Vroom with a view

The first hull to arrive in Australia comes with a t-top, which protects the centre console, making it ideal for all conditions, and is powered by twin 350-horsepower six-cylinder Mercurys, although an inboard version is available that offers a vast aft deck.

Our review boat came equipped with cooking facilities in the form of a wet-bar grill with a 105-litre fridge beside the aft dinette on deck that transforms into a double sunbed. Meanwhile, below decks, the tall topsides allow for a double bed forward and two singles aft, with tall standing headroom in the main accommodation area.

Open dayboats are all about maximising the fun and sensation of alfresco boating. Feeling the wind in your hair as you blast along, with perhaps a skier behind, is all part of the thrill.

Driving is a key part of this fun on the Tesoro, and that’s ensured by the centre-console layout with standing or sitting positions at the helm, which offers twin bolster seats. The frameless spray hood maximises visibility by using slim supports forward.

The console is angled to be shaded, and all the essential controls are at hand – twin throttles on starboard and the bow thruster buttons to port, which is recommended given the windage from the high topsides, plus there are Lenco trim tabs. Twin 16-inch Garmin screens show essential navigation and comprehensive engine information supplied by Mercury. There’s also inbuilt Fusion audio for when it’s time to activate party mode.

Luxury dayboating requires some subtlety as well, so the t-top on our review boat had a removable awning extension with legs. Beneath it, six can enjoy lunch around the folding aft teak bench, which can be electrically lowered to become a daybed or triple sunpad. A larger t-top that covers both side decks is also available. This area is sturdily built with well-engineered fixtures in thick chrome, although ideally, I would add a few handrails, including under the t-top. Underfoot, Flexiteek offers a cool and grippy surface.

Choosing the inboard version would maximise the open-plan layout but the popularity of outboards is hard to argue with, and those still give good water access because of an extended (optional) hydraulic swim platform with swim ladder.

This platform transforms into steps via a stainless mechanism powered by a hydraulic ram that can take a 200- or 400-kilogram jetski, depending on your option selection.

Gates aft and waist-high bulwarks going forward give further security – great for when you want to head up front for some bow riding or enjoy the forward cockpit. Here, using the console bulkhead and all sides of the bow creates a vast sunpad. Flexiteek gunwales add comfort, especially in our climate that heats up GRP mercilessly.

The bow is unadorned because inside the deep chain locker there’s an extendable arm that contains the anchor and cable controls. Worth considering here is a small ladder for beach access because once those outboards are tilted, the Tesoro’s hull could easily nestle onto the sand with a stern anchor deployed.

The accommodation is entered by sliding back a Plexiglass door, and the cabin clearly benefits from the volume of the tall hull to offer standing space in the main part and the head. Beyond this requires a crawl onto the double bed – the bed base cleverly transforms into a dinette table as well. Nearby in a locker is a coffee maker and an electric plate – great for simple catering or for reheating already-prepared meals. There’s a large skylight with opening hatches. Side windows are also an option and were fitted to our review boat, complete with opening portholes.

The two aft bunks are decent at 80 centimetres by 2 metres, and there’s good headroom. Other pluses down here include a fridge, numerous lockers finished in light-coloured wood veneer, and shelves with subtle mood lighting. The head is comprehensively kitted with a fixed shower, electric loo, and Corian sink, plus cupboard space. Also here is a neatly laid-out electrical circuit board.

The T40’s dramatic aesthetics are formed by a plumb bow, sweeping hard chine and high freeboard with reverse sheer, which all work together to create that voluminous hull.

The build is infused monolithic vinylester resin underwater, with thick Corecell foam topsides to reduce weight yet maximise rigidity – key areas are carbon-reinforced. The entire aft deck lifts via a hydraulic ram to reveal the space for inboard engines – intended for twin Volvo Penta stern drives – and is available as a lazarette on the outboard version. Our review boat’s laz contained the optional 5-kilowatt generator, hot-water tank and aircon.

For all the detail, though, it’s out on the water that the T40 comes to life. Escaping the congested Sydney International Boat Show, where the Tesoro was a popular exhibit, was fairly easy thanks to skipper Greg Boller’s canny use of the tunnel bow thruster to spin the 40-footer into clear water before speeding off to open water. The flat conditions allowed the T40 to cover the few miles to the open sea easily, while behind the windshield I enjoyed the protection.

Standing behind the wheel, I felt secure as I accelerated across the swells at North Head.

There was no jarring or vibration, even as we leapt off some steeper waves. Turning revealed the usefulness of a relatively long keel and significant deadrise, meaning no sliding as the hull heeled and then tracked straight.

Natural trim was also good, which is essential given the elongated swim platform beyond the outboards, although this platform can be jacked up at the touch of a button.

Despite the topsides lacking forward flare, only one splash reached the windshield, while at the wheel I simply enjoyed the smooth ride. The plumb bow dealt efficiently with the oncoming swells while avoiding digging into the backs of others while running. Straight-line cruising speed was a brisk 25 knots (for a 297-nautical-mile range) without the need for trim tabs, reflecting a well-balanced hull that emboldened me to push for more, reaching 35 knots with the help of 30-percent tabs and a slight tilt of the outboard legs.

Whichever way you dice it, the Tesoro T40 is a great combination of fun and function in a very stylish package – a little treasure indeed. Or, as we used to say in España, muy bueno.

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