There's one for sale on eBay and it can be yours for a mere $350,000.
Not sure what we're talking about? Some of you may remember a post back in 2008 about a power boat designed by Porsche and manufactured by Fearless Yachts. Unfortunately, just a few short months after introducing their first Porsche Designed Boat (The Fearless 28) the company, Fearless International, filed for bankruptcy and was never to be heard from again.
What might not be widely known, and quite frankly the details still aren't all that clear, is that besides press releases and company statements to the contrary, the Fearless 28 was not the first boat ever designed by Porsche. Based on our research (and it's not necessarily conclusive or accurate) it appears that Porsche first designed a boat back in 1985 and commissioned Kineo to build the hulls. The result was the Kineo 27', of which only three hulls were completed.
Where things get really foggy is trying to figure out how these boats were powered. Some claim that only one hull and power option was ever approved by Porsche and that's the Kineo 27' with twin Mercruiser MAG 454s (see the link above). Others, like the seller of this eBay listing claim that their boat is the only one with Porsche Marine engines (Porsche 928 v8s that were converted to marine use). If, in fact, the seller of the boat on eBay is to be believed (and based on our research we can't figure it out either way) this particular boat is the first ever to be designed and produced by Porsche and the only speed boat powered by a Porsche marine engine.
While the details aren't clear, and the seller's not talking (which has us wanting to ask even more questions), it appears that this particular boat was designed by Porsche, built by Kineo and powered by Porsche but never released to the public. According to the seller, this boat was Manufactured in 1992 - a full 16 years before Fearless launched their boat at the Miami boat show.
Let's recap. Three of these hulls were produced, but only one of them, this one (hull #1), is powered with the Porsche Marine Engine option (a $75k option in '92). If this really is the case, then we're looking at a one-off, one-of-a-kind prototype, that just might be worth the asking price as the only thing like it in existence. But, buyer beware! Do your homework first, ask a lot of questions and get the documentation!
Porsche Design Boat Details
- Carbon Fiber Kevlar Construction
- Hull #1 of 2 (or three)
- 0 Hours and Stored Since New
- Porsche Metallic Silver Paint, Dual Matching Silver Hard Shell Fully Adjustable Sport Seats (GT3?) with Red Cushions
- "PORSCHE" Designed By FA Porsche on the transom that hydraulically opens to a fold down swim platform with ladder and wash down
- Cushioned sunpad-hydraulic engine hatch
- Small berth able cabin with gray cushions and headliner
- Vacuflush toilet
- Dual VDO gadge instrumentation
- Brand new teak decks complete mechanical and cosmetic updates (not sure what is meant by update?)
- Original MSRP was $550K plus $75K for the Porsche Marine Option
Related Porsche Boat Posts
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[Source: Ebay, Rightboat, TeamSpeed, Pelican Parts, YachtForums]
I saw that boat at the Genova Boat Show in 1985. It had MerCruiser sterndrives upgraded with Kiekhaefer Aeromarine Motors, Inc. gears, shafts and lower gearcases. I could not see the power because the hatches were closed at the time. Good it was stored all these years. There was no way to attach a mooring line! No way to stand on the fore deck – and no way to clime back onboard once the inevitable splashdown occurs. Looked stylish, but totally impractical.
The Fearless boat was not actually built by Porsche – it was a collaboration between Porsche Design and an outside group. The hulls were built at the Donzi factory in Sarasota, FL – and power was supplied by Mercruiser. There were plans for a 42′ and a yacht, but they never got beyond the line drawing stage. I have been told that at one time back in the 80′s there was a boat built that had a marinized Porsche motor (from the 928?). Fred K, you probably can fill us in.
The Fearless 28 was powered with Mercury Racing 525EFI engines – custom red with carbon fiber accents. It was indeed built at Donzi with unique Fearless molds.
Two Porsche 928 V-8′s were marinized in the mid-1980′s. They were horrifically expensive and were under powered compared to MerCruiser power of the era. They were lighter, but that alone was not enough. They were never successful in the marine market.
@Bill,
The boat you’re talking about (the one from the ’80′s) is the subject of this post. The Kineo 27′.
@Fred, that’s correct. What’s really at question, is of the three hulls built by Kineo (and the two that were powered), which one was the official “Porsche Design”. There are conflicting reports. One owners says his boat with the Mercury Racing engines is the true “Porsche”. The owner selling his boat on eBay claims that his is the one….
Actually, both were styled by Porsche Design – just 20 years apart.
The Kineo speedboat with the 928 marine powerplant is the real deal. It was featured in Christopherus Magazine in a main article showing the 928 marine conversion engine and detailing the collaboration between the factory and the hullmaker. I would imagine that many folks out there including the new archives at the Museum in Stuttgart have that issue of the Porsche factory magazine and can verify that information.
There were 3 Built. 1 went Germany . 1 to Japan. 1 stayed in Sunny Florida. I have it. If you want the real skinny on them .. talk to the real builder.. Kiko Velano. Designed by porsche.. they sent a 3′ model , which he has and was in my office last yr. and built by Marine Concepts, in Sarasota. my hull is # 3. the last one. all 3 were powered by 928 engines. I have replaced the twins with a single 480Hp Diesel facing aft, with 950 ft lbs of torque split into two bravo 1 drives turning two 15.25 X 32 mercury bravo 1 props. = 62 Mph. the system is called Geared-up. I think one of the boats was in charter in Europe with 2 420HP Mercs! they were 2 seaters. with my system , its a 5 seater.!! the split boxes are under the seat.I will be glad to send pictures and more info by email contact me at rmastry@mastryengine.com
There is another one of these in St. Petersburg, FL. Although it has been re-powered with the new Yanmar Turbo Diesel. It turns head like a new Porsche Panamera (car) and now is powered by an engine that runs as good as it looks. It was re-poered by Mastry Engine Center http://www.Mastry.com
@Jon,
Thanks for the tip, we’ll take look into that and see what we can did up
Since 3 months I own one of the 3 original Porsche Kineo’s ever built. As a matter of fact, mine is the only original one left and is currently undergoing professional restoration, with the help of the Porsche Design Studio in Austria. When I bought it 3 months ago, it was fully original, where the other 2 Kineo’s have been modified throughout time. The professional restoration will be finished in April, 2013 and NO modifications will be made from its original manufacturing status back in 1990. At the time, 1 Kineo had a Porsche engine in it, but that didn’t work out very well and was removed later on. The other 2 Kineo’s had (have) Mercruiser engines. Mine still has the original Mercruisers in it and are currently refurbished. The 3 Kineo’s were built as prototypes by ThyssenKrupp in Germany.