Tuff 28 Single 450R is Super Fast: Superleggera Finds Perfect Match with Mercury Racing Supercharged Outboard
When it comes to custom performance boats, Tuff Marine in Canada has truly found its niche as a premium builder and designer in the small to mid size range. The father son duo of Mark and Thomas Weigl build the fastest 24’ single engine and the fastest 28’ hull right now. Custom boats are Tuff’s thing but the latest 28’ out of the shop brings custom to an entirely new level. Let’s take a look at the latest creation out of Ontario Canada, a single 450R powered Tuff 28 that exceeds all expectations.
This yellow 28’ is truly a one of a kind. Mark told me they cut the deck height down and curved it down slightly at the front to look like the new 34’. Overall, it makes the boat look smaller but as Mark told me, “It’s a big boat that runs and feels fun like a little boat.” There is definitely some amazing advantages of a single over twins, especially on a pad V hull like the Tuff. There is less setup and fine tuning, a single is more efficient overall and the simplicity is really nice.
At a glance it looks like a much smaller boat. Tuff lowered the deck on this one, with a slight curve down to the bow. The hull is exactly the same as the other 28’s. Lighter and more aerodynamic help the Yellow rocket achieve blistering speeds, 106 MPH.
A twin 300R boat would have better acceleration and be a bit faster but Mark likes the single 450R way more. Generally, the single is easier to drive, in Mark’s words “It’s big friendly easy clean and efficient and very fast, total home run.”
Finished in a stunning yellow with a black hull, the custom 28, named “Superleggera” (Italian for superlight) also features a striking Alcantara interior, with screens for the rear passengers, center console mounted controls and a few other trick details. Tuff has never been shy about wild color combinations and this yellow and black combination is perfect. This boat weighs just over 3,200 LBS.
Alacanterra upholstery, rear passenger straps, center console controls are just some of the custom touches on the Tuff 28 with the 450R.
A massive Porta Products 12” race series bracket holds the supercharged Mercury Racing 450R monster. Right out of the gate the Tuff 28 is running 106 MPH. With some adjustments they believe they can get to 110 MPH. That is incredible for this size hull and shows how efficient this hull design is.
Right now, Tuff is building the fastest V hulls on the planet, considering size and HP to weight. This is faster than many sport cats on the market of similar size running twin 300R engines. Personally, I love how Mark and Thomas think outside the box, try new things and I love this big single outboard.
What’s next for Tuff? The projects keep coming. Mark and Thomas are dialing in their 34’ in both a twin outboard and sterndrive configuration. Additionally, Thomas has a brand new 20’ designed and getting ready for production soon. This new from the ground up 20’ model is focused on the 150 Hp to 200 HP range.
I am starting to think I need to head up north and see the new Tuff’s in person.
Aerodynamics is often overlooked with most designers, not with Tuff. Aero is critical at these speeds.
