Boat Review - Pronautica 29 Open

Since 1994, Pronautica has been building luxury sport boats in South America mostly for the European market. The company's owner has created a very racy sports car like design for boats ranging from 25-33 feet which are very popular within the European market. Design elements that rely heavily on luxury appointments and style for cruising and lifestyle boaters have shaped the appearance and layout of the Pronautica line to accommodate the European consumer. A move to establish a foothold in the US marketplace has led to some design tweaks for a more fish and sport influenced American buyer. The Pronautica 29 Open and 29 Open SF are poised to take a bite out of this market.

Beginning with a rock solid foundation is important for a boat that may be tested to its limits in the offshore fishing arena. The 29 Open hull is all hand laid multi-directional biaxial and tri-axial glass bonded to a uni-grid stringer system and carbon fiber reinforced. The entire top assembly from the gunnel cap, inside liner and decks, and even the center console is entirely monolithic, constructed out of a single unit and bonded to the hull. This provides an incredibly solid feeling ride without the slightest rattle anywhere on the boat in rough seas. The interior finish work is extremely high class from the finest quality upholstery to the smallest details like aligning every screw head. This is clearly a boat constructed by people who take pride in their work.

The interior layout of the 29 Open is heavily slanted towards the lifestyle boater who values relaxation on a boat more than fishing and the deck configuration supports this. The forward seating area is a semi-circular wraparound bench seat framing the interior line of the foredeck. This seating is large enough for six adults and combined with a two-person forward console seat frames an area at the center of the deck which can be set with a table for dining, converted to a large sun lounge, or left open for fishing. A pair of insulated 84-quart compartments to port and starboard under the seating provide cold or dry storage. The forward entry center console offers a large storage option and features a marine head. A very Euro-styled Hard top and Pipework frame highlight the Italian sports car feel at the helm and twin racing style bucket seats complete the effect. In the cockpit, the 29 Open features wrap seating along the transom for cruising enthusiasts while the 29 Open SF model opens up the cockpit by using a fold away rear seat to create work space. A small but serviceable live well is located at the transom on the Open and the SF model features a pair of much larger 50-gallon wells in the corners. Twin 108-quart insulated fish boxes below deck are included in either model. A very large wet storage compartment below the cockpit deck allows access to your bilge systems as well.

A move to bring their manufacturing to Florida is in play and new models in the pipeline are geared toward the US sport fishing market. After the reviewing the details we examined throughout this boat on our test days and the offshore performance we experienced, this is clearly a company that will do well moving forward and that the 29 Open/SF is definitely worthy of a close look.

Pronautica 29 Open Specifications

Length: 29 feet

Beam: 10 feet, 1 inch

Draft: 3 feet, 9 inches

Fuel: 211-gallons

Horsepower: 500-800

Fresh water: 60-gallons

Weight: 10,798 pounds

Base price: $105,802.00 w/o power ($157,102.00 w/2-300 Suzuki)