With a retooled deck and 1,400 horsepower behind it, Nordic Boats’ 42 Inferno is the complete package.

For decades, Nordic Boats has developed its pedigree with lake boats that could be found everywhere from Arizona’s Lake Havasu to Lake Texoma on the Texas-Oklahoma border. While the company touted some of its large V-bottoms as offshore boats, it never had a true offshore offering until it introduced the 42 Inferno a couple of years ago. Whether it’s on a large lake or offshore, Nordic’s retooled 42 Inferno is right at home. Since owner Randy Davis bought the Lake Havasu City company several years ago, the quality of the boats has risen substantially thanks to wood-free construction and better in-house manufacturing.

Performance-wise, Nordic’s offerings have made big strides as well. With a couple of Mercury Racing HP700SCi engines providing the punch, Nordic’s 42 Inferno topped 100 mph—100.7 mph to be exact—to qualify for this roundup. It took some distance on the Colorado River, but lead test driver Bob Teague got the substantial twin-step V-bottom beyond the century mark.

“This thing really handles good through the turns and slaloms,” Teague said. “It’s just an all-around nice boat.”

Test driver John Tomlinson agreed, giving the V-bottom top marks in turning and slalom drills, as well as tracking at all speeds. With the 700-hp engines connected to Mercury Racing NXT1 SSM drives—NXT1 transmissions coupled with No. 6 drives—and 17" x 36" Mercury CNC five-blade propellers, Tomlinson noted that the boat accelerated quickly out of the hole.

The 42 Inferno reached plane in 5.8 seconds with the Mercury Racing 280S K-Planes down. Almost 15 seconds later it was running 70 mph—the boat’s cruising speed at 4,000 rpm. Tomlinson’s only criticism had to do with the windshield, or more specifically with the glare created by the dash. He said a darker color for the top of the dash, rather than white, would eliminate most of the glare.

The boat’s three-piece wraparound windshield was part of its retooled deck—the 42 Inferno the company debuted in 2007 didn’t have one and its deck was a few inches taller.

“We like the big windshield because it keeps all the wind off you and everyone in the cockpit,” said Mike Lotka, Nordic’s general manager. “We’ve given this boat a new look with the deck and cockpit area, as well as the staggered engine setup.”

Teague, Powerboat’s workmanship inspector, was impressed. He praised the deck tooling, describing it as “straight as an arrow,” and said the installation of the windshield was perfect. Hardware on the 42-footer included LED navigation lights from Livorsi Marine, two deck hatches, six pull-up cleats and a pair of foldout swim ladders in the integrated swim platform.

With a plush sun pad on top, the engine hatch raised on a pair of electric rams to display the big-blocks. The white bilge was immaculate and Nordic even painted the company logo on the underside of the hatch. As for amenities, the boat was not lacking, especially in the cabin. Along with a huge V-berth and long facing lounges, the cabin featured a galley to port with a stainless-steel sink and a refrigerator, and a large carpeted locker across the way that could be used as a head compartment.

Covered with gray snap-in carpet to match the cabin, Nordic installed a pair of electric dropout bolsters and a deep rear bench in the cockpit. With touches of orange, yellow and purple to match the gelcoat, the boat’s white upholstery was high quality.

At the starboard-side helm, Nordic kept things simple. Above the tilt steering wheel was a pair of Livorsi tachometers, a Northstar GPS screen and a Mercury SmartCraft Vessel View system. A large GPS speedometer was mounted ahead of the Latham Marine throttles and shifters on an extension from the gunwale.

When it came to quality of construction, handling and appearance, the latest 42 Inferno from Nordic Boats was a complete package, especially at $479,000.—Jason Johnson

Specifications/Test Results
Centerline/beam: 42'/9'
Hull weight/fuel capacity: 8,975 pounds/220 gallons
Price as tested: $479,200
Engine: (2) Mercury Racing HP700SCi
Propeller: Mercury CNC five-blade 17" x 36"
Time to plane: 5.8 seconds
Zero to 20 seconds: 70 mph
40 to 70 mph: 11.5 seconds
Top speed at rpm: 100.7 mph at 5,350
Contact: 800-279-5398, www.nordicboatsusa.com