Thanks to the late-October Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and Florida Powerboat Club’s Key West event that kicks off less than two weeks later, the go-fast boating year always ends in a blur. New models that debut during that action-packed period, such as the first Deep Impact 449 center console powered by five Mercury Racing 500R outboard, can get missed in the fray, though to their credit company owner Mark Fischer and the entire Deep Impact team put the beefy 45-footer front and center at both events.
But they weren’t finished. Earlier this month, Deep Impact concierge and transportation man John Wittenberger hauled the 449 to Lake X, Mercury Racing’s storied testing and dial-in facility in St. Cloud, Fla. The boat was there for three days. It was the first time any Deep Impact model has been fine-tuned at the hallowed freshwater proving ground.
It’s safe to say that Fischer and company are delighted with the results.
“The boat now goes 86 mph, which is a few miles per hour faster than we ever had it running,” Fischer explained. “It might even go a little faster in saltwater. They also went from four-blade propellers to five-blade propellers, and John said the mid-range acceleration from 50 mph to 75 mph is incredible. It will push you back in your seat.
“We’re very happy,” he added. “We got what we wanted.”
For everyone at Deep Impact, the timing couldn’t have been better. The 449 will be part of the Mercury Racing Grove Harbour demo fleet from Wednesday, February 11, through Friday, February 13 during the Miami International Boat Show.
Worth noting, all demos are by appointment and must be made through the manufacturers invited to participate. Walk-ins are not allowed.
During the Miami event, which runs through February 16, Deep Impact also will have 499 and 399 center consoles on display at Miami Beach Marina. Those models also available by appointment for demo rides.
Appointments can be made through Deep Impact marketing representative Valentina Botero, who can be reached via email at val@deepimpacts.com.
“Those boats will at the docks right across from Monty’s seafood restaurant,” Fischer noted. “We are looking forward to showing them off.”