The Atlantic Marine shipyard's model range comprises four categories. In addition to the Adventure, Suncruiser and Open series, there is also the Day Cruiser. Our test boat, the 690, is the largest representative of this class.
Thanks to the firm upholstery, you sit comfortably on the clearly laid out driving position
Like its siblings, the plastic boat is manufactured by hand in Poland. The quality is considered good in the industry. The shipyard's sports boats are also sold on the Scandinavian market under a different name.
With its compact dimensions and special licence-free width of 2.45 m and a weight of around 1600 kg including engine, the Day Cruiser 690 is easy to hook up. If you want to transport it on the road, you will need at least a trailer in the 2000 kg class and a suitable towing vehicle.
Driving and manoeuvring
Long-shaft outboards with a maximum output of 250 hp are allowed on the stern of the 690. In the case of our test boat, a Mercury Verado 225 is expertly bolted to the transom. This draws its power of 225 hp from six cylinders arranged in series and supercharged by means of a compressor.
A stainless steel three-blade propeller measuring 3 x 14 1/2" x 17" converts the rotary motion into propulsion.
If you want to keep the tail shaft small, do not allow the engine to run at more than 1000 rpm. The speed at this speed is 6 knots. The manoeuvring characteristics at low speed are typical of a planing hull, i.e. the nose dances from starboard to port and back again, whereby the course rarely needs to be corrected by the skipper.
If some crew members change seats at displacement speed, the 690 heels as a result of the weight transfer, but remains stable on course. The transition from displacement to planing takes place between 2500 and 3300 rpm. The bow lifts so far that the seated skipper briefly has no foresight. We have determined 3200 rpm as the lowest planing speed.
The motor-boat combination is stable and easy to drive at 3500 rpm or 20 knots, and is most economical at 4000 rpm. The GPS indicates 26 knots and consumption is 1.32 l/sm. A tank filling of 214 litres is enough for a non-stop trip of 138 nm until the 15 % reserve is reached.
We read a comfortable 75 db(A) from the volume meter. If you put the lever on the table, the rev counter shows a suitable 6000 rpm; this is enough to accelerate the day cruiser to a maximum of 44 knots. Just under 2 l/sm of petrol runs through the fuel line to the engine. At this speed, you have to look out for a bunker station after just 92 nm.
The 690 completes extreme manoeuvres at top speed, such as increasingly tight circles, slalom courses and 180° turns, safely and predictably. However, before you turn the wheel on the former, you need to trim the engine all the way to the mirror.
The hull then brakes down to displacement speed under controllable centrifugal forces without the propeller reaching into the void. As soon as the steering is opened again, the Day Cruiser suddenly picks up speed. The same picture emerges during the 180° turn, whereby the speed remains in the gliding range throughout. On the slalom course, every steering command is implemented directly and controllably by the hull, even in cruising trim; there is no rocking or hooking.
Technology and safety
As mentioned at the beginning, the engine is perfectly bolted. The hoses for the steering and fuel supply as well as the cables between the engine and the boat have been properly laid in a corrugated pipe to protect them from UV rays.
In the stern of the Day Cruiser, the shipyard has fitted a separate fuel filter next to the securely mounted battery. The fuel is supplied via a rubber hose, which is routed to the stopcock and the tank without chafing. The latter is made of plastic and was bolted and foamed in by the Polish boat builders.
The installations on the driver's cab look no less professional. Fusible links have been installed to protect the crew.
These can be accessed via a service hatch located in the cab at the driver's platform. A closer look at these hidden corners reveals that there are some gaps in the protective coating. More effort has clearly been put into the GRP work - we did not notice any defects here during the test.
Our verdict on safety is "light and shade". Praiseworthy: Thanks to teak (an anti-slip structure is standard) on all steps, numerous handholds and the high cockpit interior walls, you can move around safely everywhere. On the other hand, there are two electric bilge pumps on board the Atlantic Marine, but no manual ones.
Living, cockpit and equipment
The easiest way to access the cockpit of the Day Cruiser 690 is via the bathing platform at the stern or from the side. The boatyard has equipped the boat with a stern bench seat with a plug-in table and a wet bar (sink and work surface), which can be upgraded to a galley block with a 39-litre compressor refrigerator with freezer compartment and a single-burner gas cartridge cooker via the accessories list.
The standard version of the cabin includes the V-shaped double berth and a 12 V socket. Light and air enter via the two portholes and the Plexiglas sliding hatch. There are numerous stowage compartments with plenty of space under the berth.
Further equipment options can also be selected here. Among other things, the shipyard has already provided space for a marine toilet system. The difference in height between the cabin and cockpit floor is annoying. We miss an intermediate step for exiting the cabin.
There is nothing else to criticise at the helm. All instruments and switches are easily visible and accessible for the skipper. Once you have familiarised yourself with the double bench, even longer journeys are no problem. According to the BOOTE catalogue of requirements, a compass, a signal horn, a fire extinguisher and a harbour or transport tarpaulin should not be missing on board.
All these accessories are only available on the Day Cruiser 690 for an extra charge; just like the position lights, which are not authorised throughout Germany, this leads to a downgrading in the corresponding areas.
Conclusion:
With a length of 6.85 metres, the Atlantic Marine Day Cruiser 690 offers plenty of space for the crew. The list of accessories includes parts that should be standard equipment. There is nothing to criticise in terms of manoeuvrability and sailing characteristics. One negative aspect is the partially patchy protective coating on an otherwise good, stable GRP finish.
This test comes from BOOTE issue 5/2017
