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The innovation and imagination of yacht designers and boat builders constantly surprises us, and there have been some truly astounding motorboats built over the years. Whether it’s the Spirit of Australia, famed as holding the Guinness World Record for the fastest speed—an eye-watering 317.59 mph which it reached back in 1978—or some of the quirky, jaw-dropping, and utterly beautiful boats we’ve put on this list, it’s hard to pick just a few.
1. Seabreacher
To call the Seabreacher a boat somehow seems to minimize what it can actually do. This one-of-a-kind seagoing machine can dive, jump, spin, and cruise at speeds up to 50 mph. And with custom hand-painted designs, they are certainly among the most head-turning boats out there. We’re talking sharks, orcas and dolphins—pretty much anything your imagination can conjure.
The manufacturer Innespace describes the Seabreacher as ‘the twisted union of a marine mammal and a high-performance fighter jet.’ Yet it’s also partly a submersible too, able to dive five feet below the water and then soar 16 feet into the air. All while twisting and turning, spinning and rolling—it’s even capable of a 360-degree barrel roll—much like a fighter plane can.
In the US, prices start at $93,000, allowing you to own one of the most technologically daring watercraft for under $100,000. The Seabreacher seats two passengers, offers 360-degree views, has customized sound systems, and offers intuitive, highly responsive joystick control.
If you’re considering buying a Seabreacher, it’s helpful to know that it’s registered as a conventional inboard powerboat in most countries and not as a submersible or Jetski. When diving underwater, the Seabreacher does so for no more than 5 to 10 seconds and to no more than 5 feet. A Seabreacher can operate in salt water as well as fresh water, are 100% watertight, and have a self-righting system, which means the boat always turns the right way up no matter what you throw at it. So when it comes to a safe, exhilarating, and unique experience, the Seabreacher is carving itself a whole new niche.
Photo credit: Seabreacher
Photo credit: Seabreacher
2. Gibbs Aquada
Another hybrid machine on our list is the Gibbs Aquada amphibious car/boat, which is guaranteed to make jaws drop as you smoothly glide from road to lake with the press of a button. In fact, the entire process takes just 12 seconds, so there’s no need to stop and make major adjustments before you’re water ready.
The Gibbs Aquada is the ultimate James Bond machine, with a 175-hp 24-valve V-8 engine that allows it to reach speeds of up to 100 mph on land and 30 mph on water—fast enough to tow a waterskier. The Aquada has excellent handling on road and water, with the driver’s seat in a uniquely central position. While there were a few of these made as a concept style boat/car, they are no longer in production meaning the lucky few to own one will most certainly turn heads as they cruise by.
Photo credit: Gibbs High Speed Amphibians
3. Bennington 25 QX Sport
A few years ago the idea of a head-turning pontoon boat might have made you laugh out loud. But the pontoon industry is a very different place these days and it’s thanks to models like the Bennington 25 QX Sport. This cutting-edge “tri-toon” (three hulls) oozes a racy sleekness with its speedboat style design, stylish colors, and high-end interior.
Where do we start when it comes to the sophisticated features of this mean machine? There are the bold colors and rich, luxurious finishes of the beautiful interior, which rivals any high-end car. There’s the integrated custom Roswell wake tower, a built-in commercial-grade refrigerator and sink, spacious front deck and bow gate for easy access to the water, and a powerful audio system. And what about speed? With 425 hp Yamaha outboards you’ll simply be flying. Prices for the Bennington 25 QX Sport come in around the $400,000 mark.
Photo credit: Bennington
4. Wally 58X
Wally Yachts is world renowned for high-end motor boats, but they’ve taken it to the next level with the 58X. This model is jaw-droppingly beautiful, with its futuristic lines and innovative design, and is certain to gather a crowd wherever it goes thanks to its striking angular glass and carbon dome.
The 58X is the first in the manufacturer’s line up to be fitted with four of the state-of-the-art 600hp Mercury V12 Verado engines, producing a whopping 2,400 hp and able to reach speeds of 60 knots. The deep V hull offers a comfortable ride even at high speeds, while the fuel consumption is relatively modest and offers a range of 300 nautical miles.
With an edgy, angular, and bold silhouette the 58X does not blend in with the crowd. And that’s exactly the point. However, it also avoids being ostentatious, with spacious, unfussy decks that create plenty of lounging space, and an uncluttered and technologically advanced cockpit. For those lucky enough to drive a Wally 58X, it’s all about pitch-perfect handling, exhilarating performance, and the sheer joy of motor boating.
Photo credit: Wally
5. 2017 Marine Technologies “MTI” 52′ G6 Super Veloce
The next entry on our list earns a spot simply for its eye-popping intensity and its incredible speed. It’s a custom, one-of-a-kind performance catamaran design, and while you won’t be able to buy one exactly like it, you could buy and customize your own for a couple million dollars plus and go pretty darn fast. We're talking straight line speeds in excess of 180 mph.
The G6 Super Veloce was built for a single owner as part of a package with the Lamborghini SV Roadster, ensuring the speed, vibrant colors, and inimitable design was available both on water and on land. It has a 100 percent carbon-fiber hull and deck, a stereo system that cost in excess of $25,000, and LED underwater color-changing lighting. And that’s just the beginning. The seats are full-power adjustable allowing for the utmost of comfort when the Mercury Racing engines are pumping out 1550 hp in race mode.
Photo credit: Entropia
6. Cigarette 42 Auroris
Cigarette Racing is renowned for high-performance racing boats, reaching some of the fastest speeds on the water. For decades they’ve straddled the line between their racing power boats and their luxury—yet just as fast—recreational models, achieving both with equal success. The 42 Auroris is one of their most eye-catching current models, the exterior paint finish available in not-so-subtle black and gold, or canary yellow adorned with multi-colored swirls. (It can be fully customized, of course).
The 42 Auroris is where sport meets luxury, an unusual mix in the racing boat world, and the manufacturer describes it as “athletic, comfortable, streamlined, feature-rich, beautiful, and powerful.” There’s a state-of-the-art dash featuring flush-mounted electronics, which are accessible from the plush, fully-adjustable center console driver’s seat—an unusual position for a sports boat. The dash controls every aspect of the boat at the press of a digital button, from the audio system and LED lighting to the gyrostabilizer, bow thrusters, and even the sunshade.
There’s a spacious cabin that comes in handy for a nap after the exhilaration of soaring at speeds of 70 to 80-plus mph equipped with four Mercury 450hp outboard engines. At the end of the day, the 42 Auroris is one of the meanest machines out there, a perfect blend of high-speed racing performer and luxury yacht with attitude.
Photo credit: Cigarette
7. Boesch 860 Monaco Deluxe
We’ve seen some weird and wonderful boats here, but no list would be complete without a sublimely beautiful wooden motor boat. There are many to choose from but we’ve picked the Boesch 860 Monaco Deluxe as our favorite because this builder puts more than a century of craftsmanship into its work.
What can be more head-turning than a gleaming mahogany-colored, vintage-style motorboat gliding elegantly across the lakes or coasts? It oozes those Monaco and Cote D’Azur vibes with its luxurious interior finish and classic-car styling. Yet it’s modern too, with all the technology and features you’d expect on a fiberglass model of the same length.
It’s not about speed with the 860 Monaco Deluxe, although you may achieve speeds of 40 mph or more, it’s about sophistication and the joy of motor cruising in the best-looking boat on the bay. Enjoy the silky smooth ride with the breeze in your hair as you sink into the plush seat cushions and all the while, people stare, utterly jealous as you cruise by.
Photo credit: Boesch
