The German builder Fjord was one of the earliest adopters of the aggressively modern styling, the straight sheer, plumb bow and large hull glazing that is so popular today, particularly in Europe.
And, while the brand has many competitors in the Sport Cruising market, they certainly have not lost their edge. The new 490 Sport underlines that fact with a big black Sharpie.
Driven by three 600-horsepower Mercury Verado outboards, the new design rides on a hull with a stepped, deep-V design. It will have a top end speed of over 40 knots and its ride through the chop will be as soft as possible.
The walk-around deck and salon configuration links the three on-deck social areas together and keeps guests and children well protected behind the high bulwarks. Forward there is a large sunning area on top of the cabin.
The cockpit is huge and has a large sun bed and water access via stern “piers” on both sides of the motors. The cockpit’s bulwarks fold down to form balconies that expand floor space and place you close to the watery environment.
Forward of the sun bed there is a forward-facing bench settee and an aft-facing dinette that will seat four comfortably. The indoor-outdoor galley is on the forward side of the dinette and right behind the helm and co-pilot seats.
The helm seats are high enough to provide visibility forward over the instrument panels which are in turn large glass-panel multi-function displays. The ambience is of a high-tech racing machine.
This is a two-cabin, one head boat with the master cabin amidships and occupying the hull’s full beam. The guest cabin forward has a centerline double berth and plenty of hanging and storage space.
The Sport Cruiser ethos has really taken hold and boat owners today expect both luxurious accommodations and high-speed performance. Fjord pioneered this combination and the new 490 is an excellent example of what a leader can produce.
https://fjordboats.com/us/motorboats/fjord-490-sport/
