Xcelerator 36 at FLIBS

I almost walked on by, but something in the scene caught my eye. This was different, and different was worth looking at. The salesmen were young, there was a 15" 7215 Garmin on the back of the boat mounted like a down spot playing a football game. The boat looked sort of like another boat I know, but it wasn't, and look at the logos on the wrap. When did 3M start sponsoring fishing teams?

Joel Kauffman (left) and Kaylan Harper, are both the twenty something proprietors of Xcelerator  Boatworks, and the builders. You just have to see what this talented duo hath wrought to believe it.

At first glance the boat looked a lot like the other boats in the offshore center console class, but there was much more here than meets the eye.

Their boat is the Xcelerator 36' center console with a second steering station. Power is provided by triple Yamaha 350 HP engines with a 400 gallon fuel capacity. The fit and finish of this cold molded Carolina style deep V vessel is truly superb in all aspects.

The navigation suite is  extensive, all Garmin, and fully integrated. The lower helm has two 7215 touch screen displays, the auto pilot, and a data display all mounted in a carbon fiber panel.

The upper second station has a 5208 touch screen with a Garmin remote for the auto pilot. Add to this mix a XM/weather receiver, two GPS engines, VHF with two wireless stations, AIS class B transponder, chirp fish finder, radar, night vision camera system, and an aft mounted  7215 touch screen.

The Garmin system is also integrated into the three Yamaha engines, and the Fusion stereo system using NMEA 2000 links, and the three 7215's MFD's are also video enabled, with sound managed by the Fusion stereo. Video can also be source selected between satellite TV and DVD's

The center console cabin is very large, and paneled with warm teak. A stainless steel refrigerator, microwave, coffee machine and a 32' television (not visible in the picture) are on the aft cabin wall.

The starboard cabin wall has the Intellian TV receiver, Bose stereo system for the cabin, Fusion 700 series stereo for exterior sound, Czone control panel, VHF unit and other entertainment related systems.

The forward part of the cabin has a U shaped leather settee that converts to a large berth, and a second television. Lots of storage space, a head, Corian counter tops, and good interior lighting finishes the space off.

This is the first time I have seen a boat of this size with a CZone AC and DC control system. There are three touch screen panels on the boat. One in the cabin, one at the helm, and a third in the equipment room. Yes, you heard that right, the boat actually has a walk in equipment room.

The space is certainly more than large enough to comfortably fit into. Like the aft bilge, the area has vinyl tread plate flooring, and all of the gear is easy to access.

The equipment room contains the BEP, CZone, and Mastervolt inverter and charging systems. Almost everything electrical on the boat can be operated, or monitored from the touch screens. Actuant owns both BEP, and Mastervolt, and these companies have worked hard to integrate their capabilities. Also in this compartment is the cold plate compressor system.

The charging, inverting, and power systems communicate using a NMEA 2000 backbone. A notable aspect of this design is in the event of a system failure, you can actuate critical systems via breaker panels.

I have given this boat some serious thought, and I can hardly think of a single thing I would want to add to it. But if you wanted something, you can have it. Each Xcelerator is custom built and configured for each owner, and no two are exactly alike.

I saw a lot of boat's at FLIBS, but to me this was a standout in its class by a large margin. It even features an aquarium style live bait well, and for the show they were using it as an aquarium. 

So what does this Xcelerator cost? In real world terms it is over $40,000 less than a very similar in appearance big name boat whose pricing you see below but....

With the Xcelerator you also get bow and stern thrusters, 2500 watt inverter, more comprehensive navigation systems, satellite TV system, larger generator (10kw Kohler), freezer plate system for the fish boxes, Bose stereo system, more stereo speakers, larger cabin, power management systems, night vision camera system, 150 additional horse power, Plasdeck teak decking, stainless steel appliances, fold out fighting chair, aquarium style live bait well, an on and on, and on. Best of all you get to decide what, where, and how when you have your boat built. In the end, I was hugely impressed with what I saw, and the exquisite quality of the boat. Compared to the big name brand boat I have contrasted it with, I would take the Xcelerator any day of the week, would save $40K to boot, and would get a lot more boat.

The Xcelerator you have been looking at was built for NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. I have been assured the boat can turn to the right, and no the steering wheel doesn't have a quick release. Good job Joel, and Kaylan, and good choice Greg.

Here is the Xcelerator website (down at the time of writing for revision)
Here is their Facebook page.

Xcelerator Boatworks
1593 Buffalo Shoales Rd.
Statesville, NC 28677
704.464.0451

No compensation for the article was asked for or given. The boat is just an excellent piece of work, and was worthy of note. Bill