Story and photos by DinaRella
Two phat cats clawed their way to Key West for this year’s 2022 fastboat festivities. The first was Marine Technology Incorporated’s new and now largest-in-fleet outboard-powered 440X pleasure machine. The second was the return of Phenomenon – Al Copeland’s insane 35,000-pound (I did say phat) prototypical headliner constructed by Boeing engineers, US Naval architects and world-renowned boat builders.
Christmas came early for MTI owners and admirers when its triple-digit “high-performance holiday package” was presented to the public at home base for the Florida Powerboat Club poker run on the pier parallel to the Conch Republic. Except, to fully appreciate the merry and bright 440X – the real tearing off of the wrapping paper and opening it up happened in the harbor during sea trials where the beauty bedecked in blue jewel-like hues could be seen ripping up the waters all weekend long.
You can also think of the 440X as an early Valentine’s Day treat and not a Yuletide delivery from speedboat Santa Randy Scism, seeing that, the MTI company owner and his Missouri-based crew completed the build four months prior to its originally promised debut in February of 2023 at the Miami Boat Show. Produced from all new tools and molds for the hull and deck, the only limitation in preparing for Key West was with respect to paint, which as a result, meant having to apply an in-house graphics wrap for the time being.
Measuring in at five more feet and weighing approximately 1,000 more pounds than its predecessor, the 440X maintains impressive speed credentials smashing the 120-mph mark with twin 450Rs slapped on the back. What’s more, the cockpit is the embodiment of style, design and functionality all in one, evident by the upgraded dash and side panels and increased storage space sure to make the ladies with all those bags of must-haves a little happier. (Yup, I'm guilty as charged.) Nevertheless, the "biggest" takeaway is literally the "volume" of the 44-footer; size does matter and the expanded cockpit embraces the eight-seat format.
And while it’s too soon to tell, the 440X might just be on course to out-do its best-selling 390X sibling. A total of 30 pre-orders were penned before the poker run, and in speaking with Scism, his reservation book is now up to 33 names (if not more, by the time of writing this). Asking when the owner of hull No. 33 can expect to take possession and drop the dual hammers downward, Scism tells me, “We are two years out,” before adding, “Fortunately many of the committed buyers are current 390X owners, so they have the luxury of running their current cats until then.”
MTI first started cranking out the twin outboard-powered cats back in 2016 when the 340X hit the waters making a mega-splash, then three years later it was shadowed by the release of the 390X. Since the 440X is arriving after another three-year interval, the latest attention-getter is like a déjà vu debut and those not dumbed down by criminal Common Core math will notice the same span between launches. Was it a plan or purely by chance? Only time will tell and it’s anyone’s guess where Randy Scism will go next. Check back in 2025 for an update!
As for hull No. 1 here on display in Key West, it’s owned by Mike and Sarah Howe of Howe 2 Live, the online adventure series. The super cool and considerate couple even donated a day trip to Dry Tortugas onboard their 440X which in part, raised $10,200 at the Speed On The Water Charity Auction at the Sandbar Sports Grill.
Likewise, it’s no surprise that the second million-dollar feline in part two is equally as honorable at doing goodwill. Knowing Al Copeland’s benevolent temperament, certainly his spirit and legacy live on in Phenomenon. Please click the following link. to read Part Two: The Phenomenon REVIVAL!
Two phat cats clawed their way to Key West for this year’s 2022 fastboat festivities. The first was Marine Technology Incorporated’s new and now largest-in-fleet outboard-powered 440X pleasure machine. The second was the return of Phenomenon – Al Copeland’s insane 35,000-pound (I did say phat) prototypical headliner constructed by Boeing engineers, US Naval architects and world-renowned boat builders.
The ARRIVAL: MTI 440X
Christmas came early for MTI owners and admirers when its triple-digit “high-performance holiday package” was presented to the public at home base for the Florida Powerboat Club poker run on the pier parallel to the Conch Republic. Except, to fully appreciate the merry and bright 440X – the real tearing off of the wrapping paper and opening it up happened in the harbor during sea trials where the beauty bedecked in blue jewel-like hues could be seen ripping up the waters all weekend long.
You can also think of the 440X as an early Valentine’s Day treat and not a Yuletide delivery from speedboat Santa Randy Scism, seeing that, the MTI company owner and his Missouri-based crew completed the build four months prior to its originally promised debut in February of 2023 at the Miami Boat Show. Produced from all new tools and molds for the hull and deck, the only limitation in preparing for Key West was with respect to paint, which as a result, meant having to apply an in-house graphics wrap for the time being.
Measuring in at five more feet and weighing approximately 1,000 more pounds than its predecessor, the 440X maintains impressive speed credentials smashing the 120-mph mark with twin 450Rs slapped on the back. What’s more, the cockpit is the embodiment of style, design and functionality all in one, evident by the upgraded dash and side panels and increased storage space sure to make the ladies with all those bags of must-haves a little happier. (Yup, I'm guilty as charged.) Nevertheless, the "biggest" takeaway is literally the "volume" of the 44-footer; size does matter and the expanded cockpit embraces the eight-seat format.
And while it’s too soon to tell, the 440X might just be on course to out-do its best-selling 390X sibling. A total of 30 pre-orders were penned before the poker run, and in speaking with Scism, his reservation book is now up to 33 names (if not more, by the time of writing this). Asking when the owner of hull No. 33 can expect to take possession and drop the dual hammers downward, Scism tells me, “We are two years out,” before adding, “Fortunately many of the committed buyers are current 390X owners, so they have the luxury of running their current cats until then.”
MTI first started cranking out the twin outboard-powered cats back in 2016 when the 340X hit the waters making a mega-splash, then three years later it was shadowed by the release of the 390X. Since the 440X is arriving after another three-year interval, the latest attention-getter is like a déjà vu debut and those not dumbed down by criminal Common Core math will notice the same span between launches. Was it a plan or purely by chance? Only time will tell and it’s anyone’s guess where Randy Scism will go next. Check back in 2025 for an update!
As for hull No. 1 here on display in Key West, it’s owned by Mike and Sarah Howe of Howe 2 Live, the online adventure series. The super cool and considerate couple even donated a day trip to Dry Tortugas onboard their 440X which in part, raised $10,200 at the Speed On The Water Charity Auction at the Sandbar Sports Grill.
Likewise, it’s no surprise that the second million-dollar feline in part two is equally as honorable at doing goodwill. Knowing Al Copeland’s benevolent temperament, certainly his spirit and legacy live on in Phenomenon. Please click the following link. to read Part Two: The Phenomenon REVIVAL!
