There’s something to be said for feeling comfortable when turning a boat at 100 mph. I don’t do this often nor do I recommend it, but sometimes you need to perform this maneuver, so when I had to turn the Velocity SS 390 at speed to avoid an object in the water, the boat responded great. It let me slow down to regain my composure and then get back on the sticks to power up to a top speed of 114.3 mph.
What makes this number impressive is that the SS 390 has a non-ventilated bottom. It runs on a wide keelpad with good old-fashioned lifting strakes and a turned-down chine.
The ability to make course adjustments at high speed makes the SS 390 a strong candidate for poker runs. When I slowed down to 50, 60, and 70 mph, I could circle and make slalom turns handily.
Velocity staggers the engines in the boat with the port motor forward. Rigging looked clean, and all the trim pumps are on the firewall bulkhead, which makes topping off easy. Batteries are in custom aluminum boxes.
Velocity vacuum bags the Kevlar and carbon-fiber-reinforced laminate for improved strength and better resin distribution. Stringers and the transom are cored with ATC linear foam. The hull-to-deck joint is bonded with fiberglass around the perimeter.
In the cockpit, comfort is ensured with three individual bolsters. As with all Velocitys, the deep freeboard provides good passenger security.
At the helm, the SS 390’s dash is dominated by SmartCraft screens and a Garmin GPSmap 3210. Livorsi mechanical trim indicators are in perfect position on the starboard side of the panel.
As you go belowdecks, the boat has great headroom, probably the best in this class. Forward, the V-berth has plenty of space for a couple to…uh…sleep, and there’s excellent stowage space in the base. And you’ll sleep well, knowing you own one of the best mannered boats at 50 mph or 100 mph.
