Intrepid Boats 407 Panacea (2018-)

Key Features

• 6 pop-up cleats
• Electric head with holding tank
• Galley with refrigerator/sink and faucet
• Insulated fishbox with through-transom ball valve and macerator
• Spacious console with Plexiglass windshield and cabin below (forward bench style)
• Additional bow seating with actuating backrest
• Cabin wraparound settee that converts to berth with optional Hi-Lo table
• Fold-under swim ladder
• Swing in dive door with fold-out ladder

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	40' / 12.19 m
Beam	11' 1'' 3.38 m
Dry Weight	17,750 lbs. 8,051 kg
Tested Weight	19,471 lbs. 8,832 kg
Draft	2’ 6'' .76 m
Deadrise/Transom	22-deg.
Max Headroom	N/A
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	483 gal. 1,828 L
Water Capacity	60 gal. 227 L
Total Weight	19,471 lbs. 8,832 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	5.2 sec.
0 to 30	11.2 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	19p x4
Load	3 persons, 3/8 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	86 deg., 75 humid.; wind: 10-15 mph; seas: 1-2

Engine Options

Tested Engine	3 x 400-hp Mercury Racing
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	Mercury engine options Yamaha engine options Seven Marine engine options

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

Mission Statement

The Intrepid 407 Panacea is the direct result of customer feedback. Intrepid had multiple requests for a smaller version of the 475 Panacea, so voila, the 407 was born. Intrepid calls it a dayboat that’s also a “stayboat” and says it can cruise, fish, dive, and perform during a fun-filled day on the water.

Distinguishing Features

• Custom Boat Builder. While Intrepid has nine basic hulls from 24’ to 47’ (7.32 m to 14.3 m), much of what goes inside is custom-made for each owner.
• Factory-Direct. Intrepid has no dealers or dealer mark-up.
• Innovation. Intrepid has lead the industry in its class in terms of innovation. For example, hull side doors, which are now available in even low price-point boats, started with Intrepid.
• Two Seats in One. Both chaise-style and bench-style seats are available on the trunk cabin lounge.
• Port Side Door. This door makes it easier to land a big fish or enter the water with dive gear. It is now the new launching point for watersports.
• Power Boarding Steps. Fold-out of the port gunwale to make it easier to step aboard from the docks.
• Full Plexiglas Glass Wraparound Windshield. Provides good protection from spray and blends seamlessly into the hardtop structure.
• Cabin. It has 6’3” (1.9 m) of headroom, a dinette convertible for sleeping, a mini galley, and a wet head.
• High Performance. With triple 400-hp outboards, the 407 Panacea tops 60 mph.
• Stepped Hull. The 407 Panacea has a single step and a special stern bottom design.

Features Inspection

The Cockpit

The 54 sq. ft. (5.01 sq. m) cockpit has plenty of room for several anglers to be fighting fish at once, or for a large group going on a picnic. Likewise, for scuba divers, there is more than adequate room for tanks and gear.

For those days when cruising is on the agenda, the cockpit is so big that even deck chairs can be brought aboard. There is storage space below deck and perhaps some folding chair designs -- like director’s chairs -- can be stowed there.

Side Door. To port is something of an Intrepid signature feature -- a hullside door that opens inward. A hatch in the deck opens to reveal a sturdy boarding ladder that folds out and overboard. Since Intrepid invented the concept in pleasure boats it is little wonder that they are ahead of curve on re-boarding ladders for it.

New Launching Venue. It is this side of the boat from which watersports are launched -- not the transom. Intrepid has figured out that with triple or quad outboards on the transom, swimming, diving, and tow sports can all be handled more safely and easily from the side door.

For Fishy Folks. Our test boat had a couple of worthwhile options, the padded bolsters and a 4’11” (1.5 m) aft bench seat that folds out from the transom. In each stern quarter, there are optional 41-gallon (155 L) livewells that are finished in blue and have rounded corners, aeration systems, and front windows.

Aft, behind the transom, there’s room to walk in front of the outboard engine wells, plus there are two small steps outboard on each side to aid boarding from the rear.

Cockpit Accessories

The 407 Panacea comes with six 9 ½” (24.1 cm) pull-up cleats as well as six rod holders properly positioned in the caprail. For dayboating, there’s a pull-up freshwater shower to starboard and, to port, two retractable steps fold out of the inwale with the push of a button to make it easier to board.

Our test model was also equipped with an engine-flush system in its own locker in the starboard gunwale. Hatches in the cockpit deck open the macerated fishbox to starboard. There is also a freshwater outlet next to the side door and a raw water one on the opposite side.

The Fisher Panda 4 kW diesel generator is forward under a hatch. Intrepid has made the right decision for safety reasons, to have a diesel generator, even though it necessitates a dedicated fuel tank for it.

The Cockpit Galley

At the forward end of the cockpit, the 407 Panacea has a galley just abaft the helm seats. Beneath the hinged fiberglass cover are a stainless steel sink and grill and in the base are the optional refrigerator and icemaker and a pull-out cooler. In the port side of the galley, a compartment opens, and out pops a wastebasket.

The Helm

The front side of the galley has twin captain’s chairs with foldup bolsters and armrests. We like that Intrepid includes a fold-out footrest, but we wish there was a separate one for each person.

The dash on our test boat had two 19” (48.3 cm) multi-function displays with a 7” (17.8 cm) Mercury VesselView screen below. For backup, there is a compass on top of the panel.

The stainless steel steering wheel is on a tilt base with the controls for the optional bow thruster to port. The Mercury Digital Shift and throttle are to starboard as are the buttons for the Bennett trim tabs. The binnacle controls are at an ergonomic angle.

A glovebox is ahead of the starboard seat. We were impressed with how seamlessly the Plexiglas windshield fit into the custom hardtop structure, and only minor distortions were seen in the bend. We’d like to see a vent in the windshield at the top to give the helmsman a breeze.

Windward Passage

We measured the side passageways to the bow at 19” (48.3 cm) wide on each side of the 407 Panacea’s console. A locker in the side of the console houses the 12 V electrical switches for the cockpit. (See above.)

A Suggestion. We would like to have rails on top of the cabin/console or caprail to provide a little more security for people going forward in a seaway. Such rails on the gunwales would be ugly -- unless they were recessed like the ones in the bow. On the side of the console below the windshield, they would not be so noticeable in powder coated white.

The Bow

The lounge seat on the trunk cabin can actually be two seats in one. There’s the standard chaise-style lounger that lets at least two people stretch out in style for sunning, reading, or just enjoying the seascape. And, an optional power backrest in the middle can pop up to create a bench-style seat in the front of the trunk cabin.

More Storage

In the shoulders of the boat, just abaft the forward seats are port and starboard lockable storage compartments. Rod racks can be placed in here as well as scuba tanks. Other things that can be placed there are foldable deck chairs and tables, and even sun awnings.

Much of the “day boating” activity on the 407 Panacea will take place in the boat’s bow, which can be enhanced with an optional power table that can be raised part way and filled in with a lounge to create a large sun pad/playpen. It can also be raised fully to create a great spot to enjoy lunch.

The aft section of the forward seats can be raised at the push of a button to create chaise lounges. The seat bottoms lift up on stainless-steel gas struts to access storage. In this way, the forward seating is ideal for sunning, riding along, and entertaining. With the table down on the deck, the forward area can also be a casting venue.

The anchor locker in the foredeck can be equipped with an optional windlass.

Below Decks

Enter Here. A hatch in the starboard side of the console provides entry to the 407 Panacea’s cabin, which has maximum headroom of 6’3” (1.91 m). Here we found another power adjustable table that can be lowered to create a V-berth for two in the bow.

We like that Intrepid designed supports for the table when it’s in the lowered position into the base of the U-shaped seating. There’s also additional space forward for sleeping people to extend their legs.

Galley. Aft to port, the cabin galley has a refrigerator and stainless steel sink beneath a removable cover in the solid-surface countertop. There’s storage above and below the counter. Our test boat had a microwave oven and refrigerator.

The wet head has a toilet and a sink with a pull-out shower wand. Behind a mirrored hatch in the head we found the 407 Panacea’s battery switches. This is an unusual place, and a secure one. Overhead there is a frosted window to keep things bright.

Performance

Bottom Design. The 407 Panacea rides on a single-step bottom that has a 22-degree deadrise at the transom. Intrepid designs the bottom with a forward panel that is at a steeper longitudinal angle along the keel than the aft panel. The two panels create more lift aft than at the step itself so the boat rides with a slightly bow-up attitude. This should provide a drier ride and for drivers moving from a conventional V-bottom to their first stepped boat, it should be an easier transition.

Power. Owners can choose engines from Mercury, Yamaha or Seven Marina in twin or triple configurations and the single-step bottom provides a combination of performance, efficiency and rough-water capability. A quad-engine option, that requires transom modification, is also available.

We tested the 407 Panacea with triple 400-hp Mercury Racing Verado 400R supercharged 4-stroke outboards turning 19” (48.3 cm) pitch four-blade stainless steel propellers. With three people, 186 gallons (704 L) of fuel and test equipment on board, our test boat had an estimated weight of 19,471 lbs. (8,832 kg).

WOT. We ran a top speed of 61.5 mph (53.5 knots/99 kph) at 6400 rpm. At that speed, she burns 53.5 gph. But when running hull to hull with a buddy, who cares?

Best cruise came at 3000 rpm where the boat ran 20.4 mph (17.7 knots/32.8 kph) and burned 20.9 gph (79.2 lph) giving her a range of 423 statute miles (680 km) with 10% of the boat’s 483-gallon (1,828 L) fuel capacity in reserve. At this speed, she got 1.0 mpg -- which is impressive considering the triple 400s on the transom.

Getting Nautical. For those contemplating long hikes, let’s convert those best cruise numbers -- which is her most economical planing speed -- to knots and nautical miles: 17.7 knots for a range of 367 nautical miles.

At 4500 RPM. Most people we know will want to let the 1200 horses gallop when conditions permit, and at 4500 rpm we recorded a speed of 38.8 mph (33.7 knots), burning 41.1 gph and getting .9 mpg for a range of 407 statutes miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

In acceleration tests, the 407 Panacea planed in 5.2 seconds and ran to 20 mph in 7.1 seconds and to 30 mph in 11.2 seconds.

Handling

In 1’ to 2’ (0.31 m to .61 m) chop, the 407 Panacea sliced cleanly through waves with no pounding. At higher speeds, say around 50 to 60 mph, she flies from one wave top to the next, staying and, thanks to the bottom design, keeping the props in the water.

Around the docks, we were curious to see how the boat would handle without a joystick, but she didn’t need one. She responded well and the optional bow thruster helped us line her up exactly where we wanted. The trick is to go slow. Watch the video.

Construction. Intrepid builds the 407 Panacea wood-free with vacuum-bagged PVC foam hulls and knitted uni-and multi-directional laminates. The boat is fully resin-infused, which Intrepid says makes her 20 to 40% lighter and stronger.

Options to Consider

Intrepid’s motto is “One of a Kind. One at a Time.” That means owners can have pretty much anything they want, so this long list of options is just a partial list of what Intrepid will do--

• Painted hullsides
• Fiberglass hardtop with glass windshield and wiper
• Electric sunshade for aft cockpit
• Refrigerator under helm seat base
• Icemaker under helm seat base
• Integrated folding aft bench seat
• Removable aft bench seat
• Cabin air conditioning
• Electric-actuating backrests for boat seats
• Electric-actuating hi-lo bow table
• Electric aft sunshade
• Recessed dive tank racks
• Towing package with one-piece welded double tow-eye with additional bilge pump and warning lights
• Bow thruster
• Humphree interceptors
• Windlass with 200’ (61 m) rode
• SS polished anchor
• Generator (diesel with sound shield)
• Gyro stabilizer
• Water heater

This boat can make it from Miami to Bimini in less than an hour, and on to Nassau in just over three hours in the right conditions. (And she can make it to Nassau at full chop with fuel to spare.)

Observations

Intrepid boats have always reminded us of an intricate Faberge egg – one with delicate moving parts and insides that dazzle, and show off a master jeweler’s artistic ability, creativity, and craftsmanship.

The 407 Panacea is just that sort of Intrepid.

Future owners of the Intrepid 407 Panacea should thank the customer that requested that the test boat be built. She has the cockpit space for a day of fishing, cruising, diving or all three. Thanks to her cabin, if a couple wants to sneak away for a weekend, the boat is up for that, too. With an extensive options list, the boat can be equipped to accommodate a variety of on-water interests and activities.