Brabus Shadow 500 Video Review: Twin Racing 250s and 51 Knots
By the YachtWay editorial deskUpdated October 2026Video walkthrough7 min read
The Brabus Shadow 500 is a 31 ft dayboat with blacked-out styling and twin Mercury 250 racing outboards tuned by Brabus. We walked the sun top version, lent to us by Jeff Brown Yachts, and took her out off Miami. On deck there are two sinks, two fridges, deep carbon-backed seats and a day head. On our run she reached 51 knots (59 mph) and stayed planted through chop.
A family dayboat that likes to race
Brabus logos are everywhere, the hardware is matte black and the seat backs are carbon fibre. The layout is practical: a galley that pops up behind the engines, storage bins for snorkel gear and fenders, a soft top over the bench seats and a bow lounge that turns into a sunbed. Then you drive her, and she feels like a go-kart.
What stood out on board
- 51 knots on our sea trialWe saw 51 knots (59 mph) off Miami without touching the trim, and 43 knots (50 mph) at 49 gallons an hour.
- Handles like a go-kartShe planes at once, turns instantly at 22 knots (25 mph) and lands without banging.
- Two sinks on a 31 footerOne in the aft galley and one under the helm seats, next to a second fridge.
- A pre-departure checklistThe Simrad screens run a safety checklist before you leave the dock.
- Controls on the wheelBow thruster, trim and audio buttons sit on the steering wheel.
- A day headDown a step from the bow, with a sink, a mirror and access to the systems.
Spec sheet at a glance
| Feature | What you get | The benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 31 ft (9.45 m) | Easy to handle and dock |
| Beam | 9 ft 10 in (2.99 m) | Narrow and quick |
| Draft | 2 ft 10 in (0.85 m) | Gets you into shallow water |
| Dry weight | 2.8 t (6,128 lb) | Light for 500 hp |
| Tanks | 74 gal fuel, 21 gal water (280 L, 80 L) | Enough for a fast day out |
| Power (as tested) | 2x Mercury 250 racing outboards, 500 hp | Tuned and styled by Brabus |
| Top speed (our test) | 51 kn (59 mph) | Measured off Miami, trim untouched |
| Fuel use (our test) | 49 gal/h at 43 kn (50 mph), 14 gal/h on the way up | Fun first, economy second |
| Layout | Sun top, bench seats, bow lounge, day head | Configurable deck |
| Helm | Dual Simrad glass cockpit, Mercury display | Flush screens and a safety checklist |
| Galley | Two sinks, two fridges | Rare on a boat this size |
Stern and engines
The stern carries twin Mercury 250 racing outboards with Brabus styling. A ski pole sits in front of them for towing skis, boards or a tube.
- Bench mounts.Holes for an extra bench at the stern.
- Rod holders.One on each side for trolling.
- Flag pole.Stores in a bin and mounts at the stern.
- Shower.A wand in the port storage box.
Galley and storage
A button unlocks the galley in front of the engines. It has a deep top-loading fridge and a sink that folds down.
- Fridge.About a foot and a half deep, with adjustable temperature.
- Sink.Fill it with ice to use as a cooler.
- Storage bins.On both sides, for fenders, lines and snorkel gear.
- Enclosure.A canvas with clear panels closes the sides.
Bench seats
Four deep bench seats sit under the soft top, with carbon fibre backs and airplane-style pockets. The canvas comes off for more sun.
- Second fridge.Under the helm seats.
- Second sink.Next to it, with a drain plug.
- Table mount.For a sit-down meal.
- Seats.Turn to face forward and slide back for room.
Helm
The helm is a glass cockpit with two flush Simrad screens. Stand up to drive, or sit low and the air passes over your head.
- Checklist.Weather, life jackets, lights and fuel before you go.
- Brabus screen.Service levels, fuel and trip summary.
- Wheel controls.Bow thruster, trim and audio.
- Charging.A wireless charger that clamps the phone.
- Enclosure.Zip-in panels for colder days.
Bow and day head
A railing runs around the bow lounge, and the dining table has grab rails built in. Swap the table poles for shorter ones and add a cushion to make a sunbed.
- Bimini.Stored under a seat, with poles for bow shade.
- Lighting.Blue pin lights across the deck.
- Shore power.A 30 amp outlet at the bow.
- Day head.A sink, a mirror and magnetic access panels.
Sea trial off Miami
We went out off Miami in light chop. She planed immediately and felt like she was on rails.
- Handling.Instant response in a turn at 22 knots (25 mph).
- Speed.About 35 to 48 knots (40 to 55 mph) as she built up speed.
- Top speed.51 knots (59 mph) without adjusting the trim.
- Fuel.49 gallons an hour at 43 knots (50 mph).
- Ride.Nothing moved on board and she did not bang.
The Shadow 500 is a dayboat that can also run with much bigger, faster boats. On our sea trial she reached 51 knots (59 mph), turned instantly and landed softly in chop. Between runs she is a practical family boat, with two sinks, two fridges, deep seats and a day head. For a 31 footer, it is a lot of boat and a lot of fun.
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