New 45 Bert

[Capt. Mike Holmes]

I did a boat test this afternoon on a new 45 with 900 hp Mann's. Nice boat, really pretty interior, three stateroom layout. Published top end with 2 3/4" shafts, 2:1 ZF gears, 31 x 46 five blade props at 2300 rpm was 35 knots, the dealer said the test boat hit 37, empty with a clean bottom. Cruise is supposed to be 31.5. I have ridden on an older 46 with 8V92 Detroits that topped out at 32, cruised 27. Probably burned more fuel, but a better looking boat, to my mind.

Bottom line, good boat, Not a hard core fish boat, but can fish

Price tag, $1.2 million and change.

I'll keep my 31, thanks.

[JohnD]

Funny how the company has changed from making fish boats that could be used as howdy boats.

To making howdy boats that can be used to fish.

Well, that's the name of the game these days, if you're into building new boats you have to chase the $$. I can't help but think of the $$ left on the table by not producing a qualith 30 something foot fish boat. After all what happened to the 37 molds? That hull with modern power and systems would put the Cabo/Albemarle/luhrs crowd to shame, but it isn't to be.