Here’s an outboard-powered, foil-assisted catamaran of nearly 50 feet in length that can sneak into 2 feet of water or cross 40 miles of ocean, comfortably, and in about an hour or less. That it comes in your choice of several luxury layout variations constitutes icing on the cake.
Catamarans prove ideal for integration with a hydrofoil because the wing mounts between the hulls, where it adds to neither the boat's draft nor its beam. Running the Mares 47 Outboard Express, I could demonstrably feel the lift occur as the four duoprop-equipped Suzuki DF 350As powered us past 21 mph and the boat rose up, its twin hulls coursing through the chop even more easily than they had just a moment earlier. As the performance chart shows, this boat posts high efficiency at high speeds. Notably, its 15-foot beam will fit in most slips, unlike some cats that can be so beamy as to require a side-to berth. The boat confidently maneuvered into a tight slip in windy conditions.
The 47 Outboard Express is built for luxury and entertaining. Inside, there’s a spacious salon, and a huge sunroof overhead that operates at the touch of a switch. The helm is forward and to starboard, and the aft galley features a flip-open window and is located right near the broad entrance to the cockpit, with its grill and ample seating. That makes entertaining easy, compared to a galley-forward or galley-down layout. The forward master stateroom features a king-size berth and its own head with a shower. There’s also a guest stateroom and guest head.
Construction rates high, as I noted the deckhouse bolted and glued to the hull. Similarly, through-bolts fastened all the deck hardware I inspected. A large hatch in the salon allowed terrific access to seacocks, pumps and hoses, and I was pleased by many of the material choices, such as the use of Sani hose where other boats might use simple vinyl hose. Mares claims to use a solid fiberglass bottom, fiberglass stringers and resin-infused bulkheads.
The Mares 47 Outboard Express delivers a great ride and the buyer’s choice of layouts.
High Points
- Choice of office or second stateroom, plus other layout options.
- Hydrofoil-assisted catamaran delivers speed and efficiency, and minimizes slamming in choppy water.
- Outboard power delivers shallow draft, efficiency and corrosion resistance, and allows for more stowage aboard the boat.
Low Points
- Anchor windlass compartment in the bow needs better drainage.
- Galley counter would benefit from a fiddle rail.
Toughest Competitor
You won't find another foil-assisted, outboard-powered cruising catamaran with a beam under 20 feet. We suggest comparing to a boat like the Sea Ray Sundancer 460 ($1,397,300 with twin 550 hp Cummins diesel V-drive inboards).
Price: $975,000
Available Power: Outboard
How We Tested
Engines: Quad Suzuki DF 350A
Drive/Props: Outboard/221/2" pitch stainless-steel duoprop propsets
Gear Ratio: 2.29:1
Fuel Load: 350 gal.
Water on Board: 50 gal.
Crew Weight: 1,120 lb.
More Information
Mares Power Catamarans - Delray Beach, Florida; 954-523-2287; maresinternational.com
