While Hornet Marine has only existed in its current incarnation since 2009, the company is built on generations of boating enthusiasts and inventors. In 1966, a team including engineer Hal Hartmann—father of Hornet’s founder David Hartmann—proved the viability of jet turbine engines in extreme conditions by applying them to a marine environment and winning the Sam Griffith Memorial Race by 70 miles. This heritage comes through in the design and construction of today’s Hornet powerboats, built in Bristol, Conn. With a low profile and sleek lines, the Hornet 17 makes a great candidate as an alluring and speedy tender. Built on a classic deep-V fiberglass hull, and weighing about 2,500 pounds, the Hornet 17 is well-suited for a number of engine packages from Mercury MerCruising. This runabout-style, built-to-order boat can be customized in just about every way—from paint color and upholstery to electronics and features, such as custom steering wheels.

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