Motor Boat & Yachting — November 2017

There are two versions of Cormate’s

23 and both of them are fast – very

fast. The outboard-powered Utility 23,

even with the smallest single 115hp

engine option, will achieve well over

40 knots and the Super Utility that

you see here won’t stop pulling until

it reaches 62 knots with a single

350hp Mercruiser V8.

The boat we have on test, with

its 250hp petrol V6, is a smidge

more restrained but, thanks to

a displacement of just over a tonne,

it still darts about with remarkable

poise and tenacity. It begins to plane

at only 12 knots, which gives you an

enormous variety of cruising speeds

given that this version will top out

at 50 knots in flat calm conditions.

The sea state on test was quite the

opposite but that merely unearthed

the raw talent of the 23’s twin-

stepped hull and restricted us to a top

speed just shy of 47 knots on the day.

This boat is very focused. Weight

saving is a priority, so there’s no heavy

stainless around the windscreen, just

a pair of handholds smartly cut out of

the screen, and instead of portholes,

thin strips of glazing in the console

moulding allow just enough light

to pour into the basic cabin and its

double vee berth.

You don’t need sleep anyway, not

AT A GLANCE

Length 23ft 3in (7.1m)

Beam 7ft 5in (2.3m)

Engines Single 250hp/350hp

MerCruiser petrol

Top speed on trial 47 knots

Price from £79,164 inc 20% VAT

Price as tested £87,973

inc 20% VAT

Cormate U23

when a boat is this good to drive.

The helm position is sensational;

so good in fact that I found it more

comfortable to sit then I did to stand

and bolster, even in the rough. Reason

being the seated position leaves the

racing-style throttles perfectly placed

beneath your arm and allows you to

rest your elbow on the central console

for support in bumpy conditions.

There are a couple of issues though.

One is the lack of a trim gauge – I’m

all for keeping the dash clean but a

set of analogue dials including a trim

gauge would do no harm, and the kill

cord pulled out too easily for my liking.

The dealer has since replaced the kill

switch stating that the original one

was faulty and too loosely connected.

Good news, as we were left dead in the

water a couple of times.

There are more practical 23-footers

out there, but there are few as capable

as the Cormate.

Contact Fine Design Marine.

Tel: +44 (0)1202 465327.

Web: http://www.cormate.com

The table

stows beneath

the bench seat

Handy storage

for all the

boat’s fenders

55

STARS OF SOUTHAMPTON

The cuddy is basic but

useful for changing

Not luxurious

but practical to

have on board

The driving position

is simply superb

It has a basic double vee berth,

but who needs sleep when

a boat is this good to drive?