Karnic SL702: Review

The Cyprus-built Karnic SL702 offers Australian customers a unique centre cabin/console configuration, elegant European styling, excellent performance, and a clever modular-style rear seating and cockpit layout that can be rigged to suit a range of family boating applications.

OVERVIEW
- Innovative Karnic design sparks plenty of interest
Last year, we introduced you to the Cyprus built Karnic boat range with a review of the 2050 Bluewater. This competitively priced fibreglass composite trailerboat proved to be a capable performer, with plenty of standard features and an interesting interior layout.

We finished that initial review keen to sample another model from the Karnic range. Australian distributor Stefan Boating World was happy to oblige and offered us the very latest model, the awarding winning Karnic SL702.

The SL702 is one of about 16 models in the Karnic boat range. The first of a new line of Karnic models, the SL702 was developed late in 2015 and introduced to the market early this year at the Dusseldorf Boat Show in Germany.

Upon release the new Karnic SL702 garnered considerable attention and press coverage for its innovative walkaround centre cabin/console design and modular rear cockpit layout, which allows you to re-arrange the rear seating to suit different applications.

This clever, multi-function interior layout of the SL702 has since earned Karnic a second place ranking in the prestigious European NauticExpo 2016 i-NOVO awards for design, something for which the company is justifiably proud.

The successful international debut of the Karnic SL702 is a fitting reward for a creative company that is clearly prepared to explore the limits of interior boat design, and this is a refreshing change from the regular follow-the-leader mentality.

The SL702 is proving to be popular with European buyers. Let’s take a closer look at the SL702 and see how it stacks up for Aussie boating and fishing.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Solid build, neat finish, lots of features
The Karnic SL702 is designed as a multi-function trailerboat and is equipped with all the gear and equipment required to achieve this objective.

The craft has seating and storage space to spare, a surprisingly spacious lower cabin with a full size double berth and a fully enclosed head compartment with optional electric toilet and lockable walnut timber frame and door.

Externally the SL702 has an unconventional walkaround centre cabin/console layout with huge forward deck that converts into a sun bed — or a sturdy calmwater fishing platform.

In the stern is the aforementioned modular rear seating layout which incorporates moulded storage boxes, cockpit side pockets, provision for an ice box under the centre aft seat, and a large underfloor bilge compartment/lazarette.

The SL702 is built using fibreglass composite materials with foam-cored stringers stainless steel deck hardware and quality fixtures and fittings throughout.

All Karnic models come with a confidence inspiring 10-year structural warranty.

Stefan Boating World is the primary distributor for Karnic Boats in Australia. It has entry SL702 packages priced from $109,500 complete with a Yamaha 200hp in-line four cylinder, extra-longshaft (25”) four-stroke outboard, Dunbier tandem axle trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes, boat and trailer registrations, and an offshore safety gear pack which includes an EPIRB.

In addition to the aforementioned gear, the SL702 comes standard with a self-draining cockpit, positive flotation to Australia’s Level Flotation standard, electrics package incorporating navigation and interior lighting, horn and bilge pump, curved safety glass windscreen, duel deluxe pedestal helm chairs, walk-through transom design, marine grade stereo speakers to the cockpit and bow, ice and storage boxes, live bait tank, and a scattering of drink/cup holders throughout the boat, all of which appear to be too small to fit our regular sized 330-375m soft drink or beer cans. Go figure.

Our test boat package was supplied with a range of options which lift the package price to a still reasonable $126,500. Chief among these was the stainless steel framed fibreglass hardtop and the electric toilet with 35 litre waste tank.

You can also option the boat with a removable chemical toilet — instead of the electric version — though we believe one of the two types of toilets should be standard. It makes little sense to include a purpose designed enclosed toilet compartment – without including the toilet.

Other options fitted to the test rig included a Garmin 820XS GPS/fish finder, VHF radio with aerial, AM/FM CD player with Bluetooth, electric anchor winch, swim/boarding platforms, LED spreader lights, and underwater lighting.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Unique and functional
The interior layout in the Karnic SL702 is quite unlike anything currently available on the Aussie market — which is actually a breath of fresh air. The interior design, and the boat as a whole may not suit everybody, but it should have broad appeal to a wide range of boaters and fishermen.

Much of the international praise for the SL702 has centred around the multi-function modular seating layout in the stern of the boat, which is quite clever. However, we are equally impressed with the cabin/foredeck design- as Karnic has managed to include a broad, flat forward cum sundeck and/or casting platform whilst retaining a full-size lower cabin underneath.

For sun lovers, Karnic has an optional vinyl padded cushion which fits over the entire forward deck platform to create a huge sun bed. On balmy summer nights you could even use this as a double bed and sleep under the stars while anchored up before your favourite beach hideaway.

If fishing is more your cup of tea you might forgo the padded cushion and use the forward deck as a very practical smooth water casting platform.

Taking this theme further you might also consider fitting a lean-seat to the centre of the foredeck for more security while chucking lures from the bow area.

The forward deck has a non-slip GRP finish so there is reasonable grip underfoot too.

Alongside the roomy anchor well (which is designed to accept an optional anchor winch) are two of the four included corrosion resistant marine speakers for the optional stereo system.

CABIN AND HELM
- Spacious and efficient
As noted, the cabin is deceptively spacious, partly because you step down into the hull from the helm area, after sliding open the lockable entry door.

Inside the cabin there is the toilet compartment to starboard, behind an attractive walnut timber door while a walnut storage cabinet lies opposite — at the foot of the cabin stair well. This latter cabinet can be optioned to include a 12V refrigerator.

Further forward are the two full sized single berths with provision between them for the optional dinette table, which can also be positioned in the rear cockpit.

There is also an infill cushion to convert the two single berths into one large double, as well as a series of shallow storage lockers underneath the berths and side pockets surrounding the carpet lined cabin sides.

At the helm the skipper and co-pilot are well catered for. The steering wheel and throttle are very well positioned and the deluxe pedestal mounted bucket chairs are comfortable. They swivel and slide fore and aft and the front bolsters flip up so you can make space to steer the boat while standing up, which we found preferable.

On the fascia and instrument panel everything is nicely laid out with provision for the Yamaha Command Link digital engine display along with the big Garmin GPS/fish finder, VHF radio and various switch panels and engine controls.

Visibility through the one piece curved windscreen was pretty good, though we doubt it will offer much shelter in a squall. We would have preferred it to have been six inches (15cm) or so taller to provide better all-round weather protection.

The overhead hardtop is an option that we would almost consider mandatory. It provides a base for things like radio aerials, outriggers, lighting, etc,  and provides decent sun shelter.

The hardtop looks to be strong and sturdy enough, though we did observe some lateral movement in the stainless steel frame when underway.

MODULAR SEATING
- Clever design provides ample seating options
We have made mention throughout this review of the innovative design and layout of the rear cockpit, with particular emphasis of the way the seating can be re-arranged to suit different needs and applications.

This rear seating design is modular in that the rear seat backrests can be folded forward, removed completely or moved into different slots and positions to create various different seating layouts.

You can remove the backrests and cushions completely — which leaves two moulded rear storage boxes and an open, walkthrough transom — or move the cushions and backrests around to create some four different seating layouts.

These even a configuration that has the rear seating facing aft (with the back rest switched around) so your feet sit out over the rear boarding platforms.

How practical all this will be in the real world remains to be seen but it does provide you with a number of rear cockpit layouts which should prove useful in family boating situations.

For offshore fishing the rear transom layout does have limitations, the most notable being the absence of a full height transom wall to help keep the water out of the cockpit and to lean against when fishing over the stern in choppy conditions.

On the plus side, the SL702 has a large, removable seat/ice box behind the helm chairs (which Stefan Boating World had converted into a live fish well) and there are moulded rear cockpit storage boxes in the stern corners, one of which is plumbed as a live bait tank direct from the factory.

ON THE WATER
- A well balanced, quiet, easy riding hull
For our Gold Coast-based boat tests of late we have either had near cyclonic conditions or seas so flat you could zoom about offshore in a car topper tinnie.

We had the latter for our trial of the Karnic SL702. Whilst the calm seas were not ideal for boat testing, it was fun to be able to run the Karnic flat-out offshore. We were also able to find some wave action in the Gold Coast Seaway entrance.

One of the most notable findings during the test was the excellent balance and stability demonstrated by the Karnic test rig, particularly on a fore and aft access. Despite the flat seas we were able to get some air under the hull and it was pleasing to observe how the Karnic would always come down slightly stern first, as this helps to take any harshness or jarring out of the ride, even when you are silly enough to go wave jumping.

The hull was also easy to handle in a following sea, responsive to trim underway, and largely dry.

The SL702 proved rock solid stable at rest thanks to the mild stern vee shape and relatively wide beam, but we did find it a little sensitive to lateral weight distribution underway. Nothing untoward, but we would recommend fitting a set of trim tabs, as we generally do for all 6.0m plus sized trailerboats.

The Karnic is well rated for a single extra-longshaft outboard up to 250hp. Our Yamaha 200hp four-stroke powered test rig provided decent performance and a reasonable 36 knot top speed, but did feel a conservative in the mid range. That said it is hard to find fault with Yamaha’s smooth, economical in-line four cylinder four-stroke engine, as it is an excellent motor and will provide years of trouble free service.

VERDICT
- A genuinely new and creative offering in the trailerboat class
With the SL702 walkaround centre cabin, Karnic and Stefan Boating World are offering Aussie boat buyers something new and quite different to local product.

The inclusion of a proper enclosed toilet compartment in a sub 7.0m boat is rare enough, but a design which incorporates a flat forward casting/sun deck with a spacious lower cabin and a modular, adaptable rear stern layout is something else again. We can’t think of anything similar on the Aussie market today.

As noted at the beginning of the article, the SL702’s design and layout won’t suit everybody but it is unique enough to grab the attention of buyers looking for a versatile, multi-function family trailerboat.

LIKES
>> Well balanced, soft riding hull
>> Spacious, lock-up cabin
>> Innovative interior layout
>> Flat, non-slip forward casting/sun deck
>> Enclosed head compartment
>> Smooth running Yamaha four-stroke

NOT SO MUCH
>> Some movement in hardtop frame
>> Windscreen too low when standing
>> Would benefit from trim tabs
>> Little freeboard over transom
>> Cup holders too small for Aussie cans

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.76/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0
On the water performance: 4.7/5.0
Value for money: 4.7/5.0
X-factor: 4.8/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
5.4kts (10.0km/h) @ 1000rpm
7.0kts (12.9km/h) @ 1500rpm
8.4kts (15.5km/h) @ 2000rpm
10.4kts (19.2km/h) @ 2500rpm
14.2kts (26.3km/h) @ 3000rpm
20.4kts (37.7km/h) @ 3500rpm
23.5kts (43.5km/h) @ 4000rpm
27.5kts (50.9km/h) @ 4500rpm
30.6kts (56.6km/h) @ 5000rpm
34.1kts (63.1km/h) @ 5500rpm
36.2kts (67.0km/h) @ 5800rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE – ECONOMY
3.1 l/ph @ 1000rpm
5.1 l/ph @ 1500rpm
8.3 l/ph @ 2000rpm
12.7 l/ph @ 2500rpm
17.1 l/ph @ 3000rpm
23.3 l/ph @ 3500rpm
28.3 l/ph @ 4000rpm
34.7 l/ph @ 4500rpm
53.4 l/ph @ 5000rpm
68.5 l/ph @ 5500rpm
74.3 l/ph @ 5800rpm (WOT)

Specifications: Karnic SL702
Price as tested: $126,500 including a Yamaha 200hp extra-longshaft (25”) inline four cylinder, four-stroke outboard with Command Link Plus digital LCD display and digital electronic throttle control, Dunbier tandem axle galvanised steel trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes, hardtop with stainless steel framework, Garmin 820XS GPS/fish finder, VHF radio with aerial, AM/FM CD player with Bluetooth, electric anchor winch, electric toilet with 35L waste tank, swim/boarding platforms, LED spreader lights, underwater lighting, offshore safety gear pack (including EPIRB), boat and trailer registrations.

Priced from: $109,500 including a Yamaha 200hp extra-longshaft (25”) inline four cylinder, four-stroke outboard with Command Link Plus digital LCD display and digital electronic throttle control, Dunbier tandem axle galvanised steel trailer with electric hydraulic break-away brakes, offshore safety gear pack (including EPIRB), boat and trailer registrations.
Length overall: 7.8m
Hull length: 6.8m
Beam: 2.45m
Hull weight: 1450kg
Towing weight: Approx 2300kg
Deadrise: 12.5 degrees
Maximum power: 250hp
Engine as tested: Yamaha 200hp inline four cylinder four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 200 litres
Water: 45 litres
Maximum Persons: Eight

Supplied by:
Stefan Boating World
Phone: (07) 5665 8400
Email: email@stefanboatingworld.com.au
Website: www.stefanboatingworld.com.au.

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