The name "Aventura" (Spanish for adventure) already reveals our test boat's love of travelling: a Dutch steel displacement boat designed for exploring inland areas and coastal waters. It is built in two versions, as an "AK" with an aft cabin and, like our test boat, as an "OK" version, which offers space for two with its bow cabin. An additional berth can be found on the saloon sofa, but this is only intended as an emergency berth.
The forward cabin (headroom 1.83 m) is characterised by a ventilated (slatted frame and holes) berth with a properly upholstered mattress. Cupboards and shelves are also provided, and there is a hanging locker for shirts and jackets in the saloon. The room is ventilated via one porthole on each side, which faces the side deck, and an emergency hatch just under 0.50 metres wide. The saloon is bright with its beige-coloured veneer fittings and large windows. Sitting on the comfortable L-shaped bench, you have a good view to the side and aft. However, the superstructure (steering position etc.) obscures the direct view to the front.
Dining takes place at a table that offers plenty of space for dinner for two and is also sufficient for three. The pantry block with 3-burner gas hob, suitable storage options and fridge with freezer compartment is installed opposite the seating area. The cooker and sink covers can be used as a work surface when preparing food. The table provides additional storage space. Ventilation is provided by two ceiling fans, the saloon entrance or the side window at the driving position.
There is a porthole for fresh air in the separate shower and toilet room. The rooms are well laid out, but only have a standing height of less than 1.80 metres. The shipyard has provided a bench in the shower for a relaxing shower. The arrangement of the three doors to the shower, forward cabin and toilet room is impractical; the wet cell doors cannot be opened fully as they hit the foot area of the forward berth beforehand, and the doors sometimes bang against each other without being damped, which leaves scratches.
Life in the open air" takes place on a split U-shaped bench seat in the self-draining cockpit. A free-standing table enables socialising evenings in the cockpit; to get on board, guests have to take a large, deep step onto the bench (no cushions here) for side entry. This platform also leads to the side decks, access to which is restricted by the roof extension far aft. The shipyard has also recognised that the bathing platform is too small, making it difficult to climb into the boat from aft, and is planning to lower it for future models.
In general, details that are not quite "round" on our test boat (build number 1) are reconsidered and improved where necessary. This also includes the overall workmanship, as for example seams with plenty of weld spatter, areas already affected by rust, jammed side windows, loose screws and trim metal plates in the stern are not convincing.
Installations: With the exception of an unattached fuel gauge electronics box with "flying" wires, all cables are firmly and securely located in cable ducts or are neatly tucked away in the engine compartment. The latter is easily accessible via an inlaid floor panel in the saloon. The fuel system consists of a plastic tank attached with two straps (with inspection hatch) and diesel filter directly on the engine; no stopcock. The technicians only attached most of the fuel hose connections with a screw clamp.
Power is supplied by two AGM batteries (130 Ah), an 85 Ah lead-acid battery and an Optima battery (with its own main switch) for the stern thruster. Further main switches are located under the driver's floor, where you will also find the automatic switches for the 230 V system. To get to the 12 V automatic machines (under the driving position), you only have to open a wall flap in the toilet compartment. From there, the observer also has a good view of the neat wiring of instruments and switches, which are located on the clearly organised dashboard.
In front of the driving position, the driver sits on a suitably upholstered one-man bench that cannot be adjusted. Legroom and footrest are acceptable, the steering wheel and gearstick are unrestricted. The only drawback: the standing height of 1.70 metres prevents relaxed driving while standing. The rider remains completely stress-free when travelling in a straight line: after a short levelling phase, the hull moves stubbornly in the desired direction, which even weight shifts by one person do not change.
In fast bends at a good 7 knots, the boat only leans on the outside of the bend for a short time and then turns almost horizontally for its two boat-length laps. The steering always remains smooth, and the rudder angle indicator makes it easy to find the straight course again. A good three Beaufort on the Kölpinsee does not affect the course stability in the slightest, even when travelling sideways in waves - only a few drops hit the windscreen.
If you keep the engine running at around 2000 rpm, you can also make economic progress at just under 6 knots. With a fuel consumption of 0.56 l/sm, the huge 400-litre tank is sufficient for 602 nm plus 15% reserve. If the engine is run at full throttle, the speed increases by just over one knot, while the range is reduced by more than half; the maximum noise level of 71 dB/A is kept within limits.
Back in the harbour, our test Aventura is easy to moor with bow and stern thrusters (both extra). The high bulwark takes some getting used to, as it is difficult to estimate the distance between the hull and the bridge. On the other hand, the interior side height of over 1.00 m is impressive. Non-slip structures in the cockpit, on the side decks and on the foredeck guarantee stability, while sturdy railings and handrails do the rest.
The hand bilge pump is missing from the equipment. Conveniences such as heating, boiler, anchor winch and shore connection are best ordered in an optional package that also includes bow thruster, log and plumb bob, rudder angle indicator, battery charger and sliding window in the saloon.
Conclusion:The Aventura 34 OK Classic is a displacement boat designed for two people on the water. Some of the workmanship scores minus points, as do some of the details. The performance is good; the long range makes the boat an endurance runner.
