HANDSOME, SMART, AGILE

I’d long wanted to get my hands on the Axopar 37 Sports Cabin for a sea trial. Having seen its debut at the Düsseldorf boat show last year, I finally got the chance at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. I was not disappointed.

With the 37, the Finnish builder has blended an aggressive look with an inviting cabin while staying true to the company’s philosophy of efficiency and performance. By using stepped hulls and twin outboards, the 37 provides respectable speed at a reasonable price. The cockpit seems Florida-ready with plenty of space for entertaining—especially if you opt for the wet bar, fridge, grill and sink.

Forward of the helm, the main cabin has a queen berth, a head, a privacy curtain, a compact galley and a small bench seat where you can escape your guests without having to lie in the bed. The cabin does not offer standup headroom, rather, something I’d call comfortable crouch height.

The salon on the main deck makes the most of the space with an L-shape sofa and dining table. There’s an option to have an aft cabin, which I would certainly choose.

The wind was wispy as golden morning light gleamed off what should have been the calm water of the bay off Cannes. It turned out, we weren’t the only ones itching for a sea trial. Dozens of motoryachts crisscrossed the water with prospective buyers aboard, churning the water into a confused mess. The conditions were perfect for testing what Axpoar claims is a high-performance craft.

“Now this is more like it,” I said to Axopar founder Jan-Erik Viitala as we slipped our lines and made our way to open water. As I admired all the glimmery motoryachts around us, it struck me how many people were admiring the 37 in return. Her gray hull, black hardtop and low-profile design easily catch the eye.