Of the three young high-performance marine industry gentlemen who logged a good bit of time on the new Deep Impact 449 Poker Run Edition center console at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in Central Missouri last week, only one was old enough to fall into the Millennial category. That was 41-year-old John Wittenberger, the South Florida company’s concierge and transportation service manager, who ran the triple-bolster, six-outboard-engine-equipped 45-footer to 84 mph on the three-quarter-mile course.
The 449, which will be displayed at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October, was the first six-outboard-powered boat to compete in the Central Missouri event’s 38-year history.
The Deep Impact 449 was a hit with the young trio. Photo by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
“I really enjoyed it, but it went by a little more slowly than I expected,” Wittenberger said, then laughed. “The last time I did it was four or five years ago in a Skater 410 catamaran with Mercury Racing 1100s and it went by a lot faster.
“Of course, we ran more than 140 mph,” he added, then laughed again.
Florida Powerboat Club videographer Tyler Jones and speedonthewater.com reporter J.R Bellis didn’t join Wittenberger for the competition. But the 22-year-old Gen-Z lads did get to experience the 449 during Friday’s Poly-Lift Boat Lifts Poker Run the day before the top-speed contest.
Neither, of course, is a professional test-driver. But both have spent much of their young lives on boats with their parents.
And both loved the experience.
“For the most part, I’d say it’s the perfect ‘mid-size’ boat because 40 feet can be a little too small for some people and 50 feet can be a little too big for others,” Jones explained. “So 45 feet was a ‘perfect hybrid’ for going fast and staying connected to the water.
“And the torque from the six 500R is unreal, and they sound amazing while powering you and 12 of your closest friends on the Lake of the Ozarks,” he added. “It’s a beautiful boat and it deserves a great owner.”
On assignment last week for the daily powerboating news site, Bellis also dug the ride during the poker run. He was particularly impressed with his bolster seat—one of nine available and 12 seats total behind the console of the 449 Poker Run Edition.
“I felt like I was locked into the seat—I wasn’t thrown around at all,” he said. “It was very stable and secure.”
Proof positive that younger folks with experience in the go-fast boating world appreciate a good thing when they experience it.