When Morgan Huntley approached designer Doug Zurn with plans for the next model in the Vanquish fleet, his brief was simple: “Take a bowrider and make it classy.” The collaboration produced the Vanquish 26, a 26-foot outboard-powered dual-console that blends refined styling with practical dayboat functionality. The Vanquish 26 aims to deliver a sophisticated appearance without sacrificing the versatility and deck space that buyers expect from a modern dual-console boat.
With a deep, dark-blue hull, a subtle tumblehome aft and elegant lines, the Vanquish 26 stands apart from mass-produced runabouts. The clean, upscale styling is more than cosmetic: the layout takes full advantage of the dual-console arrangement to offer generous seating, substantial storage and a flexible deck plan suitable for cruising, watersports and day trips with family and friends.
This model is the first outboard-powered boat in the Vanquish lineup, which previously included a 24-foot center console and runabout plus a 26-foot center console. Huntley chose an outboard configuration to preserve usable deck area: an inboard engine and its required engine box would intrude into the cockpit and limit the boat’s interior layout.
Huntley and Zurn retained the narrow-hull philosophy that defines other Vanquish models. The hull maintains a roughly 3-to-1 length-to-beam ratio, a design choice Huntley says is critical for a smooth, comfortable ride. That narrower beam not only contributes to handling and ride quality but also improves fuel efficiency by reducing the hull’s resistance through the water.
Lightweight construction plays an important role in the Vanquish 26’s performance and economy. The boat features a carbon-fiber stringer grid and a cored bottom, laid up and vacuum-bagged with vinylester resin. These advanced materials and methods reduce weight while preserving strength and structural integrity, helping the boat make the most of its outboard power.
With a 250-hp Yamaha installed, the Vanquish 26 reaches a top speed of 51 mph and cruises comfortably at 35 mph. At that cruising speed, the engine uses roughly 9 gallons per hour, yielding nearly 4 miles per gallon. At wide-open throttle the mileage drops to about 2 mpg, giving owners the option to enjoy spirited performance when desired.
The standard layout offers practical amenities and well-thought-out ergonomics. On the port side an L-shaped settee provides comfortable social seating; to starboard an integrated wet bar supports convenience and entertaining. A walkthrough windshield opens to bow seating, while the port console encloses a compact head for comfort and privacy. Vanquish’s standard equipment is robust, including isolated starting and house batteries, an Edson steering wheel, aluminum fuel tanks and silicon-bronze through-hulls below the waterline with stainless steel fittings above.
Pricing for the Vanquish 26 starts at $112,000 with the standard 225-hp Yamaha four-stroke. For buyers seeking stronger performance the 250-hp Yamaha option is available. The boat is built in Newport, Rhode Island, where Huntley founded Vanquish Boats in 2009 after acquiring tooling from the former Vanguard Powerboats. The builder operates a small, focused shop and currently employs a compact team dedicated to handcrafting each boat.
Specifications
LOA: 26 feet, 8 inches
BEAM: 8 feet
DRAFT: 3 feet (engine down)
DISPLACEMENT: 4,200 pounds
HULL TYPE: Modified-Vee
TRANSOM DEADRISE: 16 degrees
SPEED: 51 mph top, 35 mph cruise
FUEL SUPPLY: 89 gallons
POWER: Single Yamaha F225 standard (250-hp optional)
PRICE: $112,000 (with standard power)
CONTACT: Vanquish Boats, Newport, R.I.
PHONE: (401) 396-5173
WEBSITE: www.vanquishboats.com
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July 2013 issue