BootsCheck: Weekender made of carbon - Say 42

The lake is still. There are no ripples off Bodman on Lake Constance today, in the middle of summer. The rough water test with the brand new SAY 42 therefore has to be cancelled, but at least we can try out the "breathtaking acceleration" that SAY CEO Karl Wagner promised us. The Austrian bought SAY Carbon Yachts, a small, fine address in the Allgäu region, a few years ago and is gradually transforming the brand. Wagner is regarded as one of the most experienced carbon experts in Europe, used to be a supplier to Formula 1, among others, and relies exclusively on the lightweight material at SAY. "The low weight only has advantages," he says. "We need less power to reach high speeds and consume even less fuel in the process."

Wagner ordered the stylish design of the almost 13 metre long and four metre wide weekender from an automotive specialist to match its performance. KET, not abbreviated to Karosserie Entwicklung Thurner, from Munich, drew a very sporty boat, in which the exposed sunbathing area in the stern, the wide bathing platform and the large skylight in the bow are particularly striking. Construction number one, which we enter via an electrically extendable gangway, still has minimal cosmetic defects - the coronavirus pandemic has also affected SAY's supply chains.

Need more information? You can find the Say 42 review with technical data and further images in BOOTE issue 12/2020, available from newsagents from 18 October 2020 or online at Delius Klasing Shop.

Two 430 hp petrol engines from Volvo Penta (V8-430 DPS 6.2 l) work in the engine compartment under the "sunbathing area" on this SAY, while slightly more powerful 7.4 l engines from Ilmor can also be supplied as an option. These are 483 hp strong and should take the boat over the magic 50 knot mark. The SAY 42 can bunker 800 litres of fuel for its fast cruises; at over 40 knots, this is used up after a good three hours with the Volvo engines, at 30 knots it is sufficient for 235 nautical miles and at 20 knots for 255 nautical miles - including a 15 percent reserve.

Before we cast off, we briefly inspect the equipment of the 4.3-tonne boat. Behind the sunpad in the rear, six guests can use a table with integrated glass and bottle holders, while a refrigerator provides sufficient supplies. Alternatively, the table can be lowered to create a second, more sheltered sleeping area. Quickly needed items such as jackets, bags or shoes can be stored in the stowage compartments in the bulwark; aft, two tensioned nets prevent bags, dogs or even children from slipping through. The cabin, which is accessed via a carbon fibre door (of course!), has sufficient headroom (1.90 m), enough space to sleep overnight - ideally for two people - and a veritable bathroom with shower.

At the narrow berth, someone has to go forward for the manoeuvre. Access is via steps to starboard in the helm station, which saves time and distance. The foredeck offers wide teak surfaces around the skylight that illuminates the cabin, right up to the anchor, which rises out of its box and forwards at the touch of a button before lowering itself and its 30 metre-long chain.

For now, however, we push the levers towards the dashboard and notice the advantages of the lightweight construction. The Garmin screens already show over 40 knots after about 30 seconds; the SAY 42 reaches 46 knots today. An optimisation of the propellers should still ensure one or two knots; however, the shipyard says that the installation of the somewhat more powerful Ilmor engines is necessary for the 50 knots. In tight bends, the SAY 42 makes its rounds safely even at top speed; even when turning quickly, it practically runs on rails. The seats at the helm - like the mast, also made of carbon fibre - can be adjusted both in height and in distance to the steering wheel. Even in bright sunlight, the screens reliably display all information. The installation of a seakeeper stabiliser will prove to be a big plus in rough seas; we would like to see a few extra handrails in such situations - even at the expense of the styling.

With a price tag of just under 700,000 euros, the SAY 42 is not exactly a bargain, but two units have already been sold to Ibiza and another to Lake Garda. If the sales success continues, SAY would like to expand the shipyard.