The Finnish shipyard Axopar is one of the youngest and fastest-growing shipyards in Europe. It is constantly at the centre of attention with sensational projects and collects awards non-stop, such as the coveted "European Powerboat of the Year 2016" award for the Axopar 28.
We have the opportunity to test two of these excellent boats on the Moselle near Traben-Trarbach. Both 28s have an identical hull, are equipped with different fittings and superstructures and are powered by the latest generation of Mercury outboard engines with different power outputs: the Axopar Cabin with a 300 hp V8 and the T-Top with two V6s of 200 hp each.
The hulls of both Axopar 28s are divided into three segments, which are separated by two transverse steps. They reduce water resistance and are responsible for the fact that little power trim is required when travelling. The vertical bow merges into a sharply cut V-shaped hull, which gradually flattens out towards the stern and is fitted with longitudinal planing steps.
Axopar 28 is available inThree expansion variantsEither completely open as an Open, so the driver and guests can sit on the rear bench under the open sky; as a T-Top with a fixed, stable aluminium tubular frame and fabric roof; or as a Cabin with a fixed superstructure that encloses the driver's cabin and rows of seats. Side doors provide access to the deckhouse of the Cabin version. Light and air still enter through the electrically operated fabric sliding roof.
What all 28s have in common is the open bow with integrated bench seat plus plug-in table.
The aft deck between the rear row of seats or the cabin superstructure and the engine sump can either remain free, in which case there is a storage space underneath, or a pantry block or bench seat can be ordered there. As a further option, the space can also be fitted with a small double cabin, as on the test boats. To gain access to the cabin, you have to fold up the centre seat on the T-top version.
In the Cabin version, access is unobstructed and is only concealed by one half of the folding rear bench seat. However, you do not necessarily have to order the aft cabin to be able to sleep in the cabin. The rear bench seat together with the driver's and front passenger's seats can be converted into a couch with a few somewhat awkward steps plus insert cushions.
Neither the aft cabin nor the versatility of the seating in the cabin make a 28 a real cabin cruiser, more aDaycruiser. Toilet? If ordered, this is located in the storage space with washbasin in front of the driving position and offers sufficient space, albeit with limited headroom. Access is always from the outside from the open bow.
Normally, transverse steps in the fuselage prevent a clean straight run when travelling in reverse. Axopar has this under control. With one motor, the boat moves forwards and backwards at low speed and reacts to rudder inputs with an immediate change of course. Mooring and casting off manoeuvres cause no problems, and full circles in both directions are a maximum of two to three boat lengths. This also applies without question to theDual motorisation.
The bow thrusters are only used in crosswinds or crosscurrents. With barely perceptible trim, both test candidates switch from displacement to planing speed with the best of foresight and accelerate up to maximum speed. With the 300, the GPS logs a maximum of just over 42 knots and with the two V6s just under 49 knots. While the V8 needs 13.4 seconds from 0-60 km/h, we measured a brisk 8.3 seconds with the V6.
After analysing the measurement data, the V8 can be driven economically at a speed of 24 knots in fast planing mode and one tank of fuel theoretically lasts 153 nm non-stop plus 15% reserve. For the two V6s, the measurement data shows that you can travel 3 kn faster in economic planing or cruising mode and one tank of fuel is sufficient for around 162 nm plus reserve.
Both the V8 and both V6 fulfil the minimum ranges required by BOOTE on the Axopar 28.
While the 300 can achieve a range of just under 190 nm on one tank of fuel at 6 knots, with both V6s you have to look around for a refuelling option after just 150 nm. Advantages in favour of the V8 even at full throttle, it can theoretically go almost 30 nm further than the V6. Thanks to the computer, Mercury can check whether the boat, engines and propellers are optimally matched. In addition, they should burn less fuel in the medium speed range.
The sound pressure level meter shows astonishing measured values.
Normally, you would expect outboard motors to exceed the 85 dB/A limit even at low revs, and quickly crack the 100 dB/A mark in a twin pack. But not our test candidates. The V8 and both V6s only reach the 85 dB/A limit from 4500 rpm, above cruising speed. At full throttle with the V8 we reach 88 dB/A and even with the V6 we only reach 90 dB/A. A remarkable, measurable and audible improvement at Mercury.
While the Axopar 37 tested on the Mediterranean in 2016 tended to hold on to the hull in very tight and high-speed bends as well as in 180° turns and ultimately hook in, this has been changed in the 28. With the single engine, there is a short settling movement at 180° turns and speeds of 40 knots, but without the hull hooking in. With the two V6s, on the other hand, you should not make 180° hooks above 40 knots, but rather steer the boat with sensitive fingers and full concentration, as it tends to hook in the end.
If, on the other hand, you delay the rudder rotation for a minimal moment, the hull has time to stabilise. Cornering at any speed is just as problem-free as jerking the steering or navigating a slalom course. Thanks to their deep V-hull, both boats sway noticeably but safely over their longitudinal axis. As the Moselle is not exactly a well-known area for rough water or stormy waves, the issue literally falls into the water.
However, it should be mentioned at this point that Axopar's brand essence includes suitability for use in rough water. Therefore, it is no drama that we have to skip this chapter in this test.
While the windscreen in the Cabin version is slanted forwards and the windscreen wipers are positioned at the top, the windscreen on the T-Top boat is slanted aft with the wipers mounted at the bottom. In the first case, no reflections can be seen in the windscreen; in the second, light-coloured surfaces are visually noticeable. The design of the driving positions is the same, including the fittings.
The Mercury View-Vessel switch and control panel displays all kinds of information about the engine and some of the boat's functions, which, when calibrated, is also visible on the large navigation touchscreen.
There is almost no limit to the playfulness, and for fans of the V8 exhaust noise, Mercury has integrated a switch that can be used to switch the exhaust at idle speed. This produces the typical V8 bubbling sound. In addition to the electronics, an analogue compass indicates north and south. The skipper's and co-driver's seats are also firm and comfortable.Apart from that, there are hardly any criticisms of the driving position.
Both motors are controlled electrically and electronically and have smooth hydraulic control at all times.
The fact that Axopar, as far as the entire exterior and interior finish is concerned, is based onvery high level is part of the shipyard's philosophy. As far as the technology is concerned, the manual helps you to locate the batteries, fuel tap and fuse panels for 12 V or 230 V. On both boats, the engines are neatly bolted to the stern and the supply and control lines run through empty conduits.
What we didn't discover were fuel pre-filters, for which the engine manufacturers seem to be relied upon. Sufficient and suitably fitted cleats earn plus points, and the sensible rubbing strake should also be emphasised.
The fact that both boats have an outboard bilge cockpit and hand bilge pumps is standard Axopar equipment. Also typical of the brand are the open sterns with integrated bathing platforms, on which you will always find bathing ladders with handholds. It is therefore preferable to enter an Axopar 28 from the stern.
On both boats, appropriately dimensioned side decks with sturdy bulwarks, handrails and a railing guarantee a high level of safety.Safe travelling.
