This cruiser’s nimble nature can be attributed, in part, to her sterndrive power-plant configuration; my test vessel was outfitted with optional Volvo Penta 330-horsepower D6 six-cylinder diesels (300 hp Volvo Penta D6s are standard) matched up to DP Duoprop drives. During my wheel time, I noted that these motors spooled up in rapid fashion, getting the M40 over the hump and on plane seemingly instantaneously, and a moment later she was off to the races.

At wide-open throttle (3,250 rpm per her analog gauges), she hit a watch-the-hat-on-your-head top average speed of 33.2 knots while the motors burned a total of 30 gph. Considering her standard 264-gallon fuel capacity and accounting for a 10 percent reserve, the M40 can cruise for about 263 nautical miles (or 1.11 nmpg) at this velocity. If the ocean conditions were calmer (four-plus-footers greeted us outside the inlet), I’d have been tempted to shoot across the Gulf Stream for a grouper sandwich in Bimini. After all, it would’ve taken me only about 90 minutes to get there. (Editors note: The M40’s Volvos are rated at 3,500 rpm but sea conditions precluded our crew from running speed trials in open water. Because we had limited real estate to operate the performance part of the test, the builder reported that she couldn’t be fully trimmed out and her motors’ rated rpm and top speed realized. Cranchi says her WOT speed should be 37 knots.)

This boat runs most efficiently while the motors are turning 2,250 rpm. Here she sports a comfortable 23-knot cruise speed with those diesels sipping 18 gallons per hour for 1.28 nmpg and a range of 304 nautical miles.

The power plants are readily serviced via the tender garage, which is comprised of Kevlar and carbon fiber, contributing to this vessel’s lightweight strength. (Her hull is fabricated from fiberglass that is reinforced with Kevlar.) Daily checks can be accomplished via an access hatch in the teak-covered cockpit sole.