With its stunning Sunrise Candy paint job, Nor-Tech’s latest 420 Monte Carlo is powered by twin Mercury Racing HP700SCi engines. Photos by Mario Vazquez
Not every customer eyeing the stylish 420 Monte Carlo from Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats is going to consider building the European-inspired V-bottom to go fast. But that’s exactly what Cody and Veronica Lovins wanted when they ordered the 42-foot model with a pair of Mercury Racing HP700SCi engines with No. 6 drives.
The couple from Houston, Texas, will soon be taking delivery of the boat, which is the most powerful of the seven 420 models to come out of the Nor-Tech factory in Fort Myers, Fla., to date. The Lovins’ 420 Monte Carlo features a striking “Sunrise Candy” paint job, boasts a large luxurious cabin and looks more like a classic runabout than an offshore go-fast boat. In fact, you may be surprised to find out it is a 100-mph boat.
During a recent test run, the crew from Nor-Tech reached an impressive 100 mph in the 42-footer, which has a 10-foot beam. Not a lot faster out of the hole than the same boat with twin Mercury Racing 565 engines—a more popular engine package along with Yanmar 370 diesels—the 700-hp powered model gained an additional 20 mph on the top end and felt like a true offshore boat thanks to the beefier drives and larger props.
According to Terry Sobo, Nor-Tech’s director of sales and marketing, the boat ran well in big water and proved it could handle some nasty conditions as the crew got caught in a storm coming back in from testing. In addition, the efficient hull delivers 1.3 mpg while running 60 mph with a full load of fuel, six passengers and enough luggage for a weekend getaway.
Sobo also said that the boat was so stable at 100 mph that the new owner is considering building another with twin Mercury Racing 1100s.
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