Story and select photos from DinaRella / Additional photos from Axopar
Boys and girls, get ready to celebrate! Axopar has a new kid on the dock who's making friends non-stop. One year back, we ended our RDP profile on its flagship 45 with a teaser as to what the originator of the adventure boat genre was planning in commemoration of its 10th anniversary.
What we knew: The inaugural Gen 3 hull was named the Axopar 29. Draping was coming off at the late-January Dusseldorf Boat Show. And design cues mirrored the Axopar 28, its revolutionary predecessor from 2014 that opened the door to it all, selling over 2,700 boats worldwide.
What we didn’t know: For boundary-pushing, Finnish-born founder Jan-Erik Viitala and his team, expanding the legacy would not be enough. Come fall-time, Axopar would welcome a "first-of-its-kind adventure-spirited center console" to its convoy. Actually two! First came the sociable CCX 29 at the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival, followed by the full-on fishing model released on F/G Dock at FLIBS. (The one at the end of this story.)
How It Started
Cutting it close to the Miami show opening, hull No. 1 headed directly from Germany through U.S. Customs onto the convention center floor. Brand new and already a legend, by the start of the Palm Beach show a month later, its dealer Nautical Ventures confirmed their 12 order slots were filled. After carefully combing through each edition, we conclude... progression yields perfection. Now you be the judge!
The increased dimensions, measuring an additional eight inches in length and two more on the beam, may not seem like much but trust us, it makes a difference. Every aspect of the expanded platform gleams with ingenuity and originality. We begin by discussing the brand's unyielding commitment to value and the vessel's safer mobility features, both attributed to more rigid hull construction but with less weight and waste.
Curves and edges have been enhanced to improve ergonomics. EVERY shape has a function. For example, its new flow form design gives you the freedom to move about at all times due to specially designated leaning posts and grabrails. Decks are flatter, wider and void of steps to prevent slipping and slanted indentations cut into the sides let you pop one foot in to hop onboard. And what's not to love about the forgiving black rubber rails that lessen docking stress?
Tweaking hull steps and widening the forefoot's rakish profile has changed the overall attitude redefining hydrodynamics. According to the builder, efficiency has been improved by up to 30 percent and passengers enjoy a more buoyant and dryer ride on big-water days. Power is by Mercury outboards in a single 300-400-hp or twin 200-hp format. Max digits on the monitor have the 400-hp single engine hitting 43 mph and the twin 200-hp setup near 50 mph.
Axoparians wanted more bow flare. By successfully adapting the U-shaped layout from the smaller 22 model, they got it! Above the water-line anyway. Underneath, the same dagger-like wave-cutter prevails. If you count the bench further back, the social hub welcomes eight guests, which can sit in versatile positions or sprawl out on the sun-pad, thanks to smart placement of three bases for rotating the dinette table..
Smarter yet, is the elevated cushion with imbedded cup holders on top of the most forward cushion. Yes it's for drinks and doubles as a pillow-esque headrest but Axopar had another intuitive idea.... let's lift open the anchor locker by sticking your hand into the cup holder!
Modular is Axopar's MO. Looking at its forward multi-cabin and cockpit show why. The first functions as an overnight sleeping compartment for two; features a vast stowage area; and houses a hidden fresh-water toilet and fold-down sink. The wooden step is more remarkable. It magically flips over, collapses and turns into two slots to conveniently toss stuff through, before breaking out the center mattress to cover it.
Form continues to follow function in the cockpit. The distinctive forward rake and wrap-around glazing, reduction in pillar size, and relocation of vertical supports, work together to create a wide-open feel with better visibility. When in reverse, operators will appreciate this view the most. More beam to play with also made way for an expanded port-side sliding entry door. But if you don't want to be closed in, that's no problem. As seen in the fifth photo below, Axopar carried over its 37 Sun Top edition to the 29 line creating an open-cockpit ST model. (More on that another time.)
Methodical traits are just as well thought out as the modular ones. Helm operations are to the left of the wheel, reserving your right hand strictly for the throttles. Captain and companion seats swivel and tilting them forward reward with a mini-sink and cooler. By request, beverage holders have also been super-sized and are now coined as "American" cup holders.
The widened rear sofa bench lends itselfi for sitting sideways. Wooden accents add a lavish touch, while the magnetic latch and pull tab to prop up the cushions for entry into the stern cabin scream of Scandinavian craftsmanship. By revamping this cabin to comfortably fit two, in theory the Axopar 29 now sleeps four. Owners not interested in overnighting can use the rear cabin to store cargo which is easily accessible via the full-size loading hatch.
Evolving the 29 Series and maximizing the boating experience to unchartered territory, the Axopar CCX – with X standing for Crossover – offers a different character. Born out of the desire to incorporate a decade of lessons learned from its popular open and closed-cabin models and without infringing upon the dominant U.S. center console market... after two years of R&D, the answer was: a flexible sub-30-foot vessel that's part adventurous and part center console-ish.
More masculine in stature, you will find fish-forward features such as raised bulwarks, sheltered handrails, twin livewells, a tackle station, slots for 16 rods and a reinforced hard top to support outriggers. An insulated fish box and trolling motor at the foredeck, an echo sounder and radar on the roof, and upholstered coaming pads are optional add-ons.
Free to choose from seven different layouts, fishermen will fancy the open-deck format with convertible folding bench-cum-leaning post; the ski tow bar not so much, but after all, the CCX is geared toward entertaining, action-sports and angling. Four-legged friends have also been thought of and are protected from going overboard by small transom gates.
To usher in the Simrad NSX ULTRAWIDE display monitors (which are fantastic by the way), the dash of the fully enclosed wheelhouse received a facelift. as did the expanded side silhouettes. The latter was to accommodate larger fender boxes which offer the possibility to outfit with sink, fridge, and magnetic cutting board. To the right, an optional propane grill latches into the gunwale holder. However, garnering the most applause were another set of latches... the new lightweight rigid spring ones used on all compartment hatches from bow to stern, that make opening and closing a "snap."
Optimized for twin engine set-ups, Axopar is excited to announce a 100 percent increase in range and capacity on the 29 CCX model (in comparison to the 28). Cruising between 22-32 knots (25-36 mph), the larger 158-gallon fuel tank delivers a range of up to 300 nautical miles (345 miles).
"The Axopar 29 caters to the largest audience in the world and is the most modular boat built. Stylistically and performance-wise it breaks the mold," says Viitala in his detailed demo videos, before adding, "We’re an alternative center console.” Starting at $210,000... it's a nice one at that!
Boys and girls, get ready to celebrate! Axopar has a new kid on the dock who's making friends non-stop. One year back, we ended our RDP profile on its flagship 45 with a teaser as to what the originator of the adventure boat genre was planning in commemoration of its 10th anniversary.
What we knew: The inaugural Gen 3 hull was named the Axopar 29. Draping was coming off at the late-January Dusseldorf Boat Show. And design cues mirrored the Axopar 28, its revolutionary predecessor from 2014 that opened the door to it all, selling over 2,700 boats worldwide.
What we didn’t know: For boundary-pushing, Finnish-born founder Jan-Erik Viitala and his team, expanding the legacy would not be enough. Come fall-time, Axopar would welcome a "first-of-its-kind adventure-spirited center console" to its convoy. Actually two! First came the sociable CCX 29 at the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival, followed by the full-on fishing model released on F/G Dock at FLIBS. (The one at the end of this story.)
How It Started
Cutting it close to the Miami show opening, hull No. 1 headed directly from Germany through U.S. Customs onto the convention center floor. Brand new and already a legend, by the start of the Palm Beach show a month later, its dealer Nautical Ventures confirmed their 12 order slots were filled. After carefully combing through each edition, we conclude... progression yields perfection. Now you be the judge!
The increased dimensions, measuring an additional eight inches in length and two more on the beam, may not seem like much but trust us, it makes a difference. Every aspect of the expanded platform gleams with ingenuity and originality. We begin by discussing the brand's unyielding commitment to value and the vessel's safer mobility features, both attributed to more rigid hull construction but with less weight and waste.
Curves and edges have been enhanced to improve ergonomics. EVERY shape has a function. For example, its new flow form design gives you the freedom to move about at all times due to specially designated leaning posts and grabrails. Decks are flatter, wider and void of steps to prevent slipping and slanted indentations cut into the sides let you pop one foot in to hop onboard. And what's not to love about the forgiving black rubber rails that lessen docking stress?
Tweaking hull steps and widening the forefoot's rakish profile has changed the overall attitude redefining hydrodynamics. According to the builder, efficiency has been improved by up to 30 percent and passengers enjoy a more buoyant and dryer ride on big-water days. Power is by Mercury outboards in a single 300-400-hp or twin 200-hp format. Max digits on the monitor have the 400-hp single engine hitting 43 mph and the twin 200-hp setup near 50 mph.
Axoparians wanted more bow flare. By successfully adapting the U-shaped layout from the smaller 22 model, they got it! Above the water-line anyway. Underneath, the same dagger-like wave-cutter prevails. If you count the bench further back, the social hub welcomes eight guests, which can sit in versatile positions or sprawl out on the sun-pad, thanks to smart placement of three bases for rotating the dinette table..
Smarter yet, is the elevated cushion with imbedded cup holders on top of the most forward cushion. Yes it's for drinks and doubles as a pillow-esque headrest but Axopar had another intuitive idea.... let's lift open the anchor locker by sticking your hand into the cup holder!
Modular Methodical Magical
Modular is Axopar's MO. Looking at its forward multi-cabin and cockpit show why. The first functions as an overnight sleeping compartment for two; features a vast stowage area; and houses a hidden fresh-water toilet and fold-down sink. The wooden step is more remarkable. It magically flips over, collapses and turns into two slots to conveniently toss stuff through, before breaking out the center mattress to cover it.
Form continues to follow function in the cockpit. The distinctive forward rake and wrap-around glazing, reduction in pillar size, and relocation of vertical supports, work together to create a wide-open feel with better visibility. When in reverse, operators will appreciate this view the most. More beam to play with also made way for an expanded port-side sliding entry door. But if you don't want to be closed in, that's no problem. As seen in the fifth photo below, Axopar carried over its 37 Sun Top edition to the 29 line creating an open-cockpit ST model. (More on that another time.)
Methodical traits are just as well thought out as the modular ones. Helm operations are to the left of the wheel, reserving your right hand strictly for the throttles. Captain and companion seats swivel and tilting them forward reward with a mini-sink and cooler. By request, beverage holders have also been super-sized and are now coined as "American" cup holders.
The widened rear sofa bench lends itselfi for sitting sideways. Wooden accents add a lavish touch, while the magnetic latch and pull tab to prop up the cushions for entry into the stern cabin scream of Scandinavian craftsmanship. By revamping this cabin to comfortably fit two, in theory the Axopar 29 now sleeps four. Owners not interested in overnighting can use the rear cabin to store cargo which is easily accessible via the full-size loading hatch.
How It's Going
Evolving the 29 Series and maximizing the boating experience to unchartered territory, the Axopar CCX – with X standing for Crossover – offers a different character. Born out of the desire to incorporate a decade of lessons learned from its popular open and closed-cabin models and without infringing upon the dominant U.S. center console market... after two years of R&D, the answer was: a flexible sub-30-foot vessel that's part adventurous and part center console-ish.
More masculine in stature, you will find fish-forward features such as raised bulwarks, sheltered handrails, twin livewells, a tackle station, slots for 16 rods and a reinforced hard top to support outriggers. An insulated fish box and trolling motor at the foredeck, an echo sounder and radar on the roof, and upholstered coaming pads are optional add-ons.
Free to choose from seven different layouts, fishermen will fancy the open-deck format with convertible folding bench-cum-leaning post; the ski tow bar not so much, but after all, the CCX is geared toward entertaining, action-sports and angling. Four-legged friends have also been thought of and are protected from going overboard by small transom gates.
To usher in the Simrad NSX ULTRAWIDE display monitors (which are fantastic by the way), the dash of the fully enclosed wheelhouse received a facelift. as did the expanded side silhouettes. The latter was to accommodate larger fender boxes which offer the possibility to outfit with sink, fridge, and magnetic cutting board. To the right, an optional propane grill latches into the gunwale holder. However, garnering the most applause were another set of latches... the new lightweight rigid spring ones used on all compartment hatches from bow to stern, that make opening and closing a "snap."
Optimized for twin engine set-ups, Axopar is excited to announce a 100 percent increase in range and capacity on the 29 CCX model (in comparison to the 28). Cruising between 22-32 knots (25-36 mph), the larger 158-gallon fuel tank delivers a range of up to 300 nautical miles (345 miles).
"The Axopar 29 caters to the largest audience in the world and is the most modular boat built. Stylistically and performance-wise it breaks the mold," says Viitala in his detailed demo videos, before adding, "We’re an alternative center console.” Starting at $210,000... it's a nice one at that!
