Hydrolift locks in Australian launch at Sanctuary Cove show

Hydrolift announced earlier this year it had added two Australian dealerships to its books – NSW-based Ocean Boats and Queensland-based Geoff Lovett International – as part of an overseas expansion.

The boats slated to make their Australian premiere include the 6.7-metre Hydrolift X-22, a runabout, the 8.1-metre Hydrolift X-26 S centre console, and – if it arrives in time to make its debut – the 9.6-metre Hydrolift X-32 DC dual-console sports cruiser.

Both the Hydrolift X-22 and X-26 S feature a legally trailerable beam.

Ocean Boats owner Shane May told boatsales the Hydrolift range was known for its fast, twin-stepped deep-vee hulls that were as good offshore as they were around enclosed waters.

“These boats are extremely quick, but you can power them for what you want,” May said.

“The X-32 with triple 300s is an 80 knot-plus boat, but you can reduce that to a single 450hp and it’s still a 50-knot boat,” he said.

Hydrofield’s design features a wave-piercing bow with a deep 24-degree deadrise to cut through waves and chop. The deadrise flattens out as the hull moves aft, where two steps mix air in with the water passing along the hull surface to reduce drag, increasing both the boats’ top speeds and fuel efficiency. 

The hulls under the Hydrolift boats were developed using Hydrolift’s race-bred experience competing in and winning the Class 1 World Powerboat Championships and honed for recreational use.

The boats also feature seating that allows all passengers to face forward – important for high-speed running – with the safety of a deep freeboard, and practical features such as what Hydrolift says is a clever use of the onboard space to maximise the area available for relaxing and entertaining.

Both the X-26 S and X-32 DC feature an outdoor galley station and a forward cabin that can accommodate up to three people in the smaller boat, and four in the larger one.

The 2023 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show runs from May 25 to 28.

Model: Hydrolift X-26 S
Length: 8.11m
Beam: 2.45m
Deadrise: 24deg
Weight: 1900kg (est)
Engines: 250hp (min)/300hp/450hp/2x300hp (max)
Fuel: 350L
Top speed: 50kt (est)
Passengers: 6

Model: Hydrolift X-32 DC
Length: 9.6m
Beam: 2.54m
Deadrise: 24deg
Weight: 3100kg (est)
Engines: 2x300hp (min)/2x450hp (max)
Fuel: 350-545L
Water: 40L
Top speed: 45-80kt (est)
Accommodations: 2 cabins/4 people
Passengers: 10