HCB Center Console Yachts- OWYG’s Newest Brand

My thoughts on the HCB Center Console Yachts brand based on 17 years of industry experience- how they are built, concept behind them and the HCB’s trajectory. Like why a 56ft center console?? What are you nuts!?

One thing that I learned early on in my experience with yachting is that the market is always shifting and changing based upon evolving customer demands and desires. Today’s trends I would liken to what is happening in the golfing world- less people have time to play 18 holes of golf and are looking for alternative ways to play the game- enter TopGolf, PopStroke and other fast casual ways of interacting with the game that brings more people to the sport.

I am seeing a similar trend with yachting, where more people are looking for a way to interact with the water in a less formal, quicker and simpler way- while still being able to reach popular destinations with large groups of people. I do not see the genre of traditional owner/operator 45-65ft cabin cruisers going away, but there is a growing contingent of people that want a fun and low maintenance way to make a big statement on the water! Let’s be real…there are a lot of smaller options in the center console world, but to roll up in an HCB you are sure to turn heads.

HCB (formerly Hydra-Sports Custom Boats…hence the initials) as it is known today really hit the scene in 2015 when the 53′ Suenos was introduced, and at the time it was the largest center console in the world and has been wildly successful with over 150 made, she is still in production today.

HCB released the 65′ Estrella in 2018, which eclipsed the 53′ Suenos for the title of biggest and is still the largest center console yacht in the world.

In 2024 HCB released 2 new models that have been very successful, the 48′ Campeon and 56′ Suenos GIX- an evolution of the center console yacht that offers more of a versatile platform than their predecessors, adapting to the latest demands from owners.

In total, HCB offers 6 models from 39′ to 65′ covering the large and mega size center console categories. So it’s a given that they make the biggest, but are they the best?

I have been to a lot of different boat manufacturers over the years and had the opportunity to go up to Knoxville recently to check out how HCB’s are made. The factory was extremely clean and well organized throughout, evidence of a great team in place that has boat building down to a science. The team members there all had great attitudes and were proud of what they are making…it’s pretty cool to say you make the biggest center console boats in the world!

The HCB factory has 2 main parts- the first where they lay most of the larger fiberglass components up and the second is where the assembly and most of the construction and finishing takes place.

How HCB Yachts Are Built

Every HCB Yacht has a solid fiberglass hull bottom with PVC foam reinforcement in the hull sides. The keel is reinforced with kevlar and the stringer grid is super heavy duty and bonded to the hull with fiberglass supplemented by carbon fiber. PVC foam also fills the stringer grid for more solidity and vibration absorption.

The transom of an HCB that is responsible for all the weight of the big motors is customized for a specific engine configuration that boat will have. Each engine has a massive stringer structure directly underneath where it will be placed and the thickness of the transom is “1 inch for every engine”…5 engines equals a 5 inch thick transom for complete structural strength when dealing with massive horsepower.

HCB utilizes large molds for its deck liner, decks and super structure- fewer overall components creates more structural rigidity overall, less chance of stress cracking or issues even years down the road.

“In House”

HCB does a great job with vertical integration, outsourcing as little as possible in the construction process. Components that are usually sourced out by other manufacturers are done in house at HCB, including upholstery/cushions, teak and cabinet building, paint, aluminum tower construction, electrical wiring and more. Doing more in house helps to retain the overall quality of the construction as well as the ability to customize to a buyer’s taste. Hence the “C” in HCB- CUSTOM!

Built With the Customer and Functionality in Mind

For those of you considering making a move from a larger motor yacht to an HCB this will REALLY hit home. 2 big parts to this mindset. #1 is that that HCB is made by some good old boys in Tennessee- you need something you are calling a factory of Americans in eastern time zone, and they pick up the phone! Also HCB uses a lot of American components that are easy to get- no waiting 10 weeks for a random part from Italy.

#2 lies in the HCB company mantra- building a very functional and high quality center console yacht that can handle itself in very rough seas that would keep others at the dock. Its the tons of little things that the engineers at HCB incorporate into their construction that result in a better experience for the owner and guests…things you would never think about…but they are!

There is a definitive focus on serviceability, with spacious and clean mechanical spaces with all items laid out in a thoughtful manner. They want all systems to have easy access- and as one of the engineers told me “These boats are made to go far afield, in places where a mechanic is not nearby- so we want to make things easily accessible by the owner and his crew.”

HCB has so many innovations that are ahead of the others, for instance creating what they call a “tortured water path” for their dive doors so when they lock in place they do not leak even in rough conditions. Another is the integration of their hardtops and towers in the center console structure so there are no support beams bolted to the deck. Also HCB has a patented pressurized baitwell system that is a huge leg up in keeping bait fresh…I can go on and on here and will elaborate in another article, but you get the idea. HCB builds the best, because their customers expect the best!

A Hell of a Solid Ride

I have ridden on a LOT of boats over the years and seen just about everything spanning the spectrum of ride quality, from light duty coastal cruisers to the most hardcore sportfishing rigs. When I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to demo the different HCB yachts out of Jupiter Inlet I had high expectations…and oh man did HCB live up to them.

It is hard to describe and of course everyone says they have an amazing ride…but HCB is in a separate league. I got the chance that day to run a 48, 53, 56 and 65 and all gave me the same experience. The HCB captain was casually cruising at 40mph right out the gate, and when I saw our first 6ft wave approaching I braced for impact…an impact that never came. These boats slice right through the waves with their deep V hull front and their sheer weight from the solid fiberglass hull bottom displaced the water with ease- the rigid stringer system dissipating the impact vibration to the point that you do not even feel it…not a single shake, shimmy or shudder…completely rock solid. Honestly it sends a chill up your spine and puts a big grin on your face at the same time- I remember looking at one of my sales guys who was riding with me and mouthing “HOLY SHIT” while flying over the water accelerating up past 60mph and still going.

Bottom line here is that HCB does not only design the biggest center consoles, but they have executed it to an extremely high level. The difficulty of pulling this off is evidenced by how few other manufacturers have even attempted it. To note- there are some manufacturers that are starting to build bigger outboard yachts, but HCB is the undisputed king in this arena.

Looking to the Future

HCB is known for pushing boundaries and leading the industry through innovation once thought impossible…like how big they are making center consoles for instance! This is due to HCB being privately owned which makes it nimble and able to take chances that other companies will not. A heavy focus on engineering and R&D allows them to keep innovating and not resting on their laurels, this is made possible with a team of 21 engineers on staff from various aspects of boatbuilding. Meeting this team of people you can understand how they have been able to be so innovative, it is their passion and the owners of HCB give them the room to dream! There is sure to be more to come from HCB, with the recent releases of the 48 Campeon and the 56 Suenos GIX- the big question is WHATS NEXT??

Why HCB?

If you want the best, most badass, statement making, mold breaking boat on the water then HCB may be for you. Looking at it from all spectrums- Looks are striking, their presence is sure to be felt, the raw horsepower and speed will put a smile on your face, the heavy duty construction will keep you safe and comfortable and the ease of use and maintenance makes for simply fun memories…what more can you want? Downside…they are not cheap…but be assured you are getting one of the most highly engineered and quality boats money can buy.