Quick Take—On Board The First Outboard-Powered Nor-Tech 420 Monte Carlo
A media shy guy who prefers his name not appear in public, the owner of the first outboard engine-powered Nor-Tech 420 Monte Carlo closed-deck V-bottom told a story yesterday that defines his 42-foot prize. We were standing at the dock behind the Westin Cape Coral Resort in Southwest Florida, the host venue for the annual Nor-Tech dealer meeting, and getting ready to depart for a lunch to Cabbage Key.
Powered by triple Mercury Racing 500R outboard engines, the 420 Monte Carlo is a breathtaking boat. Photos courtesy/copyright Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats.
“When I was bringing the 420 over here the other day, I passed under a bridge,” he said. “Some lady on the bridge yelled down to me, “Hey, your boat is freaking beautiful.”
Except the lady on the bridge didn’t say “freaking.”
As I learned firsthand, such reactions to the Euro-style sportboat, which was introduced in February at the Miami International Boat Show, are not uncommon. Whenever we dropped to idle speed in no-wake areas on our way to Cabbage Key, we heard similar responses from their passengers aboard oncoming vessels.
And it made perfect sense. The 42-footer, which rides on a hull based off that of the Nor-Tech 400 Super Sport center console, is a striking blend of ultra-modern and retro. It is a magnet for attention.
It also isn’t what the Cape Coral, Fla., company plans to build every day—far from it. Nor-Tech’s bread-and-butter models are center-soles. The 420 Monte Carlo is not for everybody. It’s for buyers who want something outside the norm.
“You’re not going to see it everywhere,” said the owner, a diehard Nor-Tech fan who has owned V-bottoms, catamarans and center consoles from the company.
Even with its Bimini top raised for provide cockpit shade, the 420 Monte Carlo is a looker at the Westin Cape Coral docks.
What I noticed immediately as we made our way to lunch was how flat the boat turned thanks in large measure its low center of gravity. That isn’t to say Nor-Tech center consoles such at the 400 SS have less-than-polished handling manners. On the contrary, their manners are quite refined. But center-console tops add heft and height, and the result is that in turns they can feel more “swoopy” than V-bottom sportboats.
“It runs really well,” said the owner. “I haven’t had it in rough water yet, but so far I’ve been very pleased with thing about its performance.”
With 1,500-hp worth of outboards on its transom, the 420 Monte Carlo—loaded with 375 gallons worth of fuel and six passengers—had no trouble reaching 80 mph. Mid-range acceleration was snappy and. Time to plane, especially with the trim tabs down, was minimal and the boat stayed flat throughout the process.
All custom performance boats need at least one bright shiny object, the kind that elicit oohs and ahhs at the docks. For the Monte Carlo 420, it is the power windshield at the helm station ahead of the plush three-person bolster seat.
Also worth noting? The sole in the helm station area is cushioned, which means it’s easy on the tootsies. Molded steps with soft simulated wood-grain surfacing make for decent deck access—the fixed windscreen isn’t particularly tall or difficult to step over—and the center section and mid-ship deck sides are covered with transparent nonskid.
But the functional appeal of the boat is its seating, which includes rear-lounges on each side of cabin console, the aforementioned helm bolster, a three-person rear-facing sunpad and forward-facing wraparound bench in the rear of the cockpit.
As the owner said more than once during our time on the water, the outboard-powered 420 Monte Carlo is not for everyone. But the lady on the bridge had it right.
It is one freaking beautiful boat.
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