Comfortable and safe or fast and fun? No need to choose. Life Proof Boats’ 39 Yachtline is both a great yacht tender and fun excursion boat, says Arnie Hammerman.
When the CEO of Life Proof Boats, Micah Bowers, offers me a chance to try out its new 39 Yachtline, I jump at the opportunity. I have been to Life Proof’s factory in Bremerton, Washington, and ran the zippy 33ft model, so I know how much fun these boats can be.
The 39 was designed as a tender and excursion boat for a large motor yacht. It looks like a large RIB, but its aluminum hull is perfect for the oversized pad eyes and harness necessary to tow it behind the mothership. Its collar, made of closed-cell foam covered with heavy-duty urethane-coated polyester, provides all the benefits of inflatable collars (buoyancy, stability, and impact protection) without the risk of rupture and air loss.
The contrast between the bright red collar and seats and the shiny white aluminum structure is striking. The boat bears some resemblance to police and security vessels, but close inspection reveals refinements not found on workboats.
The captain meets us at the boat and, with a smile and a toss of the key fob, grants us access. “This boat has a lot of equipment typically used on larger yachts,” Bowers says. “It is a digitally smart boat. The wireless fob provides entry as well as turns on the boat, lights, and systems. A full CZone system aboard has programmable modes.” At the touch of a button, it can be set to daytime cruising, night cruising, dock attended, dock unattended, at anchor, and other modes. As we enter through a space in the gunwale, I note the fold-down step.
An oversized hinge in stainless steel flips a section of the coaming down, creating an instant, easy boarding step. This attention to detail and combination of form and function is a Life Proof Boats’ hallmark.
Bowers lowers the triple Yamaha 425s into the water. “The fly-by-wire controls help eliminate corrosion, reduce clutter and make the swim platform a more useful space,” he says.
Instead of the usual wires and cables for steering and throttle, a white corrugated hose connects each engine to the transom. All controls, including a built-in Reverso engine flushing system, run through these hoses.
Two retractable stainless-steel boarding ladders maximize swimming and diving capabilities for when the boat is used for excursions. Bowers pushes a button and electric rams raise the aft seat, revealing a large storage lazarette and neatly stowed boat gear.
“The fuel capacity onboard is substantial at 440 gallons,” Bowers says. “The mothership carries no gasoline. We installed fuel transfer pumps so that this boat can act as a fuel station for PWCs and other gas-powered toys and equipment.”
Forward- and aft-facing seats surround a removable teak dining table, shaded by a retractable SureShade awning that extends over the entire 70-square-foot cockpit. Stainless steel drink holders abound, including a type designed to hold the stems of wine glasses. A pop-up window joins the cockpit to the cabin with a serving station and fridge just inside the door.
The main cabin has eight red upholstered Shockwave seats with fold-down armrests, a drink holder, no and USB outlets, and stowage for purses or day bags. All-around windows allow guests to view the sights in air-conditioned or heated comfort. A Webasto sunroof surrounded by skylights combines with opening side windows for fresh air, but on this wintry Seattle day, we run the heater.
I toss off the lines as Bowers backs out using joystick controls and the Side-Power bow thruster. The triple outboards twist and turn in odd directions with the occasional soft clunk of the shifters. With the snow-capped mountains looming in the distance, I take the helm and push the throttles as we head into a calm Puget Sound. At 5 o knots, the boat feels steady and true. I back off slightly to take high-speed turns, allowing the Zipwake gyro-controlled tabs to adjust our trim automatically. At a steady 40 knots, we bounce over our wake with a dull thud. Down to a more modest speed of 31 knots, fuel burn is an impressive 45 gallons per hour, providing us a range of 275 nautical miles with 90 percent fuel capacity.
Before we head back, too soon it seems, I explore the lower cabin, including the large ventilated head. “Those subway tiles are actually CNC-machined from solid acrylic for strength and X resistance,” Bowers calls down from the helm. The galley features a Viking electric convection/microwave oven, another fridge, a UV-purified water system, and a full complement of Yeti insulated mugs and cups. Two bunks with custom latex mattresses, reading lights, USB outlets, and storage accommodate the overflow crew members that occasionally stay aboard. A waterproof door opens to the foredeck providing access to the anchor and a forward boarding platform deployed for beaching.
Before we head back to land, for fun, I set my stopwatch and measure the time it takes to accelerate from zero to 60mph – 36 seconds. Impressive for a boat that weighs around 23,000 pounds loaded. At top speed, 56 knots (64mph), the boat remains responsive and reassuringly controlled.
The experience tells me this is a great option to get guests to and from the large yacht and to explore further afield. With durable aluminum construction and integral and collared flotation that make the boat nearly unsinkable, the 39 Yachtline is a safe and fun tender that can go anywhere.
