pounds (with engines) • DRAFT: 2 feet, 8 inches (engines down) • FUEL: 300 gallons • POWER: twin Yamaha F300s • SPEED: 54 mph top, 30-40 mph cruise • PRICE: $242,995 • CONTACT: Regulator Marine, Edenton, North Carolina, (252) 482-3837. regulatormarine.com
Back Cove 32
The 32 excels as a cruiser that can run long distances while maintaining good fuel economy. With a single 370-hp Yanmar or Volvo Penta diesel, the boat gets 1.3 nmpg at about 20 knots for a 217- nautical-mile range. The base boat has a hardtop, swim platform, hot water heater, trim tabs, bow thruster, LED lighting and a galley. A varnished cherry interior is standard. Accommodations include a double island berth and a separate head (to port) and shower stall (to starboard). The galley is on the starboard side abaft the helm; the dinette is on the port side.
LOA: 37 feet (including swim platform) • BEAM: 11 feet, 10 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 17,500 pounds (full load) • DRAFT: 3 feet • FUEL: 185 gallons • POWER: 370-hp Volvo Penta or Yanmar diesel • SPEED: 28 knots top, 18-20 knots cruise (435-hp Volvo Penta) • PRICE: $320,000 (370-hp Volvo Penta) • CONTACT: Back Cove Yachts, Rockland, Maine, (207) 594-8821. backcoveyachts.com
Bertram 35
Inspired by the legendary Bertram 31 and designed by Michael Peters Yacht Design of Sarasota, Florida, the new Bertram 35 is available in sportfishing and cruising configurations. Like the 31, the Bertram 35 rides a deep-vee hull. Standard power is twin 500-hp Caterpillar C7.1 ACERT diesels. “Bertram owners and fans of Bertram have been thrilled with the quality, performance and style of the boat,” says Bertram Yachts president Peter Truslow. “You really need to see this boat.”
LOA: 35 feet, 1 inch • BEAM: 12 feet, 5 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 20,800 pounds (half load) • DRAFT: 2 feet, 6 inches • FUEL: 310 gallons • POWER: twin 500-hp Caterpillar C7.1 diesels • SPEED: 40 knots top (half load) • PRICE: $725,000 • CONTACT: Bertram Yachts, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, (954) 401-1070. bertram.com
Intrepid 407 Cuddy
This boat is an evolved version of the 400 Cuddy, which Intrepid built for eight years. The builder bumped up the size of the cabin skylights and moved them from the corners to the top for more light, added a powered helm station step platform and replaced the companionway’s floating stairs with steps and side rails. The 407 also has a new hardtop (the same design as on the 410 Evolution), and the stern now includes a walkway forward of the engines for better footing. “These are just some of the improvements we made, and most of them are based on customer feedback,” says Intrepid president Ken Clinton.
LOA: 40 feet • BEAM: 11 feet, 6 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 16,000 pounds • DRAFT: 2 feet, 6 inches • FUEL: 400 gallons • POWER: triple 300-, 350- or 400-hp outboards • SPEED: 62 mph top, 40 mph cruise (triple 400s) • PRICE: $525,000 • CONTACT: Intrepid Powerboats, Largo, Florida, (727) 548-1260. intrepidboats.com
Viking 37 Billfish
When Ocean Yachts went out of business in 2015, Viking bought the company’s boatbuilding plant on the Mullica River in New Jersey, which included the mold for the 37 Billfish. Viking redesigned the boat’s mechanical spaces, which can now accept a Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilizer. “This is a small version of a convertible sportfish, with a flybridge, a huge cockpit, saloon, galley and sleeping accommodations,” says communications director Peter Frederiksen. “You’ll also see many of the Viking design characteristics we’re known for, like our hand-finished teak interior.” Viking has built two 37 Billfishes, and one will be on display at Yachts Miami Beach.
LOA: 37 feet, 8 inches • BEAM: 13 feet, 10 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 29,329 pounds • DRAFT: 2 feet, 8 inches • FUEL: 440 gallons • POWER: twin 550-hp Cummins QSB 6.7 diesels • SPEED: 35 knots top, 30 knots cruise • PRICE: $725,000 • CONTACT: Viking Yacht Co., New Gretna, New Jersey, (609) 296-6000. vikingyachts.com
Chris-Craft Commander 42
With the Commander 42, Chris-Craft brings back one of its most iconic models. The new boat combines the interior accommodations of an express cruiser with a traditional profile. “The lobster-yacht style dovetails with our DNA,” says Chris-Craft CEO Stephen Julius. “We’re in the business of creating beautiful boats — memorable boats.” The pod-powered Commander 42 has two staterooms, a head and separate shower, a cockpit galley, a bow sunpad, teak cockpit sole and mahogany trim. At about 20 knots, the yacht gets 1.2 nmpg for a range of 432 nautical miles.
LOA: 43 feet, 7 inches • BEAM: 13 feet • DISPLACEMENT: 33,069 pounds (full load) • DRAFT: 3 feet, 10 inches • FUEL: 396 gallons • POWER: twin 435-hp Volvo Penta IPS600s • SPEED: 37.6 knots top, 20-25 knots cruise • PRICE: $1.1 million • CONTACT: Chris-Craft, Sarasota, Florida, (941) 351-4900. chriscraft.com
Carver C52 Coupe
The C52 Coupe, which Carver also builds in a flybridge version, is designed for maximum living space. The full-beam master stateroom has a private head and separate shower. There’s also a forward guest stateroom and head, and a third stateroom. Optional crew quarters with a head, shower and stowage are available. An aft glass deckhouse sliding door opens to connect the bright saloon and cockpit. The lower helm, with its two-person bench seat with flip-up bolsters, provides space for twin 17-inch displays.
LOA: 51 feet, 10 inches • BEAM: 15 feet, 8 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 42,000 pounds (dry, standard engines) • DRAFT: 4 feet • FUEL: 550 gallons • POWER: twin 480-, 600- or 715-hp Cummins • SPEED: 31 knots top, 20 knots cruise (600s) • PRICE: $1.009 million (480-hp Cummins QSB6.7s) • CONTACT: Carver Yachts, Pulaski, Wisconsin, (920) 822-3214. carveryachts.com
Numarine 60 Fly
Turkish builder Numarine introduced this sporty long-range cruiser in response to consumer demand for flybridge models. Numarine uses resin infusion to construct a strong, lightweight hull backed by a 10-year warranty. The yacht has a full-beam master stateroom and a bright, contemporary interior design. Bradford Marine in Fort Lauderdale (bradford-marine.com) handles sales and service for Numarine in the United States and Canada.
LOA: 60 feet, 4 inches • BEAM: 16 feet, 8 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 59,524 pounds (light) • DRAFT: 5 feet, 3 inches • FUEL: 703 gallons • POWER: twin Volvo Penta IPS950s or IPS1200s, twin 1,200-hp MAN diesels • SPEED: 35 knots top, 28 knots cruise (IPS950s) • PRICE: $1.438 million (IPS950s) • CONTACT: Numarine USA, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, (954) 372-6147. numarine.com
World Cat 280CC-X
The 280CC-X is the first boat in a new generation of power catamarans from World Cat. Cats are known for their soft ride in rough water, but their boxy profile has been unappealing to some boaters, World Cat president Andrew Brown says. “This boat and future World Cats have improved aesthetics and more advanced equipment,” Brown says. “We’re making a statement. We no longer want to be a niche. We want to go after anyone looking for a premium outboard-powered boat.”
World Cat sculpted a broken sheer into the 280CC-X, rounded the bow and gave the boat’s reverse transom some tumblehome. The rubrail was moved higher to give the boat a sleeker profile.
Features include C-Zone digital switching with a Garmin interface, Optimus 360 electronic steering and joystick, an aerodynamic hardtop and a through-hull bow anchor holder with an internally mounted windlass. The boat can fish hard and handle family day-boating duties.
Standard equipment includes a leaning post with a 30-gallon live well and tackle stowage, an enclosed head with a forward entrance, wraparound bow seats with insulated stowage below and twin 355-quart fishboxes that double as rod lockers.
The 280CC-X runs efficiently, getting 2 mpg at 30 mph and better than 1 mpg at a wide-open speed of 59 mph.
LOA: 27 feet, 6 inches • BEAM: 9 feet, 2 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 7,500 pounds (dry, with engines) • DRAFT: 1 foot, 2 inches • FUEL: 220 gallons • POWER: twin Yamaha F300s • SPEED: 59 mph top, 30 mph cruise • PRICE: $233,566 • CONTACT: World Cat, Tarboro, North Carolina, (866) 485-8899. worldcat.com
Mag Bay 33
A boatbuilding dream team created this stunning center console. The co-founder of Cabo Yachts, Mike Howarth, and his 27-year-old son, Barrett, have teamed with renowned designer Michael Peters to build a 45-knot, twin-stepped center console with grade-A workmanship and fit and finish.
“We wanted to build a gentleman’s center console with a modern running surface,” says vice president Barrett Howarth. “We wanted a boat that we could completely unbadge and put in a crowd, and it would stand out.”
Mission accomplished. The sheer line falls gently moving aft, transitioning to a distinct transom with tumblehome in its rounded outboard corners.
I had a chance to test the boat in Sarasota, Florida. The twin Yamaha F300s popped her onto plane with little bow rise, and the boat jumped from 30 to 40 knots in a few seconds. The best fuel economy came with the throttles set at 4,000 rpm: 1.3 mpg at 27.5 mph for a range of almost 400 miles. Mileage hovered around 1.2 mpg from 35 to 45 mph. The boat ate up a 2-foot chop and deftly ducked in and out of high-speed turns.
Optimus electronic power steering is standard, as is a clear-glass electronics enclosure. The console can hold two 17-inch displays. Optional equipment includes a larger hardtop, Optimus joystick, a teak helm pod, outriggers, a port-side dive door, additional live well pumps and heavy-duty rod holders. U-shaped bow seating also is an option.
LOA: 33 feet, 6 inches • BEAM: 10 feet • DISPLACEMENT: 10,200 pounds • DRAFT: 2 feet • FUEL: 338 gallons • POWER: twin Yamaha F300s • SPEED: 50 mph top, 35 mph cruise • PRICE: $294,000 • CONTACT: Mag Bay Yachts, Adelanto, California, (760) 217-0062. magbayyachts.com
This article originally appeared in the February 2017 issue.
