No venue in the world beats the Miami International Boat Show for seeing and comparing the largest offshore outboard boats available today. Here, Sport Fishing gives you a look at 11 amazing blue-water boats that are 35 feet or longer.
Bahamas 41
The Bahama 41 is a proven performer that has topped 60 mph with triple Yamaha 350s in past testing by Sport Fishing. It features a 24-degree transom deadrise and can accommodate up to 1,700 horses on the transom in a quad configuration.
Eight rocket-launcher rod holders grace the hardtop; another six run across the stern on the aft side of the bait well.
Contender 39 Fisharound
The sleek, stepped hull of Contender’s 39 Fisharound looks like its hauling ass even when sitting still. In Sport Fishing testing, it topped out just shy of 70 with triple Yamaha F350s and offered superb handling.
The tackle-storage/rigging station abaft the three-across helm seats offer six rod holders and five cup holders, plus a foldout table over a 67-quart cooler.
Functional and appealing, the 39’s cabin offers a stove, sink, microwave and refrigerator/freezer, plus a queen berth forward.
Grady-White Canyon 456
Grady-White labels its newest flagship model – largest-ever for the North Carolina-based manufacturer – a luxury sport-fishing yacht. From the general reaction of media at the Miami show seeing this for the first time, few could argue that. Sophistication of design, attention to detail and some remarkable technological innovation. Its spacious cabin and cockpit have much to do with its 14-foot amidships beam. It’s rated for quad Yamaha 350s on the transom.
One of many innovative features on the new 456 is a flip-up bolster that instantly changes the comfortable aft-facing bench seat over a tackle-storage console into a leaning post.
Crew and/or anglers can keep one eye on a trolling spread while they also see what’s playing on the integrated transom monitor (protected by a hinged acrylic cover), whether that’s course, depth or underwater camera.
HCB Speciale
A slightly smaller version of the fabulous 53 Sueños, the 39-foot HydraSports offers an 11 ½-foot beam and a 23-degree transom deadrise. Rated for up to four 350-hp outboards, the Speciale will reach speeds of at least 65 mph, according to the manufacturer.
The open-deck design of the fishing package model will appeal to any angler’s eye.
Lively and accessible baits should never be an issue with 40-gallon insulated twin bait wells with large viewing windows.
Insetta 45
Based on an offshore racing catamaran, with a tunnel- and stepped-hull design, the big cat can run at more than 70 mph with the maximum 1,600 horses on her transom, says the manufacturer. Option twin 370-hp I/O diesel power offers better fuel efficiency while topping out at just over 44 mph in Sport Fishing tests.
Like all cats, the Insetta carries its wide beam right up to the bow, not narrowing as do V hulls, hence this amazingly generous, padded bow lounger with angled backrest. Below is a double berth with as much as 6 ½ feet of headroom.
Whole lotta pushin’ going on with four color-coordinated Yamaha outboards hanging on the Insetta’s very broad transom.
Invincible 40 Catamaran
Invincible says it designed its new catamaran to “tear through seas from any direction” as well as to cruise long distances, hence its option 800-gallon fuel capacity. With a 12-foot beam from stern to nearly bow, the open deck space is vast. Invincible rates the 40 for up to 1,600 horsepower.
A huge forward coffin box with vertical rod storage for 14 rods in total offers three separate compartments under the hinged lid.
Jupiter 43 SF
Schedule for availability this spring, Jupiter’s new 43 can carry 1,400 horses and is designed to for serious fishing but not with austerity, as evidenced by comfortable padded seating for at least nine anglers and/or family members as shown here. Though the dock location precluded a view with a narrow lens that would have shown the entire hull, it definitely has that long, lean, sexy look.
While performance figures can’t yet be established, with a quad of 350s on the back, it’s a safe bet the Jupiter will scream. She has a transom deadrise of 24 degrees.
Ahead of a galley with microwave and sink is a berth that can accommodate two adults. Long cabin windows assure plenty of light inside.
Pursuit S 368 Special Edition
About the only option consumers didn’t have with Pursuit’s very popular S 368 Sport luxury center console was a choice of hull and trim colors. The Special Edition provides that, as shown in this model with blue trim accents. The 368 is rated for up to 1,050 horsepower; three 300s pushed the boat to nearly 50 mph in factory testing.
Raised helm seating offers flip-up bolsters and lumbar support.
Regulator 41
Regulator is known for the classically elegant lines of its outboard boats, and the 41 is no exception. Powered by four Yamaha F350s, in Sport Fishing tests, the 41 topped out at 63 ½ mph. It’s steep-entry hull, graduating to 24 degrees of deadrise at the transom, promises a solid ride, particularly with the Seakeeper gyro stabilizer that is standard equipment with a 41.
The 41’s helm doesn’t just look cool; it stays that way, thanks to helm air conditioning.
Four outboards fit nicely across the 41’s bracketed transom.
Scout 420 LXF
The “LX” in the name is for “luxury,” and the 420 certainly boasts a plethora of high-end features in addition to its striking flared hull design and impeccable finish and appointments. Epoxy infusion of the double-stepped hull reduces weight while adding strength.
The 420 LXF readily accepts a Seakeeper, if one chooses that option.
The 420 LXF can carry up to 1,675 horsepower. If four 350 Verados aren’t enough, try 400s; the manufacturer’s tests with a quad of 400s, put its top speed north of 70 mph.
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Tideline 365 Offshore Cat
Making its debut at this year’s Miami show, the high-performance offshore fishing cat is intended to ensure that anglers reach even distant offshore grounds dry and in relative comfort, but do so quickly: The manufacturer projects a top speed with twin 350 outboards of 60 mph.
Clearly, the North Carolina-based builder feels that fast ride shouldn’t preclude style. Nor should style preclude fishing-rod holders and rocket launchers in great abundance.
Protruding slightly from a generous transom well is an extended center stern platform. Being a cat, the 365’s 11-foot beam carries all the way forward as usable deck space.
