Atlantic Marine is based in Augustów, in the north-east of Poland, and has been in existence for fifteen years. The shipyard produces a total of 19 models from 4.50 m to 9.00 m in length for outboard and inboard engines. The boats are laminated by hand, and almost everything else made of wood and metal - such as railings, upholstery and canopies - is manufactured in-house. The company's own lorries also transport the boats to dealers in Europe.
Four boat types are available: Open with a central steering position, Sun Cruiser with a sun deck at the front and a cabin below, the classic Day Cruiser and the Adventure with a cabin superstructure. We drive the 730 from the Sun Cruiser series with the most powerful engine possible, in our case a Verado 300 from Mercury.
We rate the workmanship of the test boat as good. High-gloss gelcoat on the outside and a smoothly sanded and painted inner shell below deck are impressive. The plastic cut edges are rounded and sealed. Only the door frame to the cabin has been overlooked: The edges there are sanded but not sealed. The entrance cut-out into the cabin seems too angular to us, but the cabin section is double-shelled. There is nothing to criticise about the technical and electrical installations. Trailer captains need a towing vehicle that can take at least three tonnes on the hook.
Driving and manoeuvring
When travelling slowly, the full circles measure a maximum of two boat lengths with both forward and reverse gears engaged. When travelling forwards and backwards, the Sun Cruiser 730 goes where it should and reacts immediately when changing course. If someone changes their position, this has little effect on the course and heel. To keep the waves generated by the boat at an acceptable height, we don't go faster than 6 knots at 1500 rpm. From 3000 rpm or 11 knots, the test boat enters the planing range. Visibility is briefly interrupted during the transition from displacement to planing when seated, but is always available when standing.
At 6100 rpm, the engine turns within its maximum speed range at full throttle - which testifies to a suitable propeller set-up. Normally loaded and with three people on board, a maximum of 40 knots is logged in the GPS. We determine the most economical planing speed at a speed of 24 kn and an engine speed of 4000 rpm. One tank of fuel is theoretically sufficient for a range of 186 nm plus 15% reserve at slow speed. At economic planing speed, you can cover about 143 nm, plus reserve. A value that comes very close to our requirement of 150 nm.
In the increasingly tighter turns, the propeller draws air if the turn diameter is less than about 50 metres at 15 knots and about 80 metres at higher speeds. This is due to the mounting height of the motor. This also influences the other manoeuvres: the ventilating propeller ends everything quickly when the 180° turns within a boat length of about two boat lengths end in one go with a settling movement. On the slalom course, the test boat is made to sway safely over its longitudinal axis, and when the rudder is pulled away, it follows the course directly. Waves up to a height of around 0.75 m are negotiated safely and dryly; over the rest of the rough Mediterranean choppy water, we sail at full throttle without any problems.
The driver and co-driver sit comfortably on bucket seats that can be adjusted on all sides, some of which have folding seats. A standing aid for two with backrest is standard. The driver has everything in front of him in view and under control. The windscreen frame provides support. The plastic windscreen without wipers is a little too tinted for us, and the double-bent corners give a distorted view of the surroundings. An electronic compass and an echo sounder are combined in one instrument cluster. The controls and gearstick work smoothly. There is no criticism of
We measured a maximum of 83 dB/A at full throttle.
Engine, tank, electrics
The Mercury Verado 300 is firmly bolted to the transom. A well-sealed empty pipe in the engine sump contains all the supply lines to the engine. The technology with well-mounted batteries, main battery switch and fuel pre-filter (extra, without alarm sensor) is located under the rear seat bench and engine sump. A mechanical fuel tap is integrated in the tank line. The optional 230 V shore connection and the water tank on the port side are also accessible here. The fuel tank is installed under the cockpit floor; the cockpit table with tube and plug-in light are also located under the engine sump.
Security
This is where the test boat scores with good and safe handling characteristics. The cockpit drains outboard, and in an emergency, two electric pumps drain the bilge. We rate the lack of a manual bilge pump as unsatisfactory. The payload of people, equipment and luggage including engine is 1065 kg, with the Verado weighing in at just under 300 kg. Movement safety on the sun foredeck is only adequate.
Living, cockpit and equipment
The cabin is equipped with a V-shaped bench seat, which can be converted into a berth for two with an inlay board (also a table) and inlay cushions. There is storage space under the cushions, and light and air can enter either through two portholes or the plastic sliding cabin door. Due to the design, the headroom in the living area is limited.
A separate WC/shower room with washbasin and pump WC is located under the driving position (extra), and a sideboard with cupboard unit, shelf and storage compartment above it fills the space opposite. The fridge inside costs extra. The cockpit aft bench can be converted into a large lounger by lowering the table and inserting a board. The fact that the hand fire extinguisher and the tarpaulins for the boat or the driving position are at extra cost is something that we would like to downgrade.
There are two small bathing platforms at the stern. A bathing ladder is hidden under the one on the port side, which can also be reached from the water. Anyone ordering the boat with the Verado 300 will receive it from the importer with more extensive standard equipment, which includes, for example, the electro-hydraulic servo control and the Vesselview-7 - with which all engine and boat statuses (when connected) can be monitored. The navigation lighting is certified for Germany. The rubbing strake is more for decoration than protection.
Conclusion
The Sun Cruiser 730 is best suited to sunny weather, but is less comfortable in the rain because the canopy and windscreen wipers are not standard. Due to its design with limited comfort below deck, the test boat remains a day cruiser. In terms of handling characteristics, we attest to the boat's safe and good behaviour with no negative surprises.
