Latest Addition: The newest member of the Domn8er Power Boats lineup, the 25 Deckboat, should turn heads and capture hearts.

For the last two years, catamaran-based deck boats have fueled the West Coast custom market. Offerings across the board now range from a mellow, single-engine, "micro" 22-footer to a 34-footer with big-power twins. Demand reportedly continues to outstrip supply, and builders have rightly focused on adding new deck-boat models to their existing lines.

Take Domn8er Power Boats, which released its 25 Deckboat, the smaller sibling of its 28-footer, in late 2005. We tested the first one out of the mold during the Parker, Ariz., stop of our 2006 Performance Trials, and from what we saw, the company's efforts were worthwhile. In the 25 Deckboat, we found a nicely constructed, well-equipped offering that was a pleasure to drive and reasonably priced - for the breed - at $82,000 and change.

PERFORMANCE
Both of our test drivers praised the 25 Deckboat's cornering ability, tracking and ride quality. The catamaran, which had two single-step sponsons and a center pod with a notch, dipped its inside sponson and leaned into middle- and higher-speed slalom and circle turns. In lower-speed maneuvers, it remained level. The boat also held a straight line accelerating or decelerating, and it was impervious to what little chop and slop we could find on the Colorado River.

The propulsion package consisted of a 425-hp MerCruiser 496 Mag HO engine, a Bravo One X drive with a 1.65:1 gear set and a Bravo One 15 1/4" x 30" four-blade stainless-steel propeller. Top speed for the cat was 67.5 mph with the engine running 5,100 rpm, and at that speed the boat was surefooted and stable. That quality combined with the 25 Deckboat's handling manners and tracking ability leads us to believe that the boat could handle any of the bigger, custom-power packages the builder offers.

Time to plane was 4.6 seconds, about what we expected from the 4,300-pound catamaran with a relatively tall propeller. From a standing start, the boat reached 56 mph in 20 seconds - again meeting our expectations. Efficiency was decent, as the boat cruised at 35 mph at 3,500 rpm. At that speed, it burned 13.8 gallons of fuel per hour, meaning it was still getting better than 2.5 mpg.

Midrange punch was a little lackluster, as it took 7.6 seconds for the 25 Deckboat to run from 30 to 50 mph and 13.7 seconds for it to run from 40 to 60 mph.

WORKMANSHIP
Laid up with vinylester resin, 2-ounce mat, 3-ounce mat, 1208 and 4015 fiberglass, the 25 Deckboat sported vibrant and crisp in-gelcoat graphics. Tooling was generally strong, though the installation of the rubrail, which had a few ripples, could have been a bit more precise.

Hardware included billet swim platforms, elliptical handrails and Accon Pull-Up cleats in color-matched bezels. Both the rear swim platform and open-bow platform were outfitted with retractable foot-washing systems and remote controls for the stereo.

To complement the hardware, the builder used attention-grabbing silver fabric throughout the 25 Deckboat, and the overall effect was dazzling. According to a company representative, it was the first time the builder had used the eye-catching fabric, which was reminiscent of brushed aluminum. We hope it won't be the last.

An electric screw jack lifted the hatch to an angle that afforded our inspector a great view of the power plant and the rigging. A nice touch, graphics continued on the underside of the fiberglass engine hatch.

There was stowage space on each side of the engine, which was held fast by through-bolted L-angles that tied it to the stringers. Spatter gelcoat covered the bilge, and though straightforward and uncomplicated, the rigging was clean. Wiring was logically routed and properly supported.

INTERIOR
Seating in the 25 Deckboat consisted of an L-shape lounge and a driver's bucket mounted on a billet pedestal in the cockpit, and forward-facing lounges in the boat's long bow section. For easy entry, the starboard side of the transom had a walk-through with three nonskid steps - each with a courtesy light in its "rise" section - down to the cockpit.

Not wasting an inch of space, the builder created a locker with acrylic doors on the gunwale side of the walk-through. Still more lockers were under most of the bottom cushions for the L-shape lounge, as well as the forward lounges. Gunwale padding in the cockpit was outstanding.

At the helm to starboard, Livorsi Marine gauges in silver rims and silver bezels, which matched the upholstery, were gathered around a tilt steering wheel with the Domn8er logo in the hub. An Eddie Marine throttle-and-shifter was mounted on an extension from the gunwale. Mounted in a function-stenciled panel on the left side of the dash were the accessory switches.

Forward of the driver's console was the molded entertainment center. Under an acrylic lid in the console was a cold-water sink with a light below it. Behind a pair of acrylic doors in the console was a wastebasket and additional stowage space. Just ahead of the console and under its own horizontal acrylic cover, complete with a gas strut, was a 104-quart insulated cooler that drained overboard.

Both of the forward facing lounges, which had stowage lockers under the bottom cushions, were contoured for maximum comfort. Rather than installing stainless-steel handrails atop the gunwales and spoiling the 25 Deckboat's lines, the builder installed them on the vertical sections of the gunwales. The gunwale pads actually were designed so that the handrails fit neatly into their recesses.

OVERALL
Given the continued boom in custom-deck-boat popularity, Domn8er wisely focused its efforts for 2006 on creating a new model to fill this growing niche. From its well-crafted, striking silver upholstery and generous features to its good handling manners and strong build quality, the 25 Deckboat is a compelling model.

TEST RESULTS

TEST CONDITIONS

HULL INFORMATION

PRICING INFORMATION

ENGINE & PROPELLER

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Upgrade to MerCruiser 496 Mag HO engine ($7,500), JL Audio stereo system ($4,500), bimini top ($1,450), boat cover ($950), docking lights ($475), Aqua step ($325), dual batteries ($300), billet battery boxes and covers ($300), auto rear navigation light ($275), rear wash down ($250), custom steering wheel ($150), deluxe drive shower ($150) and billet hatch motor cover ($40).

ACCELERATION

MIDRANGE ACCELERATION

RPM VS. MPH

TOP SPEED AT RPM

PLANING

FUEL ECONOMY
At 25 mph - 2.5 mpg
At 35 mph - 2.5 mpg
At 45 mph - 2.6 mpg
At 55 mph - 2.4 mpg
At WOT - 2 mpg

FUEL CAPACITY
80 gallons

TEST CONDUCTED AT
Parker, Arizona

MANUFACTURER
Domn8er Power Boats, Dept. PB, 1710 W. Foothill Blvd., Suite D6, Upland, CA 91786, 909-931-3268, www.domn8erpowerboats.com

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