AXOPAR 45 XC

It is not only the biggest and most capable cabin model from the Finnish brand, but also the first to flaunt a triple-motor rack.

- Phil Draper

Axopar's 45 XC Cross Cabin is based on the same hugely successful formula as its smaller sisters, the 37, 28, 25 and the entry-level 22-but this one's on steroids.

Deep walk-around decks and the chunky virtually all-glass cabin with its forwardraked windshield all shout "any-weather adventure." Likewise, the slightly reversed stem and 900 heavy horses on the transom all scream "let's go!"

That go-anywhere appeal was reinforced the afternoon we joined our test boat, the first one afloat, at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival. It glinted in the sunshine, complete with a kayak and an erect electric mountain bike strapped to the hardtop.

The cabin is a Swiss Army knife of features. Stuff slides and glides back and forth, folds up and down, and pulls and pushes in and out, which extracts maximum functionality. For instance, that wheelhouse offers two big canvas sunroofs and a pair of sliding doors on both sides that can slide back to open the forward end of the cabin around the triple-seat helm and companionway, or they can slide forward to open up the lounge-diner end of the cabin to the side decks. If that's not enough, when in the latter position, corresponding sections of the bulwarks can fold down on both sides to create bench seating, which makes the whole area feel so much more connected to the water.