Navan S30 First UK Test: Fast, Refined & Full of Innovation

Twin fridges sit under the galley. Bench seat in position over the galley with footholds folded down for use.

Cockpit and Entertainment

The main cockpit behind the galley comes into its own once the middle bench is rotated to face aft. In this setup you have opposing benches, which with the folding teak table taken out of its storage space under the transom seating, provides you with dining for six, or seven at a squeeze. Alternatively, there is a sun bed insert that once fitted to the tabletop, turns this area into a double sun bed. Either side of the cockpit, sitting in each bulwark are inset fender storage cavities, each capable of securely storing three fenders. If you open the hatches on the aft end of the galley you will have access to the back end of the fridges, twin fire extinguishers, and some storage for warps. Below the cockpit sole lies a huge cavity, which accessed through a wide gas strut-assisted hatch, houses the water heater and engine/system batteries on the starboard side. This does beg the question though, as to why this fairly significant amount of weight, is not distributed across the breadth of this storage compartment, as the batteries could sit to port of the centre line.

The cockpit is quickly turned into a good sized dinette

A large storage locker sits beneath the aft bench seat. Note the side gates for added on deck security.

Bench seat to the left folds over to form the dinette. Easily accessed bathing platforms.

Deck Access and Forward Areas

Going forward involves stepping up to reasonably wide side decks. The design is symmetrical, so either side offers the same degree of access. There are deep toe rails and low guard rails – which really serve as elevated fender-line rails. However, you get plenty of security by holding onto the substantial T-top frame.

The T-top sits on some serious hardware.

The Scandinavian pulpit design leads to a teak pulpit platform, which though intended for forward dockside access would make a great diving board. The foredeck sun bed has the luxury of double recliners, and in the forward tip a cushion section can be removed providing access to the fore cabin escape hatch. In terms of forward storage, the anchor locker benefits greatly from the reverse bow design – housing the windlass with cable remote, plus plenty of space for forward fenders and warps.

The foredeck sun bed has the luxury of double recliners.

The anchor locker is deep.

Below decks, a good-sized bed features within the ‘sports styled’ forward cabin. Facilities wise, the S30 also has a wet room/heads on the port side, which equipped with a pull-out shower, will provide those aboard with their essential hygiene needs. A storage cabinet sits on the starboard side and a TV sits on the aft bulkhead. This latter item, along with a Fusion HIFI system, provides the boat with its entertainment needs and adds to the boat’s overall high level of overnighting comfort.

A good sized bed within the forward cabin, along with wet room & heads facilities.

Behind the Wheel

Settling in behind the wheel you certainly feel securely ‘ensconced’ but the initial impression it gives is that it may be set a little low for some. That said, I’m 6ft in height and it suited me fine, but my critique would lie in the fact, when standing, the seat position needs to come forward by two inches. Even when fully adjusted forward, it still didn’t provide me with the degree of back support I would have liked.

Electronics and dashboard wise, the twin 12-inch Simrad MFDs provide the helmsman with everything he needs at a glance. Furthermore, the relationship between wheel and throttles are just right. For some reason though, the Mercury joystick system was not fitted to this particular boat, which with the absence of the optional bow thruster, means you need to be happy vectoring the outboards when berthing. In this ‘day and age’ joystick berthing is a luxury that’s rapidly becoming the expected ‘norm’ and discerning buyers are increasingly catching on to its advantages.

The helm is driver focused.

Performance and Handling

The test boat’s twin 300hp Mercury Verado rig comes with Mercury’s active trim system. To its credit, this technology calibrated the S30 perfectly. In addition, we also had the bonus of a Zipwake auto trim tab system to further enhance the boat’s planing attributes. Somewhat frustratingly, the super-calm conditions on the day of test didn’t allow for an advanced evaluation of how the boat and its associated systems would fare in a chop or a demanding seaway. But the S30 certainly gave very impression of being a capable, predictable leisure craft.

The power delivery of twin Verado V8s always impresses – pushing this 30ft boat from zero to 40 knots in a touch over seven seconds. You can switch the engines into ‘sport mode’ too, enabling the V8s to bark above the waterline. But what really makes itself felt is the low-down power delivery. One thing the Verado range has the ability to do, which few outboards genuinely achieve, is deliver noticeable power below 3000rpm. It makes this boat quick off the mark as well as being very responsive at 15 to 20 knot speeds – handy if you are riding a short chop wave pattern in big seas. The S30 is certainly fuel efficient for a 30-footer with 600hp of petrol power, returning 2nm/gal across a wide spectrum of cruising speeds. Such performance is testament to the mid-range efficiency of the Mercury Verado. Wide open throttle at 53 knots, especially on such a calm day, had the Western Solent fly by in no time at all!

Putting the S30 hard through the turns, the hull grips admirably, with the driving experience being complimented by the boat’s super smooth electric steering system. The latter is suitably responsive with just the right amount of ‘feedback’ too. I never felt there was any chance of the stern slipping out, in fact, my confidence grew the more I drove the boat. This is just the feeling one wants from a family orientated craft.

Though I was unable to ascertain the actual transom deadrise angle, I was assured that the boat is deep-vee, and I would estimate that the deadrise of the twin-step hull to be between 20 to 23 degrees. Though a day of flat seas, I came to appreciate the sharp forefoot of the reverse stem bow, as running at 40 to 50 knots through the wake of the larger vessels passing by, proved uneventful and devoid of any slams.

Verdict

Based upon being tested in near perfect conditions, in my judgment, the Navan S30 is a sound sports boat whose deep-vee hull should prove a capable partner in most UK sea states a leisure boater is typically going to meet. She’s well built, thoughtfully finished, and benefits from a very likeable internal design. This S30 offering though, does have a long extras list, so in its basic, non-T-top, single engine form, the boat is a lot less money than the version we tested. Mind you, if I was going to order one, I’d want the ‘full fat’ version!

What We Thought

For

• Solid build quality
• Fast and precise steering
• Fuel efficient
• Good performance
• Attention to practical details
• Crew security
• Good weather protection

Against

• The helm seat needs further forward movement in its range of adjustment
• Ideally the positioning of the aft battery banks would be better suited either side of the centre line

Fuel Figures (Mercury fuel flow meter)

Specification

• LOA: 8.99m
• Beam: 2.99m
• Draft: 0.62m
• Air draft: 1.80m
• Hull: Deep-vee twin-stepped
• Displacement: 3.3 tonnes (dry without engines)
• Twin power options: Twin 225hp, 250hp and 300hp Mercury V8 Verado outboards
• Single power options: Single 300hp/400HP Verado outboard
• Fuel capacity: 400 litres
• Water capacity: 80 litres
• RCD category: B for 10 or C for 12
• Price as tested: £249,995 inc VAT
• Price from: £157,340 inc VAT with a single 300hp Mercury Verado

Performance

53.0 knots (2 way average) sea conditions F2, crew 3, and fuel 50%.
0 — 40 knots: 7 seconds