Motor Boat & Yachting — November 2017

AT A GLANCE

Length 31ft 6in 9.6m

Beam 9ft 11in 3.0m Engine Volvo

Penta D3-220 220hp To p speed

on trial 22 knots Price from

€195,000 inc VAT Price as

tested €228,938 inc VAT

seats either side. It means that the
bed can be left made, and those
side seats extend beneath it to create
two further berths. It might be a little
too friendly for adult guests, but
they’d be ideal for kids, allowing
a family of four to stay on board.
Despite the traditional looks, the
hull, designed by Vripack (as is the
whole boat) is fully planing. There
is an inland version with a shaftdrive

75hp diesel to which a shallow keel is

added to create a steady inland boat,

but every other engine option is a

variation of sterndrive Volvo Penta

D3. In fact, DaVinci has conjured up

a staggering six engine variations all

based around the D3 motor, so you

can have a single D3 in 140hp, 170hp,

200hp or 220hp slices. Or opt for twin

D3 engines in either 140hp or 220hp

outputs. The largest option (twin

220hp) is reckoned to give the boat

over 30 knots, but our test boat is

fitted with a single D3-220 which

instinctively feels a little light for

a 30ft boat. However, with a reduction

of weight, bulk and beam, it gets up

and goes in an entirely satisfactory

manner, at least with just two people

aboard, and winds out toward 22

knots, with 18 knots proving a

comfortable cruising gait at about

3,500rpm.

Tip it into a turn and you’re

reminded of the planing hull again

as it banks tightly and enthusiastically.

It doesn’t quite cross the realms into

sportsboating, but it’s a handier drive

than the looks would have you believe.

It feels rock solid too, with little need

for the trim tabs even in the blustery

conditions of our test. Dragging

a single outdrive has got to help

fuel efficiency (as has the weight

reduction of a single), but the most

obvious gain is in the engineroom

• there’s masses of space around
  the single motor.
  Above all, however, in a world of
  modern boats that cosset and protect
  with enclosed helms and push-button
  sliding roofs, it just feels great to get
  back into a proper wind-in-the-hair
  sportster. Yes, it may take longer to
  get that canopy up once back in the
  marina, but right now that really feels
  like a price worth paying.
  Contact Tingdene Boat Sales
  Tel: +44 (0)1932 551622.
  Web: http://www.davinciyachts.com

Cockpit seating has

cavernous lockers

beneath the squabs

A simple layout belies

the high-quality fi nish

A slender planing hull

and sterndrive power

deliver nimble handling

High windscreen

provides good

shelter at speed

Choice of single

or twin Volvo

D3 engines

Plenty of warm

high-gloss wood

in the cabin

STARS OF SOUTHAMPTON

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