Blackfin 400CC

I rewrote this article several times, unsure how to introduce this new boat.

I started each by expounding on the success of Blackfin Boats, how Blackfin has delivered one tough yet exciting boat in its new 400CC (Center Console), how it does this by holding the line on its pedigree and by adding features not always found on other fishing boats. And not to mention that Blackfin is celebrating its 50th anniversary — kudos to its longevity. That’s all good information, but I was concerned that readers may see it as blah, blah, blah.

Let me break form and tell you how I really feel about the Blackfin 400CC after having seen it for the first time and being able to cruise the ocean for some speed numbers and hands-on operations.

My impression: WOW! — what a beautiful boat that is intelligently laid out, fun to drive and doesn’t mince the advertised words.

We all know there are a lot of boats out there that claim they can do it all. The trouble is, if you focus on doing it all, it can be hard to be doing one thing great. When looking at the Blackfin brand and checking out the models on its website, you can see that each model’s initial highlights are a bold claim: Each one excels at fishing, leaving everything else to be secondary. The new Blackfin flagship is the embodiment of what they do great.

Introduced earlier this year, the Blackfin 400CC has the lines that make it attractive, the fishing features to make it exciting and the power to get the adrenaline flowing.

I have the power

Bolted onto an extended platform are four 400-hp Mercury 5.7L V10 Verado outboards (max power is 1,600 hp). Those power plants can and will get you to the fishing grounds and back quickly. Not that you need to run wide open all the time, but it is nice to run at the head of the pack at 55 knots/63.3 mph, which, because of our conditions during our sea trial, was just short of Blackfin’s 70 mph performance data. At 4500 RPM, the 400CC jumps out of the water and propels like a rocket, offering 39.2 knots/45 mph with a fuel burn of 67.9 gph for all four motors combined. Pull back to 2500 RPM for a 24.9 gph burn and 10.8 knots/12.4 mph speed for better efficiency.

Supporting that speed is a Michael Peters Yacht Design deep hull (23-degree transom deadrise) with twin steps incorporated. Stepped hulls reduce wetted running surface as well as drag, improve fuel efficiency and enhance the trim angle.

Sit down and hold on

For your riding comfort, the 400CC comes with two rows of tiered seating. The forward row has a center helm seat (power adjusted) flanked by two more. The next row has three seats and is positioned a bit higher to see over the heads in front. All are heated, have footrests, are bolstered with lumbar support and include armrests. The second row has storage, USB charging ports, grabrails and drink holders. Anyone who has fished far offshore or had to buck big seas knows that comfort is key. Hey, let’s fight the fish and not the ride.

Additional seating is in the open bow along the forepeak with ample backrest cushioning. There is a forward console lounge with armrests and cupholders, perfect for days cruising with the family.

As a true center console fishing machine, the action can occur anywhere, so there are rod holders in the wide gunwale tops, padded coaming that rings the high gunwales and grabrails to keep you onboard. “Gunwale height runs from 27 inches aft to 38 inches fore with toe rails to aid in comfort,” explains Mason Cummings, Blackfin’s director of engineering.

Probably the coolest feature is the transom-mounted “rumble seat.” Affixed to the top of the transom over the baitwell, this seat offers a unique perspective as it’s higher than a typical transom seat, has a very sturdy metal frame and a high, wraparound cushioned backrest. Mounting the seat on the transom results in more cockpit space. And the seat is on a slide bracket and can be turned around to face aft. It’s worth the price of admission.

Don’t worry about fumbling around with it to get at the bait. The middle of the seat cushion tilts up to access the well.

Fish on!

For the fishing aficionado, this rig is packed with what you need. You’ll run out of rods before you run out of rod holders as they are everywhere, including 14 in the hardtop frame alone. The 70-gallon aft baitwell, 30-gallon bow well, 160-gallon in-deck fishboxes and portside deck door are thoughtfully integrated.

An aft prep station does it all. It gives access to the hardtop or optional half tower. Flip the lid and there’s a huge prep area to rig lines, cut bait, store lures, hold tools — you get it. There’s more. Close that lid and flip up the next level of the station to reveal an electric grill, fiberglass sink and faucet, and can/bottle holders. Below are four storage drawers and twin pull-out 45-quart Yeti coolers on tracks. You can take that catch from sea to table in one swoop.

Operation of the 400CC is easy and ergonomically pleasing. The helm features twin 24-inch Garmin multifunction displays, banks of rocker switches mounted next to the screens and not across the dash (less likely for someone to hit and looks much cleaner), tilt steering, Zipwake trim control and throttle controls. The hardtop has space for electronics such as VHF radios and Mercury engine displays. And that hardtop is well sized and rock solid thanks to the powder-coated aluminum framing and integrated three-sided windshield unit.

Featured features

Forward of the helm is a roomy cabin with 6 feet, 2 inches of headroom, complete with a fill-in berth, rod storage, vessel sink (there’s a 4.5-gallon hot water heater), coffee maker, microwave, wine cooler and 22-inch TV. The head has a toilet with a teak seat, a vessel sink and a separate shower stall with a lighted shower head. With so many cabin amenities, it’s easy to be on the water all day and make the conversion to an evening dinner.

One other thing I like about the Blackfin 400CC, it comes chock full of standard items, including radar, FLIR and outriggers. More features include in-deck storage for dive tanks, aft door, storage all over, welded boarding ladder, double-stitched diamond patterns on upholstery, wireless charging and more.

Everything else mentioned comes with it, making the 400CC a real turn-key fishing platform. Oh, and it’s great for cruising too, if you’re into that.

Put the WOW! back in your life with the Blackfin 400CC.