Trade-A-Boat 492 2017

an absolutely spotless environment.

Volvo is so confident its IPS drive

punches above its weight that it calls

the 435hp engine an IPS 600 and given

that we hit 29kt at 3500rpm in the

22.5-tonne vessel, you’d have to say

there’s something to the claim. At a 20kt

cruise she consumed 130L/h from both

engines, so economy is also impressive.

Acceleration is willing and the ride

is purposeful and smooth, even over

the wake of larger vessels. At faster

speeds, the boat sat higher in the water

but without any tendency to wander,

while the all-around vision inspired

confidence on this busy waterway.

The electronic steering is light and

precise, the boat leaning predictably

into turns without any nasty habits

even at mid-20 knots. The joystick

control is an absolute pleasure and

even experienced skippers will marvel

at the intuitive control it brings to their

confidence in tricky docking situations.

THE WRAP

Just after our time aboard the Absolute,

the news filtered through that the

model had won Motoryacht Above 45ft

in the prestigious European Boat of

the Year competition, which is judged

by 10 boating journalists from various

publications across the EU.

The jury stated: “The Absolute

50 Fly represents a perfect mix of

Italian design, remarkable spaces,

safe performance and easy handling.

Despite a length below 50 feet, the boat

offers a comfort level and space worthy

of higher categories.”

To my mind, they summed up the

boat perfectly.

Base price is median for this size of

boat, at A$1,389,000. As tested, with

an extensive list of options including

air conditioning, gen set, dishwasher

and teak flooring, all of which make

life easier or add to the boat’s already

impressive looks, it’s A$1,573,664.

Absolute 50 Fly

facts & figures

PRICED FROM

A$1,389,000

OPTIONS FITTED

36,000BTU A/C, hydraulic swim

platform, teak coverings, cockpit bimini,

dishwasher, genset, flybridge grill,

electronics, double helm chair, antifoul,

plus more

PRICE AS TESTED

A$1,573,664

GENERAL

MATERIAL GRP

TYPE Flybridge Cruiser

LENGTH 15.2m

BEAM 4.43m

WEIGHT 22,500kg

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE 16 (DAY) 7(NIGHT)

FUEL 1600L

WATER 450L

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL Volvo D6 IPS600

TYPE Inline six-cylinder, turbo and

supercharged common-rail diesel

RATED HP 435hp (each)

DISPLACEMENT 5.5L

WEIGHT 900kg

PROPELLERS Counter-rotating,

forward facing

SUPPLIED BY

Premier Marine, Sydney Boathouse,

Unit 4, 2 Waterways Court,

Rozelle, NSW 2039

PHONE +61 (2) 9328 0999

WEB premiermarine.com.au

Sea Trials

Three people on board, 30 per cent fuel, light load, sea calm, wind 6kt. Range calculations

using 1440L, holding 10 per cent reserve in 1600L fuel tank.

Fuel use is combined for both engines.

RPM SPEED (KT) ECONOMY (L/H) RANGE (NM)

500 3.2 2.7 1706

1000 5 6.3 1142

1500 8 23 500

2000 10 51 282

2500 13 90 208

3000 20 130 221

3500 29 160 262

5500 23 16 77

6000 (WOT) 26 21 66

*Sea-trial data supplied by the author.

36 tradeaboat.com.au

Absolute 50 Fly