Sunsation 36-footer Tops 114 mph

The 36′ is Sunsation’s latest model. (The 700-hp version is not pictured here.)

With twin Mercury Racing 700SCi engines under the hatch, a Sunsation 36’ XRT—the latest addition to the Sunsation line and the builder’s first 36-footer with the twin 700-hp engines—ran 114.3 mph according to Wayne Schaldenbrand, the president of the Algonac, Mich., company. The 1,400-hp boat made its debut during the Desert Storm event in late April on Lake Havasu.

The stepped V-bottom, which had significant design input from former offshore racing champion and driving school leader Tres Martin, was built for Jared and Heather Morris of Iowa. Former Powerboat magazine technical editor and lead test driver Bob Teague piloted the boat during its test runs on Lake Havasu. Schaldenbrand was on board as a co-pilot/observer.

“Bob said it was rock-solid,” said Schaldenbrand. “I mean, it’s still a boat running 114 mph so you still have to drive it, but Bob said it felt and handled great.”

The second 36’ Sunsation with twin 700SCi engines, which was ordered with a custom cabin by buyer Al Ober through Doller Offshore Marine in Hollywood, Fla., is currently being painted. Once the boat’s graphic are finished, it will head to rigging.

“It’s about three or four weeks from being complete,” said Schaldenbrand.