The Linssen story began in 1949 with the repair of wooden boats. From 1954, the founder Jac Linssen produced the first steel workboats, until two years later the first leisure boats were built with the St. Jozef Vleten.
The designers took up this "St. Joszef original idea" again, paired it with another successful model, the Grand Sturdy, and the result was the New Classic Sturdy 28. The two portholes in the front of the forward cabin are a striking feature. The side view, together with the thick Wieling, also shows classic lines.
The Dutch produce the New Classic Sturdy 28 in two versions, as a sedan version with bow cabin, saloon and cockpit and as an AC model with additional aft cabin (test boat). The latter is suitable for a family of four or weekend trips with friends, who can be accommodated in the aft cabin. The shipyard recommends the boat for leisurely inland trips and excursions on coastal waters.
If you opt for a steel displacement boat, you must realise that you can only travel at a leisurely pace. A displacement boat can hardly exceed the theoretical hull speed. For our test boat this means: at full throttle (2900 rpm) we reached 7.18 knots, the theoretical hull speed is just under 7 knots. The combination of 7.5 tonne steel hull and 55 hp Volvo Penta diesel is economical at 5.67 kn at 2000 rpm.
Consumption is less than 0.70 l/sm, and the range is a good 300 nm with a tank capacity of LINSSEN NEW CLASSIC STURDY 28 SEDAC: steel displacer based on old models with the latest technology.240 litres minus 15% reserve. Compared to full throttle, this is more than twice as much. At creep speed (3 knots), you can cover almost 500 nm.
Regardless of whether you are travelling slowly or fast, the little Linssen keeps a straight course. To ensure that the journey is also a pleasure in terms of noise, Linssen insulates the engine compartment so well that a maximum of 72 dB/A reaches your ears at full throttle. If you turn the steering wheel all the way at this speed, you will not be unpleasantly surprised either. The Linssen leans only slightly on the outside of the bend and rocks gently into its own wave. The radius is a good two boat lengths, and the steering is easy to turn when leaving the circle.
The same steering characteristics can be seen at slow speed and when manoeuvring in port. Here, the test boat turns a little more tightly than when travelling at speed, and the bow thruster can be used to make the nose turn directly when steering round. The bow thruster proves particularly valuable in windy conditions, such as on the test day with a force of four Beaufort in places.
Everything is operated from the driving position in the saloon. Whether sitting or standing, the driver can easily reach the gearstick and steering wheel. The bench is characterised by suitable upholstery and "back and forth" adjustment options. The lateral offset of the bench seat to the steering wheel takes some getting used to. The co-driver does not have his own seat, but has to sit in the saloon seating area, where he has no direct forward view.
The skipper looks ahead through slightly tinted safety glass panes, on which two windscreen wipers with a sufficiently large wiping field ensure a clear view in the rain and splash water. It is in the nature of things that the curtains, although tied together, restrict the view between the windows.
The driver can read the instruments perfectly, but you will look in vain for a compass on the Linssen. The switches for the 12 V system are easily accessible next to the steering wheel and on a panel on the side of the helmstand.
Engine, tank, electrics
The 12 V devices are powered by a maintenance-free 85 Ah gel battery, which receives its charging current from the shore connection with 12/230 V inverter (extra) or alternator from the engine. It is mounted in a wooden box with retaining straps, just like the 90 Ah starter battery. The shipyard accommodates both together with the main switches and main fuses in the engine compartment, which can be accessed via a hatch in the saloon floor. However, before the latter can be lifted, the table must be moved to the side. With the hatch open, the daily oil and cooling water checks can be carried out without any problems.
For more extensive service work, the technician also removes two loosely inserted boards and connecting struts; this also provides easy access to the heater and the fuel tank. The latter is equipped in an exemplary manner with a remote-controlled stopcock, large inspection hatch and Vetus filter cartridge. The fuel connections with just one screw clamp were not convincing. Linssen uses Velcro clamps and straps for the installation of hoses and lines.
In the engine compartment, the shipyard did its job carefully, with the clamps and straps under the driving position only moderately tight but clearly arranged. The engine compartment is ventilated by scoops in the side walls. One sign that they fulfil their task well is the maximum measured engine compartment temperature of 29 °C at outside temperatures of 22 °C.
Security
The New Classic scores big points here for the fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment and fire extinguisher on the companionway. A permanently installed electric bilge pump and one with a flexible suction hose are well thought out, but do not replace the manual bilge pump provided in the BOOTE standard, which also works in the event of a power failure.
Movement safety is provided in the cockpit, on the side deck and foredeck by the bar deck and the solid railing (with bar joist) as well as handrails on the saloon and aft cabin roof. To ensure that bathing enthusiasts can safely get on and off the boat, the shipyard has provided a 4-step folding pull-up bathing ladder, the steps of which are covered with exemplary rubber. Another plus: the ladder is easy to operate from the water. If you jump off the boat without first unfolding the ladder, you can easily get back on board.
Living and equipment
Life in the open air takes place on two benches arranged lengthways to the direction of travel. Firm cushions and a suitably high backrest provide a decent level of comfort; there was no cockpit table on our test boat. Storage space: there is a huge storage box under the cockpit floor. Shortcoming: When the saloon door is open, the flap hits the door when it is pulled up. Linssen wants to remedy this.
If you enter the saloon through the double door, you can see the bench seat for three people on the port side, which is also arranged lengthways to the direction of travel. A stool provides additional seating. Although four people can therefore be accommodated seated, the accompanying small table will be cramped if you want to eat. Opposite is the galley block with 2-burner gas hob, medium-sized sink, fridge with freezer compartment (under the driver's seat), moderate storage space and work surface. To have more space, simply turn round and use the table. The best thing about the saloon is definitely the large "Sedan Variodeck", which turns the front area into an open-air stage when open.
One floor below in the foredeck, the designer has fitted a double berth with ventilated, fixed cushions.
There is plenty of storage space here as well as in the rest of the area below deck. Ventilation is provided via a large escape hatch as well as two portholes and ceiling vents. To ensure that the wet rooms (shower and toilet room on the port side) get enough fresh air, portholes have been installed in the side walls; the wooden bench in the shower room is also practical. However, the headroom is a little too low for a person of 1.80 metres.
The fact that the two rooms are only accessible from the forward cabin means that day guests or people from the aft cabin always have to pass through the forward sleeping area if they want to use the toilet. In the aft cabin with two ventilated single berths, plenty of storage space and shelves, children have their very own realm. There is also enough space for two adults, but even here you have to make do with a moderate headroom of 1.50 metres.
The Linssen can be ordered in three equipment variants: Standard version, Luxe Edition and - like our test boat - as a Royal version (around 40,000 euros more expensive than the standard version). Heating and hot water boiler (230 V motorised heat) ensure a cosy atmosphere. The standard list also includes complete anchoring gear, solid bollards, teak deck, mast, fenders, lines, boat hooks, lifebuoy, bailer, scrubber, first-aid kit and navigation lights with RINA approval.
THE WERFT SAYS
When developing the new TNCS series, the designers consciously orientated themselves on the successful, tried-and-tested Linssen concepts, through which a large number of young families discovered their love of water sports. Our new yacht series has excellent sailing characteristics, a timeless, cosy interior design and a high quality of workmanship.
WE SAY
We agree with the shipyard on the main points, but would like to follow up on the driving characteristics.
The owner and crew have to be very patient when travelling against the current on fast-flowing waters such as the Rhine. In terms of equipment, we criticise the lack of a compass and hand bilge pump.
Data sheet: Linssen TNCS 28
Shipyard: Linssen Yachts B.V.
Type designation: Linssen TNCS 28
CE category: C - Coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Steel
Length: 9,40 m
Width: 3,20 m
Displacement: 7,50 t
Price: 206.049,00 €
Ralf Marquard
Deputy Editor in Chief BOOTE
