Saxdor 320 GTC

Thoroughly Scandinavian, Saxdor’s GTC is tailor-made for UK waters, as Greg Copp discovers …

When Saxdor made their debut back in 2019 offering a 20-footer for £25,000, price was their punching point. Not surprisingly, the options list was long, but even so, cost-wise they were making a point. With the 320 GTC, the equation stays the same – a starting price of £167,048 (Inc. VAT) which includes twin Mercury 200hp V6 outboards and delivery. Few will specify this as a near-naked boat, but even when you stack up that list of luxuries, the end price still runs pretty short for this sector, and without cutting corners in the process.

It is a true Baltic boat – built for all seasons and most weather patterns. It runs on a twin-step deep-vee hull with a transom deadrise angle of 20 degrees and has a sharp reverse-slope bow. It is typically Scandinavian – arguably more so than many of its competitors. Its design encompasses all-weather use, as well as offering a good degree of accommodation, social and sunbathing space. When you step into its ‘Scandi wheelhouse’ you are struck by the abundance of natural light and space. The window expanse is impressive. Pillars are kept to a minimum, and the top window line in relation to the coachroof is pretty close – it has the effect of opening up the inside. If you want sliding side windows, as opposed to the standard one-piece pane, this is an extra – and one where you will likely want to access the amidships fender cleats without using the side decks.

The wheelhouse is super-wide.

An abundance of natural light.

The dinette is designed to use the two starboard helm seats in a reversed position. This provides easy dining for four, or five at a squeeze. Alternatively, with the table lowered, an infill section turns this area into a large double bed. The wet bar is a generous size with plenty of open storage beneath, though it lacks under-top drawers. It is standard fitment, but the diesel hob and the two fridges – one under the port navigator’s seat and one under the dinette bench – are extras. The whole package provides a realistic galley set-up for a boat of this size that you won’t baulk at using in earnest.

The galley hob can be diesel or electric.

Below decks, Saxdor have done a great job in using every square inch. There is not full standing headroom, but then you do not expect it. Where it really excels is in using ‘space-enhancing natural light’. If you remove the central sunbed sections you will find two large escape hatches, which in conjunction with the large skylight panels in front of the windscreen literally light up the cabin below. The double bed is more than enough for a couple, and a decent-sized hanging locker sits forward of the heads. The heads itself is fitted with a sink, a toilet and a vanity unit, and there is the option of a pull-out bidet shower head. A full-on shower is not an option given the lack of height, but there is the choice of a deck shower. What makes this compartment all the more usable is the fold-out folding door, which transforms from a right-angle enclosure to folding flat against the hanging locker. The concept works well, as sometimes you will not need to shut the heads door when using it, meaning it is open plan to the cabin and far comfier to use.

The heads has a folding right-angle door.

With the door open, the heads is open plan.

One of the most significant aspects of the design is the forward side deck door on the port side. It opens and locks back reassuringly, enabling you to step out on to the forward side deck, which, though not super-wide, provides enough foot space to comfortably walk forward. Hip-height bulwarks with inset oval handrails provide a good degree of security, while the sunbed atop the coachroof sits sufficiently recessed to enjoy a degree of wind protection underway. The anchor locker has the option of being fitted with what is called a ‘catapult bow windlass’. This is starting to become popular in vertical or near-vertical stem bows. It operates by running the anchor out on an arm before allowing it to drop, and in so doing avoids touching the bow stem – a great idea that also enables a clean-cut bow.

The cockpit aft bench seat can face aft.

The aft bench seat converts to a sunbed.

The cockpit has a generous aft bench seat that can either face forward to serve the teak table or, with the seat back reversed, it can look aft – ideal for watching skiers. Alternatively, the table can be lowered on its pedestal and, with an insert, become a double sunbed. The whole aft section of the GTC is transformed at the press of a button with its fold-down bulwarks, increasing the social dimension of this boat hugely. If you intend to tow skiers, you can have a detachable ski pole stored conveniently in a slim under-deck locker in front of the engines. The bathing platforms are sufficiently deep to provide easy pontoon access, and the cleats are sensibly mounted on the aft corners so your stern lines do not present a trip hazard. If you want to access the slim side decks, there are steps on either side of the cockpit, and a gutter runs all the way round the rooftop, providing a handhold. A hatch in the cockpit reveals a large storage area, as well as giving access to the batteries, the diesel tank for the hob/heating and the shore power system. There is also a huge underseat storage locker too.

Under-cockpit access to the boat’s systems.

Deep bathing platforms flank the engines.

Fold-down bulwarks are standard.

Driving the GTC

The helm design is very good: the ergonomics are spot on, the wheel is adjustable, the throttles come perfectly to hand and visibility is outstanding. You get no fewer than three forward-facing bolster helm seats and room to spare, which is rare in a boat of this size. The driving position, seated or standing, works well, as you are sufficiently elevated for that perfect bow view. The dash is fitted with a Simrad double MFD in glass bridge style, which really sets off the dash aesthetics, while giving you all the information you need at a glance. Our test boat was fitted with auto trim tabs and Mercury’s Active Trim system – the latter being blissfully easy to use when you want to switch from auto to manual and vice versa.

The central helm position has a perfect set-up.

With twin 225hp Mercury V6s, this boat has a good power-to-weight ratio, as we quickly hit 30 knots in 9 seconds. Running up to its top speed of just over 40 knots was quick and composed, especially as Active Trim took care of the legwork. The GTC may be a sensible wheelhouse boat, but it also has a wild side. You can throw it through a series of relentless alternate hard-lock turns, with the boat tracking round as tight as you would want to push it. Having the topside weight of a wheelhouse increases the level of heel, which only serves to enhance the fun factor. The steering is perfectly balanced, and when you want to tuck in for the turns, you can easily trim the engines down with your right thumb while your hand is still securely ensconced on the throttles. This will automatically disengage Active Trim, and when you exit the turn and start piling on the power again, a quick dab on the Active Trim switch has it back in auto working its magic.

Realistically, most will people will drive this boat in a less spirited manner, and likely on a passage for which it was designed. Thirty knots is where it likes to sit – sound levels are low, and the fore and aft composure feels just right. If you need to drop the pace, speeds in the low 20s are an ideal laid-back option and provide an economical fuel burn.

A third forward seat is very rare in a 32-footer.

Verdict

This boat provides a great driving experience, though we could have done with some rougher weather to fully appreciate its reputed potential. It does start with a very low basic price when fitted with a single 300hp Mercury engine, which will still give it a 35-knot top speed. The boat as tested with twin 225hp Mercury V6s is a good choice, though the twin 300hp 50-knot option is apparently proving popular, which, considering this craft’s offshore potential, is not surprising. However you specify the Saxdor GTC, its well-designed spacious accommodation, deck safety, practicality and driver-focused feel make it a great boat with which to stretch your cruising horizons.

What we thought

For

Responsive handling
Cabin and saloon space
Good performance
Visibility at helm
Practicality
Storage
Cockpit deck space

Against

This boat has a long extras list, so you will need to tick a lot of boxes to get a reasonably specified boat.

Specifications

LOA: 10.28m
Beam: 3.1m
Draught: 0.86m
RCD rating: B for 6 / C for 9
Outboard power options: Twin Mercury 200hp V6s, Twin Mercury 225hp V6s, Twin Mercury 300hp V8 Verados
Fuel capacity: 428L
Water capacity: 117L
Displacement: 3.6 tonnes (light craft)
Test engines: Twin 225p Mercury V6 outboards
Hull type: Twin-stepped deep vee hull
Transom deadrise angle: 20 degrees