When Turkish shipyard Vicem Yachts opened its doors in 1991, it quickly earned a reputation for crafting exquisite cold-molded wooden yachts. Over the years, many of Vicem’s cruising yachts and sportfishing convertibles have impressed visitors with interiors and hull joinery that look as refined as fine furniture. So it was notable when the company introduced a fiberglass center console this year. Initially shown as the 37 CC, the model has since been named the Vicem 37 Tuna Master Center Console.
Launching a modern center console is a strategic move for Vicem as large center consoles with multiple outboards dominate today’s market. The 37 Tuna Master is intended to serve as the entry point for a new series of sportfishing and cruising boats from the yard, bringing Vicem’s high-end build quality to a fast, versatile offshore platform.
The 37 Tuna Master is the product of a collaboration between Vicem Yachts, European offshore tournament angler Murat Iyriboz, and DLBA Naval Architects of Chesapeake, Virginia. The 37-foot hull is a blue-water design that can be configured with twin or triple outboard engines. The standard package pairs twin 350-hp engines, which deliver cruising and high-speed performance in the mid-40-mph range, while maximum power reaches as much as 1,350 hp — enough for triple 450s. To support that power, Vicem engineered a heavy-duty stainless-steel transom bracket.
The hull displayed at the launch was equipped with triple 350-hp Mercury Verados, which Vicem cites as producing a top speed of about 48 knots. With that power arrangement the builder estimates a cruising range in excess of 350 nautical miles, a capability that opens up serious offshore and long-range fishing opportunities.
Comfort and stability for anglers are central to the Tuna Master’s design. The boat is laid out to accept an optional Seakeeper 3 gyro stabilizer, mounted in a dedicated transom sole hatch. Vicem also fit the boat with 50-amp shore power service, which is notable for a boat of this type since most center consoles offer only 30-amp systems. That higher-capacity service allows the Seakeeper and other heavy-draw systems to operate without compromise. Owners can also choose an optional generator or a lithium-ion battery pack to power air conditioning and additional onboard systems.
The helm is the emotional and functional core of the 37 Tuna Master. Three ergonomic helm chairs with flip-up bolsters face a streamlined carbon-fiber dash populated with large multifunction displays — the show boat featured two 17-inch screens flanking a 19-inch center screen. Mercury’s electronic package includes joystick control for precise maneuvering. Overhead, a sleek carbon-fiber hardtop provides shade while keeping weight low and structural rigidity high.
True to its name, the Tuna Master is equipped with a range of dedicated fishing features. A port-side tuna (and dive) door aids sportfishing operations, while 360 degrees of padded coaming delivers secure footing and comfort under way and when hauling fish to the transom. The transom houses a 50-gallon livewell with a viewing window, and the cockpit incorporates Gemlux rod holders and two in-sole fish boxes for storage and bait management. The aft cockpit is fully drained and deliberately free of a fixed rear-facing bench seat — instead the boat offers a built-in aft-facing settee along the transom’s edge, leaving a wide, open fighting area for anglers. Generous walkaround pathways are facilitated by the boat’s substantial 12-foot, 3-inch beam.
Beyond fishing, the Vicem 37 Tuna Master is a multi-use center console suitable for cruising, entertaining, and relaxing. The bow features a large double sunpad and a forward dining nook with a flip-out wooden table that includes a compass inlay, an aesthetic nod to Vicem’s woodwork heritage. Inside the console, the cabin provides more than six feet of headroom. The V-berth is actually configured more like a U-berth and converts to a king-sized sleeping area with an insert cushion. A private wet head is accessible from the cabin, and the head door is finished in high-gloss, hand-crafted wood — one of several wood accents that reflect Vicem’s traditional craftsmanship. Additional wood trim appears on the helm seat backs and elsewhere, though some decorative surfaces, such as the apparent wood inlay on the bow table, are actually painted faux teak finished with clear Awlgrip for low maintenance.
Fit and finish throughout the 37 Tuna Master showcase Vicem’s factory standards. The hardtop frame, for example, features clean, precise welds and a flawless paint finish, illustrating the attention to detail found across the boat. The model shown at the Palm Beach show had a limited galley setup, but owners who prioritize entertainment can opt for a wet bar in the cockpit in lieu of the optional rear-facing seat. Because Vicem operates as a custom yard, many other personalization options are available to buyers.
“The sky’s the limit,” said Gary Smith, owner of Vicem dealer SYS Yacht Sales in Florida, echoing the flexibility of a custom-built approach. Smith, who advocated for a center-console offering in the U.S. and Florida markets, noted that the owner of Vicem Yachts responded to that market demand — resulting in a new model that blends premium build quality with contemporary center-console functionality.
Vicem 37 Tuna Master CC
LOA: 36’11”
Beam: 12’3”
Draft (motors down): 2’7”
Weight (dry): 19,200 lbs.
Power: (3) 350-hp Mercurys (as shown)
Fuel: 327 gals.
This article was originally published in the December 2023 issue.