There aren't many "yachts" that surprise me when I advance the
throttles. After all, performance is not what 50'-plus boats are about.
They're about pampering and living space and luxurious
appointments, about being your waterfront condo. Marquis Yachts' new 50
Sport Coupe delivers all those comforts in a styled package, but
it also has triple Volvo Penta IPS 600s that push it to a speed of 42.8
mph, which made me sit up and smile when I pushed the levers forward.

Although most boats this size come only with twin IPS packages
 Marquis went with triples.The 50 Sport Coupe hit only 6 and 5 degrees at
2100 and 2300 rpm, respectively. For the balance of the on-plane rpm
range, the boat was comfortable at 4 degrees of inclination.
The 50 Sport Coupe comes withprogrammable trimsystem.
When I put the 50 Sport Coupe through turns, the extra /oomph/ of the
third engine pushed the boat through the move quickly and cleanly and
helped hold up the bow. And when you slow down and engage the IPS
joystick, you can make this boat dance.

Competitors? The list is slim. Well, actually, it's closer to none. If
your heart is set on triples, Tiara's 38.6-mph 5800 Sovran has three IPS
600s and a similar layout, but it's 8' longer and a lot more expensive
at $1,715,000. Closer to the 50 Sport Coupe in size, specs, and
amenities is Formula's 45 Yacht, which retails for $949,830 with twin
IPS 600s. It hits 38 mph. (There's talk of a boat with triple MerCruiser
Zeus packages on the horizon.) If you put a premium on performance,
Pershing's 50 has a top speed of 51 mph with its twin 900-hp MANs and
Arneson surface drives ($1.9 million).

For more information on this and other Marquis Yachts call Merv Monger # 954 701 4073