Active Thunder Unveils 29 Defiant

Boasting a generous open bow area, a forward “mini cabin” and an innovative cockpit seating setup, Active Thunder’s first 29 Defiant is complete. The versatile 29-footer, Active Thunder’s first open-bow model, is located at the company’s Pompano Beach, Fla., facility, approximately 15 minutes from the ongoing Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Like its closed-deck sister-ship sportboat dubbed the 29 Savage, the 29 Defiant is powered by twin Mercury Racing 300 Verado outboard engines.

The first Active Thunde 29 Defiant is ready to go. List price is $199,000.

“Just this week we took the Defiant out for prop testing with Mercury Marine setup guru Bret Martin,” said Patrick Haughey, the owner of Active Thunder. “Spending my first day on the water with this boat gave me an ear-to-ear grin. The boat’s handling was simply amazing. It cut a turn like it was on rails and ran nice and level, even when we ran into yacht wakes. I should mention it has no K-planes, and with just engine trim I could get it to do whatever I wanted. And thanks to Bret, who brought down Mercury’s prop trailer, we were able to try three- and four-bladers. By the end of the day, Bret and I felt a pair of Mercury Revolution four-blades were the most stable and produced the best performance. We were happy with 78 mph at 6,300 rpm from a pair of bone stock props. And I’m sure there’s more—there always is. But this boat is so user-friendly and affordable that I don’t want to mess with a perfect formula.”

With the outboard engine bracket from Stainless Marine, the boat measures 32 feet long overall. The design is based on Active Thunder’s outboard-powered 33-foot closed-deck sportboat.

The 29 Defiant’s cockpit is equipped with electric drop-down bolsters for the driver and co-pilot, a Mercury Marine Vessel View 502 display, a Simrad GPS unit and Livorsi Marine throttles and shifters—all standard equipment. The entire dash is finished custom carbon fiber panels from Innotech and includes a portside glove box and drink holders. Aft of the helm station, seating can function either as conventional benches or clever rear-facing lounges.

The 29 Defiant’s cockpit is designed to please a crowd.(Click image for expanded view.)

The port dash pod houses an electric head and freshwater sink/vanity. In the starboard dash pod, there’s an expansive built-in galley cooler. The boat’s mini cabin is ideal for stowing larger items, according to Haughey.

Measuring almost eight feet long, the bow area features wraparound seating with stowage in the seat bases and a receiver for a cocktail table (another standard item) in the sole. An anchor locker and an Accon navigation light are located all the way forward. Accon Slim-Line cleats are located throughout the boat.

With the previously noted power package, the 29 Defiant lists for $199,000. Potential buyers interested in seeing the boat at the Active Thunder facility can contact Mindi Doller at Doller Offshore Marine (954-410-3803).

Said Haughey, “Finally, there is ‘people hauler’ that doesn’t look like it should have rod holders. That was our goal.”

Active Thunder Unveils 29 Defiant

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