Ever since the explosion of the modern dayboat market, bays from Biscayne to Barnegat and Peconic to Porto Cervo have been awash with all manner of the craft, from more builders than even seasoned yachtsmen can seem to keep track of.
And while the Wajers and Vanquishes of the world have planted their flags for the Northern European contingency, one name has risen from the rest in Southern Europe: Pardo.
Cantiere del Pardo was founded back in 1973 by Giuseppe Giuliani Ricci originally as a sailing-yacht builder. It wasn’t until 2016 that the brand entered the motoryacht segment, with its Pardo 43. That boat became something of an instant classic, and was so beloved by Pardo owners that the builder thought it high time for a refresh this year. At the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival Pardo proudly showed off the new and improved 43, which has quite a lot to like.
Likely the first thing Pardo aficionados will notice about the boat is the rectangular hullside windows that were added to give the accommodations level more light. To my eye they also do something to break up the boat’s lines, making it appear a bit larger than the older version. The new 43 has also been slightly altered with relocated air intakes, a shearline that slopes gently toward the stern, and a sportier-looking, carbon-fiber T-top.
Stepping aboard there is a hydraulic teak swim platform that makes an excellent staging area for watersports, especially when combined with an electric swim ladder that drops down into the water on centerline. Hanging ever so slightly over the swim platform like a spoiler on a sports car is the ever-so-necessary sunpad. What, after all, would a dayboat be without one of these? Beneath the swim platform is stowage space large enough for two Seabobs.
The headrests on the swim platform are convertible, and can flip aft to become seats at a folding teak table that makes the perfect place for a quick alfresco nosh. Aft facing seats forward of that mean that six can enjoy a meal here with plenty of elbow room. Forward of the table, built into the after section of the center console is an outdoor galley with a sink, electric cooktop, and refrigeration. I cannot imagine many people actually cooking on board this boat, but it is nice to know it’s an option if one is feeling culinarily ambitious.
Wide teak side decks lead around the console toward the bow deck. One of my favorite details here are the integrated handrails. It’s nice to know that even on a boat where style is so clearly the primary mover, safety hasn’t been forgotten either. There are also dropdown boarding steps on the inside of the gunwales for effortless boarding and disembarking. In the bowdeck lounge there is a second sunpad, but a new update on the 2025 version is a forward facing bench seat all the way forward—an excellent place for adventurous guests to sit when underway in calm seas.
Beneath the bow deck lies a V berth in the boat’s forepeak that is large enough for spending a comfortable night or two aboard, making the 43 a workable weekender. Twin berths in a low-slung amidships cabin would be great for kids or as an extra stowage area. A head also at amidships is small but usable in a pinch.
At the helm there are comfortable twin captain’s chairs protected from the elements by a stylishly curvy windshield. The boat comes with a variety of engine options including Volvo Penta pods IPS500, IPS600, and IPS650 versions. Outboards are also available in triple 400-hp Mercury V10 or triple Mercury 600-hp V12 iterations.
Regardless of power choice, this is a boat that is well designed for its intended pursuits. She’s sporty and sporty looking, with enough onboard creature comforts both on her main deck and on the accommodations level to add more than a hint of luxury to a day spent on the water. This 43 is quintessential Pardo, and carries on what is quickly becoming a very strong tradition.
Pardo 43 Specifications:
LOA: 45’11”
Beam: 13’9”
Draft: 3’5”
Displ.: 21,780 lbs.
Fuel: 312
Water: 78 gal.
Power: 2/370-hp Volvo Penta IPS500s;
2/440-hp Volvo Penta IPS600s;
2/480-hp Volvo Penta IPS650s
Price: $940,000 (base)
This article originally appeared in the January 2026 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
