Quality in Quantity: Hallett's new-for-2008 290-S Midcabin is a high-end West Coast custom sport boat in all respects.

Before their photo run in the Hallett 290-S Midcabin—the result of which you see on these pages and on the magazine's cover—the driver and passenger had a unique chore. They had to make sure all the ice had been knocked off the sport boat's sun pad. Such is life when you're testing boats on the Colorado River in Parker, Ariz., in December.

That they still managed to smile on a frosty morning was a testament to the pleasure of running the 29-footer. But it wasn't a surprise. Like all members of Hallett's boat line, the stepped V-bottom provided the performance and was built to the high standards that have earned Hallett such a loyal following.

To top it off, the boat was reasonably priced. With a 750-horsepower Pfaff engine and a few other options including full hydraulic steering from IMCO Marine, it came with a $144,845 sticker. If that seems high for a brand-new, custom-built sport boat with that kind of power, you haven't gone shopping lately.

PERFORMANCE

Hats off to Paul Pfaff and his crew at Paul Pfaff Engines in Huntington Beach, Calif. Their electronic fuel-injected big-block was among the most potent, yet smooth-running engines in its class that we've seen in some time.

In fact, the engine produced so much raw torque that in standing-start acceleration drills the boat pulled strongly to the left. It was by no means a problem, just something for our test driver to be aware of when he hammered the throttle from idle.

With its Lenco trim tabs dropped, the 290-S came on plane in 3.5 seconds and reached 82 mph in 20 seconds. The combination of Pfaff power and an efficient stepped hull also translated into gobs of midrange power, when the boat jumped from 30 to 50 mph in 3.6 seconds, 40 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and 40 to 70 mph in 8.2 seconds.

Excellent on all counts, the propulsion package setup included a just-released IMCO SCT drive with a 1.5:1 gear reduction and a lab-finished, 30"-pitch Bravo One propeller from Mercury Marine. With the engine turning 5,650 rpm, the boat reached 89.1 mph and probably would have hit the manufacturer-estimated top speed of 90 mph had the water not been sticky glass.

Handling was solid and predictable, mainly in the middle speeds where owners likely will spend most of their time running. At times, the shape of the boat's deck made it appear to be "plowing," but it was not. That said, the 290-S did feel as if it were riding high on its sharp keel at top speed. Not a negative—just a sensation our lead test driver and co-pilot noticed during their evaluations.

INTERIOR

Hallett wisely devoted generous space to the boat's open bow—that's a popular spot during the boating season. With a filler cushion, the two contoured lounges in the bow area converted to a big playpen/tanning bed. Stainless-steel rails on the gunwales provided added security, and the gunwale and lounge padding was first-rate. About the only thing we'd like to see would be slightly deeper seating. Lowering the bottom cushions would do the trick.

The tradeoff in giving lots of space to the open bow in a midcabin sport boat is that the midcabin generally ends up being "cozy," and that was a fair description of the cabin in our test boat. But it did offer space for facing two-person lounges, an acrylic galley console with a Corian top, a dedicated space for a cooler and indirect lighting behind valances. For privacy, acrylic doors separated the cabin from the open bow and cockpit.

Snap-in carpet covered the teak-and-holly sole veneer in the cockpit. The layout consisted of a sculpted rear bench—here again we'd opt for a lower bottom cushion to provide deeper seating—and twin bolster-style bucket seats with removable bottom cushions.

As in the open bow, gunwale padding was among the plushest we saw during the 2008 Performance Trials. That's a big plus, especially for owners with families on board. Also to the builder's credit, there were handrails within reach of every seat.

A tilt helm from IMCO was at the driver's spot, as were Livorsi Marine gauges and a Livorsi shifter and throttle. Opposite the helm at the co-pilot's station was a locking glove box and a grab handle.

WORKMANSHIP

The challenge of having a great reputation for craftsmanship is living up to it. But year in and year out, Hallett pulls it off and the 290-S Midcabin was no exception.

A study in clean lines and crisp colors, the 29-footer was tooled precisely. Naturally, its graphics were handled to stunning effect in the gelcoat. In addition to gelcoat, lamination materials included vinylester resin and bi- and tri-directional knitted fiberglass fabrics. The bottom and sides of the hull were cored with balsa. The fiberglass-encapsulated stringer system added extra brawn as did transverse bulkheads fiberglassed in place.

In addition to being known for fine construction, Hallett has a reputation for supplying loads of high-quality hardware. Here again, the builder lived up to its rep with a telescoping power navigation light, six Accon Pull-Up cleats and the previously noted handrails.

Solid feet and through-bolted L-angles tied the engine to the stringers. Accessible via a power engine hatch on a single ram, the engine compartment boasted ample working space. Proper care was taken with the rigging, which was tidy and well planned. A dual battery box held the boat's two batteries. Stainless-steel cushion clamps installed at regular intervals kept all the wiring and cables in place.

OVERALL

After more than three decades of building boats, you might expect Hallett to become complacent. If anything, the people at Hallett are pushing harder. With bracing performance, a comfortable interior and outstanding build quality, the 290-S Midcabin is just the latest example from the Southern California manufacturer.

Click to enlarge.