About this tender
The Shadow 1500 XC Cross Cabin is the build we ask BRABUS Marine for when a programme demands genuine all-weather capability without surrendering the performance envelope. At 13.9m on a twin-stepped 20-degree V hull, it carries twelve passengers under offshore certification and fifteen under coastal, powered by three supercharged Mercury Racing 500R V8 outboards producing a combined 1,500 hp. Top speed sits at 62 knots; cruising speed at 40 knots. Those are not marketing approximations - they come directly from BRABUS's own technical data sheet.
The XC designation refers to the convertible Cross Cabin arrangement: the enclosed wheelhouse and front lounge can be opened fully to deck level, and the fold-down balcony doors in the hull amidships extend the social footprint without adding length. Five discrete social zones - foredeck, helm, cockpit, aft deck, and front lounge - give a captain genuine flexibility when running guests across a range of sea states and ambient temperatures. The optional aft cabin converts the aft deck from a day-boat layout to a two-berth overnight configuration.
The helm package is built around twin Simrad NSO 16-inch multifunction displays with a BRABUS user interface, a bow thruster controlled through the Intelligent Steering Module, and trim tabs integrated into the same steering wheel controls. Joystick piloting for outboards is deliberately omitted from the standard specification - BRABUS's reasoning is direct driver-to-driveline connection at speed - but it is available as a factory option for captains who prioritise close-quarters manoeuvrability.
We would place this boat alongside other high-output 45-foot day cruisers in the European market, but the BRABUS finish level, Masterpiece leather specification, and carbon interior detailing position it closer to Italian custom builds than to production dayboats. The Phantom Grey Signature Edition adds a labour-intensive fairing, painting, and polishing process over the standard hull finish, making it a more involved commission than a standard colour specification.
Highlights
The four details we'd point out first to a captain who hasn't seen one on the water yet.
Three Mercury Racing 500R 4.6-litre supercharged V8 outboards deliver a combined 1,500 hp. BRABUS quotes a top speed of 62 knots and a cruising speed of 40 knots from a hull weighing 8,000 kg. That power-to-weight ratio is the core argument for this boat in any chase or fast-transfer role.
The wheelhouse converts from fully enclosed to open-air at the touch of a control. Fold-down balcony doors in the hull extend the amidships deck area further. Five social zones across the boat mean a captain can configure the space for a fast offshore transfer, a day at anchor, or an overnight stay with the optional aft cabin.
The Shadow 1500 XC is certified to CE Category B (offshore) at twelve passengers and CE Category C (coastal) at fifteen. That dual classification gives operational flexibility depending on the sea area and the programme being run from the mothership.
Twin Simrad NSO 16-inch multifunction displays, a BRABUS-interface helm, bow thruster, trim tabs, and audio are all managed through the Intelligent Steering Module at the wheel. An optional extended navigation package adds a glass-bridge display, 4G router, AIS, Halo20+ radar, and VHF.
The Phantom Grey finish involves a high labour-intensive fairing, painting, and polishing process applied over the production hull. Painted engine covers, matching hull graphics, and Masterpiece badges in hull colour are included as part of this Signature Edition specification.
Gallery
The full specification
Specifications, prices, availability, and performance figures are supplied for guidance only and remain subject to confirmation by the yard, seller, broker, survey, contract, and final specification.
Questions, answered
Last call · Available
Brabus · Bottrop, Germany
Tell us about your yacht, your programme, and the missions Shadow 1500 XC Cross Cabin needs to handle. We come back within 48 hours with a written assessment - fit for the brief, lead time, and trade-offs against alternatives in the same band.
Prefer to talk? +44 (0) 77180 88055 · other ways to reach us
From the library
