White Shark 240 SC EVO

HMS and Ed Hickling form a pincer movement in an attempt to do battle with a 7.75m White Shark off Salcombe Harbour, Devon. Fortunately, no one got bitten and our illustrious pair lived to tell the tale! Read on if you dare …

Originally launched in the 1990s by the now-defunct manufacturing giant OMC, White Shark emerged with all the hallmarks of a brand intending to provide a high-quality European alternative to the US market’s long-established sports fishing/utility brands. In my view, the influence of the US market is still seen today in the French-built White Shark’s styling, even perhaps in its name. But how convincing is this boat brand and, in particular, the 240 SC model, as tested by us earlier this summer?

There’s no doubt about it, the White Shark is an attractive, if not exciting-looking, boat that gives the impression of being both capable and functional at sea. Its appearance has an air of familiarity about it too, perhaps for the reason that its makers, rather than seeking to be radical, are looking to provide a more affordable alternative within a sector led by brands bearing considerable price tags.

Functional helm

Joint forces

On the occasion of this test, I was joined once again by my good friend Ed Hickling, who on previous occasions I’ve added into the frame to give a second, more consumer-based, opinion. So, as is our practice, we began by having a good snoop around the boat, checking its lockers, seating layout and overall fit-out, with a view to gaining an initial feel of the craft and what it has to offer.

Supersized bathing platform

At a little under 8m, the 240 SC feels spacious enough and is well suited to a family of four. The seating layout is generous and includes a pair of comfortable two-point cockpit seats, a three-quarter-width lazarette aft seat with a starboard side return, plus a rear-facing bench seat mounted adjacent to the face of the helm seating unit’s bulkhead. These then neatly surround a detachable teak picnic table. All seating sections provide locker stowage, and the helm seat unit features a small inbuilt fridge. A wet bar is also provided. The aft seating arrangement affords a convivial socialising area while allowing plenty of walk-through space out onto the super-sized bathing platform accessed via a step in the transom. Here, one is greeted by a splendiferous pearlescent-white Yamaha 250hp V6 outboard – a good match in terms of both power and looks. We both agreed that the aft area in general was very well thought out and certainly served to maximise the use of space.

Good sun protection.

300hp Yamaha V6

Out & about

The White Shark’s distinctive high topsides have the benefit of providing a deck bordered by waist-high gunwales. With the transom gate too, especially with young children on board, this means the boat scores highly from a safety/security point of view. The degree of on-board security extends either side of the helm console too, before one then steps up onto the sun deck with its cushioned infills, beneath which lies the cabin roof top. This whole forward area is bordered by full-length stainless guard rails, which part at the bow to allow access to the vessel’s windlass anchor. Ed commented that he liked the comfort of this lounging area and, in particular, the upholstered padding to the front face of the helm unit – upon which, I might add, he leant back in the sunshine and proceeded to muse over his good fortune and, no doubt, the prospect of lunch when our time on the water was done! (What do you mean ‘it’s a hard life’?!)

Step & transom door.

An optional feature that undoubtedly dominates this particular 240 SC is, of course, the white powder-coated T-top. The stretch canvas roof panel works well from a weight point of view, and the chunky nature of the steelwork really beefs up the boat’s appearance. It’s also practical in the sense that it adds to the rigidity of the vessel, provides partial protection from the elements and also enables a plethora of handholds.

One feature that some might consider missing on this craft is the addition of a heads. A lot of builders serving the sub-8.5m sports craft market are now providing this facility, as not surprisingly a toilet of some kind is now being expected by many families taking up the pastime. Nevertheless, within the cockpit-accessed cabin, there is a designated space for such if one wanted this option, and the cabin itself provides a useful ‘glory hole’ for kit and belongings and will serve as a ‘make-do’ overnighter for two people, as well as a useful private changing area. The cabin interior is basic but serves its purpose and provides another essential feature in the 240 SC’s favour.

Lazerette dining with underseat stowage.

Behind the wheel

As for the helm, it’s a relatively simple affair set behind an eye-level windshield that incorporates a moulded upper section in which the Raymarine Axiom MFD and Yamaha data information screens are housed. Below this is located the chief switch panel, and to its right a useful Perspex-fronted cubbyhole. A Clarion sound system control unit then sits to the furthest right. In the inner starboard face of the wheel recess you’ll find the Icom VHF set, but in my view this would have been better positioned on the flat of the bulkhead left of the wheel, because in its present location, only the helmsman can access it. It’s good to see, though, a properly mounted offshore compass, positioned as it should be in full view of both forward positions. The adjustable wheel and the positioning of the throttle in relation to the former work well and play their part in contributing toward a comfortable driving position. Known for his discerning taste in fine wine, it was probably of little surprise, therefore, that Ed’s eagle-eyed roaming raised the alarm over there being no inset cup holders aboard the 240 SC. But all joking aside, a small detail like this is highly relevant within this sector of the market.

Ed says

That, then, constitutes the 240 SC’s main attributes. But what about our joint observations and findings? Over to Ed … ‘I liked the 240 SC’s overall lines, the curvatures to its hull and topsides and the addition of the T-top, albeit the latter is a little high in its proportions, to my mind, and would likely benefit the boat’s aesthetics if its roof was a few inches lower. The T-top’s framework also provided plenty of grab points when going forward. The spacious bathing platform is great on this boat and also allows plentiful safe access to the stainless steel ski pole. Just as HMS has already pointed out, on-deck security aboard the 240 SC is admirable, but we both felt the navigator’s position was left vulnerable for several reasons. Firstly, the angled footplate provided for the helmsman to brace him/herself upon stopped short at the cabin door. This then meant that with the seat in the bolster position, there is nothing to brace one’s feet against. Additionally, there is no reasonable grab point provided for the navigator, which will likely cause anyone taking up this position to feel increasingly insecure underway. I did, however, appreciate the manner in which the helm position benefited ergonomically from the good positioning of the wheel in relation to the throttle and, by extension, the two-point seat. The only criticism I would make is that the top of the windshield was directly at my eye level. This I found irritating as it caused me to have to either duck or stretch to get an unhindered view forward. My favourite area of the boat, other than the sun deck, was the aft-deck socialising area with its neat but comprehensively executed layout.’

The broad and spacious sun deck.

Key features of 240Sc test craft

240 Sc in White Shark white livery
Yamaha 250hp V6 in pearlescent white with electric steering, throttle & gear shift
Windlass with anchor
Bow cushion sunbed
T-top with canvas roof panel
Full electronics pack including Raymarine Axiom plotter & RV100 transducer, Icom VHF radio & Clarion stereo system
Fridge, including additional house battery
Wet bar with pull-up rear seat and freshwater tank (shower on stern)
Stainless ski pole
Cockpit table with leg
Console and helm seat covers
Optional extras include sea toilet, synthetic decking and a choice of four colourways
Vessel comes supplied with all necessary fenders, lines, anchor and chain

Quality control

I would concur with Ed’s comments but would also add another point of critique, this time in relation to the White Shark’s quality control. By this I mean a failure on the manufacturer’s part to pay sufficient attention to the finish of the boat’s fit-out – specifically, the uneven cutting/shaping to the cabin door’s leading edge. In short, this item was shoddy, and our photographic library evidence supports this. Also, at present, the positioning of the door catch represents a partial finger trap. This is due to the fact that, upon being slid closed to the full extremity, a proportion of the finger recess is lost behind the cabin bulkhead to which it butts up behind. It shouldn’t take grievances of this kind to be noticed by a marine journalist – issues like this should be picked up when, or before, a craft is delivered into the dealership network.

Driveability

What of the driveability of this White Shark 240 SC? As we said, the driving experience is good and undoubtedly aided greatly by the helm’s favourable ergonomics. As Ed exclaimed, ‘it felt like you could throw the White Shark anywhere and she’d respond dutifully every time… holding great grip in the process with not a hint of misbehaviour!’ I felt the same, and in particular, when performing for our super-capable photographer, Clare Booth, we threw the boat in as many high-speed directions and heeling angles as we could muster. So likewise, I can only confirm that her hull, and of course the Yamaha on her tail, displayed impeccable performance. Speaking of which, Ed, much to my annoyance, achieved the best top speed of the day: running both with and against the neap tide off Soar Mill Cove, he scored an admirable 45 knots (our payload on the day being three people on board plus a three-quarter-tank’s worth of fuel).

The White Shark’s 22-degree hull design may not be the softest-riding deep vee ever developed, but it is certainly fit for purpose and handles the 250 horses on its tail in a confident and reassuring fashion. All in all, the 240 SC represents a valid addition to the market, and in our view, if White Shark raise their game just that little bit more, no doubt the brand will enjoy a promising future here in the UK and elsewhere too within Europe’s ever-competitive and ever-developing sports boat market.