ESCAPE
HIGH SEAS
Flying FINN
Axopar’s new 45-foot XC Cross Cabin is an SUV for the water By Howard Walker It’s rare for a boat brand to be instantly recognizable. So many fall into the floating Clorox bottle category: generic, practical, functional, yet easily forgettable. Not so for Axopar. Since 2014, the Finnish builder has been cranking out 22- to 37-foot day boats that have been setting the market on fire. So far, more than 3,500 examples have been sold around the globe. It’s easy to see why. With their razor-sharp axe bow, distinctive twin-step hull, and faintly militaristic lines, these go-fast day boats spin heads from Miami to Maine. See one screaming up behind you, piercing waves at 50 knots, and you half expect Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt to be at the helm, chasing the baddies in some new blockbuster novel. Building on the success of its 37-footer, Axopar is now dipping a toe into luxury waters with its brand-new 45 XC Cross Cabin flagship. In the process, it’s creating what just might be the perfect day cruiser for Floridian families. 38
Yes, the hull shape stays largely the same, with that impossible-tomiss bow, low freeboard, and straked hull. But what’s different—and arguably the boat’s greatest appeal—is that dramatic pilothouse. In addition to its wraparound tinted glass windows and workboat-like, angled windshield, the cabin has twin-sliding side doors that enable you to flood the helm area with that sweet ocean breeze. Want even more fresh air? Either or both of the canvas sunroofs can glide open with the touch of a button. Plus, for the ultimate in alfresco living while at anchor, simply drop the built-in balcony doors nestled within each side of the hull. The seating layout inside the pilothouse is equally versatile. At the helm station, with its 360-degree visibility, there are three seats in a row. Behind them is a well-equipped galley station (with a grill, sink, and fridge) that can move backwards and forwards on sliders. At the back is a U-shaped sofa, complete with a fold-out, swiveling table that can easily accommodate up to 10 diners. While the 45 XC Cross Cabin is a terrific day boat, there’s a cabin up front with a double berth, a separate toilet, a shower, and lots of storage. It’s here that you’ll find one more Axopar party trick: electronic gullwing hatches that rise, like the wings of a cormorant, to fill the cabin with air and light.
FORT LAUDERDALE ILLUSTRATED
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5/27/22 10:10 AM
