By Matt Trulio

Stern-drive boats have long ruled the performance market, but there was a day when outboards on sport boats were not an uncommon sight.

Outboards were cheaper and easier to rig than their stern-drive counterparts. Today, outboards are found mainly on center-consoles and fishing boats.

Concept Boats is hoping to change that with the Concept 30, a sport boat that looks at home with a pair of outboards on the transom. The boat made its debut at the Miami International Boat Show and has gone into full production.

Powerboat had an opportunity to test a prototype during our roundups in April. Our Test Team discovered the Concept 30 is a hard-charging sport boat that gives its stern-drive counterparts a run for the money.

To build the stepped 30-footer, Concept modified the running surface from its center-console boat. As we've seen over the years, Concept center-consoles are tough and performance-oriented. And we expected nothing less from its new sport boat.

In keeping with the builder's product line, the sport boat will only be offered with outboard engines. That's a bold move considering stern drives are the standard for sport-boat power.

"When we introduced the boat at the Miami International Boat Show in February, we were the only builder with an outboard-powered sport boat," said Susan Patterson, vice president of sales and marketing. "This setup gives us the versatility and ease of maintenance of the outboards, as well as more room in the boat. Right now, the way it's set up for testing, you have a triple backseat but you can also order it with U-shape seating and a sun pad."

The prototype had a pair of Mercury OptiMax 300XS 3.2 Stroker outboard engines. They are the greatest horsepower outboards currently offered by Mercury.

The Concept 30 reached 77.8 mph with the engines turning 5,800 rpm. An engine glitch had the outboards going into guardian mode, which prevented them from reaching their peak operating range. With the problem fixed, the V-bottom reportedly topped 80 mph.

The boat accelerated well in the midrange, running from 30 to 50 mph in 4.2 seconds and from 40 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.

A little sluggish out of the hole for a boat of its size and power, the Concept 30 took 7.3 seconds to come on plane. But once it leveled off, the V-bottom took a good bite from the water and reached 72 mph in 20 seconds. Our test driver liked how the boat held its line in turns and didn't slip or catch.

In rough water, the boat felt strong—like every Concept we've tested. The Concept 30 was solidly built, no different than its center-console offerings. Helm station amenities included Livorsi Marine instruments and controls, Stainless Marine trim indicators and a GPS unit.

Included in the cabin was a V-berth and facing lounges. The boat's ceiling was padded, and spotlights were appropriately positioned throughout the cabin.

The boat also has an enclosed head with a toilet and a sink with a pullout faucet. Across the way was a small galley.

For Patterson, a noticeable difference is the space in the cockpit. It definitely was roomy, although if you opt for the sun pad and U-shape seating, you will lose some of the space.

Priced at approximately $125,000 with the twin two-stroke outboards, the Concept 30 is a bargain. Still, it could be a tough sell for sport-boat buyers of a stern-drive mindset—and that's the majority of them.

"With the price of fuel, (the outboards) use 35 percent less fuel," Patterson said. "And with the emissions issues, these engines meet those requirements. Maybe boat buyers will look at it differently."

But at one time most V-bottom sport boats were powered by outboards, and most likely a market for that setup remains. As Patterson said, "It gives buyers an option they didn't have before."

Contact Information
Concept Boats, 2410 N.W. 147 St., Opa-locka, FL 33054, 888-635-8712
www.conceptboats.com

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