Test: Aqualine 750 Ultra Edition - Family boat from Germany

If you don't want to sail to the different areas on your own keel, you either have to hire a haulage company or choose a boat that you can easily trailer yourself. Our test boat, the Aqualine 750, fits into the latter category.

Practical: With a boat width of 2.50 metres, you can transport them yourself throughout Europe without a special permit.

With an unladen weight (with engine) of around 1500 kg and the special equipment of the Ultra Edition, Frank Schaper from Boots-center B1 recommends a 3000 kg trailer. If you want to travel lighter, you need to slim down on accessories and motorisation and can then get by with a 2500 kg trailer.

The colour scheme on our test boat is particularly striking. The shipyard wants to breathe new life into the industry and has not only given the hull, driving position and convertible top a maritime blue colour, but has also given the Honda a striking decorative stripe along the length of the bonnet.

The paintwork on the engine was done just as well as on the entire boat. With a few exceptions, the inside of the GRP has also been carefully painted. When it came to the interior fittings, we were annoyed by some of the large gaps between the locker and side wall, protruding edges, the missing strike plate on the wet cell door and the "hilly" ceiling - despite the padded ski material.

Better: fixing the hinges with through bolts. So basically a lot is solid, but there is still some catching up to do in the details.

Driving and manoeuvring

Due to the outboard motorisation, the buyer has a wide choice of engines. Our boat is equipped with the maximum permissible power of 250 hp.

"However, we also recommend the 135 hp and 150 hp engines for owners for whom fast gliding is not so important"

said the shipyard manager. With our test engine, we reached more than 40 knots, which can certainly be described as sporty for a cabin cruiser in this category. It must also be clear to everyone that the engine then swallows more than 2 l/sm.

Only about half of it runs through the fuel line at 3500 rpm at 23.3 knots and the 180 litre tank is sufficient for an acceptable 136 nm plus the obligatory 15% reserve. Trimming is done by feel over the entire planing range, because if you overdo it with the power trim, you will notice it in no time at all with a bobbing bow.

At full throttle, you have to run the engine completely without power trim to prevent the Aqualine from rocking. Our test boat is fully equipped with trim tabs, but using them at full throttle and in smooth water would be counterproductive.

They are good for levelling out lean angles caused by wind or one-sided loading. In the transition phase from displacement to planing, the trim tabs are an advantage, but not really necessary, as the Aqualine also planes easily without them.

In a fast gyro, the radius must not be too tight, otherwise the fuselage will start to rock. At an appropriate speed or in turns that are not too tight, the fuselage brakes itself and immediately picks up speed again after steering straight ahead. The driver has everything firmly under control on saloon manoeuvres and when the steering is lost. The same applies to harbour manoeuvres, where the Aqualine shows responsive handling.

The displacement travel is typical, you only have to correct your course slightly from time to time. Here, however, the 1.80 metre tall driver notices that the railing is right in his field of vision. A point that improves noticeably when planing due to the rising bow.

You look through a windscreen that is only slightly tinted. As it is made of plastic, there is no windscreen wiper, which makes driving in rainy weather a blind flight. The view of the instruments is good, and the extensive equipment with navigation electronics was particularly pleasing.

The skipper and co-driver sit on sporty upholstered bucket seats that offer very good lateral support. The front half of the seat can be folded up for travelling in a standing position, giving you plenty of legroom, just like when seated.

The driver can operate the gearstick, steering wheel (height-adjustable) and rocker switch (symbols and indicator lamps) without restriction.

The technicians lay the associated cables in sufficiently tight bundles or in cable ducts. However, we found that a duct in the engine compartment had already been shaken loose. The fuel system is impressive with a stopcock, inspection hatch in the tank (made of plastic, secured with straps) and filter cartridge in the rear box.

The two powerful 100 Ah batteries, secured with straps, are also located there in plastic boxes. They are switched via an easily accessible selector switch.

Of the four berths, the double berth in the bow is easier to reach than the one in the centre cabin with its shallower entrance. This is the best place for children to crawl into. Both berths are not ventilated, but have cosy cushions.

Adults also have enough space in the wet room. A porthole for ventilation, washbasin and an electric pump toilet increase comfort. Shortcoming:The faeces tank is not standard.

Cooking is carried out in the cockpit, where the cook has a single-burner gas hob, sink, fridge drawer and plenty of storage space and work surface. The cleverly foldable rear bench is ideal for coffee mornings or sunbathing. The foredeck offers another sunbathing option, while bathing enthusiasts can romp around on the split bathing platform with a long ladder.

Our conclusion:

With a few exceptions, the Aqualine 750 Ultra Edition is a well-equipped cabin cruiser for a family of four. With a maximum engine power of 250 hp, it is a sporty boat. If you don't want to go so fast, a smaller outboard motor will be fine and save you money.

Data sheet: Aqualine 750 Ultra Editition

Shipyard: Aqualine

Type designation: Aqualine 750 Ultra Edition

CE category: C - Coastal waters

Material of hull and deck: Plastic

Length: 7,50 m

Width: 2,50 m

Displacement: 1,50 t

Price: 89.900,00 €