Palm Beach GT60 Jet Drive Reviewed

The Palm Beach GT60 Jet has a draft of 2 feet, 9 inches for ultra-shallow-water cruising. Courtesy Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Purpose-built yachts have always held a special appeal to me. There’s a clear problem the owner needs to solve, and the builder responds accordingly. The Palm Beach GT60 Jet Drive is precisely that kind of yacht: a bespoke collaboration between an owner and a custom boatbuilder, tailored for practical challenges rather than just shine and show alone.

This GT60 variant was developed with a longtime Palm Beach Motor Yachts owner whose favorite summer cruising grounds in coastal Maine are lined with lobster trap floats and other shallow-water hazards. The owner wanted excellent performance, a custom layout and a draft of less than 3 feet, with virtually no underwater appendages.

Palm Beach Motor Yachts integrated twin 1,000-hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels with Hamilton HJ403 waterjets. The GT60 Jet Drive retains Palm Beach’s signature V-Warp hull technology, a design reinforced with resin-infused carbon fiber. The result is a hull that’s not only strong, but also light, helping to balance performance, efficiency and seakeeping. The yacht’s construction also incorporates vinylester resin, further enhancing durability without adding unnecessary weight.

The wide-open aft deck provides easy access to the waterjet drives belowdecks. Courtesy Palm Beach Motor Yachts

The Palm Beach GT60 exudes style and appeal, too. Its low-slung profile turns heads, yet still fits with Maine’s traditional Downeast sensibilities. The dark gray paint seems menacing, yet there’s a fun contrast with the orange highlights that carry over to the interior upholstery. And as we’ve come to expect from Palm Beach Motor Yachts, the craftsmanship and fit-and-finish are second to none.

During initial sea trials with the upgraded Volvo Pentas, the GT60 hit a top speed of 36 knots at 2,470 rpm. At 25 knots, the diesels burned 34 gallons per hour, a testament to the efficiency of the V-Warp hull design and build. These boats are slick, light and fast, which equates to higher speeds with less fuel burn. Range at that speed was 560 miles with a 10 percent reserve, giving the GT60 Jet long legs between fuel stops.

The handling of a jet-drive boat at high speeds is a bit different from conventional shaft-and-rudder or IPS design. The hulls typically want to slide around a bit because there are no rudders, but the GT60 tracked straight and true. High-speed turns were exhilarating rather than frightening. This is a boat that goes where you want it to without any unpleasant surprises at the helm. And with a draft of just 2 feet, 9 inches, shallow-water cruising isn’t a problem.

Placing the galley down and to port opens up the salon for entertaining. Courtesy Palm Beach Motor Yachts

It also has creature comforts, starting with the wide-open aft deck. The owner preferred this unobstructed layout, with easy access to the waterjet drives belowdecks. The craftsmanship is unmistakable. Every surface, every panel, every finish feels intentional. There is significant quality of detail.

The command deck is flooded with natural light thanks to the 22.5-square-foot sunroof in the carbon-fiber hardtop. There’s mezzanine seating facing aft with a drinks fridge on the starboard side. Moving forward, a U-shape lounge is to port with two teak tables and a couch to starboard, perfect for entertaining a dozen or more guests (we had 16 people on board, and we never felt cramped). With the aft bulkhead open, the GT60 feels like a Downeast cruiser, particularly with the satin-finished teak woodwork throughout.

The builder’s signature teak woodwork and flawless joinery is on display throughout the vessel. Courtesy Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Heading three steps down just past the helm, the galley is to port with a full-size refrigerator, Miele oven, Kenyon cooktop and L-shape seating. There’s a day head adjacent. The en suite master is far forward with an island queen-plus berth.

With two-person seating at the helm and a pair of 20-inch Garmin displays, we easily maneuvered away from the dock using the joystick control. The GT60 can pirouette nearly within its own boat length with a simple twist, making for confident maneuvering in close quarters. Visibility through the one-piece windshield is excellent, and thanks to the lack of bulkheads or other obstructions, it’s easy to see 360 degrees around the vessel from the helm.

With the aft bulkhead open, the GT60 feels like a Downeast cruiser, particularly with the satin-finished teak woodwork throughout. Courtesy Palm Beach Motor Yachts

The engines had virtually no turbo lag, and the yacht planed in less than six seconds with only a slight bow rise. This is a boat that wants to perform right off the bat. Very little steering input is required, even at speed. A flick of the wheel produced roaring doughnuts at 23 knots, with just half a turn from lock to lock.

There’s also precious little engine noise at the helm thanks to sound-dampening material. I recorded just 63 decibels at cruise speed, and normal conversations were no problem.

With its twin 1,000 hp Volvo Penta D13 engines and Hamilton waterjets, the GT60 hits a top hop of 36 knots. Courtesy Palm Beach Motor Yachts

In developing the GT60 Jet Drive, Palm Beach Motor Yachts showed real flexibility. Rather than offering a standard engine option, the builder leaned into the owner’s needs. The result is a vessel that isn’t just fast or refined, but is instead a purpose-built, highly customized, direct response to a real-world cruising challenge. It’s a working yacht that is refined, thoughtful and made for a mission: coastal freedom in tricky waters, without compromising on comfort or craftsmanship. 

The Custom Approach

Palm Beach Motor Yachts sells its boats directly from the factory, allowing for a high level of collaboration between the owner and the boatbuilder. Whether it’s a custom layout, a personalized interior or specific tech, the design team works closely with the buyer to ensure the result matches the vision. 

The Models

Palm Beach Motor Yachts builds nine models in the Classic series, ranging from 42 to 107 feet length overall, plus three models in the GT series from 50 to 70 feet. The GTRS series also has three models, from 50 to 70 feet. Power options include outboards, traditional shaft-and-rudder inboards, IPS and jet drives. 

Take the next step: palmbeachmotoryachts.com

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