With the new Range Cruiser series, Linssen wants to awaken the spirit of adventure and give owners their own individual freedom. How great is this freedom? Quite a lot, because islands such as Bornholm can easily be included in the route planning - Linssen classifies our test boat Range Cruiser 450 in CE category B (outside coastal waters). However, the Range Cruiser 450 Variotop has a clearance height of just 3.45 metres so that you don't have to limit yourself to sea areas, but can also include inland areas on the plan.
If you want to cruise for a long time, you need the right engine and the right tank capacity. Linssen solves this with a diesel engine (150 hp) and a tank capacity of 1260 litres + 40 litre day tank or, as on our test boat, with two 120 hp Steyr diesel engines and a fuel supply of 1260 + 2 x 50 litre day tank capacity. The advantage of twin engines is that if one engine fails, the second engine can be used to reach the harbour without any problems (max. 7 knots). Another safety factor is the day tanks, with which the engines draw in extra purified fuel and do not go over the entire large tank volume, where the risk of drawing in contaminated diesel is greater.
If the two Steyrs are turned at 1800 rpm, the speed of just under 8 kn is just below the theoretical hull speed, and the result is a non-stop journey of around 500 nm plus 15% reserve. A remarkable value for a displacement boat that rightly bears the designation "range cruiser" (as it claims 430 nm). On the other hand, if you're in a hurry and go full throttle, you won't even get half as far at just under 9.5 kn (2500 rpm). Canal cruisers are easily in the four-digit nautical mile range.
Our test version makes it easy for anyone travelling by sea. With the self-steering system, the Linssen always heads in the direction entered and the skipper only has to keep an eye out. On rivers, there is also no need to rush, as the Range Cruiser 450 is stable on course. In tight, full-throttle bends, the boat laps flat as a board and rocks easily into its own wave.
In choppy water (at 4 to 5 Beaufort) on the Grevelingenmeer, the hull sets a smooth and stable course against the waves. The wind carries the spray onto the windscreen, but the three large windscreen wipers can cope with it without any problems. The "Rotor-swing 140" stabilisation system is switched on to reduce rolling in sideways waves, and the Linssen is much more stable.
In the harbour, mooring is effortless with two thrusters (stern costs extra) and gearboxes engaged in opposite directions. The two gear levers can be operated smoothly and without restriction. The same applies to the steering wheel and the two thruster levers to the left. The well-positioned rocker switches and the instrument panel are also praised. The driver sits on a 1 1/2 bench seat with good upholstery and a tubular steel frame as a footrest.
As the bench is too narrow for two adults, the rest of the travelling party sits on the upper saloon seating area with a free-standing table. From there, you have a good all-round view and a generous feeling of space, especially if you fold away the aft doors completely and open the Variotop in the saloon roof (electrically).
The dining area (comfortable for four people) is located one floor below. When seated, however, guests only have a limited view of the outside. Opposite is the galley, which has everything you need to prepare hot and cold meals and store provisions and crockery. Further forward, the owner's cabin with double bed is located directly in the bow. On the port side, the designer has fitted a cabin with two single beds, which can be converted into a double berth with an extra bed and cushions.
The latter have holes under the cushions for ventilation, while the owner's berth offers even more comfort with a slatted frame under the comfortable cushions. The shipyard installed a separate toilet room (accessible from the owner's cabin and hallway) and an extra shower room on our test boat, which is only accessible from the hallway.
If you want more comfort here and are frequently travelling with overnight guests, you can opt for the solution with a separate shower and toilet room for the owner and an extra room (accessible from the hallway) with shower, toilet and washbasin for the guests. However, this reduces the size of the galley and dinette.
The cockpit has a rear bench seat with fixed cushions and a wooden table (free-standing). The cockpit furniture can easily be extended with additional free-standing furniture. In contrast to the Weelhouse version with a fixed roof, our Variotop version has a fabric bimini over the cockpit area.
To ensure safe and comfortable access to the large bathing platform, Linssen equips both versions with two stern passages. The bathing ladder is huge and can be easily operated from the water. Non-slip floor structures on all steps and solid railings and handrails ensure safe movement.
Linssen only equips the bilge pump with electric pumps. On the other hand, the presence of two fire extinguishers and a fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment is perfect. The latter has a headroom of around 1.33 metres, which makes servicing sufficiently easy for the technician. There are plenty of cables and pipes in the engine compartment of the well-equipped test version, and they are laid and fastened appropriately. Also carefully executed: electrical system, tank and water system as well as the entire boat processing.
Conclusion: The boat is a "typical Linssen" that absolutely lives up to its designation "range cruiser" in terms of equipment and range.
Data sheet: Linssen Range Cruiser 450 Variotop
Shipyard: Linssen Yachts B.V.
Type designation: Linssen Range Cruiser 450 Variotop
CE category: B - Outside coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Steel
Length: 14,45 m
Width: 4,40 m
Displacement: 20,50 t
Price: 620.100,00 €
Ralf Marquard
Deputy Editor in Chief BOOTE
