Jasper Marine Defender 22 (2025-)

Overview

Jeff Hammond's introduction: this is a custom aluminum boat built in the Pacific Northwest by Jasper Marine. He framed the review around how the builder achieved "the hat trick of making a custom boat that has high speed with low power and a price tag in the ballpark of a fiberglass boat." His characterization of the build: "It is very unusual. It's an aluminum boat, all aluminum, and it is at the top of the aluminum pyramid when it comes to boats of this type."

Finish Quality

Hammond noted this is not a raw-built aluminum boat: "It is well finished. They line-polish the aluminum in many areas... it's sort of like a frame around this opening in the gunwale, and it's very attractive."

Length Discrepancy

Hammond disputed the builder's stated length: "The thing that sets this boat apart from all the others is — well, at least that's what the builder calls it, but I wouldn't call it that. I'd call it a 25 footer. And the reason is the waterline goes right back there to the transom, and that's 24 feet, 6 inches, so you're getting a lot of boat. It's really a 25 footer, and that's what most anybody else would call it."

Power

The test boat was equipped with twin 175s; the standard boat comes with a 300 (likely a single engine, per context, though the source did not specify hp/configuration beyond "a 300").

Owner Context

This is an owner's boat, owned for three months at time of filming, with approximately 45 hours already logged. The owner rigged the boat for fishing (rod holders) and scuba diving (holders for up to eight tanks). Hammond noted the builder's flexibility: "The builder tells me if you want more rod holders, they'll put as many up here as you want."

Cockpit

Convertible seating: Fold-up seats stow against the gunwales to maximize cockpit space.

Cockpit size: 36 square feet.

Customization: Hammond emphasized the boat's high degree of customization — fold-up seats can be fitted on both sides for entertaining use (rather than fishing/diving), and a table with dedicated storage can be added instead.

Decking: UltraDECK, a closed-cell foam material — comfortable underfoot and standard equipment.

Boarding step: A step is provided on either side of the cockpit to assist entry from the dock — Hammond specifically praised this and said he'd like to see it on more boats.

Sun Shower

A hot water heater option for showering — black-painted, heats water via sun exposure when left out. Hammond: "Nice idea."

Deck Storage Boxes (Port and Starboard)

Multi-purpose storage — Hammond used one to stow fenders during the outing, but noted they can also serve as fish boxes or coolers for ice and beverages.

Engine Component Access

Hammond specifically praised the accessible placement of engine start batteries and the hydraulic pump for the outboards: "Most boats have them down in the transom of the boat — you've gotta get down there and crawl around it, snake yourself back into the recesses. But right here, they're up out in the open and very handy."

Aft Compartment (Behind Fold-Out Seat)

Multi-purpose — can serve as a livewell, fish box, or general storage.

Aft Bulkhead / Cabin Entry

The aft bulkhead is entirely glass, providing occupants inside a view while underway. The aft door measures 55 inches high — Hammond noted it requires ducking but "not too low."

Cabin Dimensions

• Overhead clearance: 6 feet, 3 inches
• Cabin width: 79 inches
• Bench seats (port and starboard): 36 inches long each, finished with diamond stitching

A table can be placed centrally between the benches.

Helm/Companion Seats

Made by Shockwave. Hammond's assessment: "They're a great thing to have if you're out in heavy chop or even moderate chop, as we were today."

Helm Equipment

Standard: 16-inch Garmin display, VesselView, Zipwake interceptors, electrical switches on the left, and a windshield washer/spritzer.

Not standard (options on this boat): VHF radio and bow thruster. Hammond's assessment of the thruster: "With twin engines, you really don't need it, but on the other hand, it's sort of nice to have, and it works well."

Bilge Pump Alarm

Hammond praised this as a standard feature he'd like to see more widely adopted: a self-contained unit with an auto setting and a red warning light if the pump activates. He relayed a personal anecdote: "I had the experience myself on my boat. The light was just like this in the salon — it wasn't at the helm, it was in the salon where people hang out — and sure enough, out of the corner of my eye, saw the red light go on. Well, it turned out that I had a little leak in my bilge." He stated: "I very much recommend this on all boats."

Customization Example (Footrests)

Hammond noted, as a hypothetical buyer, that footrests under the helm and companion positions could easily be added by the builder: "No big deal. That's one of the great things about having a boat like this."

Overhead Glass / Shade

An optional glass overhead panel with a manual, waterproof pull-over shade is available. Hammond's stated preference: "I like it better than the opening ones because they often leak."

Interior Finish

Vinyl on the sides and gunwales; interior aluminum structure painted with metallic epoxy paint. Hammond compared the look favorably: "It looks elegant... it's the kind of thing that you see on these 110-foot [yachts] where they put the same kind of paint on all sorts of things they have inside the boat."

Sole / Center of Gravity

Hammond noted standing in an 8-inch well below the main deck level. He explained the dual benefit: "First of all, it allows this nice six-foot-three headroom, and second of all, it gets center of gravity for the boat as low as possible. It's one of the reasons the boat handled so well and is so comfortable, and it's because it has a low CG."

Regional Note / Heater

Hammond noted the builder is based in the Pacific Northwest, while testing occurred in the "Atlantic Northeast" (New England), and that this owner has used the boat since January. The boat is fitted with a heater and windshield defogging vents — Hammond called this "an absolute must when you're running a boat on cool days."

Interior Layout / Forward Passage

Width: 79 inches, maximizing interior space. Side decks allow crew to move fore/aft externally for fender handling, but Hammond highlighted a forward interior door instead: "This makes passage from the bow to the stern easy."

Asymmetric layout detail: To maximize forward cockpit deck space, Jasper cut away what would normally be a seat so the door can fold back flush against the bulkhead — a deviation from the traditional layout where a seat would otherwise block the door. Hammond: "Jasper has solved a couple of problems by deviating from tradition and creating this asymmetric layout."

Windshield

Custom-made 6mm curved glass, described by Hammond as able to withstand significant load. A brow above the windshield adds styling and keeps sun out of the helmsman's eyes.

Head

A portable head is standard; an electric head is available as an option.

Cushion Retention — Magnetic Snaps

Hammond noted a first-time observation: four magnetic snaps (one per corner) hold seat cushions firmly in place, preventing them from blowing off in wind. He noted the company owner plans to phase out traditional snap fasteners in favor of these magnets, which he strongly prefers.

Wet Storage

A storage area without a drainage channel — water exits via the side scupper. Hammond noted this is intended for wet storage use.

Anchor System

Vertical Lewmar windlass (transcribed as "limbless," likely a mishearing of "Lewmar"). Under a forward hatch: access to the chain locker, which drains separately.

Welding / Finish Options

Standard welds use MIG welding, described as uniform in appearance. A polished/ground finish (making welds "invisible") is available as an upcharge option. Hammond noted this owner, using the boat for scuba diving and fishing work, opted to skip the upcharge for a "work boat look," while noting the option exists for buyers wanting a full yacht-level finish: "I think it's great to have the option to save money by having a work-boat look. And on the other hand, if you want a yacht finish, you just pay the upcharge."

Optional Accessories

A rack option is available for stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and other water toys, including a stowaway tent. A "storm bow" configuration can convert the boat toward more of an express-style layout, adding two traditional berths and a toilet, with headroom sufficient for a six-foot person to sit on the head.

Sea Trial — Handling

Testing was conducted running at 38 mph directly into 2–3 foot chop in Narragansett Bay. Hammond's account: "She cut through the waves thanks to her 50-degree dead rise forward, and we hardly needed the Shockwave seats Jasper provides for the skipper and companion."

Hull construction: Keel is 3/8-inch plate; bottom is 1/4-inch aluminum. The plate is cut and bent for a sharp entry, contrasted with "the blunt ones we often see coming out of boat yards in the Pacific Northwest." Hammond noted the bow's spray pattern: "The bow throws water out and away from the boat rather than up and in front of it." High freeboard was also noted, contributing to dryness in rough conditions.

Turning: "She turned smoothly as we sliced a circle in the oncoming waves and did not lose grip even in tight turns." An 18-degree transom deadrise, combined with chine design, was noted to dampen roll even in beam seas.

Overall dryness: "Not once did we have to put the windshield wipers on."

Cabin comfort while underway: "We were comfortable and snug in her cozy cabin" while running across the bay.

Performance Numbers

Engines: twin Mercury 175s, with 15 x 21-inch propellers ("wheels")

• Average speed (reciprocal courses): 48.25 mph

Closing Assessment

Hammond's summary: "There's nothing quite like the thrill of planning and designing your own custom boat. Jasper Marine is about the only company we know of in North America that will do it in this size range in aluminum. And whether you call her a 22 or a 25, as I do, she's a lot of boat for the money."

Overview

BoatTEST first tested the Jasper 22 two years ago. Since then, Jasper Marine has gone from building eight boats a year, mostly for Pacific Northwest clients, to 25 a year for buyers across North America and in Europe. BoatTEST describes that as a 300% increase in 24 months.

Jeff Hammond, co-founder of BoatTEST, met with Jasper Vermillion, CEO and owner of Jasper Marine, in Newport. The boat they looked at is a sister ship of the one BoatTEST tested two years ago. Hammond asked how the boat has evolved.

Production

Boats built per year two years ago: Jasper said “about seven or eight, I believe, a year”

Boats built per year now: 25

Production pace: a new boat started every two weeks

Employees: 15

All boats are aluminum and are welded by Jasper Marine’s own crew. Jeff Hammond on the production rate: “That’s remarkable for an aluminum boat.”

Where the Boats Go

Jasper listed current owner locations:

• Europe
• Florida
• Connecticut
• Maine
• California
• Seattle
• “all up and down the coast of [DC]”
• the Great Lakes
• eastern Canada

Intended Uses

Jasper on what drives the boat’s success: “I think one of the things of our success is that the boat’s very adaptable. It’s a bit of a Swiss Army knife. So they’re all custom built to order. You can spec them out for any use case you want.”

Uses Jasper said customers have bought the boat for:

• Yacht tenders, either towed or craned onto the yacht
• Fishing boats, with rod holders, downriggers, and outriggers
• Commuters to and from island cabins
• Family day boats

Fishing Features

The boat shown has a built-in live well. Fish bins are fitted with an optional macerator pump, so the contents can be pumped out and the bins rinsed afterward.

Hull Design

Deadrise at transom: 18 degrees

Deadrise at bow: 57 degrees

Jasper said this is “still the same hull that we’ve always had on the Defender, and it’s just worked really well. It’s got a very sharp entry in the bow.”

On why the transom deadrise isn’t deeper: “If you go too deep a deadrise in the back, the boat gets very rocky at rest. And if it’s too shallow, it pounds in waves. And so we’ve got this really great happy medium where we have the sharp entry in the bow that’s comfortable in rough water and it cuts really well, but it’s still very stable at rest.”

Aluminum Plate Thickness

Keel and transom: three-eighths inch (“just under a half-inch thick of solid aluminum”)

Bottom: one-quarter inch, with all the stringers

Hull sides and remaining structure: three-sixteenths inch

Cabin top: one-eighth inch, to keep weight up high to a minimum

Jasper: “Everything is aluminum, the whole boat.” That includes the cabin top and the deck.

Construction, Insulation, and Sound Deadening

The hull and cabin are built separately. After the hull is flipped over, insulation and sound deadening are applied throughout. Jasper said the company has “a whole bunch of proprietary ways” of doing this.

Jasper on the materials: “We use sound tile products that were developed for the Navy to deaden sound. And it basically absorbs sound so it doesn’t travel through the structure.” The tiles go on the inside of the aluminum structure before the decks go down. The boat also gets polyurethane spray foam, which Jasper said serves “both sound deadening and temperature insulations.”

Swim Ladder

The ladder has been upgraded to a full hideaway telescoping swim ladder.

Fill Caps

All fill caps, including fuel, water, and waste, are now set in billet bezels. Jasper: “This is solid billet aluminum with, it’s actually submarine anodizing on it, so it’s super durable.”

Decking and Cleats

The decking is Ultradeck, which was also used two years ago and now comes in new colors. The cleats are billet aluminum and custom branded.

Burnwell Mounts

These are new since the last test. Jeff Hammond: “Burnwell makes the finest hardware I’ve ever seen.” Jasper described them as “works of art, really.”

The universal mounts accept a range of accessories, including:

• rod holders
• downriggers
• outriggers
• cup holders
• cutting board tables with built-in cup holders

The boat shown has 14 mounts: six aft, six on the roof, and two in the bow.

Table and Tow Pylon

The table is black walnut epoxy, made by a local master woodworker. The boat shown has a tow pylon. Jasper said about half of customers specify one.

Paint

Jasper on the full exterior paint job: “It lasts really well, and it just makes the boat feel so refined and individual as well.” He said customers commonly pick colors to match their vehicles.

The paint is an industrial epoxy primer and epoxy topcoat. It is sprayed, not powder coated, by a partner with a paint booth large enough for the whole boat. Jasper: “It’s super important to have clean, dry air and at certain temperatures to have the humidity, and everything needs to be controlled. To have a paint job that lasts, it just needs to be done properly in a paint booth.”

Standard vs. Optional Finishes

Standard on every model: all upholstery, all Ultradeck, and interior paint in any color

Optional: exterior paint

Stereo

The standard stereo is the Fusion SRX 800, which Jasper called Fusion’s premium deck. Speakers are optional.

Seating and Storage

The cabin seats have storage that runs all the way through to under the helm chairs.

Glass Roof and Sunshade

The glass roof is standard on every boat. A retractable sunshade, new since the last test, is optional. Jasper: “With the sunshade, on a hot sunny day, you can close that, and it’s not a greenhouse in here.”

Climate Control

Heater and air conditioning are each optional, and buyers can choose one or both. Boats with air conditioning get the full lithium-ion power system and a separate air conditioning unit. Jasper said two boats with air conditioning were in production, reflecting sales to southern latitudes “where they want AC, not a heater.”

Joystick Steering

The boat shown has full joystick steering, which is optional. Jasper said it sells on quite a few boats. In a marina, the joystick lets the operator rotate the boat or crab walk it sideways.

Bow

Windlass: The owner of the boat shown chose the full stainless windlass, which Jasper called “a beautiful piece and super functional if you want to anchor in bays or anything.” Jeff Hammond said he likes horizontal windlasses, and Jasper said one could be installed on request.

Bolster: A bolster around the bow has been added since the last test.

Bow features: Cup holders in the bow are now standard. Under the vinyl seats is storage.

Water in storage: The bow is self-bailing. Jasper: “It’s not fully waterproof, but it’s mostly dry.”

Price Range

Jeff Hammond: “So the boats run from about 250 to 400,” depending on options. Jasper confirmed.

Power Options

Twin engines: 175, 200, or 225, all the same V6 engine

Single engines: 300, 400, or 425 V10, or the 500R

Jasper on the fastest build to date: “We have built one now with a 500R and a jack plate and everything, and that boat did 60 miles an hour.”