Third Performance Powerboats P280 Is First With 500-HP Outboard

Forget the latest P280 catamaran’s baby-blue hue and sexy, low-profile lines. The first thing you notice—as in immediately—when you spy the 28-footer is its single Mercury Racing 500R outboard engine. At least for the moment, that’s the most powerful outboard offered by the Fond du Lac, Wis., high-performance marine engine and accessories company.

The V-8 outboard-powered hot rod is the third P280 model to be produced by Performance Powerboats under the Performance Boat Center umbrella, but the first powered by a 500-hp outboard. The first P280 cat was set up with a Mercury Racing 450R outboard. Hull No. 2 sported twin 300Rs outboards.

The hulls are built in Texas then shipped to the Osage Beach, Mo.-headquartered dealership in Osage Beach, Mo. The P280 is the smallest of three models in the line, which includes 36- and 42-foot catamarans.

“We have customer orders for all three models going to a wide variety of boaters and boating locations,” he said. “We’re still chasing Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and Key West Poker Run deals, but the brand is strong and keeps the team busy.”