Linssen's Grand Sturdy provides us with a good excuse to examine the pros and cons of more leisurely cruising.
Linssen’s Grand Sturdy provides us with a good excuse to examine the pros and cons of more leisurely cruising. Fundamental to this slower approach is the ability to do so much more while under way.
Initially, the six-hour, eight-knot Channel crossing may seem taxing compared with the two-hour, 24-knot blast in a planing boat. But so many boating pleasures watching the scenery, eating, talking, drinking are more enjoyable when the noise levels are barely perceptible and the motion is steady.
The low air draught of 10ft 0in (3.05m) opens up the possibility of canal cruising. And at the four to five knot Speeds of inland waterways, fuel consumption plummets and your Range becomes huge about 2,000 miles. It’s so much easier to relax when you’re counting fuel costs in hundreds, rather than thousands of pounds.
Linssen’s Grand Sturdy 460 is an excellent example of its type. In fact, I’ve yet to see better. Highlights included the roomy galley, spacious and comfortable seating, abundant handholds, and good cabin stowage. Plus, the quality of the immensely strong steelwork and the paintwork is superb, as is the engineering installation easy access to the engineroom should help it stay that way.
There were a few shortcomings, mainly on the deck, such as the lack of space around the dash, and the fuel fillers sited directly on the teak deck. Also, the Grand Sturdy is yet another boat that doesn’t have a full complement of efficient gas struts or stays on the opening hatches and lids, which I would expect on any boat because one hand is often needed for balance. However, the drawbacks were few and minor, and the plus points were numerous and significant.
If you haven’t tried slow boating before, you might be surprised about how enjoyable it can be. Perhaps this is why, despite the tortoise-like progress of the displacement boat, they frequently travel further afield than their hare-like counterparts.
DIMENSIONS
LOA 45ft 11in 13.99m
Hull Length 43ft 10in 13.36m
Beam 14ft 3in 4.34m
Draught 3ft 11in 1.19m
Air draught 10ft 0in 3.05m
Displacement 22.0 tonnes (light) 24.2 tonnes (loaded)
Fuel capacity 396 imp gal 1,800lt
Water capacity 145 imp gal 660lt
Engines
Twin Volvo Penta TAMD41H
145hp @ 2,500rpm
6-cylinder, 3.6lt turbo diesels
4-bladed propellers
24in diameter by 25in pitch
(610mm by 635mm)
RPM Speed Trim GPH MPG Range
1,100 5.1 0.0° 0.98 5.22 1,656
1,400 6.5 0.0° 1.81 3.59 1,138
1,700 7.8 0.5° 2.98 2.62 829
2,000 8.6 1.0° 4.86 1.77 561
2,300 9.2 1.5° 7.70 1.20 379
2,600 9.4 4.0° 12.5 0.75 238
Range allows for 20% reserve 65% fuel, 45% water, 4 crew Sea state: calm wind, Force 1-2
Performance
Maximum Speed 9.4 knots
Maximum Range 238 nautical miles @ 2,600rpm
Cruising Speed 8.6 knots
Cruising Range 561 nautical miles @ 2,000rpm
Price from Price as tested
G624,600 ex TAX (approx £192,400) G917,388 ex TAX (approx £282,595)
Designer
W. de Vries Lentsch
Builder
Linssen Yachts BV, Kokstraat 6, P.O. Box 7172, NL-6050 AD, Maasbracht, Holland. Tel: 0031 475 463405. Fax: 0031 475 465461. Email: info@linssen.nl.
Supplier
GB Yacht Sales, 35 Avon Avenue, Avon Castle, Ringwood, Hants BH24 2BQ. Tel: +44 (0)1425 472902. Fax: +44 (0)1425 472902.
Sound levels dB(A) Saloon Cockpit Galley
Cruising @ 7.8 knots 71 66 66
Maximum @ 9.4 knots 76 71 71
