Frauscher 1212 Ghost Air: Luxury day cruiser impresses with technical details
Thomas Gerzer and Stephan Everwin, head developers at the Frauscher shipyard on Lake Traunsee in Upper Austria, are known for their unconventional designs: minimalism, uncompromising performance and clear edges are their trademarks. You could almost say boat design with a straight stem and a straight look. The Mirage, Fantom, GT, Demon and, last but not least, the current Ghost Air models are all from her pen. Michael Frauscher, head and mastermind of the shipyard, puts it in a nutshell: "The 1212 Ghost Air is familiar in design and lavish in comfort".
Test drive on Lake Garda
Our test boat on Lake Garda is light and airy. At 12 metres in length, it is the smaller but no less dynamic sister of the two-metre longer 1414 Demon Air.
With a centre helm position, large bow area and generous sunbathing areas in the stern, it is the logical further development of the classic walkaround concept. The frameless windscreen and the T-top made entirely of carbon emphasise the lightweight appearance of the luxury day cruiser. As the new representative of the Air series, the Ghost not only looks airy, but also offers a feeling of lightness and freedom when riding. The designation "Air" is fully justified and could not be better realised.
A door with stairs is integrated into the cabin at the front of the driver's cab, which has sleeping accommodation for two people and a small bathroom with a shower at a standing height of 1.90 metres. Both are rather unagitated and manageable in the truest sense of the word, but sufficient for one or two nights.
Both the cockpit and the bow offer plenty of space for family and friends. The driving position features stylish round instruments combined with a 12-inch Garmin plotter for navigation and engine data. The joystick and Volvo EVC gearstick are easily accessible in the centre. The driver sits comfortably on well-shaped leather single armchairs.
Frauscher 1212 Ghost Air offers space for 12 people
Thanks to hydraulically movable furnishings, the outdoor area can be transformed as required in a matter of seconds. The open foredeck area, which has just been used as a sunbathing area or even as a dance floor with a high-end fusion audio sound system on the open sea, can be transformed into a floating restaurant with space and comfort for up to 12 people at the touch of a button thanks to the hydraulic ingenuity of a retractable teak table and a barbecue and cooking area integrated into the sides of the boat.
The stern not only contains the extensive technology with the engine room, the generator and an 850-litre fuel tank, but also two well-padded sunbathing areas in a comfortable inclined position and the teak-covered bathing platform with ladder. At the touch of a button, the hydraulics also provide a quick insight into the heart of the modern technology. If everything works... If not, you will have to look for the hydraulic hand pump and open the doors and hatches with muscle power.
The engineers have really let off steam. Anything that needs to be moved can be raised or lowered, pushed or folded on the Ghost Air at the touch of a button. And all within a few seconds. Visually futuristic, every detail. Whether it's the fully automatic anchor gear, the opening of the engine compartment or the technical compartment under the driver's seats, every movement is a visual presentation worthy of a social media post. The Ghost accelerates on all levels.
Measurement data of the Frauscher 1212 Ghost Air
Let's move on to what the Ghost Air is made for: the 8-tonne boat completes harbour manoeuvres in exemplary fashion thanks to the joystick control and bow thruster. The flat silhouette takes the fear out of side winds and with turning circles of around one boat length to either side, it can be manoeuvred extremely precisely in tight situations even without bow thruster assistance. If we increase the speed of the Volvo D6 440 installed in the twin pack, we reach the lower planing limit at around 2000 rpm and 16 knots. From now on, the full engine torque of around 1000 Nm is also available, which is noticeable during further acceleration through vehement propulsion. 400 revolutions more and the Ghost glides at 25 knots, well-trimmed and economical, which corresponds to a range of 260 nm plus 15 per cent reserve. For those who want to have more fun with the Ghost, there are now 1300 revs of "fun reserve" available. We want and drive Volvo's 5.5-litre engines to their maximum speed of 3700 rpm as specified by the manufacturer.
Reaching the maximum speed without any problems indicates that the propeller has been optimised. The log shows 45 knots and the total consumption rises to 170 litres per hour. Naturally, the range decreases at full throttle, but at just under 200 nm (plus 15% reserve) it still remains within the acceptable range for a 12 metre boat. This reflects, among other things, the advantages of the 850-litre tank, the comparatively low weight and the low water resistance of the double-stepped V-hull.
The same applies to cornering. At hard rudder speeds of 30 knots, the boat continues to turn unperturbed, but from 35 knots up to top speed with increasing lean angles without hooking in dangerously or rocking up. We pay tribute to the engineers for this.
Conclusion
Let's summarise: Despite its considerable dimensions of 12 metres by 3.5 metres, the Ghost Air always conveys the feeling of being on a sports boat. The performance is impressive and the feedback to the driver is prompt. The open design of the boat allows the elements of water and air to merge when travelling at up to 45 knots across Lake Garda, whose shades are reflected above us in the high-gloss T-top. The Ghost is what it wants to be. Reduced to the maximum.
Technical data
- Shipyard: Frauscher /AT
- Type: 1212 Ghost Air
- CE category/persons: B/12
- Length over everything:11,90 m
- Width: 3,50 m
- Weight: 8 t
- Berths: 2
- Tank capacity:850 l
- Motors: 2 x Volvo Penta D6 440
- Max. speed:45 kn
- Base price: 876,000 euros
- Contact: www.frauscherboats.com
