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REVIEW
Frauscher 717 GT
1920s gentleman's racer is all classHIGHS
Driving pleasure and retro race-boat handling
Nautical style — you will be noticed
Beautiful fittings and finish
Abundant X-Factor
LOWS
Premium price for prestige
Unknown resale value
Maintenance of black hull and teak trim
OVERVIEW
- Experience a 1920’s race boat
Frauscher has a rich history. The Austrian yard was founded in 1927, its first powerboat was built in 1940, before the boat builder moved into electric power. Evidently, that failed to ignite its spark and it was during the 1950s and 60s that Frauscher, like the rest of world, rediscovered the fun of fast petrol-propelled powerboats.
Based on a 1920’s gentleman’s racer, the Frauscher 7171 GT harks back further. The boat is a celebration of our — or Austria’s lake-based — boating past. It’s a retro runabout that makes a statement about nautical style.
In the rarefied world of superyachts, you might find a 717 GT ferrying some high flyers into a taverna. Jackie Onasis would be at home aboard.
While it dabbled in yacht design, runabouts remain Frauscher’s forte today. Trawl through the pages — and ages — at the Frauscher website and you will find incarnations from past epochs that just beg to be driven.
PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Big premium repaid
The fully optioned Frauscher 717 GT was priced at $179,000 with an upgraded 320hp MerCruiser petrol inboard and options including teak decks, swim step, ski hook, recessed bimini, sunbed cushions, safety gear, registration and so on.
That’s a whopping great whack for a 23-foot dayboat. But the Frauscher delivers in terms of wow, whoopee and whoo-hoo factor.
The base price with MerCruiser 300hp petrol inboard was $159,000. But having seen this teak-deck version it would be hard to pare back.
Meantime, if you want to make what’s already a premium niche boat even more exclusive there’s the option of an Austrian Steyr 250hp electric-diesel hybrid propulsion system. It’s a $60,000 option, pricing this runabout into the stratosphere.
LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION
- Great fit and finish
The runabout’s sweet lines are enhanced by the black (only black) hull contrasting with gleaming stainless-steel deck fittings, most of which are recessed or sleek to enhance the minimalist look. The mid-deck engine vent before the tinted Perspex windscreen fits with the era.
Like the teak deck, the integrated swim step was richly oiled, while foredeck sun pad cushions — stowed in an absolutely cavernous bow hold — provide a retreat for a couple to kick back at rest.
Moulded toe-rails assist with security on deck, while the stainless steel rub rail drops down back aft to form a quasi spray rail in keeping with classic runabouts.
The bucket helm seats and rear lounge are upholstered in luscious leather, with high-quality stitching and quilting that points to their high quality.
The frameless, tinted windscreen adds to the look, but with plenty of storage space for toys and kit, grab handles — and supportive seats — there’s a sense of utility to the Frauscher 717 GT.
MECHANICAL AND HULL
- Sound installation
Access to the centre-mounted MerCruiser 6.2 MPI engine is via a fold-back dash. There’s plenty of room to reach the dipstick, coolant and so on. What you don’t see, until the boat is out of the water, is the running gear that extends to a beautifully crafted stainless-steel rudder with custom contour lines.
The hull, a variable-deadrise, air-step, warped-plane design with pronounces running strakes up front, is made of handlaid GRP laminates. The mouldings look very fair, even with a black hull, while 12V electrics are simple enough.
ON THE WATER
- Skipping along with air-step hull
The centre-mounted 6.2L 320hp MerCruiser petrol V8 engine — an 8.2L is an option — has a direct (shaft) drive spinning a four-blade propeller. Think skiboat setup, but think again. The hull is the clever bit.
As you advance the chrome throttle, the unique air-step design shoots forward before the propeller momentarily cavitates at mid revs. Then it regains traction and the boat lifts bodily from the water. You are now riding on the flat aft sections and, with just the right amount of stainless-steel rudder in the water, you can slide through the turns.
Intentionally, the sensation has more in keeping with a retro race boat (or perhaps snowboarding or skateboarding) than traditional snappy sports boating. And the longer you command the boat the more you fall in love with the feeling.
In fact, it’s almost as though the Frauscher is a living thing, as it responds to driver input like a horse to the whip.
VERDICT
- Unique driving pleasure
Frauscher says the 717 GT harks back to the Gold Cup Races from 1921-22 when the American Powerboat Association limited engine size, hull length and configuration to encourage “gentleman’s runabouts” that could be used for recreation and racing. No rules, just style and honour. Hey, that still stands today.
Think wind in your air, watering eyes, the growl of a petrol inboard or, if you prefer, go the hybrid power option first introduced by Frauscher in 1955. Either way, this is a sought-after conveyance, trick tender (lifting points standard) to superyachts gadding about The Med’, and potential stunning trailerboat (beam 2.25m).
Top speed? Glad you asked. Try around 45 knots with cruising at 30 knots for about 40 litres per hour. Such is the driving pleasure we predict you’ll probably need a refill about midday, after your find an eatery, stage a picnic, or just drift about and marvel.
RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.7/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.7/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.5/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.9/5.0
Value for money: 4.5/5.0
X-factor: 5.0/5.0
Specifications
Price: The fully optioned Frauscher 717 GT was selling for $179,000 with upgraded 320hp MerCruiser petrol inboard, optional teak decks, swim step, ski hook, recessed bimini, sunbed cushions, safety gear, registration and more.
Price from: Approx $159,000 with base MerCruiser 300hp petrol inboard
LOA: 7.02m
Beam: 2.19m
Weight: Approx 1700kg (dry w/base motor)
Engine: 320hp MerCruiser 6.2 MPI V8 petrol engine
Gearboxes (make/ratio): Direct Velvet Drive
Fuel: 160lt
Supplied by:
Premier Marine
Rose Bay Marina
594 New South Head Rd
Rose Bay, NSW, 2029.
Phone (02) 9328 0999; 0417 253 545.
Website www.premiermarine.com.au.
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Written byDavid Lockwood
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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