Revenge LT Review

Reprinted from Motorboating® May 2004
Photo by Robert Holland

Revenge Yachts 35 LT

Sometimes smaller is better. When Revenge Yachts President Jonathan Sadowsky first started building custom carbon-fiber boats in the late '80s, the result was large blue water battlewagons like the 55-foot Cookie Too and Revenge 58. These boats are still with their original (and satisfied) owners, and still raising tuna and blue marlin off Cape Cod, Mass., and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., respectively. But when Sadowsky decided to shift focus recently and introduce a midsize, production-built center console, he topped even his earlier successes. His latest creation, the Revenge 35 Light Tackle (LT), is the quintessential outboard fishboat-and a winner of a 2004 Motor Boating Editors' Choice Award (see the February issue).

"The 35 Light Tackle is a high-end center console that's designed to be bulletproof and user-friendly," Sadowsky told me as we idled in the St. Lucie River near Stuart, Fla. "You can't get this anywhere else. It's the only production-built, epoxy pre-preg [impregnated] boat available other than specialty one-offs like the sailboats used in America's Cup."

The construction of the 35 is definitely unique. The epoxy/gel coat fusion process, for example, is a proprietary procedure that is known by only three company insiders. Sadowsky uses a specialized, three-dimensional, solid modeling computer program to design each boat beforehand. That exact detailing, in conjunction with computer-controlled milling machines, provides a precise fit of the individual parts. The components themselves are built with fiberglass composites and Kevlar fabrics that are pre-impregnated with epoxy resin and kept frozen until needed. Epoxy is used instead of polyester resin because it shrinks less, is 600 percent stronger and cures very slowly. Each part is vacuum-bagged to fuse the materials together and fully remove voids. Finally, the molds are baked in a 4,000-cubic-foot oven at 250 degrees to cure.

The computer-generated design of this boat offers another advantage- a high performance hull that's not only strong and light, but also designed to give a feather-soft ride. The non-warped, progressive deadrise bottom starts at 23 degrees at the transom and increases one degree per running foot forward to a maximum of 45 degrees before sweeping up to the bow. The result is the softest ride of any boat I've been aboard in this class. We ran at 36 mph in the confused five-footers outside the inlet, and I was never body-slammed coming off a wave.

Top-end speed isn't sacrificed for this incredible ride. A fouled spark plug on one of the 250-hp Mercury OptiMax XS motors caused it to perform less than perfect during our test, but we still made 50.3 mph with 300 gallons of fuel and 110 gallons of water on board. With the same load, maximum speed is typically 54 mph, according to Sadowsky. At a cruising speed of 36.7 mph (4500 rpm), the 35 LT's range is 508 nautical miles with a 10-percent fuel reserve. If that's not enough coverage, a 550-gallon fuel capacity is an option for $3,450 (425 gallons is standard). I also was impressed by how the boat handled. It tracked like a laser, especially during about-face turns at speed, where it bit and held without the slightest wallow or slide. Helm visibility was excellent.

Fishing Machine

Thoroughbred performance aside, this boat sets a new benchmark for center console fishability. Sadowsky, who honed his angling skills with some of the best big-game crews in the world, feels that healthy live bait is the most important aspect in tournament competition. Because of that, the pump system on this boat is state of the art. The main 110-gallon live well in the deck has two stainless steel 1,800-gph pumps with 50-psi outflow (one active and one backup). It can be pressurized to keep baits from banging around while under way.

Revenge 35 LT main baitwell

Four more identical pumps supply water to the twin 18-gallon transom feeder wells and the built-in transom tuna tubes. Hooked baits, pitch baits, live chum-the options are limitless with all the live well capacity available on the Revenge 35 LT.

Revenge 35 LT transom wells and Tuna Tubes

Revenge 35 LT transom wells and Tuna Tubes

If you have too much stuff to store on this center console, then you have too much stuff. There are big stowage compartments everywhere, including lockable rod storage under the covering boards and a roomy console with a head option available. The ultimate add-on, however, is the massive bow "coffin" box with fish/gear storage and lockable rod racks. A 400-pound tuna will have elbowroom in here! With a $9,800 price tag, this option isn't cheap, but I can't imagine ordering the boat without one.

The 35 LT passed its real test with flying colors. In less than two hours of slow trolling live "greenies" in 75 feet of water, guest James Ewing and I each released a nice Atlantic sailfish among the five we raised. The spacious bow was the perfect vantage point for our light tackle confrontations while the other baits remained in the water off the stern. We were never crowded, nor overwhelmed with a three-man crew, and our success confirmed my earlier appraisal-this is one fine fishing machine.

As you might imagine, the inventive systems and high-quality construction materials that make up the Revenge 35 Light Tackle don't come cheap. But what's the value of your leisure time?

Specifications:
LOA (w/platform) 35'6"
Beam 10'6"
Draft 2'4"
Disp. 7,600 lbs.
Bridge Clearance (to radar) 9'0"
Transom Deadrise 23 degrees
Water 110 gals.
Fuel 425 gals.
Test Power: (2) 250-hp Mercury OptiMax XS outboards. Power options include twin Mercury, Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda outboards up to 600 hp max.

Performance:
RPM MPH GPH dB-A
1000 6.0 1.6 68
1500 8.5 3.8 76
2000 9.7 8.4 78
2500 13.2 10.8 89
3000 15.0 11.0 91
3500 16.7 14.0 93
4000 29.4 16.2 90
4500 36.7 24.0 94
5000 43.5 32.0 93
5700 50.3 50.6 92

Speeds measured by GPS in the St. Lucie River, Fla., in a moderate chop w/three people, 300 gallons of fuel and 110 gallons of water on board. Fuel flow readings measured by the Mercury SmartCraft gauges installed on the test boat. Sound levels measured at the helm in dB-A.

Base Price (w/test power): $255,000

Standard Equipment (major items): Pull-up bow light and cleats; low-profile bowrail; spring and stern hawsepipes w/cleats; forward rope locker; six gunwale rod holders; two 12-volt receptacles aft; rubrail w/stainless steel insert; 900-quart storage box forward; two 50-gallon storage boxes aft; two 18-gallon transom baitwells; two tuna tubes in aft corners; 120-gallon in-deck baitwell; saltwater washdown; engine shroud; hydraulic steering; 60-quart cooler; lockable electronics cover; compass; console tackle storage; electric trim tabs; quad batteries; battery charger; 200-amp charge divider/combiner; 110-volt dockside power w/outlet.

Optional Equipment (major items): On-deck insulated fish/storage box w/overboard macerator, forward storage locker and lockable rod storage for 12 rods; console head w/electric toilet; power steering; console vertical rod storage; racing bolster leaning post; dive ladder; leaning post tackle center; 550-gallon fuel capacity; side dive door; electronic controls; custom hull color; composite T-top; outriggers; rear bar w/eight rod holders; soft T-top; spreader lights; folding mini-tower; full tower w/steering, controls and electronics box; full tower with composite hardtop.

Warranty: One-year, transferable, stem-to-stern structural coverage; five-year unlimited transferable warranty on the hull and stringer, decks and wiring systems.

Revenge Yachts, (727) 572-1410.

www.revengeyachts.com

For more information, contact (866) 626-2846 or www.motorboating.com/motorboat/productinfo.