Mustang 2200 Club Sport

If you've been on the lookout for a weekender offering a touch of luxury afloat for your family of four, have a closer look at Mustang's new and improved 2200 Club Sport. The initial model of this boat design was introduced to the public at the 2000 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, and proved to be a popular model for the Aussie boatbuilder thanks to a flexible, social layout and top-quality build.

The original design brief was for a trailerable 22ft sportscruiser with a cabin layout that could sleep four people. That's a big ask of a cabin boat of this size, as it's difficult to hit on a design with enough room inside for double berths and room for four. However, Mustang has dealt with this challenge admirably on the latest model, which features some additional refinements over its predecessor to make it even more comfortable and family-friendly.

CATCH SOME ZEDS
The designers opted for a practical V-berth format in the bow complete with removable infill over the footwell between the lounges on either side. Underneath these berths there's plenty of dry storage space, but here's the really practical feature. Detach the cushion off the infill and the base converts into a nifty moulded fibreglass table that may be elevated on its swivel post for a meal, a game of cards or even shifted upstairs for more of the same in the fresh air on the aft deck.

A storage module at the aft end of the berth on the port side marks the end of the sleeping quarters and the start of a passageway that runs astern along the cabin liner. It's compact in size, but navigable all the same, and leads into a low-profile sleeping area larger than a single bed but not quite as large as a double. The headroom over this berth is fairly restricted, and while the roof is a little too low to allow the occupant to sit upright in bed, it does serve the purpose of getting another two bodies into a comfortable sleeping position for the night. The roof of this second berth forms the deck moulding under the helm and passenger seating areas.

A makeover on the old design includes a short partition on the forward side of the head, enclosing the marine toilet for a bit of additional privacy. A small cabinet holds toilet paper while another open storage section is found below for personal items. The head itself is raised on a module that has additional storage underneath. A fabric curtain on a stainless steel track provides privacy when ensconced on the throne. This particular area is intelligently laid out, and you feel secure here even when the sea is a bit rougher than usual.

Four almond-shaped windows on the cabin side certainly enhance the appearance of the Club Sport and allow plenty of light inside the cabin.

LOUNGE LIZARDS
The forward part of the cockpit is reasonably spacious and laid out with entertaining in mind, offering an L-shaped seating arrangement for the passenger that is part of a module. This set-up allows a family to sit together in a social atmosphere while underway. So often in this style of boat the passengers are stuck right up the back out of sight and talking range, making extended journeys a pretty lonely affair for the skipper, if not the rest of the crew.

The rear of the lounge has a padded backrest and a hinged padded seat that can be dropped down to allow more standing room.

With the seat in the upright position, the table fits between it and another rebate seat against the transom bulkhead. That particular seat makes up the cover to the engine compartment, and to its port side a 70lt icebox keeps refreshments within easy reach. It's a remarkably comfortable, well set up dining area with top-quality upholstery and coverings used throughout. A family of four has plenty of room to relax and move around in this section of the cockpit, which is raised slightly above the cabin superstructure to let in the breeze on hot days. A neat awning off the rear of the targa shades this area and extends well back into the cockpit.

SMICK DASH
The dashboard on the starboard side of the vessel is neatly laid out with a complete bank of large, easy-to-read instruments installed on a carbon fibre backing plate. The dash has smooth flowing lines and fair mouldings throughout ? a hallmark of a boat with a lack of sharp corners and edges to bruise yourself on.

The skipper's swivel seat is on a module that has clean, flowing moulds through the companionway and out into the rear of the cockpit. A small sink is installed here with an electric pump tap, which was not connected at the time of the test.

Bulk storage is located in this module and there is enough room to flush mount a 12V fridge, if required on those longer overnighting excursions. The circuit breaker for the windlass and the battery isolation switches are found at the back of this compartment, high enough off the floor to avoid damage from articles sliding around within.

A bimini with optional zip-in clears is installed over the forward half of the cockpit and a stylish targa really complements the boat's sleek lines. The targa also houses the marine-grade speakers for the CD/radio system located down in the cabin.

BACK TO THE FUTURE
An inward-opening door in the transom provides access to the wide swim platform, which features hand grabholes and a telescopic ladder that sits under a flush-mounted fibreglass hatch. The swim platform is a beauty and is easily large enough for an adult to lie on to soak up some rays. A freshwater shower/deckwash is recessed in the neatly moulded liner near the transom door so you can wash off after a dip.

With the deck carpet peeled back, the engine hatch is easily raised on pneumatic rams to reveal the 5lt MPI MerCruiser engine and allow access into the bilge. There is a lot of room on the forward side of the engine, and it's relatively easy to slip an arm down each side of the block should it be necessary to do so. The engine hatch has heat and sound insulation neatly fixed to its inside. The batteries are located in a sidepocket within the enginewell, and one deep-cycle operates the amenities aboard while a standard heavy-duty battery looks after the engine cranking. This area is well lit, with a waterproof light on the forward wall of the well.

SUN LOVERS
The foredeck of the Club Sport does what it was designed for damn well, and that's lounging in the sun. It's quite an elevated area where you climb through an opening windscreen after using the steps on the side of the companionway into the cabin. However, the deck slopes down to a pretty special bowsprit set-up, which is set surprisingly close to the waterline.

From here, it's only a short hop down onto the beach, jetty or boat ramp, and a child could easily climb on and off via this forward position.

The anchor chain runs from the neatly incorporated Muir windlass to the anchor, which sits through the bowsprit with the flukes secured underneath it. You can see the advantages of this design, but perhaps better use could have been made of the excellent bowsprit/gangway by adding a retractable boarding ladder. Either way, it's a cinch to nose the boat up onto the beach to drop off the kids while you wet a line out the back.

GET UP & GO
On the move, the 20in four-blade propeller and MerCruiser donk pushed the Club Sport to a top speed of 78kmh at a quiet 5000rpm. With manipulation of the trim tabs, the Club Sport really felt like cruising from 3000rpm plus. Manoeuvring was effortless with MerCruiser's built-in hydraulic steering. You can pretty much drive this baby with two fingers on the wheel. At idling speed, I found it necessary to button down the trim tabs to flatten the bow attitude and keep the hull tracking in a direct line.

A few rodholders mounted in the gunwales were the only concession to the fishing market on a boat that could no doubt put in some long and comfortable hours offshore. While there's nothing to stop you bottom bashing for snapper off an inshore reef or drifting for a flathead on Port Phillip Bay or the Broadwater, this boat is most at home simply cruising. What better way to soak up the sun, eat, drink and spend some relaxing hours with your family than in the Club Sport?