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Deep Impact 399 Open

Tournament center console or family entertainment platform

FIRST IMPRESSION: There’s nothing subtle about the Monster Energy Team’s 399 Open from Deep Impact that I tested during the 2012 Miami International Boat Show. From the big, triple Mercury 300 Verado outboards to the screaming vinyl hull graphics, this boat is amped up to go big-water fishing, as if fueled by its sponsor’s caffeinated energy drink.

TARGET MARKET: Here’s a 39-foot center console than can compete at the highest level in the Southern Kingfish Association (SKA) tournament circuit, but is also well suited for kite-fishing or working wrecks and oil rigs. The Deep Impact 399 Open is a good fit for the angler who wants the ultimate in a go-fast fishing boat that can also serve as an entertainment platform for family and friends.

FISHIEST FEATURES: The 399 virtually flew across the water. Buried throttles produced a top speed of nearly 66 mph, which should get you to the fish fast. The boat also featured twin, 55-gallon livewells with clear-acrylic lids built into the full transom. Twin alcoves at the helm hosted a pair of 15.5-inch flush-mounted multifunction displays. You’ll find tackle storage and rod holders in the seat-back pod. Coaming pads surrounding the cockpit cushion your legs while you fight a fish. The elevated foredeck is a useful feature, but be careful — freeboard in the bow is minimal.

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THE LAYOUT: Deep Impact builds only custom boats on order. A hull reinforced with resin-infused coring and several layers of Kevlar means the 399 can take big seas in stride. Three-across, racing-helm seats with drop-down bolsters offer extra security when running fast. Housed inside the console is a marine privy with 7 feet of headroom. The level of fit and finish is impeccable.

FINAL WORD: The 399’s multi-step hull creates a cushion of air under the running surface to reduce drag. This, combined with 24 degrees of deadrise at the transom, allowed it to easily bridge four-foot wind waves and never pound in my test. At the same time, it is a stable and comfortable fishing platform at rest, with all of the features you need to best any tournament rival.

**PERFORMANCE AT A GLANCE **

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TOP SPEED: 66 mph

TIME TO PLANE: 5.4 sec.

0-30 MPH TIME: 12 sec.

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BEST MPG: 1.25 @ 33.9 mph (3,500 rpm)

MAXIMUM RANGE: 538 miles

SPECIFICATIONS

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LOA: 39 ft. 0 in.

BEAM: 10 ft. 7 in.

DRAFT: 2 ft. 6 in.

DEADRISE: 24 deg.

WEIGHT: 12,000 lb. (w/ power)

FUEL: 480 gal.

MAX. POWER: 1,750 hp OB

MERCURY VERADO 300 HP FOUR-STROKE

TYPE: Inline-6

DISPLACEMENT: 158.5 cid

MAX RPM: 6,400

HP/LB RATIO: 0.464

GEAR RATIO: 1.85:1

WEIGHT: 647 lb.

ALTERNATOR OUTPUT: 70 amps

MSRP (base w/ triple Mercury 300 Verados): $325,000

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Deep Impact’s 399 Open has stepped hull that creates a cushion of air for a smoother ride and greater fuel efficiency at speed. Courtesy Mercury Marine
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Powered by three Mercury 300 Verado outboards, this 39-footer achieved a top speed of 66 mph in our test. Courtesy Mercury Marine
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The 399 Open reached planing speed in 5.4 second and accelerated from zero to 30 mph in 12 seconds. Courtesy Mercury Marine
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The hull of the Deep Impact 399 has 24 degrees of deadrise at the transom, and this resulted in a very smooth ride in our test. Courtesy Mercury Marine
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Twin 15.5-inch multi-function displays are housed in a pair of alcoves at the helm. Jim Hendricks
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The wheel of the Deep Impact 399 Open is in the center of the console, allowing room for a throttle-man on the starboard side and another crewmember to port. Jim Hendricks
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Mercury Racing Zero Effort throttle controls for the 399’s triple 300 Verados are situated starboard of the center-mounted wheel. Courtesy Mercury Marine
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Twin 55-gallon livewells are built into the transom bulkhead. Both have latching clear-acrylic lids. Jim Hendricks
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The hardtop features skylights, as well as an electronics box to house items such as VHF radios and stereo controls. Jim Hendricks
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A raised foredeck helps when throwing a castnet or fighting a fish around the bow, but this also reduces freeboard up front. Jim Hendricks
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Twin bucket seat are built into the front of the console, but without any grab handles, seating here is dicey when running in choppy seas. Jim Hendricks
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Deep Impact integrated a tackle center and rocket-launcher rod holders into the aft of the pod containing the helm seats. Note the generous number of grab handles for crewmembers when the boat is underway. Jim Hendricks
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The 399’s triple Mercury 300 Verado outboards achieved 1.25 mpg at 3,500 rpm and 33.9 mph, resulting a maximum cruising range of 538 miles. Jim Hendricks
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Coaming pads encircle the interior of the 399 Open to protect anglers thighs and knees. The gunwales are appointed with flush-mount rod holders from bow to stern. Jim Hendricks
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All hatches feature compression latches and gas-assist struts. The underside of each hatch and the locker interiors are gelcoated. Jim Hendricks
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In-sole lockers such as this forward fish box are guttered under the hatch and plumbed to drain overboard. Jim Hendricks
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