NOR-TECH 500 SPORT

This Nor-Tech combines high speed, high style and high comfort.

The Nor-Tech 500 Sport is a center-console that is also a yacht. It has the sharp lines of a multifaceted gem, and for a boater in the market for something in this class, our tests revealed nothing that would take away from its feature-benefit value proposition. In other words, put it on your boat-show must-see list.

Its carbon-fiber and Kevlar-reinforced triple-stepped hull proves solid and takes full advantage of five Mercury 450R outboards, achieving top speeds in the high 80s. That's thanks to the partnership between Mercury Racing's commitment to high-performance outboards and Nor-Tech's decadeslong track record producing light, sturdy, high-performance hulls.

The Mercs are V-8s-supercharged to boost the massive output of the V-8 powerheads-and integrated digital throttle, shift and power steering reduces the work of managing them to pure fingertip pleasure. You could argue the vessel is not fuel-friendly, but considering the hull size, amenities, sleeping accommodations and sheer stadium seating, the economy is better than average. What's more, Mercury's cowling style is designed to easily color-match to the hull design thanks to color panels that can be customized for any of the color schemes available from Nor-Tech's designers and paint shop.