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Level 43 ST (2026-)
2 x 352-hp Volvo Penta IPS500
Brief Summary
Level Yachts Introduces the Level 43 ST: The Ultimate Long Weekender Designed for Mediterranean Adventure. At its official debut during BOOT 2025, one of the world's most prestigious international boat shows, Spanish shipyard Level Yachts made a big splash. They unveiled their new Level 43 ST, a luxurious and innovative long weekender.
Specifications
| Length Overall |
44.4' 13.54 m |
|---|---|
| Beam |
13.1' 3.99 m |
| Fuel Capacity |
332 gal 1,260 L |
| Water Capacity |
113.59 gal 430 L |
Family Legacy and Visionary Design
Father and son duo Oswaldo and Bruno Marijuan, co-founders of Level Yachts, have always had a passion for the nautical industry. After a successful career managing one of Spain’s top motorboat dealerships, they decided to use their expertise to create their own brand.
“Having worked on both sides of the Atlantic, we wanted to capture the exciting performance of an American sport weekender and combine it with the 'dolce vita' lifestyle of European design," says Bruno Marijuan. "This is how we shaped our understanding of what makes a boat truly exceptional. The Level 43 ST embodies this vision, blending legacy and innovation to offer unparalleled experiences at sea.”
This ambitious vision attracted renowned British designer Tony Castro, who was named Designer of the Year in 2022. He created the Level 43 ST, the first model in the Level Yachts lineup. Castro says the boat is designed for "families, couples, and groups of friends seeking unforgettable experiences on the water." He adds, "We wanted to design a vessel that meets and exceeds the expectations of boating enthusiasts worldwide, with a combination of style, space, and comfort that redefines the weekender concept.”
Key Deck Features:
- Hydraulic Swim Platform: This feature makes getting into and out of the water a breeze.
- Integrated Tender Garage: An electric garage at the back of the boat can hold a tender up to 2.1 meters.
- Electric Engine Bay Door: You can easily and safely access the engine for maintenance with the touch of a button.
- Foldable Bulwarks: The boat's sides fold down, making it as wide as an 80-foot yacht. This creates huge, open spaces perfect for lounging and entertaining.
- Versatile Aft Social Area: The large sunpad and sofas have two tables that can be combined into one big dining table, seating up to 10 people in the back and five people at the front.
- Comprehensive Outdoor Kitchen: This kitchen has everything you need: a sink, induction cooktops, five refrigerators, and an ice maker. It’s one of the most complete outdoor kitchens in its class.
- Premium Outdoor Entertainment: Enjoy a high-quality sound system integrated into the T-top and a large 55-inch retractable TV that creates a perfect open-air cinema for up to 10 people.
- Comfortable Navigation: The console has four seats with a protected windshield, offering a clear view of the horizon. The entire boat can comfortably seat up to 14 people facing forward.
- Walkaround Design to Bow: The seamless walkaround deck leads to a spacious sunpad with reclining backrests and a sofa with a table, making every part of the boat easy to get to and enjoy all day long.
Luxurious Interiors
The interior of the Level 43 ST is designed to be both classic and versatile. It features a curated selection of light woods and natural textures that can be customized with either semi-gloss or high-gloss finishes for a more modern look.
- Full-Beam Owner’s Cabin: Features over 2 meters of headroom and an open-plan layout (available in open or enclosed configurations), including a 150x200 cm double bed and a lounge area.
- Generously Sized Guest Cabin: Available in three configurations: two single berths, a double berth with a single bed, or an open-plan cabin ideal for ample storage.
- Fully Equipped Interior Galley: Supports extended stays with a refrigerator, microwave, and intelligent storage solutions.
- Spacious Bathroom: Features a separate, large walk-in shower designed for maximum comfort.
Performance & Navigation
Running on inboard Volvo Penta IPS engines, the Level 43 ST is a joy to handle. It's smooth and responsive, balancing sporty performance with great fuel efficiency. Even less-experienced boaters will find it easy to manage, thanks to the helm station's two large Simrad displays that integrate all the boat's advanced technology.
During its first sea trials with full fuel tanks, the boat hit an impressive 39 knots. It performed remarkably well and was exceptionally comfortable, even with challenging wind and sea conditions.
The Horizon Ahead
The Level 43 ST is the first step in an ambitious journey for Level Yachts. Looking ahead, the shipyard plans to deliver the outboard version, the Level 43 STS, in 2025.
Sea Trial & Builder Interview Transcript
Builder Background (Bruno, Level Yachts)
Bruno described the company's design origins: "We've been in the boating industry for many years. So since year '85, we got in contact with Tony Castro. Tony's a designer that we have known for many years. We started with the idea of let's do something, taking into account those things that we believe are not yet in the market, at least in this sort of boats — like a long weekender for the boaters that may want to spend some more time on board."
Design Intent (Structural)
Bruno explained the target market shaped the construction approach: "We wanted the boat to be structurally strong, because our main market actually was not the European market as such — it was more the US market. So we wanted to do something stronger."
Hull Construction
The entire boat, keel to hardtop, is built with 100% vinylester resin. The reviewer explained the industry context: most builders use vinylester resin only below the waterline (where it resists water migration and gel coat blistering), because the resin is expensive; most typically stop at the waterline. Level extends this material throughout the entire build.
Stated material properties: Vinylester resin has 20% greater tensile strength and is up to 50% more flexible than polyester resin, making it less prone to stress cracks. It is also less apt to distortion in hot environments such as engine rooms and on deck in tropical conditions.
Specifications
- Category: super tender day boat / weekender
- Length overall: 44.4 feet
- Beam: 13.1 feet
- Draft: 3.6 feet
- Weight: approximately 25,000 pounds
- Standard engines: twin Volvo Penta IPS 500, 380 horsepower each
- Optional engine upgrade: IPS 650, for a total of 960 horsepower combined
Layout: Standard hardtop configuration, single layout featuring a full-beam owner's cabin and a good-sized guest cabin, configurable with either two single berths or a double bed.
Engine Room Access
The reviewer noted a specific design departure from typical European practice: "They dealt with service a lot, and a lot of boats coming outta Europe, your engine access is usually just a pretty tiny hatch." Level retains that smaller hatch for quick access but adds a large secondary hatch specifically to ease servicing of the larger engines.
Engine spacing: Set far enough apart to allow the reviewer to move easily between the two engines. Also visible in this space: a generator and the Quick stabilizer system. The reviewer noted: "This is gonna be a heavy girl, because she's got the IPS 650s on her."
Helm — Joystick Placement
The reviewer specifically praised the joystick positioning: mounted at the far starboard side of the helm station, allowing the operator to see the entire swim platform from that position while docking.
Helm — Centerline Position
The reviewer noted a deviation from typical boats in this class: "They've brought the helm a little bit closer to centerline than most boats in this class. Every [time]... I feel like I'm kind of off to one side every time I'm operating one of these, whereas this one, I feel a little bit more centerline."
Windshield
A large, full windshield is standard; a shorter windshield option is also available for operators who prefer more wind coming over the screen.
Sea Trial Notes
The reviewer stated this was not BoatTEST's standard formal performance test, but recorded numbers informally while underway, in slight chop:
- 1,000 RPM: 7.3 mph
- 1,500 RPM: 10.3 mph (approaching plane)
- 2,000 RPM: boat planed out at approximately 11 mph initially, settling to approximately 14 mph — described as having minimal bow rise, with full helm visibility maintained even at slow plane
- Wide-open throttle: 37 mph
The reviewer's assessment of top-end performance: "37 miles per hour out here, which is a good clip for this heavy of a boat, because... she's equipped with the gyro, she's got the generator, she's got a large fuel tank, those big heavy diesels — so she performs very admirably with those diesels on board."
Handling / Ride Impressions
Slow-speed maneuvering: "Slow maneuvers are really responsive. The joystick is nicely dialed in."
Stability underway: "I feel very sturdy in the water."
Seating/ergonomics comparison: "I feel more like I'm kind of sitting in a car rather than I'm on a boat" — noted even without the seat pulled all the way forward, suggesting further adjustment range for comfortable extended cruising.
Terraces (Fold-Out Bulwarks)
The reviewer noted the deployment speed: "They actually went down a lot quicker than most other terraces that I've seen go down." Bruno explained the mechanism: a sturdy piston holds the terraces in the upright position while underway, preventing the rattling the reviewer said she has noticed on other models.
Swim Platform Deployment
As the hydraulic swim platform descends into the water, stairs deploy automatically. Fully lowered, it still allows easy water access. The reviewer noted her personal preferred setting: just above water level, to sit with legs in the water.
Safety sequencing: Both the terraces and the swim platform require a specific button-press sequence to deploy, intended to confirm everyone's safety during operation.
App control: Both the platform and terraces can also be controlled via a smartphone app.
Anchor System
Not deployed during this outing, but accessible from the helm, with a chain counter, located under the forward seat.
- Anchor type: stainless steel Delta-style plow
- Locker: large, with room to fit all fenders
- Washdown: hot and cold wash-down fitted at the bow — the reviewer noted hot water at the bow is uncommon: "I rarely see hot water all the way up the front."
Closing Assessment
"That was super fun. I am so glad that we came out here a day early so that we were able to take advantage of this, and I'm really stoked that Level was on board with this idea." The reviewer noted the value of the Cannes Yachting Festival specifically allowing on-water testing, unlike many boat shows where boats remain docked.