We’ve been toying with the idea of a high-speed weekend boat to more easily take advantage of the water-based attractions in the area, so made that our focus at this year’s Seattle Boat Show. Brands that we toured include Arksen, Axopar, Coastal Craft, and Saxdor. Wellcraft also is of interest, but they weren’t represented at the show and we haven’t yet had a chance to board one yet. The Arksen 30 layout, simplicity and relatively modest price tag is appealing, but the higher-end Coastal Craft really caught our attention with its beautiful interior and extensive equipment options.
Below are highlights from Feb 9, 2024. Click any image for a larger view, or click the position to view the location on a map. And a map with our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.
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Arksen A30
Position: 47°36.60’N, -122°20.88’W
An Arksen A30 at the Seattle Boat Show Bell Harbor Marine location. The Axopar is an appealing package, with a 45-knot top speed, light-filled cabin, pocket galley, V-berth forward and spacious cockpit.
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Axopar
Position: 47°36.62’N, -122°20.91’W
We also checked out several Axopar models at the Seattle Boat Show, but didn’t find their layout as appealing as the Arksen 30, particularly the exterior head forward of the helm.
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Galeon 470 Sky
Position: 47°36.59’N, -122°20.85’W
We’re definitely not in the market for a Galen 470 Sky, but were impressed with the fold-out bar area.
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Coastal Craft
Position: 47°36.57’N, -122°20.82’W
We hadn’t been on a Coastal Craft for many years and were surprised to see they had evolved from a work boat feel to high-end, with a price tag to match. This 42-ft (12.8 m) Expressfish model has a beautiful interior and can do 55 knots. It’s way more boat than we want, but the smaller 33-ft (10 m) Expressfish can do 45 knots and might fit the bill.
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Lumen Field
Position: 47°35.62’N, -122°19.92’W
Looking across the hundreds of boats on display for the Seattle Boat Show at the Lumen Field Event Center.
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Saxdor
Position: 47°35.57’N, -122°19.93’W
The Saxdor 320 is another entrant in the weekend boat contenders. But we liked the interior layout of the Arksen a little better, and it also had a shower and a glass roof instead of fabric.
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Life Proof Boats 45 FC
Position: 47°35.59’N, -122°19.97’W
Life Proof Boats 45 FC was nicely finished, but felt like more boat than we needed. They also have a 33 FC, but it doesn’t have sleeping accommodations.
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Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map. And a map of our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps. |
I’ve driven an Axopar and found the hull to sound a bit hollow. Been on a Life Proof too, quick, smooth and well equipped. My favorite is the Hinckley Sport 40 which will do 50kts but the price is in the stratosphere and the fuel burn exceeds 100gph at WOT.
With Hinkley, it’s easy to like pretty much everything but the price. Thanks for the Axopar data point.
I hope you will look carefully at the tough European brands, mostly from Finland that are now being sold in the USA: Targa, Sargo and Nordstar. They are perfect for rainy, cool Northwest boating.
Don’t overlook classic USA brands either. Boston Whaler and Pursuit make excellent semi-pilothouse boats that offer fine performance.
If you like the Axopar look, see if there is a Nimbus dealer near you. The Nimbus T11 and C11 are cool , well-designed weekenders.
Coastal Craft make great boats and the best part is that they are semi-custom so you can add all sorts of solar panels and lithium-battery Victron electrical systems to avoid installing a generator.
Good set of suggestions. We’ve seen and like Targa. We know Whalers and Pursuit. Really like Coastal craft and have been on board a Nimbus. Thanks John.
Any suggestions on travel off coast of SoCal, LA to San Diego? Most of trip from SF south is off-shore, yes?