Yamarin 63DC 2024 Review

Yamarin is a leading trailer boat brand in Europe and Scandinavia. Owned since 2016 by Yamaha Motor Europe, Yamarin boats are made in Finland by a company called Inha Works Ltd.

As well as the dozen-strong range of fibreglass Yamarin sports boats, Inha Works produces the Buster alloy fishing boat range and the Cross series of sports boats that combine a plate aluminium hull with a fibreglass top deck and interior.

The Yamarin fibreglass range and the Yamarin Cross alloy/fibreglass boats are now available in Australia through selected Yamaha outboard engine dealers.

We recently tested a pair of the new models, the Yamarin Cross 62BR and the Yamarin 63DC (Day Cruiser).

We will bring the review of the Cross model in coming weeks, but for here and now, let’s check out the Yamarin 63DC low-profile cuddy cabin, paired with a 150hp Yamaha extra-longshaft outboard engine.

The 63DC is one of 11 Yamarin fibreglass boats. The full range has two side console fishing boats, three bowrider boats, and six cuddy/half cabin day cruisers.

The cuddy cabin models include the 60DC, 63DC, 67DC, 79DC, 80DC and the range topping wide-beam 88DC

Our 63DC is therefore the second to smallest Yamarin cuddy cabin, but similar to its larger siblings, the 63DC is loaded with good gear and equipment.

Pricing for the Yamarin 63DC starts at $128,112 when paired with a 130hp Yamaha 130hp outboard engine and a dual-axle galvanised steel trailer.

The starting package includes lots of good gear. Key features include a moulded fibreglass cockpit seating area with removable cushions; double berth cabin with cloth cushions and infill board; bow and stern anchor boxes; a centre-opening toughened glass windshield; lockable cabin door with steps to climb onto the foredeck; garage/enclosure compartment for the optional bimini cover; fender retainers; interior lighting; opening hull windows; cabin skylight; 12-volt and USB sockets; Yamaha Y-COP immobiliser; boarding platforms and ladder; cup holders; and the Yamaha Q 10.0-inch multifunctions display.

Our test boat was optioned with the maximum-power 150hp Yamaha outboard engine, and with the Premium option package that adds the bimini cover; skipper’s windshield wiper; cockpit table; convertible cockpit sun bed; audio system; drawer-style 30-litre Dometic fridge; waterskiing arch; trim tabs; and dual batteries.

With the larger engine and the above options, the sail-away package price rises to $147,918.

The Yamarin 63DC has a length of 6.35 metres and a relatively narrow beam of 2.34 metres.

The hull alone weighs 990kg, but with the 150hp Yamaha outboard engine and dual-axle galvanised steel braked trailer added, the package tips the scales at 1950kg.

That’s a wet weight too, so a realistic one with regard to determining whether your towing vehicle can haul it about on Aussie roads.

As the package weight is less than 2000kg, the trailer can make do with mechanical over-ride disk brakes; it does not require a more costly electric-hydraulic breakaway system.

At a glance, the hull shape on the Yamarin 63DC looks quite different to most Aussie and imported US craft.

The Yamarin has quite narrow shoulders at the bow, along with a very sharp, “destroyer-like” stem and forefoot entry shape.

This combination yields a very smooth ride into the chop with no discernible trade-off or compromise to following sea performance or stability.

The hull is very deeply vee’d up forward, but this vee angle moderates to 19 degrees at the transom to maximum stability at rest, as well as to improve hole-shot performance.

Reverse-angled outer chines boost stability.

The Yamarin 63DC conforms to European CE and Australian standards for safety and flotation, the hull having a series of sealed, air-tight chambers to achieve Basic flotation to keep the hull afloat in an emergency.

Internally, I noted that good-quality fixtures and fittings were used throughout the test boat.

The Yamarin 63DC is a low-profile cuddy cabin boat, although it looks more like a sports runabout at a glance.

That’s because the cabin is low-set; there’s just 760mm of headroom above the berths, although each berth is full-length at 1.9m long.

The boat also comes standard with an infill board/cushion to convert the two single berths into one large double bed.

There is no storage space in the cabin as the under-berth space is sealed off to provide flotation - and there are no cabin side pockets. 

A skylight and opening cabin windows provide light and ventilation.

There is no access to the bow and foredeck from within the cabin. Instead, moulded fibreglass steps are built into the outside of the lockable cabin entry door.

The boat also has a centre-opening toughened glass windscreen so you can move forward to the bow by climbing the cabin door steps before stepping through the open windshield onto the reinforced fibreglass deck.

This set-up and procedure works well in calm weather, but it would be unsafe to climb forward to the bow in rocky offshore waters; there is nothing to hold onto until you reach the anchor well and twin handrails right up at the stem of the boat.

The Yamarin 63DC has port and starboard side consoles separated by the cabin door with built-in external steps.

Overhead, the sturdy alloy framed windscreen is low-set and rakish in design, but very effective in shielding the skipper and front passenger from wind and spray when seated.

You can stand comfortably enough on each side of the boat and to drive the boat at speed, but the set-up is most comfortable when you are sitting down.

At the helm, the driver gets a comfy swivelling, bolstered and sliding pedestal bucket chair.

Opposite is a moulded box seat with cushion and reversible backrest for the front passenger.

With the optional Premium package, a Dometic drawer-style fridge sits beneath the passenger seat.

A large glovebox is built into the port side console, beneath the windshield.

The helm console opposite is compact but with space for engine instruments, the sports steering wheel, and the 10.0-inch Yamarin Q infotainment system that negates the need for separate electronics displays.

The Yamarin Q is a multifunction onboard computer and entertainment system that can be setup and interfaced to display Yamaha engine data, chart plotting (using Navionics charts) and sonar functions, internet/hot-spot connection, boat user manuals and guides, boat theft and engine data monitoring (when linked to a mobile phone) and more.

The rear cockpit in the 63DC is well-designed and appointed for sports boating and entertaining.

Moulded fibreglass seat boxes wrap around the cockpit in an L-shape on the port side. The boxes are topped with deeply padded, comfortable cushions and backrests.

There’s also a short bench seat to starboard that unfolds from the side deck, along with the option for a pedestal table to create a dinette eating/entertaining area.

The large port side bench seat also reconfigures into a full-length sun lounge with an extra seat cushion/board slotted into position.

Inside the moulded fibreglass seat boxes are two large dry storage bins for safety gear and clothing. Each is held open with a gas strut for convenience

Inside the centre seat box, there is also a flow valve to open and close the cockpit self-draining system, along with the electrical switchboard/master switch and dual batteries. 

You wouldn’t know it at a glance, but the Yamarin 63DC also has a built-in included bimini cover that unpacks from an enclosure/compartment behind the rear bench seat.

It takes just minutes to unfold this semi-hidden bimini and to set it up over the helm station and the cockpit.

Other features in and around the aft cockpit include split-level boarding platforms; boarding platform storage bins; a starboard side telescopic swim/boarding ladder; optional wakeboard/towing arch; a pair of stainless steel stern cleats; and speakers for the optional audio system.

As noted earlier, the Yamarin 63DC has a 19-degree deadrise fibreglass vee hull bottom with reverse chines and a very fine entry at the bow.

Given the sharp bow entry shape, I had hoped to test the Yamarin in choppy/rough water, but it was not to be as Brisbane’s Moreton Bay was calm on our nominated test day.

That said, I did find plenty of boat wakes to crisscross, and to jump over to get a feel for the Yamarin’s level of ride comfort and handling.

It did not take long for the hull to impress me. With the nose trimmed down into the waves, the test rig cut cleanly and very softly through boat wakes and mildly choppy water.

The test boat was also easy and fun to drive, especially through the corners as the hull hangs on tightly with just the right amount of engine and hull slip when exiting a turn.

I also found the Yamarin to be stable at rest and underway, although the optional trim tabs will take care of any wind list in more blustery conditions.

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you whether the Yamarin is wet or dry at speed, as we did not have enough weather.

I can confirm that the Yamarin is sporty and fast, making it ideal for family day cruising and social tow sports.

Paired with the maximum-power 150hp Yamaha extra-longshaft outboard engine, the Yamarin 63DC responds immediately to throttle input before accelerating to a top speed of 42.1 knots.

Performance

REVS    SPEED                          FUEL USE         RANGE

1000rpm    3.6kt (6.7km/h)           3.2L/h              171nm

1500rpm    5.5kt (10.2km/h)         5.5L/h              152nm

2000rpm    6.4kt (11.8km/h)         9.0L/h              108nm

2500rpm    8.2kt (15.2km/h)         13.1L/h            95nm

3000rpm    16.0kt (29.6km/h)       14.4L/h            168nm

3500rpm    22.6kt (41.8km/h)       20.3L/h            169nm

4000rpm    27.1kt (50.1km/h)       24.4L/h            169nm

4500rpm    31.3kt (57.9km/h)       31.3L/h            152nm

5000rpm    35.8kt (66.2km/h)       39.4L/h            138nm

5500rpm   40.6kt (75.1km/h)       52.8L/h            116nm

5700rpm    42.1kt (77.9km/h)       54.7L/h            117nm

Range on 95% of the 160L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 169.2nm

Verdict

The Yamarin 63DC is a terrific new sports boat and family day cruiser. It combines Nordic flair and hull/deck design with a practical, versatile, and reconfigurable interior cockpit layout.

The cabin and full-size double berth also allow for overnighting, but this sleek, low-profile trailer boat is best suited to mixed watersports, day cruising and entertaining.

Specifications
Model: Yamarin 63DC
Length overall: 6.35m
Beam: 2.34m
Deadrise: 19deg
Weight : 1950kg (dry)
Towing weight: 990kg
Maximum power: 150hp
Engine as tested: 150hp Yamaha extra-longshaft
Fuel: 160L
Passengers: 6

Priced from: $128,112 including a 130hp Yamaha extra-longshaft outboard engine; dual-axle galvanised steel trailer with mechanical brakes; Yamarin Q multifunction infotainment system; moulded fibreglass cockpit seating area with removable cushions; twin-berth cabin with cloth upholstered cushions and infill board; bow and stern anchor boxes; centre-opening toughened glass windshield; lockable cabin door with steps to climb onto the foredeck; garage/enclosure compartment for the optional bimini cover; fender retainers; interior lighting; opening hull windows; cabin skylight; 12-volt and USB sockets; Yamaha Y-COP immobiliser; boarding platforms and ladder; cup holders

Price as tested: $147,918 including 150hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard engine; Premium option package including the bimini; skipper’s windshield wiper; cockpit table; convertible cockpit sun-bed; drawer-style 30L Dometic fridge; stereo system; waterskiing towing arch; trim tabs; and dual batteries

Supplied by: www.yamarin.com.au