The Hellwig Marathon V 485 is a sports boat in the 5 metre class. The cockpit is structured with two bucket seats at the front and a U-shaped seating area at the rear that can be converted into a sunbed. There is also a raised stern sunbed. The boat is approved for a maximum of six people and the payload including crew is limited to 600 kg.
The hand-laminated Marathon proves to be a sporty lightweight when towing: the manufacturer states its own weight at around 420 kg in the standard version. Added to this are the engine, fuel tank and optional equipment. Accordingly, we can confirm the shipyard's recommendation to use a trailer with a total weight of at least
1100 kg total weight, which even cars in the small car class are allowed to tow.
On the water, the Mercury F 60 EFI with its 44.1 kW power output provides propulsion for our test boat. However, the four-stroke engine is not the end of the line; according to the shipyard, engines up to 135 hp and a maximum of 220 kg are allowed on the transom. However, the test motorisation is sufficient for small crews and beginners. For larger families and ambitious water skiers, it can be a little more powerful.
The top speed of the combination of Marathon V 485 and Mercury F 60 EFI is 29.5 knots. The rev counter indicates 5800 rpm. A value that fits and shows that the three-blade aluminium propeller with the dimensions 10 1/4" x 14" is a good choice. The Hellwig glides economically at a speed of 4000 rpm and 17.3 knots. Fuel consumption in this situation is 0.51 l/sm, and the noise level is around 81 dB/A at the helm (which is below the BOOTE comfort limit of 85 dB/A). When it comes to range, the Hellwig lives up to its name "Marathon". A full tank of 80 litres of petrol will take you 132 nm "without a break" before the 15 % reserve is reached. That is more than twice as much as we require. If you are travelling at full throttle, you can still cover 103 nm before the reserve is used up.
The Hellwig Marathon V 485 can be manoeuvred and steered safely throughout the entire speed range and does not exhibit any critical behaviour even at top speed. The boat also reveals its manoeuvrability during harbour manoeuvres. The skipper can easily reach the non-slip steering wheel from the height-adjustable bucket seat, which can be moved forwards and backwards. The same model is available for the co-driver. The upholstery is firm without being hard and remains comfortable even on longer journeys. There is a large grab handle in front of the front passenger seat under the lockable glove compartment. This is missing in the area of the comfortable U-shaped rear bench seat. Instead, a teak cockpit table is available for an extra 450 euros.
Also only available from the special equipment list is the customised carpet for buttoning in. Under this, as well as on the bow and the bathing platform, there is an anti-slip structure that provides good grip both wet and dry, thus ensuring safe movement on board. In addition to the non-slip surface in the bow, the shipyard has installed a stable railing that is adapted to the size of the boat. The "nose" of the boat can be accessed via the centre passage in the windscreen made of safety glass - and there on two of the six well-fitting and installed cleats.
OUR TEST JUDGEMENT
Good: manoeuvring, bathing platform/ladder, plastic workmanship and equipment, planing, displacement, steering, technical and electrical installations, main battery switch, movement safety, bilge pump, fire extinguishing device, stopcock, sound insulation, serviceability, range of
beam, instrumentation (engine), navigation lights, windscreen, seats, cushions, sun bed, stowage, cleats, anchors
Sufficient: gear shifting, grab handles
Poor: Instrumentation (navigation), tarpaulin, windscreen wipers
