Phenom 43 Maiden Voyage | Phenom's "The Build" Ep. 9

In an exciting milestone, the Phenom 43 took its first dip, giving the Phenom Yachts team and boating enthusiasts a glimpse into the sleek craftsmanship and innovative features of this impressive build. With the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) just around the corner, the timing couldn’t be better to showcase this standout center console to the world.

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The Journey to the Water

The day kicked off with some heavy lifting—literally. Using two massive cranes, the crew lifted the Phenom 43 off its cradle with precision, ensuring it stayed secure and protected. Each crane was equipped with a specialized spreader bar rated for 10 tons, allowing the weight to distribute evenly and avoid any strain on the hull. For an extra touch of precision, digital scales built into the crane’s D-rings provided real-time weight measurements, ultimately confirming the Phenom 43 weighed in right at the expected 22,000 pounds.

Once safely on the trailer, the Phenom 43 was ready to roll out to the fuel station. After topping off fuel and water, the team was set to hit the water and conduct the all-important initial system checks.

Precision and Power at Safe Harbor Charleston

After reaching Safe Harbor Charleston, the team explored two options for the boat launch. A quick test with a forklift showed it wouldn’t quite work, so they turned to the trusty travel lift. Once the straps were secure, the Phenom 43 was hoisted and carefully transported about 200 yards to the launch ramp. This moment marked a huge step for the team and a high-value asset—about $1.5 million suspended in the air!

With a splash, the Phenom 43 finally met the water. The team got right to work, verifying all the onboard systems, from engine functions to the cutting-edge Fathom e-Power system from Mercury. The e-Power system is a groundbreaking addition, designed to replace traditional generators by transforming the boat’s engines into dual 5 kW power sources, capable of charging all the boat’s batteries. This setup powers everything from the air conditioning and water heater to the Seakeeper, adding versatility and efficiency to the experience.

Performance Insights from the First Sea Trial

Once everything checked out, it was time to put the Phenom 43 through her paces. In the sea trial, the boat reached an impressive 66 mph top speed. The efficiency metrics were equally promising, with nearly 1 mile per gallon achieved at 40 mph. The team noted that with some final prop tweaks, these numbers could get even better, demonstrating the high-performance potential Phenom Yachts has engineered into the 43.

Catch the Phenom 43 at FLIBS

If you're as excited as we are about the Phenom 43, be sure to check it out at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS). From October 30th to November 3rd, you’ll find the Phenom team at Booth 2084, ready to showcase this remarkable boat and answer any questions you might have.

For those following The Build series, this episode was just a taste of what’s to come. Join us as we continue fine-tuning the Phenom 43, gathering real-world performance data, and bringing the next level of center console innovation to the water.