Spotlight: Axopar 22
The Axopar 22, the smallest boat in the Finnish maker's line-up, is still big on featuresIt says something that the Axopar 22, the smallest boat in the Finnish boat builder’s range, also happens to be its most lauded.
Since launching last year, the only legally trailerable – in Australia, at that is – Axopar-badged boat has won accolades as the Europe-based 2021 Best of Boats Award recipient, the 2022 European Boat of the Year and Motor Boat & Yachting magazine’s 2022 Motor Boat Awards.
Related content:
Yep, that is all for a trailer boat going up against Europe’s bigger and better names.
The Axopar 22 is a 7.2-metre length overall centre console boat built on a fast and narrow skiff-styled hull designed to cut through the water.
Just like its larger siblings that stretch out to the 11.5-metre Axopar 37, the Axopar 22 features a twin-stepped hull that mixes air with the water flowing beneath it, reducing friction and making the design more efficient.
The smaller 22 also follows its larger siblings’ design with a sharp, almost reverse bow that is designed to cut through chop and swell to offer what the company claims is unrivalled handling and seakeeping.
Entertaining space
On board, there is space for up to seven passengers, with good walk-around access. Because this is a day boat meant for going out and enjoying distant beaches, the boat can come equipped with an enclosed head that fits in under the console.
However, while the larger Axopars have open transoms that make getting in and out of the water easier, the Axopar 22 has a closed transom – although the outboard engine is mounted on a walkaround pod just like the others.
Key to the Axopar 22’s versatility is the skipper and first mate’s captain’s chairs that spin around to face aft.
In one version of the boat, lounges line both sides and the transom to create a U-shaped sofa, so once a table is inserted in between, the Axopar 22 turns into a serious entertainer.
If the boat is most likely to be used by a couple, the rear bench can be replaced with a sunbed.
The Axopar 22’s performance comes from outboard engines ranging in performance from 115hp at the entry level, right up to 200hp at the top end.
Opting for the larger engine will give the Axopar 22 a top speed of up to 45 knots – over land, that’s the equivalent of more than 80km/h.
Cruising speed on the 200hp version of the Axopar 22 is around 27 knots, with the engine using around a litre per nautical mile from the 230-litre underfloor tank.
The boat can come as either the fully-open Spyder, or as a hard-roofed T-top that gives a bit of sun and weather protection to the aft cockpit.
The Axopar 22 is sold in Australia via Eyachts.
Tags
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.
