Overview

Punch the throttles at the helm of the Mystic M5200XL, and the acceleration feels so smooth and effortless that you don’t realize how quickly you’re gaining speed or even how fast you’re actually going. That is, until you glance to one side and notice the houses and channel markers along the waterway start to blur. Then you feel like a pilot flying a private jet on a ­bluebird day, experiencing nothing but pure speed in a luxury setting.

Founded in 1996 by John Cosker, Mystic has had a hand in both the offshore-racing and recreational-boating sectors since that time. On the rec side, Mystic has gained a reputation for building opulent speedsters, which is fully evident when you step aboard the M5200XL. The boat is highly customizable, so no two are exactly alike, but our test model had a total of eight helm-style seats—two rows of four—under the hardtop, each with its own flip-up bolster, so everyone can adjust independently to their own comfort level. Step aft to the transom for a wraparound lounge featuring an electrically actuated teak table that can be converted to a sun pad with the add-on cushions. Just aft of the helm stadium seating, there’s a summer kitchen with a sink, grill, and a cooler that slides in and out at the push of a button.

Interior and Accessories

Coaming bolsters adorn the inwales from stem to stern, and the wide walkways to either side of the console provide easy passage to the spacious bow lounge. With 40 inches of freeboard, moving around this boat feels safe and secure. Just forward of the console, Mystic installed three forward-facing lounges with their own cup holders and armrests. The wraparound seating in the bow is ergonomically designed for comfort. Two electrically actuated tables can be deployed to rise from the deck and create another social space. Our tester had a Garmin display, synced to the helm, ­flush-mounted into the bow, so passengers can keep tabs on where the captain is going.

Step belowdecks into a cabin with 6 feet, 4 inches of headroom and a V-berth that converts to a dinette. The head has a vanity with a mounted bowl sink, as well as a VacuFlush ­toilet—all separated from the shower by a full-length glass door. Our test boat had the summer kitchen in the main cockpit rather than a galley belowdecks, but owners can add one ­below if desired. Crank up the air conditioning on a hot summer night to sleep or hang out in climate-controlled comfort. All of it adds up to a boat that’s more than capable of meeting your needs for an overnight cruise.

Engines

But if you’re interested in the Mystic M5200, No. 1 on your checklist is going to be how this boat performs, and on our test day, it came up aces. With four Mercury 600 Verado V-12s on the transom, this 13-ton boat climbed onto plane in an astounding 3.1 seconds and hit the 30 mph mark in just 7.5 seconds en route to a near 80 mph top end. What’s more, our running angle never climbed over 2 degrees on our clinometer, confirming what we already knew—the boat did not squat or hesitate coming out of the hole. That’s important when commanding a boat of this size and speed, so you can always keep your eyes connected to what’s ­happening on the water in front of you. The double-stepped hull ran with a level attitude and felt predictable throughout the speed range.

Handling proved as smooth as silk during hard-over turns at 30 mph, and our view of the water and surrounding area was never compromised. The tall wraparound windshield kept us protected from the wind at speed, and the twin flush-mounted 27-inch ­Garmin displays were easy to read from behind the wheel. Our test boat also featured Garmin’s Surround View, providing a ­360-degree ­video feed of the entire boat. All of that gives the captain an extra level of awareness while operating at high speeds. Mystic ­prerigs its M5200s for a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer—80 percent of its ­customers opt for one—but it’s such a wide, stable boat that it handles well in a beam sea without a gyro.

There aren’t many builders making performance-based 50-footers, but another luxurious choice to consider is the Formula 500 S­uper Sport Crossover, which lists for $3,625,520 with the same quad Mercury 600 Verado ­package. Nor-Tech also offers a 500 Sport that lists for $2,100,000 (starting price).

While every Mystic is highly ­customizable, our test boat had some cool added features that are worth pointing out. The electric ­sliding hardtop lets you bathe the cockpit in natural light and get some natural ventilation on the right day. There’s also an electric sunshade that can be deployed from the hardtop to cover the cockpit aft of the hardtop, and a canvas sunshade that can cover the bow lounge. The extended swim platform helps with boarding at the dock or taking a swim while anchored near the sandbar.

After spending the day running the ­Mystic M5200XL, doing everything from flat-out speed runs to running at idle in no-wake zones to docking it in a current using the joystick controls, there’s no doubt that this boat can satisfy your need for speed while also keeping your crew safe, comfortable and entertained.

Read Next: Mystic M4200

How We Tested

• Engines: Quad Mercury 600 Verado outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Verado 12 16.5″ x 37″ 4-blade stainless steel (outer); Verado 12 16.5″ x 37″ 3-blade stainless steel (inner)
• Gear Ratio: 2.50:1 Fuel Load: 231 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 600 lb.

High Points 

• With 40-inch gunwale height, the freeboard is securely taller than waist-high from stem to stern.
• Carbon-fiber windshield frame and hardtop shaves 300 pounds in weight compared with a fiberglass hardtop.
• Eight helm seats with independent flip-up bolsters means everyone has a plush place to stand or sit under the hardtop.

Low Point

• Bow lounge jumpseat backrest on our test boat didn’t recline enough; Mystic is changing the design starting with the next build.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Mystic Powerboats M5200XL appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

The wind had been blowing for two straight days at last winter’s Miami International Boat Show, and most of the other captains were reluctant to head out beyond the breakwater of the marina. But Ryan Zivitski, the factory captain aboard the Mystic M4200, didn’t hesitate. So, we idled through a no-wake zone into the only channel where we could try to cull the performance numbers. Seeing as it was the only place to run that was even slightly protected, captains of several other boats had the same idea. Once we pointed the bow toward the inlet and dropped the throttles on the quad Mercury Racing 450s, the confused sea state made little difference. The Mystic M4200 felt ridiculously dialed in as we recorded speeds at different rpm all the way past 86 mph.

It’s no secret why the M4200, the flagship of Mystic’s center-console line, could do this. It’s built like the proverbial brick structure that we can’t name in good company. Start with the double-stepped hull that gives this boat a level attitude throughout the rpm range, combined with the reversed chines that improve lift and deflect spray.

The Kevlar-reinforced fiberglass hull is built to withstand the punishing stress that comes with going fast in unfavorable conditions. When it was my turn to take the helm, I was so calm and unruffled cruising along at 4,500 rpm that it felt like a leisurely cruise—until I looked at the recessed multifunction display in the dash and noted we were at 60 mph and still blowing past other boats.

Interior and Accessories

Mystic builds all of its boats custom to the owner’s preferences, but I can attest that our test boat’s layout was steeped in comfort. The boat’s high freeboard allows for safe passage from stem to stern, and the integrated carbon-fiber hardtop is stylish and strong. The aviation-grade plexiglass windshield and the wind dams on each side of the center console keep everyone in the helm seating area protected during high-speed runs. To wit, I was still able to take notes at 86 mph.

How We Tested

• Engines: Quad 450 hp Mercury Racing 450R 
• Drive/Props: Outboard/15″ x 25″ Max 5 Lab 5-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.60:1 Fuel Load: 278 gal. Water on Board: 35 gal. Crew Weight: 380 lb.

High Points 

• Wind dams on both sides of the console deflect the wind away from passengers at high speeds.
• Kevlar-reinforced hull felt extremely solid in turbulent seas.
• Twin rows of plush triple-helm seats kept the crew safe and comfortable underway.

Low Points 

• While the bow seating area does feature stout stainless-steel grab handles at strategic points, we prefer a recessed bow rail to grab onto no matter where you’re sitting.
• The 300-gallon fuel capacity is smaller than some competitors, giving the boat less range.

Toughest Competitor

The Nor-Tech 390 Super Fish ($1,063,193) is another Kevlar-reinforced speedster that can top 80 mph with quad Mercury Racing 450R outboards on the transom.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Mystic Powerboats – DeLand, Florida; 386-736-2247; mysticpowerboats.com

The post 2022 Mystic M4200 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Neither Karl Keikhaffer nor Ole Evinrude could ever have dreamed their one- and two–cylinder outboard motors would have evolved to V-8 blocks generating up to 400 hp. And, in fact, only Karl’s did, followed by Yamaha’s new 425 V-8. These big-block outboards changed everything in performance boating and spurred the evolution of boats such as Mystic’s M4200 monohull speed boat.

Built of fiberglass and Kevlar, and topped with a structurally integrated carbon-fiber reinforced hardtop, this enormous boat breaks 80 mph in lousy conditions and tickles the radar gun to 85 in cool, dry air.

And while 80 mph in an open boat can peel back the eyelids, Mystic has done cool things to keep passengers cozy at all speeds.

The dash is covered by a carbon-fiber panel into which three 24-inch Garmin chart plotters are mounted. The windshield is aviation-grade plexiglass and is flared outward to deflect wind away from the back seats. A pair of wind dams fold out of the console on each side, deflecting airflow, and at 80 mph, our passengers were comfortable.

They were also comfortable because of the luxurious seating on board. Gracefully contoured for a futuristic look, the seats were built with deep foam and supple UV-protected vinyl. Three seats at the helm kept the captain happy with his favorite crew, and mezzanine seating behind faces the wide bench lounge at the transom.

Convenient boarding pathways included a pair of steps that drop down from the bow deck, a starboard-side boarding door that opens inward to avoid interference at the dock, and a transom walkway to the cockpit accessible from port or starboard, thanks to the wide pathway forward of the motor rigging.

Mystic Powerboats’ models are built to order, so you can choose your horsepower, audio and navigation equipment. Ours was equipped with bow and stern thrusters for easy maneuverability around the dock.

Our test boat was already sold to a well-known boat racer who was interested in entertaining his friends. After testing it, we could see why he chose it.

High Points

⋅Stepped hull is efficient and quick.

⋅Midship boarding steps allow easy entry when the boat is abeam the dock.

⋅Carbon-fiber reinforced hardtop proved as rigid as the hull in our tests.

Specs

LOA: 42′10″

Beam: 10′11″

Draft (max): 3′0″

Dry Weight: 13,000 lb.

Seat/Weight Capacity: Yacht Certified

Fuel Capacity: 300 gal.

Price: $869,000

How We Tested

Engines: Triple Mercury Racing 450R

Drive/Props: Outboards/Rev 4 14.6″ x 24″ 4-blade stainless steel

Gear Ratio: 1.6:1

Fuel Load: 180 gal.

Crew Weight: 600 lb.

More Information

Mystic Powerboats – Deland, Florida; 386-736-2247; mysticpowerboats.com

The post 2020 Mystic M4200 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Just because a boat goes fast doesn’t mean it delivers great hole shot or maneuvers with confidence. Fortunately, the Mystic Powerboats M3800 tops 84 mph, blasts from zero to 30 mph in 6.4 seconds, and when I spun the helm of this luxury dayboat, its multi-stepped hull leaned in and allowed me to confidently power through turns. You don’t need ­experience driving race boats to enjoy the ­performance the M3800 offers.

According to Mystic Powerboats president and designer John Cosker, who’s designed step hulls for Contender, Donzi and others, the M3800’s steps were tuned to deliver exactly that kind of experience.

The M3800 also impressed us with innovations, such as the pair of ­wind-blocking doors that deploy between the console and the hull sides. Coupled with the wide three-person helm, these doors keep the aft cockpit well protected from most of the wind blast, even when hurtling along at full bore. Overhead, the integral hardtop looks great and provides expansive sun protection for the cockpit, but despite its great size, we noticed no wracking as we put the M3800 through maneuvers.

Upholstery is custom-ordered aboard the M3800, and the foam is medium density that won’t bottom out. We were impressed by the comfort and contours of all the seats and lounges. Inside the console, a private and well-appointed head awaits. The stereo? It’s a kick-ass three-zone system that may rival what you listen through at home.

The M3800’s construction also exceeds expectations. Mystic infuses both hull and deck to ensure the optimum resin-to-glass ratio, and uses a ­combination of E-glass and carbon-fiber reinforcement. This process results in a stiff structure, with minimal weight for the ­required strength. All of this helps wring the best performance and efficiency, as well as provide a good-looking boat that will stay that way for some time to come.

Luxury dayboats are easy to come by. Luxury dayboats with the M3800’s kind of performance, customization, and fit and finish deserve a hard look by those in the market for such a vessel.

High Points

• Foldout doors swing out from the console to block the wind and protect the cockpit.
• The hardtop is integral, seeming to almost float above the boat.
• Resin-infused hull and deck deliver performance and structural integrity.
• Yee-haw! Put the throttles in the corner! This step-hulled boat proved agile yet delivered confident handling at all speeds.
• The dive door provides great water access.
• There’s a double berth and a china commode head in the cabin.

Price: $589,057 (as tested)

How We Tested
Engines: Triple 400 hp Mercury Racing Verado 400R
Drive/Prop: Outboard/ Rev 4 14 5/8″ x 24″ 4-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Fuel Load: 100 gal.
Crew Weight: 800 lb.

Mystic Powerboats – Deland, Florida; 386-736-2247; mysticpowerboats.com

The post 2019 Mystic M3800 appeared first on Boating Mag.