28'
Fusion

Today's Family Deck Boat

Somewhere along the way in the creation of the 28 Fusion, Essex lost track of their mission to build a great deck boat and committed to a much larger picture: the creation of a truly spectacular Performance Cat whose topside happens to embrace the deck boating lifestyle to the fullest possible capacity.

This aggressively styled and masterfully built Fusion is foremost a family boat, and Essex triumphed in this long-held company priority by every measurable standard and aesthetic benchmark. When called upon to do so, its newly tooled bottom transformed available power to fluid, comfortable and utterly controlled motion.

Gallery

Features

• CD Stereo
• Billet Stereo Cover
• Bimini Top
• Dual Batteries
• Tilt Steering
• Interior Lights
• Cargo Bay Lights
• 496 MAG
• Sink
• Front Shower
• Pop Up Cleats
• Snap In Carpet

• In Floor Ski Locker
• Walk Thru Transom
• Electronic Sundeck
• Electronic Fuel Switch
• 12v Blender
• Cup Holders
• Glove Box
• Colored Pedistals
• Controur Bow Seat
• Rear Trim Switch
• Triple Trailer

Featured Images

Review

Essex Performance Boats took a big step when it introduced its 28 Fusion in early 2008. The 28-foot deck boat was the first catamaran in the company's lineup, which included a variety of V-bottoms between 21 and 29 feet. Putting the same effort the custom boat builder puts into its V- bottoms, the deck boat turned out to be a winner. Between an affordable price tag, with a single MerCruiser 496 Mag HO engine-and its family friendly features, the 28 Fusion deserved a closer look. While the first few models were relatively tame power-wise, the Ontario, Calif, builder took the fourth boat from the mold a couple of steps further. The boat's owner opted for big power and wanted it fully capped from bow to stern.

Worth it? Powerboat's Test Team thought so after putting the 28-footer's 900-horsepower engine to use on the Colorado River in Parker, Ariz. Then again, we've yet to drive a lesser-powered variation.

For the first 28 Fusion we've tested, we were impressed by its performance. The 28-foor deck boat was a rocket in the acceleration drills and its handling characteristics were lights out. Taking full advantage of the 900 EFI engine from Teague Custom Marine, the boat took less than 4 seconds in both the 30-to-50-mph and 40-to-60-mph drills. It ran from 40 to 70 mph in 7 seconds flat. In the midrange, it was just as snappy. From a standing start, the 28-footer reached 58 mph in 10 seconds and 88 mph in 20 seconds. Time to reach plane (4 seconds) was reasonably quick, but even better was that we never lost sight of the horizon.