The Nordic boating revolution continues on the shores of the Great Lakes, and it’s carrying a double dose of Yamaha power. The Award Winning Quarken 27 T-Top, a vessel that has already garnered international acclaim for its “smart-boat” philosophy, has upped the ante with a new twin 150hp outboard configuration.
For boaters navigating the unpredictable swells of Lake Ontario, the vast expanses of the Great Lakes, or the tight, social channels of Lake Simcoe, this new engine setup isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a total reimagining of what a 27-foot day boat can do.
While the Quarken 27 was originally launched with a single 300hp Yamaha, the introduction of the twin 150hp option targets a specific breed of boater.
The Great Lakes are famous for their bustling marinas where wind and current can turn a simple docking maneuver into a high-stakes challenge. With twin engines, the Quarken 27 gains a level of surgical precision that a single engine simply cannot match. When equipped with the Yamaha Helm Master EX and joystick, the skipper can move the boat sideways or rotate it on its axis with a flick of the wrist. Whether you are pulling into a tight slip at a marina in Toronto or navigating a crowded Friday night on Lake Simcoe, the twin-engine setup removes the “docking anxiety” entirely.
The Great Lakes are inland seas, and they can turn “nasty” in minutes. The twin-engine setup offers two major benefits here:
Having two independent power sources is the ultimate safety net. If one engine encounters a rare issue far from shore, the second engine ensures you return to port under your own power.
By distributing weight and propulsion across two points on the transom, the boat feels more balanced. The twin-stepped hull, a hallmark of Quarken’s design, works in harmony with the twin props to provide better “grip” during high-speed turns and a smoother entry into a head sea.
When it comes to authentic, “no-fluff” boat reviews, few are as respected as Dan from Dan’s Boat Life. Dan has spent significant time aboard the Quarken range and has frequently praised the brand for its cleverness and build quality.
In his reviews, Dan often highlights the asymmetric cabin and offset console. On the Quarken 27 T-Top, this design creates a wide, deep walkway on the port side. For those in the Great Lakes region who often boat with kids or pets, this “deep-cockpit” feel provides a sense of safety that traditional center consoles often lack. Dan has also noted that while the boat is a “rocket” (capable of hitting 44 knots), its real strength lies in its composed handling. It doesn’t “hunt” in a following sea, a critical trait for anyone crossing the wide-open stretches between Toronto and the Niagara region.
Other reviewers, such as those from Motor Boat & Yachting, have echoed these sentiments, pointing out the “playful” nature of the hull. They’ve noted that the boat remains impressively dry even when the wind picks up, a must-have feature for Lake Ontario’s frequent chop.
Not everyone wants the overhead of traditional boat ownership, the winter storage in Ontario, the maintenance, and the insurance. This is where the Agapi Boat Club comes in.
Through their partnership with Quarken, Agapi offers a “smart ownership” model. Members get unlimited access to a fleet that includes the Quarken 27 T-Top. You get the premium experience of a high-performance Nordic boat without the “hassle” of ownership.
As an Agapi member, you aren’t just limited to Lake Ontario. You can book a Quarken 27 in Mallorca, Miami, or the Stockholm archipelago, truly making the world your playground.
Imagine showing up to the dock with the boat clean, fueled, and ready to go. Agapi handles the “work” so you can focus on the “boating.”
If you are leaning toward ownership but want to be 100% sure the twin 150s are right for you, the Try Before You Buy program is a game-changer.
Offered by regional partners like YACHT Solutions in the GTA, this program allows you to purchase a membership package (typically 5 or 10 outings) to live with the boat before committing to a purchase. It’s far more than a simple sea trial; it’s an opportunity to see how the boat handles your specific lifestyle:
If you decide to buy, the cost of your “trial” is often credited toward the purchase price, making it a risk-free path to owning one of the most advanced boats on the water today.
The Quarken 27 T-Top with twin Yamaha 150s is a “Swiss Army Knife” of a boat. It is fast enough to thrill, safe enough for the Great Lakes, and clever enough to facilitate an overnight stay for two in its surprisingly spacious forward cabin.
Whether you’re exploring the 30,000 Islands of Georgian Bay, commuting across Lake Ontario, or enjoying a sunset on Lake Simcoe, the Quarken 27 offers a level of Nordic sophistication that is hard to beat.
Ready to see it in action? You can find detailed walkarounds and performance tests on the Quarken Boats YouTube channel or visit Yacht Solutions to inquire about the next demo day.
What specific features of the Quarken 27 are you most curious about? The performance of the twin engines or the layout of the cabin?