2022 Axopar 22 T-Top review

After deciding it wanted to disrupt the dayboat market and initially build its niche on just two boats – the Axopar 28 T-top and Open and the 37 Spyder and Sun-Top – the brand has evolved to offer an even larger model, the Axopar 45 XC Cross Cabin, and a smaller one, the Axopar 25 Cross Top.

But in that mix is a new model that introduces Axopar’s first trailerable boat to the range – the Axopar 22 centre console, available as either a Spyder or T-top.

The Axopar 22, launched in July last year, is the new entry-level model in the Finnish boot-maker's showroom.

The boat, available as a runabout-style Open and more sun-friendly T-top, has recently arrived in Australia to join the 250-odd other Axopar boats already sold here.

This newest Axopar shows the Finnish manufacturer is going in a whole new direction, softening the more utilitarian, workboat style for the very latest leisure/sports styling, although much of the Axopar DNA remains.

Available via Australian Axopar distributor Eyachts, our test is aboard one of the first Axopar 22 T-tops delivered to Sydney.

Axopar’s bigger models are big-ticket items, with an Axopar 37 costing from around $650,000. What the Axopar 22 does is drag the price point, and size, down to make the ownership experience a lot more affordable.

Prices from Australian Axopar distributor Eyachts start from $143,000 for a base Axopar 22 Spyder fitted with a 115hp Mercury Fourstroke outboard engine. By the time you add the T-top, a few extras and a 200hp Mercury V6 outboard engine as has been done with our test boat, the price jumps to $186,234.

Axopar’s basic DNA remains in this new model with a practical walk-around cockpit and comfortable two-seat helm station. The fibreglass finish is top standard and enhanced with high-quality stainless steel deck cleats and classy chrome Axopar lettering on the topsides.

As well as the T-top, our test boat gains an electric-flush toilet (a manual-flush option is available), a U-shaped aft lounge, front deck seating, a mooring package, 9.0-inch Simrad NSS12 multifunction chartplotter and sounder, an upgraded audio system with sub-woofer, and grey antifoul bottom paint.

The Mercury outboard engine fitted to our test boat also ticked the box for the optional white engine finish that adds $1987 to the price but integrates nicely with the hull’s finish.

Eyachts offers the same deal on the Axopar 22 whether you have it transported to Sydney, Gold Coast or Perth.

The price includes the outboard engine installation with twin batteries, hydraulic steering, Mercury Vessel View digital engine monitoring system, a shower at the stern, a 40-litre freshwater system, an audio system with twin speakers, and trim tabs.

Insurance cover from the factory to handover is also provided.

We mentioned this is Axopar’s first trailerable model, featuring a 2.2-metre beam. If you want to tow this boat behind a mid-size family car, slipping it onto a galvanised trailer bumps up the price by $13,990. The same thing in alloy adds $15,990.

This is the first Axopar to give you the option of not having to pay mooring or dry stack fees, and that can easily travel with you to remote waters.

Despite its status as the smallest Axopar in the range, the Axopar 22 gains the same twin-stepped hull as its bigger showroom siblings. This twin-step technology, optimised for the Axopar 22 rather than just shrunken down from larger models, mixes air with water running under the hull to make it more slippery, improving performance.

The hand-laid hull is built with a foam core to minimise weight while maintaining strength, and the fist coat is vinyl ester to give more protection to the surfaces from osmosis.

Axopar uses an automotive-style manufacturing process to build different configurations of its boats using modules that are added or deleted according to the customer’s wants. For the Axopar 22, owners can choose between four different internal layouts from minimalist to uber-comfortable.

Of note, the Axopar 22 is specifically designed to be transported inside a shipping container, making it much more cost-efficient to deliver.

While Axopar is based in Finland, the boats are made at one of two factories in Poland.

The Axopar 22 T-top may be an open centre console boat, but it offers a number of creature comforts.

It starts at the transom, which has wide fibreglass landing steps that provide step-through access to the aft cockpit.

The transom also features a telescopic boarding ladder to port that can be upgraded to an even bigger, deeper one for owners who are really into their swimming and snorkelling.

In standard trim, the cockpit is mostly open space, apart from a single dual-width transom bench seat and twin helm seats at the console.

However, the optional U-shaped sofa seats and cockpit table fitted to our test boat make this a great entertainment area.

The helm seats can turn around to face the table – one of a number of clever space-saving ideas that abound in the Axopar 22.

Another thing we like is the ability to adjust the rake of the console’s windscreen – lay it back for speed and more upright for wind and spray protection when going through rough water.

Black wind deflectors on either side of the console provide more protection when underway.

The slab-sided Axopar 22’s modest 2.23-metre beam still provides quite good floor space inside the cockpit and walkways, and for both the bow and stern cockpits.

A self-draining floor also means you can leave the Axopar 22 on a mooring without the worry of it filling with rainwater. The Axopar 22 is fitted with a pair of automatic bilge pumps as well as a manual one.

Best of all, the Axopar 22 has a toilet compartment with a washbasin built into the console – important for the comfort of everyone on board the dayboat. How they manage to wrangle what appears to be a proper cabin into such a compact space is nothing short of amazing.

The Axopar 22’s centre console helm features two captain’s chairs clad in Silvertex Sterling vinyl – the hardwearing fabric is used in all seating areas – that adjust forward and aft, and can also rotate to face aft. Lift-up bolsters make standing and steering more comfortable, while a footrest with an anti-skid finish adds seated comfort.

The dashboard features a soft-touch finish in dark grey and framing a control switch panel with back-lit buttons in a high-gloss black finish, and a storage pocket.

The Axopar 22’s sportscar-style steering wheel is wrapped in leather and features the brand’s logo in its centre. A weatherproof twin-plug USB recharging outlet is fitted on the console.

Cupholders? There are just two.

The Axopar 22 T-top’s transom features a step down to make accessing the integrated duckboards on either side of the outboard engine pod. When stowed, the telescopic swim ladder is tucked in under the port side duckboard, so you’re not going to see if you’ve left it out before taking off.

Our test boat is fitted with a large U-shaped lounge in the aft cockpit that’s one of three configurations available. The default layout is a two-seater bench in the middle of the transom, while the flagship is a day bed filling the entire internal beam.

The aft sofa also serves as the battery box, hosing up to two batteries and the main fuse board for the boat.

The aft cockpit features a large storage compartment with a gas strut to help with ingress and egress, with storage also available on the side panels. There are also rope lockers built into the sofa.

Overhead, the black powder-coated T-top extends far enough aft to provide useable shade in the cockpit.

Accessing the bow cockpit is easy. Our test boat features the optional bow seating that pairs with the two-seat bench on the forward side of the console to create another social space that can be enhanced further with a table.

The forward cockpit also features underfloor storage that uses a gas-lift strut.

Forward of the bench is a self-draining anchor locker with separate rope holders.

A chilly Sydney afternoon wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for this test. However, with the sun glinting off the beautiful fjord-like Pittwater it turned out to be an exhilarating day.

Slipping out of the busy marina was easy in a boat this size and certainly would encourage you to do more impromptu boat trips.

The Axopar 22’s long deep-vee hull and low windage ensure it tracks nicely and isn’t pushed around by a gusty westerly wind that at times hit 18 knots.

Clear of the mooring, we pushed the throttle down and were soon on the plane at 3000rpm, doing near 20 knots. At wide-open throttle, the 200hp Mercury pushed the Axopar 22 to a top speed of 41 knots.

Most good sports boats these days will give you 40 knots but what’s nice about the Axopar is the way it delivers fast speeds across a range of conditions while providing a quite comfortable ride by sports boat standards.

Spray deflection is also surprisingly good for an open boat – at least in the small wind chop conditions of our test run.

Handling is a forte of this all-new design. What’s noticeable is minimal bow lift when going from low to high speed, with the smooth transition making for a more relaxing ride.

It also is a great safety feature as you can always get a clear view of the water ahead.

Turns are also much flatter than normal deep-vee boats, making for a safer high-speed driving experience.

The folding seat bolsters on the Axopar 22 T-top are another good feature, with the extra height at the helm providing even better vision when driving.

Overall, I was very impressed by the Axopar 22 T-top’s fuel efficiency with the 200hp Mercury.

Performance

Maximum range on 95% of 230L fuel tank: 219nm at 3500rpm

One of the trends as Australia’s boat market matures is a move from larger boats to smaller ones as time-poor owners chase similar on-water experiences, but without all the overheads that a big cruiser or yacht can attract. Rather than give up boating, they look for smaller and more manageable options.

The Axopar 22 T-top ticks a lot of those boxes. Its hull construction and the tilting outboard engine make it an ideal boat to berth on the water, yet it still has the option of hauling out to store in a dry stack, or even the driveway at home.

Go away on holidays, and with a trailer the boat can travel with you.

The range of optional lounge seating makes the Axopar a good choice as a social day cruiser, good for anything from diving to wakeboarding, fishing and even camping overnight on your favourite beach.

Axopar started life as a practical commuter craft for people living among Finland’s archipelagos, but the Axopar 22 T-top has evolved to also serve the needs of mainstream recreational boaters.

Priced from: $143,800 including T-top with light mast; anti-skid finish on deck and hatches; hardware, locks, hinges, filler caps and handrails either in 316-grade stainless steel or black powdercoat; LED navigation lights; removable anchor light; battery tray; twin electric bilge pumps; manual bilge pump; integrated swim platforms; signal horn; harbour cover for console and front seats; and 115hp Mercury FourStroke outboard engine with hydraulic steering. Add $13,990 for a galvanised trailer or $15,990 for an alloy one.

Price as tested: $186,234 including electric-flush console head; U-shaped aft lounge; forward cockpit seating; mooring package; 9.0-inch Simrad NSS12 multifunction chartplotter and sounder; audio system with sub-woofer; grey antifoul bottom paint; 200hp Mercury FourStroke outboard engine with Vessel View, hydraulic steering and white finish option.

Supplied by: Eyachts