The primary design goal for the 40z was to create a 40 foot powerboat that would handle like a 30-footer at idle speeds in tricky docking situations. The Volvo-Penta IPS or Cummins Mercruiser AXIUS joystick control technology makes this goal a reality. The IPS system works with twin pod drives under the hull and the Cummins with twin sterndrives. When conventional twin-engine controls are in neutral, a single joystick takes over with fingertip control. There are no thrusters. Through a unique computer program, each drive unit is independently operated in terms of direction, rpm and forward-reverse gear. This system works far more intuitively than conventional twin shaft drives or joystick/thruster operated jet drives

The “Express” differs from the standard “Downeast” model only in pilothouse window styling. The side opening on the “Express” is divided in two parts. The lower section of safety glass has a small, opening vent window forward. This model has more hard glass enclosure if one prefers to partially open the sides in warm, rough conditions. The lower glass enclosure helps to contain small children on the pilothouse seats and also provides a lower handrail on the outside of the window frame by which small children can better work their way forward to the bowrail...instead of having to depend on the roof rails.