Vectra 2042 I/O with Fish Package

By Capt. Rob Smith



From the stern

Typical of a sportboat, this one has an integrated platform on the stern along with an optional bolt on swim platform that really lends itself to enjoying water sports. The swim ladder is a telescoping 4-step ladder. I like that, as I am seeing some companies switch to a less expensive 3-step ladder. As part of the fish package, the stern also has a seat base to set up a casting chair on a pedestal allowing someone to fish off the stern. The sunpad doubles as the cover for the engine. The top is wide enough to relax while you strap on a board or your skis.

The engine hatch tips back easily and it has a tether to keep it from going too far. Do be careful when you are putting it back down though, as the weight of the hatch can get away from you. If you have little fingers in the way, you will do some damage. This boat was powered with a MerCruiser 4.3 MPI sterndrive. The port side walkthrough is good, but with the tower, you need to duck to get in and make a tight turn toward the center once in the cockpit. The bimini is standard and the tower optional. My test boat had dual bucket seats with bolsters and slide and swivel adjustments.

The helm

At the helm, you have a typical sport boat dash with a Seaworthy stereo AM/FM and an auxiliary jack for an iPod or MP3 player. I felt like there was plenty of leg room at the helm. Gauge visibility was good. The throttle position was a bit high for me, but not too uncomfortable. The sole locker is large enough to stow boards or canvas, and the opening is large enough to make it easy. The windshield has a wide walkthrough section that seemed larger than most I’ve seen. This certainly will make it easier to get quickly from the bow to the stern and back again.

Up front

The bow area is much like a bowrider with bench seats and storage. These seat bottoms are hinged which I prefer over the removable ones that always seem to get in the way while you rummage around. The builder had the table top stowed up front with the post in the back. I think they should be together, but that is a personal preference. The bow has a beach boarding ladder so you can nudge up to the beach, put the bow on a sand bar and enjoy. There is a fishing chair base up front to allow another casting chair to be installed here. For the fishing package, there is a trolling motor socket up front.

Specifications

This model is 20’4” length overall with a beam of 8’6”. She weighs in at 2325 lbs. and has a fuel capacity of 43 gallons. This model is rated for engines up to 260 hp. She is rated for a maximum of 12 people aboard, and her total weight capacity is 1890 lbs.

Test results

The 2042 handled well without the tendency to over steer at low speeds. She got on plane smoothly and made turns at 35 mph without cavitation. There was some porpoising at 4500 rpm up, but trimming smoothed that out. I felt that 3000 rpm seemed to provide a comfortable ride for cruising. Coming out of the hole, she seemed to struggle, but I believe an adjustment in the props will fix this and the underway bounce at top end. She was a very dry ride and stayed stuck to the water in turns.

Conclusions

If your family enjoys water sports along with some fishing, this is a good model to check out. Smoker Craft builds the hull with 24-ounce woven roving fiberglass which has a 5-year blister warranty. The reverse chine hull delivers a dry ride.

• Top speed for the Vectra 2042 IO with Fish Package (2009-) is 47.4 MPH (N/A KPH), burning 15.8 gallons per hour (GPH) or 59.8 liters per hour (LPH).


• Best cruise for the Vectra 2042 IO with Fish Package (2009-) is MPH ( KPH), and the boat gets miles per gallon (MPG) or N/A kilometers per liter (KPL), giving the boat a cruising range of miles (N/A kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 220-hp MerCruiser 4.3L MPI.

Vectra 2042 IO with Fish Package (2009-) Standard and Optional Equipment

Systems
CD Stereo
Exterior Features
Carpet: Cockpit
Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
Swim Platform
Tower: Watersports
Wet bar
Canvas
Bimini Top
Cockpit Cover

= Standard = Optional