TWIN 400s With twin 400-hp Mercury V10s, our test boat reached 52.4 mph and cruised best at 37.7 mph, returning a calculated 258-mile range with reserve. Her dual-console layout still provides an enclosed cabin, a separate head and fishing equipment for longer days aboard.

62 MPH Built on Axopar's stepped hull, the Shadow 500 Cabin combines quick acceleration with an enclosed cabin, inverter-powered air conditioning and a practical commuter layout. During testing she handled hard turns cleanly, stayed dry through wakes and reached 62.1 mph.

40 HOURS Located in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, this 2025 Freeman 43 has just 40 hours on quad Mercury 400 V10s. Her equipment includes dual 24-inch Simrad displays, FLIR night vision, Starlink, a folding tower and two 45-gallon livewells.

READY TO RUN Every Sovereign Boat Fleet rental comes with twin engines, joystick docking, an electric head, and an onboard shower, cleared to run offshore up to 25 miles. New boaters complete a hands-on evaluation with the fleet's captain before their first reservation.

SHOW NOTES Custom hull colors are becoming the norm, seafoam green is fading, and color-matched outboards are spreading well beyond high-performance boats. This boat show walkthrough also looks at Boston Whaler's first stepped hulls and a growing emphasis on bay boats that cross into offshore use.

PROP SWAP A Leopard 46 owner swapped conventional propellers for Sharrow Props by VEEM, then spent a year comparing the results. He reports lower fuel burn at 18 to 20 knots, noticeably less noise and vibration, and improved control around the dock.

UNDER PRESSURE Missile attacks, disrupted airspace, and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz have put Gulf businesses under pressure. This report from the UAE looks at how boatbuilders have rerouted shipments, kept production moving, and adapted during an ongoing conflict.