First of all, no new boat was better prepared for its first soiree into the bright lights-the finish work on our Essex was merely awesome. It inspireds straight "10s" from our harsh graders at the launch ramp, who lauded its fit, fiberglass, gelcoat, tooling, and hardware installation, branding it "exceptional." It is difficult to make a splash in this size class, with such an influx of great product available, but the Essex has succeeded.

The Raven is, above all else, a big, sufficiently deep, fullbodied Havasu lake boat that will haul in and stylishly stow a goodly amount of gear and group. There is an elemental practicality about the boat that balances its highly creative interior. Nowhere in its teasing flow does the Raven's passenger space sacrifice practical considerations, honing its wonderfully unique presentation- everything is for a reason, as classic and contemporary influences weave their way through one beautiufl installation.

This one assumed serious performance intentions, the likes of which should not be taken lightly on this, or any other vee-bottom powerboat. Essex partnered the 600SC with every performance advantage, including MerCruiser's 600-adaptable ITS system. MerCruiser's state-of-the-art hydraulic steering, and lmco helm, and performance X R drive refined the 600 horsepower on their way to Mercury's new, lab-finished, 29 " 5-blade Maximus. Eddie Marine's optional billets uperextender tabs extended the Essex's capabilities a notch, and were a source of comfort in rough water-we had no shortage of it.

With their exhilarating mix of pure, old-school vinyl craftsmanship and fiercely progressive cut, the seats aren't just easy on the eyes - they breathe, through cutaway venting that defines the latest interior styling edge. This isn't gimmickry when it's a hundred at Havasu, and the seating flows smoothly into boldly cut side vinyl that trims dramatic, elliptically cut side storage.

More contrast: the beautifully cut billet seat mounts, standard-issue trappings in a boat that is absolutely flush with base features, rise coolly from the clean, traditional cut of Essex's neatly plied interior carpet and dominating, Immaculate white vinyl.

The seats have a nice rake to them, and they feel good. They're nice and supportive at speed, a feeling that's enhanced by perfectly laced, heavy-duty billet foot railing.

The gorgeous seat mounts and prevalent railing and gleaming metal trim is indicative of another characteristic styling choice, which continues to define Essex's high-end occupation. Their delicate and highly effective use of polished metal surface throughout the cockpit is a line trait that puts the final glow to the Essex's impeccable finish.

Switch plates, throttle and shift base plates and control levers, the bezels that hosted our sublime collection of Autometer Pro Comp Marine gauge faces, and a host of other neatly cut trim billet assured that Essex makes the most of everything metallic. All of it tucked neatly into the Raven's interior tooling, and was specifically shaped. Gleaming support tubing glimmered in the summer day. The cockpit's liberal railing work was beautifully executed. There's always a grand mix of gear affixed to every stock Essex, which loads up with a respectable Alpine CD system, power hatch, dual batteries, bimini top and cover, and a very nice custom trailer.

Our sound system was upgraded to a JL Audio remake, a touch befitting this very distinctive performance cruiser. There was flushed lighting seemingly everywhere, including the cabin, and no fewer than 14 drink receptacles. Essex's familiar passenger friendliness and distinctive cockpit vibe run rampant through the Raven's 27 feet, which are enhanced by a full wraparound transom platform that we found comfortable enough. The Raven retains the low-profile rear deck spoiler, and padded, flattened platform that is prominent elsewhere in its line, and they did an excellent job of integrating the vinyl graphics with those spilling and spiking from its fiberglass.

The thematic red and gold played beautifully together throughout the boat's surfaces, and Essex's painters and vinyl masters are highly tuned to their aesthetic partnership.

Essex searched hard for small ways to tune passenger ergonomics, and exploited them, when it made sense. The bow seats were flared upward at their edges, for example, giving passengers more security in motion and making them more comfortable.

The cabin area is widely accessible, and hand railing is there to assist; it closes to the bow section with a privacy slider, before stunning you with its ample headroom and comfort. The stylishly finished center cabin will easily host five or six. There's a portable cooler below.