Yamarin 88DC 2024 Review

We tested this cool cruiser offshore from the Gold Coast with the Surfers Paradise skyline our backdrop, the morning sun glinting off the high-rise buildings on the glitter-strip.

Finland boat manufacturer, Yamarin, is making inroads into the Australian market, following the introduction of this sport boat brand to local shores earlier this year.

Yamarin also produces the Busta alloy fishing boat range and Cross sports boats and bowriders, the latter made with a plate aluminium hull topped with a fibreglass deck.

All Yamarin boats are made in Finland by parent company, Inha Works Ltd.

A few months ago, we published reviews on the impressive Yamarin Cross 62BR and Yamarin 63DC.

This time around we were able to secure the Yamarin range-topper, the ultra-impressive 88DC (Day Cruiser) paired with Yamaha’s epic 425hp V8 four-stroke outboard.

As you can imagine, the Yamaha XTO 425 packs a mighty punch – accelerating the Yamarin 88DC to a top speed approaching 50 knots. Yes – this is one very fast day cruiser.

The 88DC is the flagship of the Yamarin fibreglass boat range. Other models include the 60DC, 63DC, 67DC, 79DC, and the 80DC.

Similar to its siblings, the 88DC is very well equipped. There are enough features and amenities in the standard boat to keep everyone happy.

Package pricing starts at $383k when the boat is paired with a white-coloured Yamaha 300hp extra-longshaft four-stroke outboard engine.

Included in the standard boat is a low profile, timber-trimmed cabin complete with a double berth, stand-alone head compartment with toilet and shower, as well as a transverse berth/storage space beneath the helm station deck.

Other key features include a deluxe helm station with Yamarin’s Q+ multi-function onboard computer system (with 2 x 16-inch flush-fitted displays); stereo with speakers; a tilt-adjust steering wheel; as well as a pair of helm bucket chairs and a port side bucket chair fronting the lockable cabin door.

Overhead is the low profile toughened glass, centre-opening windscreen with heavy-duty stainless steel frame and windscreen wipers.

Elsewhere, the 88DC has a moulded aft cockpit seating area with removable cushions; a garage/enclosure compartment for the optional bimini cover; forward anchor locker; 45L fresh water tank; 30L black water tank; interior lighting; opening hull windows; cabin ceiling windows; 12 volt and USB sockets; Yamaha Y-COP immobiliser; boarding platforms and ladder; cup holders; transom fender/rope lockers; cockpit entertaining/storage unit with sink and stove; cockpit table.

The 88DC is rated to accept Yamaha’s largest outboard engine, the XTO 450 Offshore. Our test boat was optioned with the slightly less powerful XTO 425.

Packaged with the big Yamaha V8, our test boat price climbs to $440,480.

This higher price also includes the Yamarin Deluxe option package – which adds the pull-out bimini cover; sunbed in aft cockpit; harbour cover; trim tabs; twin battery system; bow thruster; cockpit refrigerator; and shore power.

With the Touring package also fitted, the 88DC gains an electric anchor winch, shower on bathing platform, and a heater or air conditioner.

The Yamarin 88DC has a maximum length of 8.8m and a wide, 2.90m beam.

As such, the 88DC is not trailerable here in Australia – but it is the perfect size to keep at a canal-front home, in a marina pen, or dry-stacked at a marina.

The Yamarin’s distinctive looking fibreglass hull, with its upright, steep-stem bow shape is exceptionally soft riding in chop and offshore.

The hull deadrise is modest at 19 degrees at the transom, but the bow has a very fine wave cutting vee angle forward to cleanly part the waves.

There’s not a whole lot of flare in the topsides, yet the hull rides smooth and dry offshore.

Noticeable from the photos is the anchor at the bow which is suspended from the stem so that it is ready to drop at a moment’s notice.

The test rig was also optioned with a bow thruster for maximum manoeuvrability at docking speeds.

Internally, the 88DC is very well equipped, and I found the fit and finish to be excellent throughout.

Like the smaller Yamarin models, the 88DC conforms to European CE and Australia standards for safety and flotation.

The 88DC is the latter of course – but you wouldn’t know it from the outside as the cabin has a very low profile, topped then with a curved glass windshield.

Due to the 8.8m length of the hull, the exterior topsides appear to be quite low – but there is more depth/height here than you might first think; there’s enough in fact to conceal a full size cabin with full standing headroom at cabin entry.

The cabin layout is unusual but effective. One step down from the helm station, there is a port side upholstered lounge bench seat, beneath a handy storage/clothing cupboard.

Immediately to starboard is the stand-alone head compartment with electric toilet, vanity with sink and pull-out shower rose, as well as overhead lighting and hull-side window. 

Moving forward, the 88DC has a double bed which angles across from the starboard side up to the forepeak.

The ceiling and cabin surrounds have a smooth white gelcoat finish which is offset by dark, diamond-stitched upholstered vinyl side panels - which stretch the length of the cabin.

Berth cushions are upholstered using a neutral coloured cloth material which blends in nicely with the light-coloured timber veneer trim and the dark upholstered side panels and curtains.

Other features include tinted/smoked ceiling and cabin side windows, ventilation hatch, forepeak mirror, interior lighting, and storage compartments beneath the double bed and port side lounge seat.

In the rear of the cockpit, behind the single cabin step, there is a crawl-space leading through to a surprisingly large transverse double bed.

It is not easy for adults to climb into – and there’s very little headroom - but it would be ideal for a pair of youngsters. 

This 2.0m long aft transverse bed/storage area can also be accessed via a gas-strut opening hatch behind the two helm chairs up in the cockpit.

There is enough space behind the broad dash and windshield to fit two bucket helm chairs side-by-side - in addition to a third chair over to port.

The chairs have flip-up front bolsters for maximum comfort when sitting or standing.

The starboard side bucket seat pair is mounted above a moulded storage box - behind which is an aft facing seat and the hatch to gain access to the sub floor berth/storage space.

The port side bucket chair also sits above a moulded fibreglass box which incorporates cutlery storage drawers as well as the galley unit - which comes standard with a sink with freshwater faucet, fold-out bench space and stove.

Our test boat was also optioned with a refrigerator.

Fronting the twin bucket chairs is a wide, angled fascia panel which easily accommodates the two included Yamarin Q+ 16-inch multi-function displays.

Yamarin Q+ is a multi-function onboard computer system which can be setup to display Yamaha engine data.

Other functions include chart plotting (using Navionics charts) and sonar, internet/hot-spot connection, boat user manuals, boat theft protection/position monitoring and more.

In the centre of the dash, moulded steps lead up from the floor to the centre-opening windscreen to provide access onto the foredeck for disembarking over the bow – where there are sturdy hand rails to make that task easier.

The rear cockpit is all about comfortable, reconfigurable seating and lounging.

There’s a moulded L-shaped box lounge on the port side, and stretching across the transom, as well as an aft facing seat behind the skipper to starboard.

Naturally, each seat box contains a storage compartment and is topped by comfy, well padded vinyl upholstered cushions and backrests.

A cockpit table slots into the floor to service the port side L-shaped lounge – but can also be reached by those sitting opposite and further forward to starboard.

The L-shaped lounge also converts into a sunbed with additional cushions and infill boards.

Behind the rear bench seat backrest is the garage/compartment from which you can open and easily erect the included bimini cover.

Other noteworthy features in the rear of the Yamarin include the starboard side entry steps, storage/gear lockers to each side of the single-engine outboard well, stern cleats, and twin rear boarding platforms with starboard side telescopic ladder. 

The Yamarin 88DC is a big, fast and capable offshore sports runabout and day boat.

It’s also sleek and good looking – though not in a traditional US Scarab/Cigarette race boat way.

Instead – and to its credit, the Yamarin 88DC is clearly Scandinavian, unmistakably modern.

But that’s enough about its looks. How does the Yamarin 88DC perform? In a word: superb.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time zooming about offshore from the Gold Coast, as the 88DC is very fast, very smooth, nicely balanced.

Did I mention it was fast? Paired with the Yamaha 425hp V8 four-stroke the 88DC accelerates to a top speed of 47 knots. And getting there is a heck of a lot fun.

Mind you the Yamarin’s speed can be deceptive. It gathers in a wave, rather than hitting you with a rush – as the 88DC feels so solid and well-planted that you don’t always realise how fast you are going – until you look down at the GPS.

And that’s what this flagship Yamarin is all about – effortless performance and handling coupled with an interior layout that suits day boating and overnighting equally well.

As an aside, we were unable to conduct our usual full performance trials on this boat/engine combination. However, in the table below we have listed the performance data gathered overseas on the Yamarin 88DC with the slightly more powerful Yamaha XTO offshore 450.

Performance (when paired with a Yamaha XTO 450)

REVS    SPEED                            FUEL USE          RANGE

1000     4.5kt (8.3km/h)             6.6L/h                194.3nm

2000     8.2kt (15.1km/h)           17.0L/h              137.5nm

2500     11.6kt (21.5km/h)        24.9L/h              132.8nm

3000     18.2kt (33.7km/h)        32.6L/h              159.1nm

3500     24.1kt (44.6km/h)        41.0L/h              167.5nm

4000     28.7kt (53.1km/h)        55.7L/h              146.8nm

4500     33.0kt (61.0km/h)        72.9L/h              129.0nm

5000     37.3kt (69.0km/h)        94.5L/h              112.5nm

5500     41.8kt (77.3km/h)        118.5L/h            100.5nm

5700     47.1kt (87.1km/h)        152.4L/h            154.1nm

Range on 95% of the 300L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 167.5nm

The Yamarin 88DC is a cool, capable sports day boat and weekender. It’s very fast and fun to drive, soft and seaworthy in the rough stuff, solid and stable at rest.

These performance attributes combine with a surprisingly spacious cabin and an abundance of seating/storage space to make the Yamarin 88DC a fine choice for family boating.

Model: Yamarin 88DC

Length overall: 8.8m

Beam: 2.90m

Deadrise: 19 degrees

Hull weight: 2,420kg

Weight with Yamaha XTO425: 2,890kg (approx)

Maximum power: 450hp

Engine as tested: Yamaha 425hp four-stroke extra-longshaft outboard

Fuel: 300L

Passengers: 10

Priced from: $382,856 including a white-coloured Yamaha 300hp extra-longshaft four-stroke outboard; cabin with double berth; head compartment with toilet and shower; transverse berth/storage space; deluxe helm station with Yamarin’s Q+ multi-function onboard computer system (with 2 x 16” flush-fitted displays); stereo with speakers; a tilt-adjust steering wheel; 3 x helm bucket chairs; moulded aft cockpit seating area with removable cushions; a garage/enclosure compartment for the optional bimini cover; forward anchor locker; 45L fresh water tank; 30L black water tank; interior lighting; opening hull windows; cabin ceiling windows; 12 volt and USB sockets; Yamaha Y-COP immobiliser; boarding platforms and ladder; cup holders; transom fender/rope lockers; cockpit entertaining/storage unit with sink and stove; cockpit table.