Nor-Tech Introduces 320 Monte Carlo at Fort Lauderdale Show

ByJason Johnson

nortech 320 leadNor-Tech debuted its new single-engine 320 Monte Carlo, a compact version of the popular 420 Monte Carlo, at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show on Thursday.

Between the flashy 40 Roadster catamaran with twin Mercury Racing 1100 engines and the quad-engine 39-foot center console with the stylish new deck and console, the Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which opened Thursday for its preview day and runs through Monday (Nov. 4), is a showstopper.

Between two 34-foot center consoles, a 392 Super Fish and a 298 GT center console, one of the flashiest models of the bunch is the brilliant 420 Monte Carlo with twin Mercury Racing HP700SCi engines and a gold paint job. Yet the 42-footer, which was introduced in late 2011, is likely going to be overshadowed by the debut of its younger sibling—the 320 Monte Carlo.

The stepped-bottom 32-footer offers a lot of boat for its size.The step-bottom 32-footer offers a lot of boat for its size.

Designed as a smaller version of the elegant 420 MC that blends classic Mediterranean styling coupled with modern lines and technology, the 32-foot step-bottom boat offers a dry, stable and soft ride thanks to a 10-foot beam, which it shares with its larger sibling. Powered by a single 430-hp MerCruiser 8.2 Mag HO engine, the boat reached a top speed of 65 mph in initial testing a couple of days before the show.

Featuring a similar center-console helm design and cockpit seating arrangement to the 42-footer, the 320 MC has a substantial wraparound windshield that doesn’t take away from the boat’s classic lines while protecting the spacious cockpit. In a unique configuration for a boat of its size, forward aft-facing lounges are located on each side of the sliding door that doubles as a molded staircase for fore deck access and an entrance to the cuddy cabin, which features an enclosed head and a V berth.

Situated behind the two-person helm that includes two large GPS screens is a pair of bench seats separated by a walkway that provides access across the cushioned sun deck to the molded-in swim platform.

More photos from opening day at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (click to enlarge)

nortech-lauderdale-dock1 A closer look at Nor-Tech's redesigned 39-foot center console.
A rear shot of Nor-Tech's bright green 40 Roadster with twin Mercury Racing 1100 engines and gold 420 Monte Carlo with twin HP700SCi engines. The new 320 Monte Carlo from Nor-Tech features a similar cockpit layout and engine hatch/sunpad configuration as the larger 420 Monte Carlo.