Permutations and endless possibilities with the Axopar 29
High school math bounced around my brain as I watched Axopar founder, Jan-Erik Viitala, origami his new 29-footer into so many different configurations, I finally lost count. “You can have seven layouts of the aft deck and four in the bow area,” he said proudly. “And that’s on top of the three basic versions of the boat itself.”
On its 10th anniversary at boot Düsseldorf in January 2024, the Finnish boatbuilder premiered the replacement to its original 28-footer in the form of the Axopar 29. By last September in Cannes, it had fine-tuned the offering, and by the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this past October, it had three unique models dialed in with a fishing boat tailor-made for American anglers. The Axopar 29 shape-shifts, and in so doing, casts a wide net for potential buyers. Having tested two of her bigger siblings, I couldn’t wait to drive one.
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At a Glance
On paper, the Axopar 29 carries six inches more LOA and two more in the beam. The twin-stepped hull has been made more hydrodynamic for a better top speed and improved fuel economy, the walkaround decks are wider, the deck flooring is flatter, and the aft wraparound window on the cabin version is larger for better visibility all around.
As before, the new design comes in XC (Cross Cabin), CCX (Center Console), and Sun Top (Open) versions. The XC’s composite wheelhouse encloses the cabin for weekending, the CCX is a center console focused on fishing, and the Sun Top with its many outdoor spaces is made for dayboat partying.
A wide black rub rail runs along the hull to fend off any unplanned bumps, and there are handrails integrated into the gunwales all around so you always have something to hold in a seaway.
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Walk-through
Our test boat was the Cross Cabin that’s made for cruising. The bow has comfortable seating for five. The standard bow configuration comes with a port-side L-shaped seat, but that can be spec’d as an optional U-shaped dinette, and a straight forward-facing sofa. Sunset cocktails in the anchorage with a light breeze spring to mind when you relax here. Lift the sofa and you access a generous stowage space with a hidden freshwater toilet and sink or add cushions and make this area into a reasonable cabin for kids or guests.
The enclosed central wheelhouse now has larger sliding doors to both port and starboard so you can access the interior and helm from either side deck. The windshield with its twin wipers is raked forward for a serious offshore profile. Twin bucket seats with bolsters face a broad dash with twin Simrad NSX widescreens and a joystick to the right of the steering wheel. A tidy row of switches runs along the bottom of the dash with two cupholders and phone cubbies rounding out the control pod.
Below the bucket seats hide a sink and a refrigerator. Aft seating is for two, three if they’re small. Overhead is a fabric sunroof that can be either manual or electric. Open the side doors and the sunroof and the inside becomes the outside. Close all the above and you can venture out anytime and anywhere.
The main sleeping cabin is aft and low. Raise the aft seatback and step down into a voluminous cabin that can easily fit two adults. Feeling claustrophobic down there? No worries, just lift the top of the cabin which actually forms the aft deck double sunbed. Now you can sleep under the stars.
On the aft deck, one integrated top-opening locker serves as stowage for lines and fenders while the other can be spec’d with a wet bar including a sink and small fridge. The gunwale rod holder to port can also hold an optional Magma propane grill so food preparation for the weekend is easy.
The two other models vary specifically in their use of space. The Sun Top roof design was borrowed from the Axopar 37 and has a sleek, aft-swept windshield. The bow can have the same configuration as the Cross Over, but the aft deck differs dramatically. The helm seats pivot to face a deep U-shaped dinette that morphs into a forward or aft-facing sunbed with the use of a clever removable backrest.
The CCX or center console was given the most consideration for the U.S. fishing market. Forward, you can use the bow area as a casting platform and even attach a trolling motor. Aft, you do away with the cabin or the dinette and spec a second row of four additional seats. Then add either a tackle station or wet bar behind. You can also trick this model out with twin livewells and a fish box with a macerator. There’s even room for a leaning post on the open aft deck. In the CCX, instead of the aft cabin, you have access to all the electrics and pumps below the deck. The serious angler can add one or two rails of rod holders to the hardtop for up to eight rocket launchers plus four gunwale holders for a total of 12. Let the fishing begin.
Propulsion and Performance
Propulsion choices include a single 300-hp to 400-hp Mercury outboard or twin 200-hp engines. With our single 400-hp V10 Mercury on the cabin version, we reached a top speed of 37 knots on the choppy waters off the coast of southern France. Around a 26-knot cruise, we burned a half gallon per nautical mile giving this boat a 300-mile range with 150 gallons of onboard fuel.
Serious thought went into the seakeeping abilities of this new model regardless of the version. The bow is broader above the waterline with a flare that throws water and spray out to the side, keeping the decks dry. This wide bow created more room for a larger anchor locker which is accessed via a latch buried in the forward starboard cupholder. The deck and flooring were raised four inches keeping you off the water just a bit more without compromising the handling during sharp turns, and the bulwarks were raised to provide a real feeling of security on open water.
Just as with all other Axopar models, the 29 is knife-like, with a deep-V entry and a 22-inch deadrise. We made crisp turns without skidding or excessive heeling. The bow rises a bit out of the hole, and it was designed to ride at a slightly higher attitude when running at 10-15 knots so it can knock down the chop. But at no time did the bow obscure the horizon before it pushed back down at 20-plus knots, and we had perfect visibility in all directions. Our ride inspired confidence which is important on a small boat that goes offshore.
You Decide
All the complex permutations and combinations of possibilities aside, the Axopar 29 can be any boat you want it to be with a few simple tweaks. This reimagined model is versatile, comfortable, fast, and simply the sexiest small production boat out there. She cuts through the water like a hot knife going through butter, and who doesn’t love that? This compact speedster has an aggressive James Bond appeal that could make her a tender to a superyacht as well as a standalone cruiser, sport runabout, or fish boat. You decide.
-by Zuzana Prochazka
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 30′ 7″
Beam: 9′ 10″
Draft: 2′ 8″
Displacement: 6,400 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 150/26 U.S. gals. (as tested)
Power: 1x V10 Mercury @ 300-400 hp or 2x @ 200-hp
Top Speed: 37 knots (as tested)
Contact: Axopar Boats
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