YAMARIN 67DC

Greg Copp discusses a sure-footed, frugal and fast 23-footer that is Finnish to the core.

Launched only last year, the 67DC is the latest from this Finnish company and replaces the 65DC and the 68DC. Yamarin’s day cruisers, traditional in concept and discreetly contemporary in appearance, are the type of boat that will always prove popular, and this one certainly makes the case. It is an archetypal sports cuddy with a two-berth cabin, built for 40-knot fun and coastal cruising – skill sets in which it is well qualified.

The profile of the boat is low, and this serves to enhance its wide beam. It is 6.76m in length and 2.55m in the beam, just 5cm slimmer than its bigger sibling, the 8m 79DC. This girth works well, as in the cockpit you feel you are in a bigger boat, and consequently its CE rating for eight is not unrealistic – as can be the case with middleweight sports boats. You step on board via one of the bathing platforms that flank the engine, with the waterskiing arch providing the ideal handhold. Both aft quarters house large Flexiteek-covered lockers, which are perfect for throwing fenders and warps into – and with room to spare. Immediately forward of these, a hinging deck section running across the beam houses the bimini top, ready to be quickly deployed if the weather turns – a simple concept, which we put to good effect on the day within several minutes.

A big beamy cockpit.

The cockpit can sit eight, six of which can realistically fit around the folding table to eat. This is achieved by the double helm seat having its seat back folded forward, creating an aft-facing seat. If you want a sunbed, this double seat extends across to the aft seat courtesy of an infill section. This could alternatively be used as a double berth should you need extra sleeping space, or if you prefer to sleep under the bimini cover. There is plenty of storage under the seats, notably the aft section, which opens to provide access to the batteries, system switches, fuses and seacocks. In the port quarter of this aft locker, the cut-off switches and breakers are neatly enclosed within a panel. The two batteries sit back in each quarter – so their 20kg weight counterbalances each other. The scuppers’ seacocks that feed into the splash well are easily accessed, and the main bilge pump is under the removable floor panel of the locker, the latter being lined and finished with a level of diligence that matches the system layout.

Easy access forward – Realistically you will want the seat bolsters up to drive.

If you opt for the ‘Premium Edition’, as in the case of our test boat, you will have a realistic level of domestic extras. These include a hob, a slide-out Dometic fridge, a pressurised water system, a toilet with 30L holding tank, the table, the bimini covers and other non-domestic options like a bow thruster, a waterskiing arch and a fold-out bow ladder for beach landings. The forward cabin is the typical sports cuddy set-up – limited headroom, but with a good amount of natural light and a large double berth. There is a manual toilet on the starboard side under the side seat cushion, a realistic feature for any family boat. Foredeck access is easy thanks to the steps leading to the windscreen gate, which leads you to the pulpit and anchor locker, complete with its bow ladder.

Access is easy and safe.

Setting out fenders can be done from within the cockpit, so going forward is only needed to secure the bowline, and amidships the 67DC is fitted with rather neat fold-flat spring cleats, which can also be accessed from within the boat should you need to.

This craft is fitted standard with quite an impressive electronics package. The Yamarin Q system in 10in format (16in is extra) is a 10in MFD that heads up a wide range of features. Interfacing with Yamaha’s electronics, you can read all engine data at a glance, but you also have a full navigation suite, including extensive charts and sonar. However, it goes quite a bit further, offering Internet connection and a Wi-Fi hotspot to other devices. Consequently you have a weather function, and there is an app enabling you to keep tabs on engine data, servicing needs and instruction manuals/videos. As well as the 16in Q system upgrade, you can expand further with a fish finder that reads down to 270m, AIS, radar and a sound system that includes FM/DAB radio. Driven by a quad-core processor, this touch screen MFD includes a two-year European data plan and automatic online updates.

The galley covered.

The galley’s work top folds out.

The fore cabin enjoys plenty of natural light.

Behind the wheel

My first impression was that I wanted a higher helm seat. It does have a flip-up bolster, which is intended for people to lean into when standing, but it was not high enough for me. I am 6ft, so this is a subjective point, but I ended up sitting on the bolster – which was fine, only folding it down when I wanted to sit lower and totally out of the weather. When seated on the bolster I was pretty much out of the wind, but for some spirited driving you may want to stand to get that perfect view over the bow. For that you will need an adjustable-height seat, which is not possible considering the helm seat converts to an aft-facing cockpit seat.

The 67DC is fitted with some fairly large trim tabs, which, sitting on the extremities of a wide-beam boat, are very effective. However, unless you have a fairly substantial beam sea you are unlikely to need them – or if the loading of the boat dictates some correctional trimming. Driven to its ‘full sporting potential’, this boat needs the tabs up, and with a limited degree of engine trim out, as the natural fore and aft trim is very good. She is quick – hitting 30 knots in 7 seconds, and moments later you are touching 40. Above this speed, the 67DC likes 50% trim out to reach its maximum of 46 knots; in this process you can hear that distinctive Yamaha V6 exhaust tone. Below 35 knots she wants just 25% trim, which is a good point-and-shoot setting that you can leave the boat at for most of the time. Our test boat was fitted with Yamaha’s Trim Assist system, which automatically adjusts the outboard trim angle to the engine speed, and the boat speed input from the GPS. However, it had not been calibrated and set to the boat, which is something normally done by the dealer on commissioning – enabling the helmsman to simply drive the boat while the system makes all the trim calculations.

In the turns, her beam provides plenty of security, tracking round in a composed manner. Our test boat had hydraulic steering, which is steady and reasonably firm, providing a good degree of feedback, while being responsive enough for you to throw her from lock to lock in a series of hard turns. You can opt for Yamaha’s digital electronic steering (DES) if you want a lighter wheel, but this is a matter of personal preference. The hull is typically Yamarin in so much as it is tough and sharper than its beam implies. Though I was unable to ascertain what the transom deadrise angle was, I will make an educated guess at 20 degrees, based on other Yamarin hulls – though on the water it actually feels sharper. On our test day the weather picked up in the afternoon, which the 67DC ran through with ease. The short chop was easily cut through, as the forward lines of the hull sharpen considerably towards the forefoot. On one occasion, coming off a sharp ridge of water at 40 knots, the boat landed without groan or complaint, composed itself and then got on with the job in hand.

Verdict

This is one of the most capable and comprehensively equipped 23ft sports cuddy boats on the market, which is not too surprising considering it hails from a part of the world that takes boatbuilding seriously. In its tested form, with the ‘Premium Edition’, this boat wants for little, and even comes with a bow thruster. I would not consider it specified to a more basic level, as the cost savings are small and the versatility compromised. You can order the 67DC with smaller engine options, but again you save only on the purchase price. The highly reliable Yamaha F250 produces good economy coupled to this boat’s efficient hull, which at the 30-knot cruising speed it easily achieves would not be improved on by a lower-powered engine.