Perfect Pairing: A supercharged engine from Mercury Racing was ideal for the Advantage 28 Victory.

By Matt Trulio

We've tested the Advantage 28 Victory Cuddy/Open Bow a bunch of times, with several different power options, since it was introduced in 2001. But before this roundup, we'd never tested one with a Mercury Racing HP600SCi engine.

Without question, we've never enjoyed the 28-footer more.

The 28 Victory was equipped with Mercury's Integrated Transom System with a Bravo One XR drive and a 1.5:1 gear ratio. With the supercharged engine and a lab-finished 28"-pitch propeller chosen for top speed, the stepped V-hull ran an even 80 mph.

Switching to a 26"-pitch propeller for the other tests, the 28-footer got on plane in 3.8 seconds and was running 69 mph in 20 seconds.

Though the boat felt a bit light at the very top-end, it was solidly connected at all lower speeds. That was a good thing, as the conditions on the Colorado River were nothing short of nasty. The wind, which was gusting to 30 mph, blew directly upriver to create the kind of rollers and holes not often seen in Parker, Ariz. At 4,630 pounds dry, the 28 Victory handled the conditions easily.

Handling was predictable at all speeds. Relatively tall for its length, the boat refused to sway in hard turns. Instead, the stepped V-bottom carved deeply and leveled off in a reassuring manner. Advantage markets the boat as a family cruiser, so steady handling characteristics are a must. The 28 Victory had them.

The boat also had the high level of construction quality for which Advantage is known. Executed in gelcoat, the 28-footer's graphics were bright and its mold work was smooth. The builder didn't skip any details in the rigging. That meant through-bolted L-angles to hold the engine in place and cushion clamps to support the conduit-protected wiring.

As noted, the 28 Victory was fairly tall. That made for exceptional headroom in the mid-cabin. The builder also added length to the cabin by taking space away from the open bow, which had contoured forward-facing lounges.

That made for a midcabin with space that rivaled many full-size cabins in a 28-footer. The builder took advantage of all the cabin space and supplied it with a host of features including a blender, a sink, courtesy fans, lighting and facing lounges. For privacy, the cabin had optional Plexiglas doors fore and aft.

In the cockpit, the driver's station had an IMCO Marine tilt helm and, except for the Livorsi Marine GPS speedometer, privately labeled gauges for Advantage. The driver and co-pilot bolsters with manual dropout bottoms were set up in a side-by-side configuration.

The shifter and throttle were located in a console between the bolsters. Aft of the seats was a straight-back rear bench for passengers.

The 28 Victory remains one of Advantage's strongest-selling models. We can see why, especially with an HP600SCi engine under the hatch. It's a compelling package.

Click to enlarge.