Motor Boat & Yachting — November 2017

It’s impossible to pigeonhole this

range of Slovenian-built dayboats;

the open-deck layout makes it look

like an elegant river cruiser but take

a peak under the engine hatch and

you’ll find a 220hp Mercruiser V6

sterndrive. In fact, you can specify

anything from a 14hp electric motor

to a 300hp V8 via a 25hp outboard.

Both planing and displacement hulls

are available and you can opt for

either the Open version shown here

or the handsome Cabin model with

its light-filled cuddy. But the biggest

choice you’ll face is whether to go

for the £9,000 lifting hardtop.

This brilliantly simple piece of kit

whirs up and down on telescopic

poles to provide shelter from sun

or rain (you can add side canopies

for year-round use) and doubles as

a cockpit cover when not in use. At

low speeds you can extend it to its

full height, creating enough headroom

to walk around the cockpit. To go

faster, you need to drop it down to

sitting height to prevent it shaking

around too much. To be honest, even

at this height, it moves around a fair

bit in any kind of sea. We took it out

in a messy wind over tide chop and

although it felt perfectly secure, the

sound of it shaking about did detract

from an otherwise enjoyable drive. In

fact, the hull felt pretty solid with a

decent ride that didn’t slam too much

or push up excessive spray. The hull

turned sharply with just the right level

of steering assistance. Performance

was solid rather than exceptional,

although the top speed on test

might increase in kinder conditions.

The sociable seating layout and

height-adjustable table come into

their own at slower speeds. Smart

detailing adds sophistication while

practical elements include plentiful

lockers and four cleats each side.

Having the windscreen so far forward,

there isn’t much protection from the

wind at speed. If you intend to use

it as a sportsboat, you’d be best off

going for the Cabin version without

the hardtop but as a river boat with

the ability to ramp up the speed,

the 23 Open makes a lot of sense.

Contact: Boat Showrooms.

Tel: +44 (0)1628 569888

Web: http://www.alfastreet-marine.com

AT A GLANCE

Length 25ft 7in (7.8m)

Beam 7ft 11in (2.42m)

Engines 14-300hp

Top speed on trial 30 knots

Price from £55,000 inc VAT

Price as tested £75,950 inc VAT

Alfastreet 23 Open

STARS OF SOUTHAMPTON

Wide choice of engines

and hull shapes to suit

Lots of smart teak

detailing on the helm

When lowered, it acts

as a cockpit cover

The optional hardtop

rises electrically

on a telescopic strut

The sociable cockpit

is perfect for slow

cruising and at anchor

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