Boating Yachting Sailing

A Big Impression

Intrepid’s 409 Valor catches your interest at first sight.

First impressions are an important tool in life. “We sea trial every single boat we build,” says Ken Clinton, president of Intrepid Powerboats. “We take it out on the Gulf of Mexico, we put four or five hours on it and…shake things loose because it needs to come loose on us not the customer. …Having real-world testing…is crucial. You can never buy back a first impression, so for every person that goes out on a boat that didn’t get put through the rigors and has some kind of a failure—that’s the first impression that person got on that boat.”

When the Intrepid 409 Valor made its public debut last fall, the elegant design of the interior and the distinctive style line of the inset hullside windows made a lasting first impression, but it was when the boat powered up its triple Mercury 450s and delivered a smooth, dry ride that made that impression stick.

Hull Design

The 409 Valor is sleek and stylish. And while many boats offer beautiful interiors, it’s the hull design that really makes the boat. “There’s always times that everyone thinks you only go boating on a beautiful day,” says Clinton. “Well, it may start out that way, but you don’t know what’s going to happen to you when you’re out there, and it’s those people that have been stuck in the s#!t…that realize how important hull performance is.”

Intrepid has been making boats with outboards for more than 30 years. “One of the biggest things is that we were doing outboards back when outboards weren’t cool,” explains Clinton, noting that they were building big boats (37- to 40-feet) with outboards back in 1991-92 when big outboards were 200s. “What it forced us to do is to engineer a good bottom. It couldn’t have been more critical because you didn’t have the power available to push a boat of that size efficiently. It forced us to experiment over and over and over, so what you get when with an Intrepid is more experience and history on a step-bottom boat with outboards than anybody in the industry”

He’s had people joke with him these days about adding more engines asking if they can add more motors because they saw another boat with that many, but, “My biased opinion is that boat manufacturers today have a luxury that I never had back then, and that’s big power.” he says. “You can literally take a short cut on hull performance because it’s not as important as it used to be because you got four-fifty-hp or six-hundred-hp. You have all these engines that will overcome too much beam and not enough deadrise and not enough ventilation under the step or putting too much weight in the boat or too much displacement.”

Clinton has made a point to make sure Intrepid’s hull designs continue to push the limits of performance, which is why the distinct stepped hull design put the center of gravity in the perfect position to produce an extraordinarily well-balanced ride. “One thing that is cool about our boat is that we build a lot of trim into the hull bottom. In other words, it’s not a lot of ‘drop your tabs all the way down and once you’re up on plane, bring the tabs back up.’ We try to build as much of that trim into the boat and with a step-bottom boat, it’s nice because it breaks the suction on the bottom of the boat. It vents and allows it to get on plane and up on top. It kind of gets up like on an elevator, it’s more of a like a parallel rise more so than a ‘here comes the bow, I can’t see anything, eventually I’m going to transition and I’ll be able to see what’s in front of me.’ Not the case.”

The 409 Valor takes that hull performance and includes features and amenities that will impress any boater. No two Intrepids are alike because each boat is built from owner feedback. They have the time on the water and each model, each hull, each deck layout, each innovation is driven by their experiences.

Innovation

One change over the last 25 years was the addition of windows to bring natural light to the boat’s interior. “That came from the wives,” says Clinton. It was dark down below and made people feel claustrophobic. Skylights came first, then hull side windows, which “takes away the feeling that you’re in a box.” One thing he wanted to do was come up with a different hull window design. “It’s a really cool window set that has an inset style line that connects the front set of windows to the aft window that’s in the aft sleeping berth area, the k-berth area in the back of the cabin,” he says, warning his staff that it was going to be tough to build because all those windows in that inset style line have to be inserts in the hull mold. “After the hull is laid up, the only way to pull that hull out of the mold is to unbolt all of those inserts that are through the hull mold.” It’s an immense amount of labor and people would ask, “Why would you do that?” Clinton’s response? “Some things are so beautiful that it’s worth the labor, it’s worth doing.”

The other thing that is popular for the 409 is the large cockpit seating area just for the helmsperson. “Being able to run the boat and be a part of everyone’s conversation is so nice,” he says. “Usually, most consoles are mounted forward, up against the cabin bulkhead, everybody sits behind you, you’re the captain of the boat, you’re the helmsperson, you’re doing nothing more than running the boat. It’s kind of like being Jeeves driving the limo and everybody’s in the back having fun. Not the case with the 409 Valor. Cockpit seating is forward of the helm, so the captain can not only stay focused on what’s ahead, but can also be a part of the conversation with the group. Another nice feature is the seating and helm station are all under cover for protection from the sun and weather.

Down below, accommodations are more than you’d expect. The spacious, sunlight cuddy cabin features a master berth with queen bed aft, a full galley, head with separate shower stall opposite, and a large forward wraparound settee that converts to a second queen berth at the touch of a button.  On deck, an expansive bow allows for plenty of sunpads, the forward cockpit lounge seating is a cozy gathering place, and behind the helm, the open aft deck features plenty of room and options for divers, swimmers, and anglers with rod holders, tank storage, baitwells, a hullside door with step ladder, slide out cooler, washdown hoses, and engine service platform aft.

Optimum power packages are chosen when designing the hull, what’s available at the time. “Triple Mercury 450s, triple Mercury 400s, and Yamaha twin 425s are usually the package this boat loves the most.” The Mercury Racing 450s are popular because they are under 700 pounds each, create 450 horsepower, and the transition is nice because it’s not a ton of weight on the transom with plenty of power.

“Our people are customers that on Saturday they might go out hard core fishing with the boys, and they want to be able to know that if they want to enter a fishing tournament and fish it, they can,” say Clinton. “Then the same guy wants to know that if he wants to take his wife and his kids to the sandbar on Sunday to make up for not being home on Saturday that they can pack a lunch and go hang out on the sandbar. We build boats that cover the gamut because that’s what our customers do.”

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Specs

LOA: 40’
Beam: 11’ 1”
Power: 3x Mercury Racing 450 hp
Top/Cruise Speed: 68/50 mph
Range @ cruise: 306 nm
Fuel/Water: 438/50 gal.

Contact:
Intrepid Powerboats
(954) 922-7544
intrepidpowerboats.com

Related

Americans can once again go to the Bahamas, and when you do, don’t skip Grand Bahama. Too many yachtsmen clear into the Bahamas at West End and then blow through on their way to the Abacos or elsewhere.

Don’t.

Grand Bahama is arguably the closest of Ernest Hemingway’s “islands in the stream” at just 55 nautical miles due east of Palm Beach and, though technically not a part of the Caribbean, the beaches, marinas, and resorts sure have that unmistakable Caribbean “feel.”

Grand Bahama is often overlooked because it has always been a big cruise ship destination with numerous liners pouring thousands of tourists like a brightly colored flood onto the streets of Freeport, the largest city.

In part because of its “cruise ship” reputation, many skippers from Florida have bypassed this island, perhaps not realizing how many attractions are found here. But with a handful of delightful marinas, not to mention restaurants and attractions, Grand Bahama should be a waypoint on every skipper’s GPS.

There is, of course, the cruise ship stuff: duty-free shopping, casinos, golf, watersports, and nightlife. But nature lovers will find no less than three national parks, including one smack in the heart of Freeport. The 100-acre Rand Nature Center offers visitors a nature trail rich with rare tropical birds. Another, Peterson Cay National Park, lies just offshore with squadrons of brightly colored fish and rays, all hanging out in soft corals and sea fans.

The crown jewel, however, is Lucayan National Park, which has an eclectic array of ecosystems ranging from mangroves to tropical ferns and even pine forests. Who would have thought? Even better, it is home to one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems that you can explore (carefully).

Although some marinas (as well as restaurants and other attractions) are still under renovation after the onslaught of hurricanes, Grand Bahama has a fine selection of marinas from which to choose, including Old Bahama Bay and Blue Marlin Cove at West End as well as Grand Bahama Yacht Club, Flamingo Bay, Port Lucaya, and Ocean Reef, all in Freeport.

Looking to dock in the Bahamas? Here’s more on Marina Locations

One of the main attractions is fishing, and Grand Bahama is literally perched on the edge of the fertile Gulf Stream, drawing anglers for blue marlin, white marlin, yellowfin and bluefin tuna, sailfish, wahoo, and dolphin in the trench just offshore that carries food for these predators. But Grand Bahama is also on the Great Bahama Bank which has very shallow water, and the island is legendary for bonefishing on the flats. For SCUBA divers, the harvest is spiny lobster and conch by the bagful.

West End, which oldsters still call Settlement Point, is the capital of Grand Bahama, although most visitors think the capital must be Freeport. West End was notorious for rum-running throughout Prohibition in the 1920s, although it already had experience smuggling during the American Civil War when cotton, sugar, and weapons tiptoed around Yankee blockades.

Man (or woman) cannot live by marina or boat alone, and Grand Bahama has rebounded with everything from beach food stands to linen tablecloth fine dining. I, for one, never hit Grand Bahama without at least one stop at Daddy Brown’s Conch Shack in the Port Lucaya Marketplace: killer conch fritters and salads, fried lobster, and Daddy’s own secret sauce—all nibbled as you wander the shops and stalls.

When (not if) you hit the street markets that are all over Grand Bahama, don’t be shy about testing the local desserts, so save some room for guava duff (guava jelly on rolled doughnut strips with a creamy rum sauce), Benny cake (sesame seeds cooked with sugar), or coconut jimmy (a chewy coconut dumpling in sweet cream sauce). Caswell Rule: If you break any of these before eating them, the calories all fall out. Really.

Upcoming events on Grand Bahama include Independence Week, set around July 10^th for 2021, with lots of whooping-it-up, the Goombay Summer Festival will dance in the streets to the beat of Junkanoo every Thursday in July, and the Junkanoo Summer Festival runs the first three Saturdays in August.

Today, as one of Hemingway’s “islands in the stream,” Grand Bahama dozes in the sun as it always has. Don’t overlook it.

For more information on Grand Bahama Island check out these vacation ideas

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‘Un-Reality’ Check

Staniel Air’s Bucket List Day Tour

Over the past year, we’ve all had a bit more “reality” than might be ideal. An escape from it, even briefly, is wildly overdue. Enter Staniel Air and the Bahamas “Bucket List Day Tour.” It’s the best way to quickly infuse a dose of unreality back into your life.

Staniel Air & Exuma Adventures, a boutique airline located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that offers tours and air service to Staniel Cay in the Exuma islands of the Bahamas. Considered part of the “out islands,” the Exumas offer a completely different experience than what often comes to mind as The Bahamas. Absent are large tourist resort hotels, cruise ships, and casinos. Present are pristine aqua waters, sandy beaches, unique natural sites, and unexpected creatures, all worth exploring.

Staniel Air began its Bucket List Day Tour in 2017 and briefly paused it last year to combat COVID-19. The TripAdvisor 5-star rated tour (2020 Travelers’ Choice Award) is now back and more popular than ever. With the ability to reach the Exumas in about 90 minutes, Staniel Air opens a window to an entirely different world that allows wannabe explorers the opportunity to step out of everyday life and into paradise almost instantly. Wrapped into a single day, the tour provides travelers with that “different world” feeling without incurring significant resources to do so.

What a Difference a Day Makes

Imagine waking up and knowing that today will not be an ordinary day because you’ve got a ticket booked to get away from it all. You’ll take a 7:30 am flight from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) on a Cessna Grand Caravan with up to eight other travelers about to enjoy the stunning views and blues from 10,000 feet. Over the next 90 minutes, the backdrop of your day will completely transform into a postcard paradise. If gray has 50 shades, you won’t be able to fathom how many blues you’re about to encounter.

Upon landing, you’ll be escorted onto the Never-2-Nauti, a 34’ Jupiter center console captained by Bernard, a local Bahamian captain with great knowledge and lore of the area. Bernard and his co-captain will regale you with island stories, offering snacks and cold beverages along your tour.

From there, you’ll spend the day exploring the wonders of the Exumas. You’ll visit the famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, who paddle out to greet your boat as it arrives. Friendly and gentle, they’ll nuzzle up to you for a sampling of whatever is on the menu.

You’ll also visit Bitter Guana Cay and its thriving population of Rock Iguanas, currently listed as an endangered species and protected by the Wild Animals Protection Act. They are not shy and will happily pose for photos in exchange for fruits or vegetables.

To round out your “wildlife” agenda, you’ll spend time at Compass Cay, swimming with the nurse sharks. If you dare to dive in, these friendly creatures will swim up to you and accept a pat (or even a belly rub) as they cruise by.

The Day Tour will also take you to sites with a more “man-made” notoriety. You’ll visit Thunderball Grotto, a filming location from the 1965 James Bond film and again in 1983 in Never Say Never Again. A naturally occurring limestone cave, the grotto’s interior reveals exotic marine life and brilliantly colored coral reefs and fish. No need to bring snorkel gear, as the Day Tour provides it all.

After you’ve gotten your Bond on at the Grotto, you might be ready to take on the bad guys, so a visit to a sunken plane wreck may take on a whole new feeling. Per the locals, the submerged plane was used for drug trafficking during the 1970s and abandoned in an effort to elude authorities. Regardless of its origins, it’s a great place to snorkel in the shallower waters. It’s included on the tours when time and tide allow.

With the excitement of sharks and iguanas and sunken planes, you might crave a bit of serenity along the way, so the tour will stop at a relaxing spot where you can leave the boat and take a stroll on a pristine sandbar. Because all of this will likely encourage a healthy appetite, the tour will ensure that you don’t miss lunch, stopping at a local eatery during the day. Rest assured, there will be rum runners on the menu, a must-do while in the Exumas.

And just about the time you’re ready to send your resignation email to your boss, toss out your cell phone and stay forever, Capt. Bernard will deliver you back to the airport for a 4:30 pm return. You’ll find yourself safely home before dark, daydreaming about your next Exumas escape.

BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY!

The Door is Always Open

Keenly aware that this little paradise appetizer has left guests wanting more, Staniel Air has recently introduced an extended tour package that offers day trippers a lengthier stay in its private villas at Staniel Cay. Lazy Bay Villas has three private modern cottages located side-by-side-by-side, each offering 1,400 square feet in a two-bedroom/two-bath layout that comfortably sleeps six, with expansive decks and boat dockage. The newly introduced “Stay and Play Day Tour Package” offers round trip air from FXE, a two-night villa stay, a day tour, and two golf cart rental days for parties of two or four per villa.

Understanding that some feel tentative about traveling right now, Staniel Air and Lazy Bay Villas are highlighting their private and exclusive features as COVID-Smart travel choices.  Starting with requirements that every passenger provide proof of negative COVID test and extending to the unique configurations of the villas (low density lodging, expansive outdoor decks, private splash pools), Staniel Air has crafted an escape experience that should foster confidence in even the most diligent traveler.

Check out our website or call to learn more about Staniel Air’s services, flights, air charters, day tours, private villas, and to book you next unreality check. www.stanielair.com; www.stanielrental.com; (954) 900-2739

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Born from History

Bertram’s new 39 CC evolves from a boatbuilder’s noble lineage.

It may have been cloudy and cool with a slight drizzle and a fresh breeze, but it wasn’t enough to stop me from heading out on Tampa Bay to test the new Bertram 39 CC. When it’s the first center console from a builder known for sportfishers that are built upon an historic hull design and combined cruising amenities with traditional sportfishing equipment, you go. Besides, being out on the water is one of life’s joys.

Bertram Yacht’s hulls developed out of the Ray Hunt designed Hunter, a 23-foot chase boat that had a deep-V shape. The design allowed the boat to speed through six-foot waves with ease, and after Richard Bertram saw the boat zip through a rough chop with ease during the 1958 America’s Cup regatta, he was intrigued. Bertram commissioned Hunt to design a 30-footer for personal use with a hull design that carried the deep-V section to the stern, had a 24-degree deadrise at the transom, and longitudinal strakes to give lift and direct spray away from the boat. He wanted a hull that could keep speed in sizeable chop yet cushion the landing after each wave and keep him dry doing so.

Keeping with Tradition

Fast-forward 60-some years, and the legendary hull design is still the mainstay of Bertram Yacht’s builds, including the new 39 CC, the first model of Bertram’s 2021 center console line. A wider beam (13 feet, 2 inches) provides more stability and comfort without losing performance and can accommodate a 7.1kW diesel generator with 25-gallon diesel tank, an optional Seakeeper stabilizer, and offers plenty of space for accompanying electrical and mechanical systems and batteries as well as room to fish and entertain. It’s a boat that not only caters to serious fishermen but also to their families.

“Part of Bertram’s hull design will always be a deep-V hull that carries the beam back,” says Dan Hamilton, P.E., Bertram’s director of product development. “This hull is wide in order to carry the weight of all the systems that have to go into it including a generator, Seakeeper options, large fuel capacities, etc. If the hull does not have enough bottom area to support the weight, you end up with a wet ride. It also has a keel pad which allows for better flow around the engine, better running angle, and fast planing. Finally, the hull is slightly convex which softens the ride.”

Bertram built his first boat, Moppie, out of wood based on Hunt’s deep-V design and after winning the 1960 Miami-Nassau race, used the hull as a plug to cast a mold. That mold produced a fiberglass version, and he never looked back. Out of the benchmark Bertram 31, the 39 CC is not only built as a day boat for sportfishing, but its hull is also fiberglass, only now constructed with modern techniques that use an infused vinyl ester/epoxy blend finished with a white gel coat surface. “The hulls are infused,” says Hamilton. “The stringer grid is built in a separate mold outside of the boat as are the secondary bulkheads. Then it all gets bonded together with a structural adhesive. This allows for a fully (Grade A) finished bilge and machinery area and provides a consistent build every time.”

Bertram began his love for boating as a kid and became a competitive sailor before relocating to Miami to start a successful yacht brokerage. With the development of Moppie and its design a huge success, the Bertram 31 became an iconic sporfisherman. The roomy cockpit, built-in transom livewell, comfortable salon, accommodation forward, and plenty of storage lockers carry on in the Bertram 39 CC.

Let’s Go Fishin’

The wider beam provides room for the mechanical systems belowdecks as well as for comfortable spaces on deck. There’s seating for at least five in the bow, three in the cockpit, and four at the helm. If you decline the full fishing option, then add three more with the forward-facing electric, fold-down transom seat. That extra seating doesn’t mean you lose the bait wells. You’ll still have the standard dual 45-gallon tanks instead of the dual, see-through 60-gallon wells.

The large cockpit has plenty of space to move around while fishing with easy access to the transom bait wells and rod holders. Speaking of which, there are 18 stainless steel, flush-mount rod holders: six in the transom, four in the gunwale (two on each side), and eight in-floor holders (four on each side of the mezzanine seat) when rods aren’t in use. You can add an optional eight-rod, stainless steel rocket launcher on the hardtop as well as Gemlux Bluewater Carbon hardtop-mounted outriggers. There are two big insulated in-floor fish boxes with pump-outs, a transom sink with cutting board and tackle drawers, raw- and freshwater washdown valves, and a hot/cold shower at the transom walkthrough door. Another cool feature is that the mezzanine seatback flips down to become a prep surface with a tackle center behind. Below the seat is an additional large cooler/storage area with drain plug.

The molded-in swim platform extends on each side of the engine set and because the Mercury Verados have their exclusive Advanced MidSection, which allows the engines to tilt at a different point than other outboards, a covered motor well makes for easy passage from one side to the other. For swimmers or water sport enthusiasts, a pull-out reboarding ladder is integrated into the swim platform starboard that is accessible from the water. A dive door with coaming gate to port not only provides access for easy boarding or hauling in a catch but also allows another opening for swimmers via a clip-in ladder.

Soak Up the Sun

A main reason to get out on the water is to be in the fresh air and, for many, catch some rays. The open bow has a huge sunpad centered in front of the helm console with a forward-facing backrest, a flip-down armrest with cupholder, and another large cooler/storage locker underneath. There’s also wraparound seating along the gunwale with forward-facing backrests at each end and under-seating storage on both sides. The peak bow seat locker is home to a portable table that mounts in the bow or aft cockpit which creates a place to gather around and enjoy drinks and dinner or to play a game. A sunshade with support poles is available as an option. There’s also an optional sunshade with support poles or an electric shade system for the aft cockpit.

Under Control

The helm is the boat’s control center, and the Mercury Joystick Piloting for Outboards system is standard. That includes the dual digital throttle and shift binnacle control, electric power assist hydraulic steering, Skyhook digital anchor, integrated AutoPilot and Auto Trim, matched with the Mercury VesselView seven-inch color touchscreen display. As with most new boats, the dash is empty for you to choose your screens. On this test boat, there was a dual 16-inch Garmin multifunction display, as Garmin packages are installed in the factory. Other systems will need outside installation.

Electric running surface-mounted trim tabs with position indicator are also standard as is a JL Audio sound system with speakers in the bow, midship, and in the hardtop. Lights include an integrated port and starboard running/docking light combo and electrically actuated all-around lights that add color schemes above and to the optional underwater lights below. An overhead lockable glove box keeps valuable safe.

Then there’s the robust, yet comfortably cushioned seating. Four custom Bertram-designed helm chairs made by Llebroc feature adjustable positioning, fold-up arm rests, and flip-up bolsters. A molded-in footrest under the helm and on the cabin door provide stability when seated.

The mechanical space accessible by the cockpit floor hatch houses the generator, which is standard, an optional Seakeeper stabilizer, and water heater along with the system filters, valves, and hookups. A cool feature on the 39 CC is the use of a sea chest with a high-speed pickup system to charge it.

“There is an integrated sea chest from which multiple systems pull their water,” says Hamilton. “This sea chest is fed by one electric thru-hull which automatically shuts down when the boat is not in use. This eliminates many thru-hulls that would otherwise go through the bottom.”

The sea chest also has an electric shutoff for the generator’s seawater intake valve to prevent water from being forced into the system if the generator is not running. When the boat is turned on, the valve opens, and when shut down, the valve closes all the systems.

Rest Easy

The lockable cabin door to port of the helm is under the hardtop and behind the windshield to keep weather at bay. The cabin interior features a queen-size berth with dedicated, lockable rod storage underneath. A private wet head with porcelain macerated toilet and freshwater hot and cold shower, refrigerator, microwave, vanity with infinity-style sink, and overhead skylight make for comfortable accommodations. A 10,000 BTU air conditioning system will keep those hot summer days cool. Air conditioning in the helm is an option, and the vents are behind the seats for more direct contact with passengers instead of on the dash where they can lose their effect when underway.

What a Ride

It didn’t drizzle for long as we sped out into Tampa Bay at 50 mph. The boat felt solid, secure, and without a rattle when it got bumpy. Even my teeth didn’t chatter. I was able to take a sharp turn at 45 mph without a slip, and she held her ground, losing no more than 3 mph as I pulled out of the turn. The engines were quiet and reached plane within five seconds. The boat cruised back at about 47 mph, but optimum cruise is around 37 mph that burns 0.9 mpg and provides approximately 374 miles at 90 percent fuel. Whether fishing or cruising around, any day on the water is better than a day at work, well, except for maybe those who enjoy building boats and those who write about them.

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Specs

LOA: 40′ 4″
Beam: 13′ 2″
Draft (Engines up): 2′ 4″
Draft (Engines down): 3’ 4”
Displacement (Dry with standard engines): 17,300 lbs.
Fuel (gas/diesel): 500/25 U.S. gals.
Power (Standard): 3x Mercury Verado 300 JPO Black

Contact:
Bertram Yachts
Tampa, FL
(813) 527-9899
bertram.com

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Southern Boating enjoyed a beautiful day on Formula’s latest model in the Super Sport Crossover (SSC) series, a 50-foot powerhouse that provides a private escape pod for family and friends.

The Formula 500 SSC (53’ 4” LOA, 14’ 6” beam) is more than your typical bow rider. This one can take you beyond local boundaries with an open living area that starts at the swim platform and carries up to the bow with accommodations below along with all the amenities and entertainment space necessary for an incredible day on the water with family and friends.

Formula’s SmartZone concept offers separate social areas for a variety of activities, yet allows uninterrupted connection on one level, especially when the salon sliding door and galley counter window opens to the cockpit. The U-shaped galley features Corian countertops, a high-capacity, dual-drawer stainless Vitrifrigo pullout fridge, two-burner range, convection microwave, sink, and plenty of drawers for storage, including a pull-out beverage center to the port side.

There’s plenty of seating with the L-shaped settee in the salon, a U-shaped lounge with stationary Corian table in the cockpit to port and L-shaped seating to starboard. The port lounge continues to the swim platform with a backrest that flips to allow an aft-facing sunpad. In the bow, wraparound seating with a telescoping table from the floor that can position into a sunpad or set as a table.

Accommodations belowdecks is accessible from the sliding door next to the helm. A forward U-shaped lounge has a Corian table that, with a flip of the switch, lowers to become a comfortable berth. The aft area is a cozy retreat with a queen-size bed with an upholstered headboard and a sofa. A well-appointed galley to port and enclosed head with separate shower to starboard separate the two zones, not to mention a dedicated wine storage cabinet and abundant storage areas.

Throughout the boat, there are numerous 120V outlets, USB charging ports, inductive charging stations, and plenty of JL Audio speakers, 16 to be exact, powered by the Rockford Fosgate AM/FM stereo system with Bluetooth and USB port. Multi-colored lighting throughout, including underwater lights, really set the mood. Yes, there is air-conditioning to keep it cool.

The 500 SSC was designed for the new Mercury V12 600-hp Verado outboards that have two-speed transmission and an innovative steerable gearcase. The engines are so quiet, we were able to carry on conversation with all the windows open, even when we reached 60 mph. Formula’s new flagship, with the FAS³Tech multi-step hull, was quick and extremely stable and the wide beam made us feel comfortable and safe. It really was a beautiful ride on a beautiful day.

A full review of the Formula 500 SSC is forthcoming in Southern Boating magazine, but until then, check out the walk-thru video above.

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Try Before You Buy

5 Sea Trial Tips to get the most out of your sea trial

You’ve done all of your research and you’ve narrowed down your choices. But before you put your money down on a boat, why not take her out for a ride? That way, you’ll know if this investment is right for you. Here are five things to pay attention to while on your sea trial.

Getting Around

Most important are the way the boat performs on the water and how easy or difficult it is to move around the boat while on board. Test the boat’s maneuverability on the water by spinning her in a variety of different turns. Does it skip in a tight turn or dig in? Is the steering tight or loose? Also, try backing in at the dock; are you able to do it with ease? On board, walk bow to stern and check if the deck provides traction, grab rails are accessible, nothing is obstructing movement around a particular area, etc.

The Need for Speed

Power up the engines and feel how the boat transitions from low to high speed. How much trim is required? How does it perform at high speeds? Is the hull stable in various conditions? Does she stay on plane while turning? Find her lowest planing speed, which is important when sailing during inclement weather. A good number is between 12 and 17 mph.

Sights, Sounds, and Smells

Check visibility from the helm. Look forward and aft to be sure you can see another boat approaching or passing close on either side. Inspect the hull and the interior for damage or previous repairs. Notice any corrosion or scratches? If so, point that out now. Look for wear and tear in the upholstery, including stains and rips. Be sure nothing is rattling or thumping when underway. Listen for any abnormal sounds coming from the engine whether you’re in idle or at top speed. Do the engines choke or sputter or smoke at certain rpms? Do the gauges show accurate readings? Schedule a compression check on the engine(s) to verify pistons and cylinders are in good condition to avoid the high cost of repair or replacement. Finally, sniff around for unusual odors that could be a sign of mold or mildew. A burning smell is cause for immediate concern.

At the Helm

Make sure you’re comfortable in the captain’s chair, both physically and mentally. Not everyone is a tech genius, so confirm the navigation and communication systems at the helm work. After all, without that knowledge, you’re going nowhere fast. Be sure the boat you’re testing is equipped with technology you can handle. If there’s more, can you learn it prior to needing it in an emergency? Also, make sure this equipment is within reach and easy to see. Is there a glare from the sun reflecting off the electronic displays?

Find a Place for It

Two things you can never have enough of: storage and cupholders. Walk around and check for both. The more cupholders, the better. Storage might be under seat cushions, under the berth in the cabin, even below the deck. If you see a latch, open it. You never know what you will find. Even more importantly, will it suit your needs? Family? Fishing? Water sports? Take a second look if need be to be sure. It’s an investment that will bring a wonderful lifestyle.

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You cast your votes, and the results are in for Southern Boating’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. Every vote was counted, including the write-in candidates, and tallied in a secure location without any bias…or stuffing of the ballot box. Nearly 85,000 readers voted for their preference in 36 categories from favorite power catamaran to long-range cruiser and must-have apparel to favorite fishing reel. Safety products, best boatyard, favorite resort with marina, navigation equipment and radar, marine audio speakers, and sunglasses are a sampling of what’s included in this year’s choices. There were quite a few categories in which first and second place were separated by only a few percentage points, but overall, there was a definite winner. Thank you to all our readers who participated. Your input made this event a huge success.

2021 Sea Ray Sundancer 370 Outboard

The embodiment of elegance, athleticism and sophistication!

Sea Ray’s Sundancer 370 Outboard is a diamond in the rough. In fact, her style and sophistication sparkle from her sleek exterior lines and exquisite interior design. A unique diamond design pattern is carried throughout the boat—from the upholstery to the hardtop’s skylight and on the integrated audio system. It’s these little details that makes the Sundancer 370 shine.

No key? No problem. “We’ve got this boat on a key fob so before I even get on the boat, I can fire up the batteries, and I can turn on all of the lights so I’m not getting on a dark boat,” says Ritch Ragle, director of North American sales.

Powered by triple Mercury 300 Verados with Joystick Piloting and optional Dynamic Running Surface, the Sundancer 370 will get you places—fast. Her helm is equipped with standard dual 12-inch Simrad GO12 touchscreen displays, including CZone digital switching that provides full lighting control. Options include a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer and integrated Fusion premium audio system. High and low bolsters are available for the captain’s companion, but Ragle prefers to use it when running the boat himself. “I hate to sit when I’m running a boat, so I love the thigh-rise bolsters so I can get up and am still comfortable,” he says.

Comfort abounds on board, starting with the aft deck, where the hard-back transom seat easily converts to face aft for guests to enjoy the view or watch swimmers. Port and starboard settees along with a gourmet station to port provides a roomy social area.

Walking forward between the helm seat and the large passenger seat to port leads into the cabin below or to the bow via a glass door to port. The electrically actuated door can remain open to allow the cool breeze to flow through or closed during inclement weather. When open, it becomes part of the huge windshield.  “There’s no blindspots on this boat,” says Ragle. “When you get in there and you’re operating, you’re looking 360 degrees, you’ve always got a great line of sight.”

A settee on the bow seats three or converts to a large sunbed. With the optional table, it’s a great place to dine alfresco with spectacular views.

The cabin belowdecks sleeps four and has plenty of headroom as well as an enclosed head with a separate shower. The galley includes a microwave and refrigerator, and the forward V-berth lounge area transitions from a L-shaped settee to a queen berth. The aft berth has a U-shaped settee that converts to a queen berth. There’s plenty of storage throughout.

With so many wide, open spaces, she feels much bigger than a 37-foot yacht. “It feels more like a 42 or a 45,” Ragle says. “It feels like a very big boat.”

 

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The 35th annual Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) takes place Thursday, March 25 through Sunday, March 28 along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from Palm Beach Island. The show will feature more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories, including hundreds of boats ranging from 8-foot inflatables to super yachts nearly 300 feet in length. In addition to the large selection of boats and exhibits, the show will offer fun and educational activities, including The AquaZone, an upfront experience with a variety of water sports and innovative products, and kid’s fishing clinics by Hook the Future.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Informa Markets has worked closely with the City of West Palm Beach to enhance safety measures, updating the layout so the entire event is open-air. There will also be four entrances and exits to ease the flow of pedestrian traffic and promote social distancing. All attendees will also be required to wear masks.

“The health and safety of our staff, exhibitors, visitors, and community remains our number one priority,” said Andrew Doole, president of Informa Markets U.S. Boat Shows. “We also recognize the importance of our boat shows to the local and state economy, and the marine industry at large. We look forward to safely welcoming boating enthusiasts and marine businesses to the Palm Beach show, in a world-famous destination during the most beautiful time of year.”

PBIBS will be organized in accordance with Informa’s newly adopted AllSecure health and safety standards, as well as all official government and local authority guidance and regulations. Informa coordinated the AllSecure standards in coordination with its association partners, peers, venues, suppliers, contractors, health officials, and federal and local authorities. Adopted industry-wide, the AllSecure standards raise the bar on safe, hygienic, productive, and high-quality organized event experiences.

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Amped Up

Regal’s 42 Fly takes on outboards to become a yacht built with adrenaline.

“Holy cow, a 42 Fly with outboards,” was Lysle Spangler’s first reaction when he saw the boat in the water for the first time. “You notice that it’s a yacht…with outboards. For me, it was, ‘Oh, my goodness. This is going to be awesome.’ ”

Regal’s new flagship model, the 42 FXO, made its debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last October as the new kid on the block unrivaled as an overnighter, sandbar hopper, and entertainer. In other words, a coastal cruiser that can behave like a take-it-to-the-beach sport boat. With the engines up, “You can get three to four feet off the beach and almost step right onto the sand,” says Jeff Littlefield, Regal’s marketing manager.

It’s a Liveaboard

“My first impression stepping aboard was that it was going to be a lot like its sisters, the 42 Grand Coupe and the 2021 42 Fly with IPS drive,” says Spangler, Regal’s Midwest regional sales manager. “It didn’t rock or feel any different than what the boats felt like in the past in terms of stability or layout.”

The layout is the same, so the cockpit, or aft patio, has L-shaped transom seating that wraps to starboard with spacious storage underneath and a removable section that gives easy access to the gunwale to aid in docking or to reach the foredeck from the starboard side. An integrated electric smokeless grill with a solid counter cover and an undercounter fridge nestles forward of the settee to starboard and aligns with the salon galley. The cockpit and salon are on the same level, so with the double sliding glass doors open, an indoor/outdoor prep, cooking, and serving area makes a great entertainment center, especially with the interior dinette table and wraparound seating to port. In addition, a 32-inch hidden TV adds to the mix when lowered from the ceiling above the galley counter. Then again, the Fusion RA770 marine stereo system will add much more bounce. The ANT wireless stereo remote allows audio control from anywhere on the boat, including the swim platform.

A few steps down between the salon settee and the interior helm to starboard leads to an open atrium that’s a room in itself. It separates the forward stateroom with a walkaround queen island berth and the aft stateroom that features a king berth with upholstered headboard that can slide apart into twins depending on whose on board. The starboard-side head features teak in the separate shower stall, a glass vessel sink, solid-surface countertop, and mirrored cabinets above. A long window above both the head and atrium counters provides natural lighting, a water view, and an open feel to the rooms. 

Besides the ingenious king berth in the aft cabin, a settee, cedar-lined armoire, and a 32-inch TV add to the comfort. The forward cabin has separate access to the head, a 32-inch TV with DVD player, a deck hatch with privacy screen, cedar hanging lockers, and a hidden pocket door for privacy.

Owners have a choice for the atrium setup to port. The refreshment center has slick, modern cabinetry that offers plenty of storage, and an optional built-in refrigerator goes below a countertop that includes a covered sink. Accent lighting adds that special ambience in the evening. The other option is a second head sans shower, which could be a tough choice to ignore.

On the Top

There are lots of advantages to having a flybridge, mainly a 360-degree unobstructed view, fresh air, and that cat-like perch from above. Access is from the cockpit via the stainless steel stairway with teak steps. The entry is covered with a large tinted acrylic hatch to protect the cockpit below during inclement weather or to keep young ones at bay.

First, the captain or owner/operator will have a full-service helm that includes a 22-inch glass cockpit display (or optional dual 16-inch displays) with autopilot and joystick steering with cruise control. There are plenty of options for the helm, including Garmin displays and HD closed array radar.

Second, the flybridge is a great place to hang out for cocktails, or the sunset, or time alone. There’s plenty of seating with a large captain’s seat, an L-shaped lounge aft to starboard, and an UltraLounge seat to port with a multi-position backrest that adjusts the seat as it slides forward to connect to the sunpad next to the helm.

The Outboard Advantage

When the IPS drives were changed to triple Yamaha 425 XTO Offshore outboards, the 42 took on a whole new life and added the moniker FXO, the “F” for flybridge. “One of the things Regal does is that we’re not just going to throw outboards on a boat,” says Spangler.

Littlefield takes it a step further. “None of our models are the same exact boat, the same exact hull with a different propulsion mounted on,” he says. “They’re completely different bottoms. The hulls are designed and optimized for whatever that propulsion is. The 42 FXO, while it looks and has a similar layout as the 42 FLY, the hull bottom is different to accommodate and optimize that outboard power.”

By changing the engines to outboards, the mechanical space is immense—full beam, 42 inches tall, six feet deep. Needless to say, there’s plenty of room for the Seakeeper, which is standard, and all the gear you want to carry.

As for performance, Spangler says that part of the conversation when he drove it the first time was that the boat had a “very sport boat feel. It was exceedingly nimble for a boat this size.” The boat went in and out of turns smoothly and never felt like it wanted to stall when going left to right or vice versa and wasn’t excessive in the roll over. “I am honestly blown away by the performance of the boat,” he adds. “Fully loaded with water, gear, and six people, we were forty-nine miles per hour top speed. It was just impressive the way the boat performed.”

Specifications

LOA: 44′

Beam: 13′

Draft, Engines Up: 2′ 9″

Draft, Engines Down: 4′ 2″

Approximate Dry Weight: 26,650 lbs.

Fuel/Water: 456/62 U.S. gals.

Max/Cruise speed: 49.4/30 mph

Price: $1,008,920 very well-equipped

Contact: Regal Boats

(407) 851-4360

Orlando, FL

regalboats.com

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