Staying true to its heritage, Marine Technology Inc. introduced its new 36 Race/Pleasure Series at the Miami International Boat Show. The smallest model in the company’s renowned catamaran line, the 36-footer features MTI’s same race-proven hull design, superior construction and aggressive styling.
Claiming that you won’t find a faster, better handling or more efficient boat amongst the competition, the Wentzville, Mo., company expects the boat to be popular on the West Coast or lake-use markets, although with the MTI hull, it is a capable offshore boat as well.
“This slightly smaller boat will be easier to tow and maneuver, but will offer the incredible performance and quality that the MTI name is famous for,” said Randy Scism, owner of MTI. “The efficiency with even modest power packages will be absolutely outstanding. We are debuting the prototype in Miami and expect the first production models to leave the factory about the first part of August.”
With a 10-foot, 6-inch beam, the boat offers available seating for six and an optional day cabin with plenty of creature comforts. Scism said the 36-footer will have the same precision fit and finish and meticulous rigging its products are known for.
With much anticipation, Baja Marine unwrapped its latest poker run tour boat at the Miami International Boat Show. The Bucyrus, Ohio, company has set the bar high the past couple of years with its award-winning poker run boats and tow vehicles, but Baja topped them all with this year’s edition.
The custom creation, a 40 Outlaw dubbed Split Decision, was powered by twin Mercury Racing HP700SCi engines and featured a stellar one-of-a-kind paint job from Kustom Kolors. The V-bottom, which will tour the country this year behind a custom Chevrolet Kodiak truck painted to match the boat, was loaded with blue and red LED lighting from the gauges to the engine compartment.
Some of the boat’s custom touches included underwater lighting from Ocean LED, a complete sound system from JL Audio and Clarion, McLeod IV bolsters and tons of billet hardware. Even the graphics were carried over onto the dash, into the cabin and on the faces for the gauges.
“We can’t wait to see Split Decision get out on the water and hear reactions from the community of Baja owners,” said Barbara Grobicki, Baja’s director of marketing.
Baja also debuted its Hammer-X, a 22-foot sport boat with roadster-like styling. The boat featured specially crafted rear vents, a low-profile stance, seating for six in the cockpit and a cozy cabin with a V-berth.
Mercury Racing debuted a new 350-hp outboard, now the largest in its lineup, Thursday during the Miami International Boat Show.
The in-line six-cylinder Verado features a new gear case and is more than 125 pounds lighter than its competitor, said Fred Kiekhaefer, president of Mercury Racing. Kiekhaefer said the new gear case was necessary to handle the engine's high torque and power input.
The company says the outboard features electronically controlled multi-port fuel injection and four valves per cylinder. It also has a double overhead cam design, a charge air cooler and electronic bypass control. In addition, the 350 SCi has a new top cowling.
The Verado 350 SCi is equipped with SmartStart. A boater only needs to turn the key and the engine will automatically start itself. Just like the other engines in the Verado line, the outboard is remarkably quiet.
"We really like what this engine delivers," Kiekhaefer said. "The torque is unbelievable."
The outboard is expected to go into full production Oct. 1.
Cobra Performance Goes Big at LA Boat Show
Cobra Performance Boats rolled out the new 320 Razor at the Los Angeles Boat Show, making it the largest model in the Southern California boatbuilder’s lineup.
The twin-engine V-bottom is the fourth Razor in the model line, which includes 23-, 26- and 27-footers. The newest model features a full wraparound windshield and will be available in either an open-bow or closed-bow configuration.
“It’s got some good protection with the windshield,” said Jeff Bohn, owner of Cobra Performance Boats.
The boat will be offered with twin 375-horsepower MerCruiser 496 Mag engines at a base price of $169,000. Bohn expects the boat will run 85 mph with the 425-hp MerCruiser versions.
Highlights include a new throttle and shifter from Dana Marine and new bolster seats that were designed and built in-house. Cobra also created a visor over the gauges to reduce glare.
More than 2 1/2 years in the making, LaveyCraft Performance Boats unleashed the 39 Evo at the Los Angeles Boat Show. The model is now the largest the company builds.
Although the stepped V-bottom boat has similar styling cues to its sister boat the 28 Evo, it was designed and built from scratch, said LaveyCraft's Jeff Camire, who owns the company with his brother, Chris.
Done in a goregous blue gelcoat, the 39 Evo has a five-person cockpit and a cabin with U-shape seating and a sleeper.
Jeff Camire said the 39-footer is a true offshore boat.
"I think this boat puts us in a completely different league," Camire said. "People have told us that this boat should be in Florida right now."
The 39 Evo on display had staggered Mercury Racing HP700SCi engines with NXT1 drives. With that power, it's expected to retail for $425,000. LaveyCraft estimates it will run 105 mph.
Nordic Powerboats unveiled a 34-foot catamaran at the Los Angeles Boat Show, one of three new models the company has added to its lineup.
The catamaran features a five-person cockpit with a setup for a driver and throttleman. Nordic owner Randy Davis said the boat can also be configured with small lounges under the deck.
Davis said the boat is built for offshore use but it would also be considered “a large lake boat.”
“This is a great offshore boat,” Davis said. “A customer can run it at the lake or take it offshore.”
The 34-footer at the Los Angeles Boat Show was equipped with Mercury Racing HP700 SCi engines and NXT1 drive. Depending on the power, it is expected to retail in the $400,000 range. Power options include everything from Mercury Racing’s 525-hp engines to its 1075SCi models.
the MTI hull, it is a capable offshore boat as well.
With much anticipation, Baja Marine unwrapped its latest poker run tour boat at the Miami International Boat Show. The Bucyrus, Ohio, company has set the bar high the past couple of years with its award-winning poker run boats and tow vehicles, but Baja topped them all with this year’s edition.
Mercury Racing debuted a new 350-hp outboard, now the largest in its lineup, Thursday during the Miami International Boat Show.
![news_cobra[1].jpg](images/stories/news_cobra[1].jpg "news_cobra[1].jpg")
Cobra Performance Boats rolled out the new 320 Razor at the Los Angeles Boat Show, making it the largest model in the Southern California boatbuilder’s lineup.
More than 2 1/2 years in the making, LaveyCraft Performance Boats unleashed the 39 Evo at the Los Angeles Boat Show. The model is now the largest the company builds.
