More bigger better seems to be the theme when it comes to center console boats these days, and the latest center console to push the 40-foot barrier is also the biggest boat made by Blackfin today: the 400 CC. We took a peek at this boat at the 2023 Miami International Boat show and for the 2024 model year it’s on the water in all its quad-engine, mega-beefy, twin-stepped glory. Check it out in this Yachtworld video.
Blackfin 400 CC Design
While the 400 CC is a center console fishing boat, it’s not what you’d term a “hard core” fishing machine. Rather, Blackfin follows a design concept it calls “30-30-30.” The idea is to split the boat’s attitude into thirds, one-third fishing, one-third cruising, and one-third entertaining. To this end, the forward third of the boat is a kick-back-and-relax bow cockpit with a monster lounger atop the console cabin and a forward aft-facing seat built in at the peak. There’s still room to stand and cast from the deck and 360-degree fishability is maintained, but the area is clearly tilted towards lounging and entertaining.
Much of the boat’s amidships is taken up by an extended console cabin. And we do mean extended. Inside there’s an unusually large fully enclosed head with a stall shower, a large forward berth that converts into a settee, and a mini-galley. Don’t worry about the “mini” part when it’s time to entertain the crew with a fresh fish dinner, because there’s also an electric grill out in the cockpit. Speaking of the cockpit: aft is the fishing zone, with the cockpit kept wide open behind the rigging station/mezzanine/outdoor galley.
One more design note: the hull rides on a Michael Peters Yacht Design twin-stepped bottom. While we can’t yet say exactly how performance will shake out as the model enters the full production phase, with quad V-10 400 horsepower outboards made by Mercury Marine on the transom, the manufacturer is expecting a top-end in the 70 mph range.
Blackfin 400 CC Fishing Features
Unlike some builders, Blackfin opted to integrate one huge livewell rather than splitting the capacity between multiple livewells. Centered in the transom, it holds 70 gallons and has a large clear viewing port on the front. Once you swing the gaff you’ll have plenty of room for icing down those soon-to-be fillets, with 240 gallons of fish-stowage in the integrated fishboxes.
There’s no shortage of rod stowage, either, with flush-mounts lining the gunwales, 14 rocket launchers across the hard top, and under-gunwale racks. There are four large tackle stowage drawers in the back of the leaning post (another tackle stowage spot hides in the transom with three slide-out Plano boxes), as well as a rigging station and a pair of Yeti coolers underneath. And note that this unit converts into aft-facing mezzanine-stye seating, so you have a good spot to kick back as you watch the baits. We also note — and love — that there’s a dedicated pocket designed into the starboard inwale for a self-coiling raw water washdown hose, so it’s easily accessible but never underfoot and in the way.
Blackfin 400 CC Comfort Features
Thanks to all that LOA, the 400 CC is one of the few center consoles out there with enough space for two-row flip-down bolster helm seating. That means six people have a comfy, protected spot to sit or stand facing forward as you run for the canyons. Also note the flip-down arm rests, diamond-pattern stitching, and contoured upholstery.
We love that Blackfin gave the 400 CC an injection of comfort-boosting tech, too. Look atop the helm and in the seats and you’ll find compartments with wireless charging for you and your passenger’s phones. Check the hard top and you’ll find integrated stereo speakers hitched up to a booming stereo system. Peek at the controls and you’ll spot a joystick. The list goes on and on.
While it’s not often thought of as a comfort-boosting feature, we also want to call out the machinery space under the aft deck. It’s roomy enough to eliminate those contortions needed to reach items like filters and plumbing, and is designed to house a Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilizer if you opt for one.
Blackfin 400 CC Specifications
- Length Overall: 39’10”
- Beam: 12’0”
- Weight: TBD
- Draft (min.): TBD
- Transom Deadrise: 23 degrees
- Max HP: 1800
- Fuel Capacity: 475 gal.
- Water Capacity: 100 gal.
So: Are you ready to go for a sea trial? As we begin spreading the word about this boat, supply is tight and demand is high. But as of mid-2023 listings were already beginning to appear and as time marches on we should see more and more Blackfin 400 CCs hitting the water. If you’ve been running a 30-something, have been thinking that bigger would be better, and love the concept of that 30-30-30 attitude, a sea trial is indeed in order.
See Blackfin 400 CC boats for sale on Boat Trader.