Three, Two, One: Looking for unholy, mind-bending acceleration? Check out the LaveyCraft 32 NuEra.

By Matt Trulio

Running 100 mph and well beyond on the water is a definite rush. No one argues that. But how about getting there from a standing start in less than 20 seconds? How about hitting the throttles at 40 mph and reaching 90 mph before you can count to 10?

Hard acceleration—the kind that makes you feel heavy in your seat and brings out the gooseflesh, maybe even quickens your pulse a bit—is every bit as exciting as top speed. There's a lot to be said for "fast." There's just as much, perhaps even more, to be said for "quick."

No V-bottom in the 100-mph roundup out-accelerated the 32 NuEra from LaveyCraft. Powered by a couple of supercharged and fuel-injected 800-horsepower engines, the boat pretty well launched its way through every acceleration drill in our regimen and right into our hearts.

In a 0-to-20-second acceleration test, the stepped, closed-deck 32-footer reached 104 mph. Without question, the boat's tabs-down time to plane of 3.2 seconds got it off to a great start.

Midrange acceleration numbers were mind-blowing, so seemingly unreal that we repeated the drills that produced them to make sure we had them right. We did. The 32 NuEra blasted from 30 to 50 mph in 2.8 seconds, 40 to 60 mph in 3 seconds, 40 to 70 mph in 4.1 seconds and 40 to 90 mph in 9.5 seconds.

With the engines running 5,600 rpm, the 32 NuEra topped out at 111.7 mph. A touch of negative tab trim kept the boat, which felt like it rode high on its keel, stable at the top-end. Without tab input at high speed, the 32-footer could get unsettled by crosswakes and wind gusts. Our test drivers didn't do any turning at those speeds, but they did plenty of turns in the low- to middle-speed ranges. And the 32 NuEra was an ace.

Chris and Jeff Camire, the brother team that owns LaveyCraft, take pride in building their boats. Nowhere was their commitment more obvious than in the boat's mold work, especially on the relatively flat deck.

"The deck of this boat is just perfect," said Bob Teague, lead test driver and workmanship inspector. "I know that's a bold statement, but that's what it is."

Colors in the gelcoat were vibrant and precise. Rigging in the engine compartment and behind the dash was immaculate. The builder even painted the gauge panels for the Livorsi Marine instruments to match the boat's color scheme.

From the twin bucket seats for the driver and observer to the triple-bucket bench for additional passengers, cockpit ergonomics were superb. Anodized grab handles were in all the right places and the cockpit felt deep and reassuring. As for the cabin, it was designed to be simple yet functional. Amenities included facing lounges, a V-berth, lighting and a cabinet.

Of course, in a boat that accelerates like the 32 NuEra, you'd have to be nuts to waste any time in the cabin. This 32-footer was meant to be driven. Just make sure you hang on tight when the throttles go forward.

Click to enlarge.