During my test, the 300-hp diesel sparked to life with nary a puff of smoke, even though the exhaust is routed through the transom rather than through the sterndrive hub. A jackshaft configuration places the engine weight forward to lower the center of gravity and help drive the boat through a sea rather than skip along the top of it. The low center of gravity improves roll characteristics while drifting, too. Under way, the 27H made 33.1 knots at wide-open throttle and cruised most efficiently at 27 knots; range at that speed is about 420 miles with a 10 percent reserve. What I didn’t like was the turbocharger whine at cruising speeds. But this was the first 27H off the line; Ocean Master plans to add more insulation in the engine compartment on this and future models.

The hull rode slightly high but addressed each wave adroitly and confidently. Even when encouraged to launch off a wave, the 27H settled down softly into the sea without pounding or shuddering. This is truly an offshore center console. Turns were sharp and aggressive with excellent helm control.

"Each owner works one-on-one with Mark Hauptner, who strikes me as a perfectionist."

Hull Design

Ocean Master President Mark Hauptner didn’t rely on computer models when he personally crafted this hull. Instead, he relied on his own personal experience. A former racer, he holds 14 world records and six national championship titles.

This same modified deep-V hull is also found on Hauptner’s Ocean Skiff 27, which I drove the same day. Designed for outboard power, it weighs just 3,000 pounds (without motor) and floats in 15 inches of water. While the weight of the diesel drives the bow of the 27H lower into an oncoming sea, the Ocean Skiff skips higher into the swell, yet has the same solid re-entry. The Ocean Skiff 27 is a great choice for those who want to cross the Gulf Stream to fish the flats in the Bahamas.

Center Console - laid out per your request

Large Cockpit

Anglers will be pleased to know that the 27 Diesel’s cockpit is large—roughly 68 square feet. And thanks to the sterndrive configuration, there’s a clean, square transom, which means you can back down hard into a sea without inviting water into the cockpit. Access around the console is very good, too. You won’t have to squeeze sideways to get by while fighting that prize catch. Yet the console is large enough for an adult to use the optional head compartment.

"Each owner has a tremendous amount of control over how his or her boat is laid out."

A Perfectionist Builder

Oean Master is a semi-custom boat builder. Each owner has a tremendous amount of control over how his or her boat is laid out. In addition, each owner works one-on-one with Hauptner, who strikes me as a perfectionist. He was personally reshaping the propeller for one of the test boats when I arrived because he was sure he could squeeze more performance out of the rig.

Review Source: