The Quarken experience: Redefining family boating in Australia

Family boats provide Aussies with a wonderful way to explore and enjoy boating with their loved ones. Quarken, a renowned boat company, captures that Aussie spirit of togetherness with a range of highly successful and popular Nordic designs that are perfect for Australia’s coastlines and inshore waterways.

Designed and built in Finland, Quarken boats set the standard for robust performance. Originally crafted for the extreme icy landscapes of the northern hemisphere, their rugged design ensures they can handle the varied and sometimes harsh conditions found across Australia.

Quarken’s dedication to quality and durability means their boats are built to last, offering reliable performance in all environments – from the tropical north to Australia’s cooler, southern waters. This makes Quarken boats an ideal choice for families looking for a safe, trouble-free, boating experience.

The Quarken 35 Cabin Tourer is the brand’s largest and most ambitious boat yet, while two T-Top variants, the 35 Sport Tourer, and the 35 Grand Tourer, are set to debut at the Cannes International Yachting Festival this September. The 35 Cabin arrives hot on the heels of the 27 T-Top that won ‘Best Sports Boat up to 30 Feet’ in the highly respected 2023 Motor Boats Awards. Designed with family fun at its core, this boat combines ample space with practical features, effortlessly transitioning between day trips and weekend getaways. This versatility makes the Quarken 35 Cabin an ideal choice for enjoying Australia’s diverse waters with family and friends.

What truly sets the Quarken 35 Cabin apart is its well-balanced indoor and outdoor spaces and capacity to be enjoyed in all weather conditions. The ability to spend epic Australia summers outdoors and the cooler months within the protection of the spacious main cabin means you will have the opportunity to spend more time on the water.

On a sunny day, you can tow the kids on inflatables with ease using the optional ski tower that arches over the outboards, or your young teenagers can unwind on the expansive sun pad located at the bow. For family get-togethers or casual meals, the Quarken 35 Cabin offers fold-out alfresco balconies on either side, enhancing the outdoor space, making the boat feel much larger than 35 feet, and creating an ideal setting for endless summer afternoons. This is perhaps the only boat in this class that can comfortably fit 10 people in the aft cockpit. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or entertaining extended family, the Quarken 35 Cabin adapts to your needs, providing a seamless blend of family fun and relaxation.

The main cabin of the Quarken 35 is equally impressive. This is where the state-of-the-art Nordic design cues really shine. The large 360-degree windows bathe the cabin with natural light and deliver panoramic vistas to every seat. This, with the large sliding door on the starboard side, and the large hopper widow and full-size door aft, provides an experience more attune to a T-Top rather than a traditional cabin.

The twin helm seats adjust to create a dining setting for four, and the compact galley on the port side is thoughtfully positioned and perfect for preparing a quick snack or meal. The table can be lowered and with an infill will create and additional berth for two, expanding the boat's, overnight capacity when required. When closed, the main cabin provides a cosy respite from any unruly weather you may encounter. Whether it be a summer rain squall, or a cool winter morning run out to your favourite spot.

The helm position provides cutting-edge technology from Yamaha and Garmin, ensuring driving, navigation, and parking effortless. The full-size starboard sliding door allows clear access to the starboard walk-around deck and midships cleat, facilitating easy single-handed operation and providing ample crossflow ventilation when stationary.

Downstairs you’ll discover the luxurious forward cabin. This offers a large double berth forward, a well-appointed ensuite on the port side, and a comfortable lounge to starboard. The lounge also converts to a small berth which is perfect if you appreciate the safety of having younger children sleep close to you while spending nights aboard.

Boating with the family on open water brings its own set of challenges, and many families want the freedom to explore wherever and whenever they choose. With Australia’s vast coastline offering a broad spectrum of water conditions and countless destinations, having a boat with exceptional range and ocean-going capability is crucial. This is where the Quarken 35 Cabin truly shines. It will always get you to your destination with speed, comfort and safety.

Equipped with powerful twin outboards, the Quarken 35 Cabin allows you to choose configurations of up to twin 350hp engines, enabling speeds of up to 54 knots. Quarken’s signature sharp entry, twin-stepped hull with a slight flare on the bow delivers an incredibly stable, comfortable, dry ride. In Australia, this means you can confidently navigate up and down the coast, even when conditions aren’t perfect. The opportunity to spend more time boating with family and friends should always be well considered, and the Quarken 35 Cabin offers that in abundance.

If a 35-foot boat feels a bit too grand for your needs, Quarken offers equally impressive alternatives in its 27 range of offerings. These models, just like their larger sibling, are perfectly suited for Australian waterways, combining robust build quality, exceptional performance, and sleek Nordic design.

The Quarken 27 Cabin recently garnered a ‘Highly Commended’ recognition in the 2024 Motorboat Awards’ Adventure Boat category – a remarkable achievement for a relatively young company. This accolade underscores Quarken’s commitment to top-tier manufacturing and innovative design.

Despite its shorter length, the 27 Cabin boasts a light-filled, spacious interior that retains the classic Quarken Nordic aesthetic. Powered by a single 300hp Yamaha outboard, the 27 Cabin offers a perfectly chosen engine for this hull, achieving speeds up to 43 knots.

The 27 Cabin’s innovative design ensures safe and comfortable access to the bow, while still retaining plenty of room in the main cabin. As with the 35, the main cabin of the 27 is wrapped in panoramic glass. This makes it an absolute joy to drive, and an equally inviting area to take a spell out of the sun or inclement weather. It offers five forward-facing seats that can be reconfigured to enable several guest-facing dining options. In addition to the aft door, there is sliding door access to the walkaround that enables easy movement between spaces for guests The helm is appointed with the latest technology from Garmin, Yamaha, and Fusion, and is positioned off centre to the starboard side.

Forward, you’ll find a well-appointed cabin with overnight accommodations and the convenience of an onboard toilet. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a versatile boat for both day trips and overnight adventures.

For those who prefer an open-air boating experience, the Quarken 27 T-Top is the ultimate summer vessel. Whist the 27 T-Top is primarily a dayboat that offers expansive deck spaces for fun in the sun, it also has a forward cabin that offers everything you need for a comfortable night onboard. The electric flush toilet is also a wonderful addition for long days on the water.

The T-Top is perfect for families who love watersports and thrive when the sun is shining. The seating areas both forward and aft can be converted to dining areas or generous daybeds, this versatility ensures a perfect setup for whatever the day calls for. Simple, carefree boating is at the forefront of the design. You can quickly remove the covers and get going, and it’s just as easy to put away after a long day on the water.

The boat is spacious and easy to move around, which is essential with extra guests on board or while berthing. The high sides of the boat provide added safety, and there are handholds throughout for stability at speed, perfect for when the little ones join. The 27 T-Top is boating made simple, and a hell of a lot of fun!

The entire Quarken range is ideally suited to anyone seeking family enjoyment without sacrificing comfort. With spacious layouts, modern amenities, luxurious interiors, and exceptional hull performance, Quarken boats are designed to take you wherever your heart desires.

Their Finnish heritage and robust construction mean a Quarken can take you beyond the ordinary, opening fresh waterways and untapped destinations you never dreamed possible. Explore secluded bays, cruise along Australia’s stunning coastline, or enjoy a day on the open water with your family – Quarken boats provide the perfect balance of relaxation and enjoyment.

Quarken boats are more than just vessels; they are gateways to unforgettable family adventures. Whether you choose the spacious 35 Cabin Tourer, the versatile 27 Cabin, or the open-air 27 T-Top, you’re guaranteed a boat that delivers performance, comfort, and reliability. Join the growing number of satisfied Quarken owners in Australia and start your own family’s boating adventure today.

For more information head to the Quarken page on The Adventure Boat Company website.