This year Blackfin Boats celebrates its 50th anniversary, and rather than dwelling on past achievements the family-owned Florida builder has turned its attention to the future with a new flagship: the Blackfin 400CC. The center-console combines modern marine technology and traditional seaworthiness—carbon-fiber composite construction using resin-infusion, a lithium-ion house battery system, and the latest Mercury Verado V-10 outboards—creating a high-performance, luxury offshore fishing and cruising platform.
I first saw the 400CC at the Boca Raton Resort dock on the Intracoastal Waterway during Blackfin’s 2023 dealer meeting. The glossy black hull, two rows of forward-facing cockpit seats and a bank of quad outboards drew plenty of attention from hotel guests and passersby. Up close, the boat’s clean lines and purposeful stance make it obvious this is a modern flagship designed for owners who want performance, comfort and capability.
Boarding for a sea trial confirmed the 400CC’s blend of comfort and offshore readiness. The front-row helm seats are beautifully upholstered, heated and equipped with headrests, fold-up armrests, flip-up bolsters and an adjustable footrest—features that provide both luxury and secure ergonomics when running offshore. A secondary fold-away footrest gives passengers additional comfort options based on their height.
Every one of the six cockpit seats includes a wireless cellphone charging pad, with the helm pad integrated into the dash and pads for the second-row passengers set into the seatbacks. USB charging ports are also provided. The only minor omission I noticed was a dedicated drink holder for every passenger, something easily remedied in future production runs or dealer-installed accessories.
“Why two rows of seats?” I asked Brent White, Blackfin’s production engineering manager, who joined the trial.
“In a boat this size you usually have a single helm row,” White replied. “But when you run out with fishing buddies, friends and family you need more forward seating. The second row is placed higher so everyone has a clear view.”
As we ran down the ICW toward the Boca Raton Inlet, White and Blackfin Brand Manager René Moore explained the three-year design and build process. The team aimed to deliver a vessel ready for the company’s 50th anniversary that would be easy to operate and maintain. Drawing on their own experiences as boat owners, designers shaped the 400CC to be one-third serious offshore fishing machine, one-third entertainment platform and one-third comfortable overnighter—appealing to anglers who also cruise to islands or spend long days on the water with family.
The 400CC is Blackfin’s third collaboration with naval architect Michael Peters of Michael Peters Yacht Design, following the 302CC and 332CC models. All three ride on Peters’ Stepped-V Ventilated Tunnel hull. The dual steps improve performance and fuel economy, while the ventilated tunnel enhances balance, ride quality and seakeeping, particularly when accelerating or operating in chop.
Blackfin invested heavily in construction technology for the 400CC. It’s the company’s first resin-infused, closed-mold carbon-fiber composite hull—an approach that produces a lighter but very robust structure built to withstand the demands of offshore use. Paired with the stepped hull, these construction advances let a quad 400-hp Mercury Verado 5.7L outboard package push the boat to just over 60 knots on test configuratons.
The Mercury V-10 Verado outboards installed on our test boat are the newest in Mercury’s lineup. Engineered for smooth, quiet operation and strong performance, they complement the 400CC’s offshore mission.
Another modern touch is the standard lithium-ion house battery bank linked to a Mastervolt inverter. “There’s no generator to maintain—no impeller—because the engines or shore power charge the house batteries,” White explained. That system supports onboard amenities while reducing maintenance and improving energy efficiency.
Blackfin’s approach to standard equipment is generous: most features come factory-installed. Options are limited to canvas, hull-side colors, Gemlux outriggers, Garmin radar and a FLIR thermal camera. The boat is also pre-rigged for a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer, which dealers can fit as an aftermarket upgrade.
At the helm the 400CC is outfitted with high-end, user-friendly electronics and controls. Standard gear on our test boat included a powerful JL audio package, two 24-inch Garmin multifunction displays, an overhead Mercury VesselView 903, Mercury joystick control with Skyhook digital anchoring, Mercury’s multi-engine Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS), a Lewmar bow thruster control and a Zipwake interceptor dynamic trim system. Together these systems make a 40-footer surprisingly easy to handle.
On the Atlantic in 2-foot seas the 400CC planeed smoothly around 20 knots with minimal bow rise. The Verados were quiet and refined as we accelerated past 52 knots, and the DTS and Zipwake systems let me manage all four engines with a single lever without constant trim adjustments. While not autonomous, the helm systems make close-in maneuvering, station-keeping and high-speed handling remarkably straightforward.
For owners who want to cruise, the 400CC offers practical accommodations. The console houses a cabin with a settee that lowers into a double berth, a small galley, a head with a separate shower and 6 feet 5 inches of headroom—comfortable for weekend or short overnight trips. Heavy-duty hardware and smart engineering keep operations smooth and effortless, a point Moore highlighted during the walkthrough.
Storage and fishing features are abundant: six rod racks, generous stowage, and a versatile transom settee that’s comfortable, secure and can rotate aft for watching lines or flip up to access a 70-gallon baitwell. The cockpit includes a clever multi-function center station: open the top lid to reveal a bait-rigging area with mounts for tools and spools; close it and access a second level that houses a barbecue grill and sink, with drawers and two slide-out Yeti coolers below.
The Blackfin 400CC combines the fit, finish and fishability Blackfin owners expect with the modern conveniences and technology boaters now demand. It represents both a celebration of 50 years of boatbuilding and a clear look at where offshore center-consoles are headed.
This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue.