Outerlimits Powerboats is getting into the center-console market in a big way with production underway on the new luxury SX-39 Center Console.
The company had been reluctant to join other high-performance builders in offering a center-console model and instead focused on building dedicated go-fast boats, which includes a catamaran and V-bottom models from 29 to 50 feet.
“I think society is changing because people just don’t have as much time to have specific boats, so they need one boat that does it all,” said Jason Amaral, Outerlimits Powerboats’ operations manager.
Hull No. 1 for the SX-39 is in the final product stages at the Outerlimits factory in Bristol, Rhode Island. The running surface is based off the SV-43, a boat which holds the kilo record for the world’s fastest V-bottom a 180.47 mph. Mike Fiore, the late founder of Outerlimits Powerboats, designed the original bottom with a five-step FVS (Fiore Ventilated Steps) for more speed and improved fuel efficiency.
The hull for the SX-39 was built using epoxy resin-impregnated e-glass with carbon fiber reinforcements utilizing an advanced vacuum-bag construction process.
The SX-39 is available with a triple or quad outboards with a maximum of 1,800 horsepower. Mercury Racing is the preferred supplier but Outerlimits will rig competing brands too.
“Some guys want to be able to jump into the boat, the turn the keys and go 75 mph, 80 mph in an outboard-powered boat,” Amaral said. “It’s easy and there’s no stress.”
The new SX-39 comes fully equipped with standard features including a carbon-fiber T-top with full JL Audio sound system; dive door; console cabin with head, sink and V-berth; Garmin GPSMAP 1242XSV Touch multifunction unit; cockpit wet bar, and fishing features such as rod holders, two drained in-soled fish boxes and a built-in aft cooler.
“When we designed this boat, to be honest, I kind of designed the boat that I would want to walk in any manufacturer and buy one,” Amaral said.
Amaral hopes the SX-39 will be completed in June and the cockpit was being painted the week of May 11. Hull No. 2 has been sold and will start production once the inaugural boat is completed. The hope is to launch the company’s first center-console model at the Newport International Boat Show in September.
“As I said before, a lot of their needs have also changed too,” Amaral said. “(Some of our) guys were going out and buying other brands. Now that we actually offer a center console, we can help our customers out as well.”