With their futuristic new hardtop design, Deep Impact Custom Boats’ 399 Sport and Cabin models are leading the way for innovation in performance center consoles.
By Eric Colby. Images courtesy of Deep Impact Custom Boats.
There’s no way to look at the renderings of the new Deep Impact Custom Boats 399 Sport and 399 Cabin and not be immediately drawn to the boat’s hardtop. It sweeps aft off the front of the helm console to the aft gunwales in a continuous arch-like affect that gives the boat a signature, modern look.
The boat’s windshield is integrated into the hardtop, and it can be equipped and other accessories.
Deep Impact Custom Boats General Manager David Pease wouldn’t reveal details of the hardtop’s construction, but he was open to discussing the reasons why company owner Mark Fischer decided to invest the money in new tooling to update the already popular model.
“DEEP IMPACT CUSTOM BOATS IS A CUSTOM MANUFACTURER SO ALL OF THE COMPANY’S BOATS CAN BE BUILT TO A CUSTOMER’S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.”
“Deep Impacts were difficult boats to build,” said Pease. “We decided to invest in all new molds to make the boat better aesthetically and structurally and to streamline the build process.”
First the boat’s stringers were re-designed to accommodate the one-piece molded pan that forms the cabin. It’s a fiberglass liner that drops down into the stringers and becomes an integral part of the boat’s overall structure. It also creates a cleaner seamless look in the cabin. Pease said that in the older version of the 399, the cabin was built with multiple molded pieces and was much more difficult to achieve the level of fit and finish that Deep Impact customers demand.
The helm console is also a new design. It’s a molded piece that forms the top of the cabin and the underside of the forward sunlounge. The final piece of the sunlounge goes on after the boat’s deck. Pease said that to keep weight down, the stringers, cabin liner and helm are built with proprietary composite coring.
In the bow, the 399 Open has doublewide chaise-lounge style seating on the front of the console. Forward are two more lounges that sun worshippers can stretch out on. Coaming pads run the length of the cockpit and there’s storage in the base of the lounge seats plus an anchor locker in the foredeck.
Deep Impact Custom Boats is a custom manufacturer so all of the company’s boats can be built to a customer’s individual needs. Pease said that a typical 399 will come with two Garmin 8617 charplotters at the helm, one 7” display, one 4” screen and Livorsi controls at the helm.
On the new versions of the 399, owners can choose among three different leaning post options. The first features a single bolster with three seats at the helm and a summer kitchen wetbar on the aft side and a Yeti cooler. If more seating is desired, a second set of standup bolsters is available with a smaller wetbar. Finally, if there’s no interest in a wetbar, a third option has a single bolster on the forward side with an aft-facing seat on the backside.
The transom has a livewell and rod holders on each side. One new 399 Sport that has been ordered for use as a yacht tender.
On the 399 Sport, the cabin is entered from the starboard side of the console.
When you first enter, there’s a large compartment that contains the batteries and rigging to port. A small aft galley has a sink and microwave oven aft. Move for-ward and there’s a dinette with a two-level table that drops down to create a berth. Up top, twin windows in the console let in plenty of natural light.
On the 399 Cabin, the private head compartment is in the console while the bow has a small galley to starboard with a large V-shaped seating area that converts into a berth in the bow.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the boat’s twin-stepped bottom design—and for good reason. “It’s a legendary running surface,” said Pease. “Nothing rides like a Deep Impact.”
He said that the first four new 399s will come equipped with four Mercury Racing Verado 400R outboards and the estimated top speed should exceed 85 mph. For pricing contact Pease at www. deepimpactboats.com.
