Motor Boat & Yachting - January 2016 UK

PERFORMANCE

TEST ENGINES Volvo Penta D6-400.

Twin 400hp @ 3,500rpm. 6-cylinder, 5.5-litre diesel sterndrive

TEST FIGURES ECO FAST MAX

RPM 600 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,400 2,800 3,200 3,500 3,650

Speed 4 7 9 13 22 28 33 37 39

LPH 4 6 22 46 60 72 97 120 138

GPH 0.9 1.3 4.8 10.1 13.2 15.8 21.3 26.4 30.4

MPG 4.4 5.4 1.9 1.3 1.7 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.3

Range 837 1,028 361 247 323 342 285 266 190

Speed in knots. GPH & MPG figures use imperial gallons. Range in nautical miles and allows for 20% reserve. Calculated figures based on manufacturers figures, your
figures may vary considerably. All prices include UK VAT. 40% fuel, 0% water, 6 crew + minimal stores. 31ºC air temperature, slight sea, F2 for speed trials.

VERDICT

If you’re the type of buyer that dives straight

into the cabin and begins comparing fridge

sizes, or the type who uses a spreadsheet and a

calculator in the purchasing process, then you

won’t fall in love with this boat (you probably

won’t actually fall in love with any boat).

There’s no getting around the fact that the

Chris-Craft is an expensive 36-footer; prices

for this twin 400hp diesel model start at

£483,000 before you’ve even looked at the

options list. You can get a fully loaded Princess

V39 for that kind of money with two luxurious

cabins, a lower saloon and a hardtop.

However, if you’ve already got a comfortable

apartment by the sea, preferably somewhere

warm, then all those beautiful cabins are

wasted and the hardtop is an unnecessary

barrier between you and the blue sky overhead.

What you actually need is a big dayboat with

masses of deck space for family and friends,

lockers for all your watersports toys, an outside

galley at the heart of the action and just

enough accommodation for a comfortable

weekend afl oat. The hull still needs to have

plenty of performance, a dry ride and strong

seakeeping, and you’ll want the kind of looks

and build quality that make you feel good

about splashing the cash. What you need, in

fact, is a Chris-Craft Launch 36.

Contact Bates Wharf Marine. Tel: +44 (0)1932

571141 Web: http://www.chriscraft.com

THE HELM VIEW

THE COSTS & OPTIONS

Price from £414,064 (inc UK VAT)

As tested £570,354 (inc UK VAT)

Heritage Edition £22,200

(Teak trim, bathing platform and cockpit floor)

Painted hull colour £11,984

Zebra wood interior £2,640

Bow thruster £12,776

Garmin 8212 dual 12.1” screens £15,735

Hydraulic swim platform £17,168

Windlass, s/steel anchor and chain £4,815

RIVALS

Boston Whaler 370 Outrage

Price from £398,205

A mid 30ft walkaround with

(albeit smaller) accommodation

and rock solid build quality.

Sessa Key Largo 36

Price from £263,187

Spookily similar on deck to the

Launch 36, the interior varies

with a converting dinette forward.

= Options on test boat

What you need is a big dayboat with masses

of deck space for family and friends

BOAT REPORT

JANUARY 2016 61

Magnifi cent detailing –

for example, every cleat

carries the Chris-Craft logo

More grabrails at the

helm would be a bonus

Two 15in Garmin Glass

Cockpit displays show

everything from engine

telemetry to stereo options

Turned aluminium

dash and chrome

bezelled dials add real class

Wide bulwarked side decks and sunken sunpad

create full-length accessible deck space