Axopar 37 Sun-Top (2019-)

The Axopar 37 Sun-Top is a versatile day cruiser with offshore and overnight capability. Designed for performance and handling, the 37 Sun-Top will appeal to boaters seeking the relaxation of sunbathing, the thrill of watersports or the allure of cruising with friends and family.

The Axopar Back Story

Read about the Axopar concept based on interviews with the company’s CEO, Jan-Erik Viitala here...

• Plumb bow and raised forefoot
• Manual retractable fabric sunroof

• Two-step V-hull
• Twin outboards
• Hardtop
• Fixed foredeck sun pad/chaise
• Forward cabin with double berth

The Axopar 37 Sun-Top’s most notable design element is its 2-step V-hull with a 20-degree deadrise aft and axe bow up front. On this hull, Axopar offers four configurations: the T-top, the Sun-Top, the Cabin, and the Sports Cabin.

Our test boat was the Sun-Top model.

The low clearance of the Sun-Top’s overhangs was one of the few design issues we had with the boat. Axopar has addressed the clearance issue by introducing their Brabus Trim option, which provides a clearance of 6’5” (1.95 m). Brokers have told us that ninety percent of new boats are being ordered with this option.

The offshore performance orientation of the hull and her attention-getting looks are not the only surprises in this design. Her empty weight of 7,910 lbs. (3,588 kg) is roughly 40% less than comparably sized center consoles.

The hull design certainly contributes to fuel efficiency and handling. However, priority to performance over interior volume places the Axopar 37 Sun-Top in a completely different weight category than comparably sized center consoles. The beam is narrower than most center consoles in this size range by almost 2’ (.61 m). This creates less drag, but the real bonus is less weight onboard.

The equipment inventory is carefully curated — no big inboards or the quad outboards that most Americans lust for. There is an optional genset, but not a standard one, nor a SeaKeeper, nor a full galley. The cabin is modest with sitting headroom limiting weight.

Lacking all that furniture, weight and beam to carry around, the boat manages a nifty 57.1 mph WOT. As we have said in our previous Axopar reviews, Euro-style meets Finnish utility.

No exotic materials are employed in the construction of the Axopar 37 Sun-Top to keep weight down, just the tried and true E-glass over Corecell foam with a vinylester resin topcoat construction. Other design choices like a manual canvas sunroof rather than a mechanized hardtop keep CG low and the formula simple. Yes, options can be added, but the core of the boat is intentionally simple.

The Axopar 37 Sun-Top is lighter and narrower than comparably sized center consoles, which explains some of her performance advantages.

Weight Comparison

Traditional CC Displacement: 13,400 lbs. (6,079 kg)

Axopar 37 Sun-Top Displacement: 7,910 lbs. (3,588 kg)

Difference: 5,490 lbs. (2,491 kg)

% Difference: 41% 41%

Most center consoles in this size range typically have 12’ to 13’ (3.66 m to 3.96 m) beams.

The 10’10” (3.3 m) beam of the Axopar 37 Sun-Top is nearly 15% narrower.

Sun-Top

On the 37 from Axopar, the ST stands for Sun-Top, which adds protection to the entire center of the boat. It includes a large sliding canvas sunroof that opens manually. The Brabus trim package comes with a mechanized opening top.

Use caution at the overhangs on either end as it tops out there at 5’8” (1.73 m) above the deck.

Inside, four seats line the aft section of the space. Armrests are to the outboard side of the two end seats. Plush upholstery has double-stitched diamond quilting.

Ahead is an expandable solid wood table.

The helm seats in front can swivel around to join the gathering at this table. The table is on adjustable pedestals and can be lowered to serve as a sun pad by adding a filler cushion. A deck hatch has pedestal bases to support the lowered table, and those pedestals store right inside the compartment. To the sides, the bulwarks come up 22” (22.88 cm) and the rails top out at 27” (68.58 cm).

The helm station is down a 6” (15.24 cm) and 13” (33.02 cm) step and that makes for a high console. A flip-down step or platform in front of the wheel would be nice.

Beverage holders are to port but they’re small so a typical water bottle doesn’t fit. Electrical switches are in a conveniently located cluster. Another set of beverage holders is to starboard. Back to the left is the Fusion stereo.

The wheel is mounted to a tilt base. The digital throttle and shift (DTS) control binnacle is mounted at a nearly vertical angle.

Further to the right are the VHF, the ignitions and the VHF remote speaker. Below the wheel are storage pockets. A long rail serving as a footrest lines the bottom of the console. Standing and leaning against the bolstered helm chair, the top of the windshield frame is just above the line of sight.

Forward visibility is excellent through the 29” (73.66 cm) high single-piece windshield.

To the stern, there’s open deck space 7’8” x 4’2” (2.34 m x 1.27 m). Deck drains lead directly overboard.

Hatches in the deck open to expose cavernous storage compartments measuring 21” (53.34 cm) x 41” (104.14 cm) with an under deck extension that runs 81” (205.74 cm) ahead. The lines and fenders are supplied with the boat.

To the sides are two more storage compartments. One or both can be insulated.

Just ahead is a wet bar/refreshment center. The top is covered in Esthec nonskid, an option for all the decking as well.

The angled staple rails can be reversed to provide either more cockpit space or room to tilt the engines out of the water.

Further aft there is a swim platform that comes out 3’2” (5.08 cm) covered in more of the Esthec nonskid that continues across a service deck ahead of the engines. The port swim platform has a retractable four-step reboarding ladder.

Just ahead of the console is a comfortable chaise lounge-style sun pad measuring 65” long x 57” wide (165.1 cm x 144.78 cm). We’re seeing the same quality of materials for the upholstery, along with the double-stitched diamond-patterned quilting from the passenger seating.

Just ahead there’s a storage hatch in the sole and in the top of the hatch is a pedestal base for the removable table.

Fully forward, the wraparound bolsters start at 10” (25.4 cm) off the deck and top out at 19” (48.26 cm). The forward bolster is extended forward to form a seat that covers the aft part of the hatch over the ground tackle.

Eight-inch (20.32 cm) cleats are to both sides and notice how the rail height increases as we move forward. A turn-and-lock latch releases the hatch that opens on a gas support strut.

The anchor hatch is finished on the inside.

As we got underway, the combination of those big outboards and the powerful bow thruster made for easy maneuvering. She has a plumb bow that drops down to an extended keel and a two-step V-hull.

Now let’s take a look at the numbers. The Axopar 37 Sun-Top has an LOA of 36’9” (11.2 m), a beam of 10’10” (3.3 m) and a draft of 2’9” (.85 m). With an empty weight of 7,910 lbs. (3,588 kg), 30% fuel, three people and test power, we estimated our test weight at 10,213 lbs. (4,632 kg).

With the twin 350-hp Mercury Verados turning 19” (48.26 cm) pitched 4-blade revolution props and spooled up to 6000 rpm, we reached a top speed of 57.1 mph. Best cruise came in at 3500 rpm and 28.9 mph. At that speed, the 17.9 gph fuel burn translated into 1.6 mpg and a range of 280 miles. All while still holding back a 10% reserve of the boat’s 192-gallon (727 L) total fuel capacity.

Our test captain conducted acceleration tests with these results:

Acceleration

• Time to plane: 4.9 seconds
• Zero to 20 mph: 5.9 seconds
• Zero to 30 mph: 8.6 seconds

We didn’t really have the sea conditions to test her offshore mettle, but our previous test on the Axopar 28 Cabin showed some awesome capabilities. We had to be content with just gentle skipping across some light chop with the 37 Sun-Top remaining comfortable throughout. Even in these conditions, it’s clear to see that she had excellent maneuverability.

Back at the dock, she has good maneuverability. We were able to easily walk her sideways with the Side-Power SE60 bow thruster and lay her gently against the dock.

Axopars have multiple trim packages available: the Brabus, the Version R and the Premium Package. All packages allow a choice of colors and fabrics.

• Twin 300-hp Mercury outboards with VesselView 7” (17.78 cm) engine display
• Side-Power SE60 Bow thruster
• Side rails
• Shower on the aft deck
• Shore power 120V with 40 AH charger (U.S.)
• Fusion stereo
• Garmin VHF
• Twin Garmin Chartplotter 1222 Touch displays
• Harbor cover for foredeck

The base price is $211,836.

• Twin Mercury 350-hp outboards ($9,495)
• Antifouling paint ($2,600)
• Targa Arch with roof rails ($1,196)
• Rod holders on Targa arch ($624)
• Waterski arch ($1,196)
• Sink in forward cabin ($520)
• Transom seats ($2,860)
• Electric windlass with remote ($5,260)
• LED courtesy lights ($559)
• LED deck lights ($767)
• Drawer-type refrigerator in cockpit ($1,196)
• Air conditioner ($7,696)
• Webasto cabin heater ($4,096)
• Search light ($546)
• Wood sole in cabin ($702)
• Generator ($13,923)
• Electric grille ($624)
• Gas hob for galley ($715)
• Canopy ($2,301)
• Complete Esthec package ($7,436)
• Day Cruiser aft cabin ($5,252)
• Wet bar ($5,499)
• Webasto electric roof ($3,341)
• Teak foredeck table ($481)
• Livewell ($949)
• Closed toilet wall ($2,717)
• Audio upgrade ($780)
• Underwater lights ($1,079)

The Axopar 37 Sun-Top is an unusual design that definitely catches attention. While her looks are different, so is her quality and design style. Axopar makes a good balance between adding features and available space. She’s among the best handling boats we’ve tested and that says a lot. Bottom line… this boat offers a lot that isn’t immediately apparent, but becomes so once one steps on board.