A hardtop day cruiser that offers a cracking mix of style and substance
This hardtop day cruiser offers up a cracking mix of style and substance. With its blue, allegedly Audi-inspired hull form, the looks give the 705 a sporting edge to its all-weather hardtop practicality.
From the teak-detailed bathing platform, you peer into a very smart cockpit. The upholstery is a soft tan that looks reassuringly expensive, and the U-shape seating (converting to a summer berth) leads on to very comfortable helm seats, safely sat under the hardtop.
With its open back, light and air are not going to be a problem but, just to be sure, two large slide-to-open glass hatches are set into the roof. In typical Scandi-style, the galley is secreted under the helm seats, which fold forward to present a hob and sink, and with a fridge tucked under the helm, it means that a cold beer is never far away.
The hardtop obviously adds some great protection forward but, if you want to cover the whole cockpit, a canopy pulls out from behind the seating.
That’s a typically neat feature on a boat packed with detail and thought, demonstrated by the solid teak table that folds out of the way or the sturdy, big-gauge grabrails.
In fact, the boat’s only problem is that the deep, spacious cockpit feels so luxurious and so up-market that you fully expect to find a four-berth cabin behind the smoked cabin door, rather than a still impressively finished cuddy.
But remember, this is a 23ft boat, a trailable one at that – it just feels bigger, especially out on the water. The 190hp Volvo Penta 5cyl D3 the test boat came with provides 33 knots of wonderfully assured, smooth performance.
The sterndrive gives you plenty of fun but the underlying stability of the boat makes you think that a shaft might lurk beneath.
Our test boat came with the standard cable throttle rather than the optional EVC electronic control. For me, the standard controls are fine, the new throttles looking and feeling as good as the supportive helm seat.
If you really want to feel the fun, you can stick your head out through the sun hatches above.
Tested September 2006.
Pros
- Classy cockpit, styrong diesel performance
Cons
- Cabin is good but it's still just a cuddy
Price as reviewed:
£56,999.00
Verdict
A classy day cruiser with detailing that belies its length
Details
Top Speed: 33 knots
Cabins: 1
Beam: 7ft 11in (2.4m)
Cruising Speed: 25 knots
Length Overall: 23ft 3in (7.09m)
Engines: single 190hp Volvo Penta D3 sterndrive
Boats for Sale: Search for a Flipper 705 for sale
Reprints: Buy the full review
Contact: Bella Boats
