Make two out of one" was the motto of the Finnish Axopar shipyard when it came to redefining the popular 24 model, which no longer quite fitted in with the new look of the Axopar fleet. Instead of a new edition of the old boat with two half-open berths, the shipyard preferred to create two models at once: an Axopar 25 with a very spacious slip cabin (test in BOOTE 2/22) and an open model 22, the T-top version of which was recently voted "European Powerboat of the Year". The jury of the biggest motorboat magazines quickly agreed without much discussion, because the Axopar 22 has qualities that hardly any other boat of this size can match.
As with all Axopars, the design team focussed in particular on the sailing characteristics during development. In addition, the Axopar 22 was to have a centre console that could be accessed from both sides, plenty of space for seven people on the foredeck and aft deck and a fully-fledged and enclosed toilet room. A complete novelty on such a small boat without a cabin.
A special feature of Axopar is its limitless variability in terms of equipment and fittings. This means that even when ordering an Axopar 22, you can create a boat from a portfolio that is completely customised to your own preferences. There are three options for the stern section alone: a single bench seat, a U-shaped sofa that can be converted into a sunbathing area, or a practical multi-storage box moulded into the deck that also serves as a comfortable sunbathing area.
We compared three versions on the Moselle: the award-winning T-Top version, the Spyder version with bimini and the X-Jobe Revolve (green) version, which comes with a complete set of water toys such as kneeboards and wakeboards.
The boat
- Shipyard:Axopar Boats/Finland
- Type:22
- CE category: C/7 persons
- Hull and deck: plastic
- Overall length: 7.20 m
- Width: 2.23 m
- Weight (without outboard motor): 1250 kg
- Draught: 0.80 m
- Clearance height (T-top): 2.30 m
- Fuel tank: 230 litres
- Water tank: 42 litres
- Holding tank: 25 litres
- Berths: 2+2
- Headroom: under T-top 1.85 m
- Cockpit size: 2.75 m x 1.74 m
- Sun lounger: Multistorage 1.50 x 1.00 m; U-shaped sofa 1.90 m x 1.40 m
- Freeboard: 0.68 m
- Interior cockpit side height: 1.08 m
- Max. motorisation: 1 x outboard engine, 149 kW (200 hp)
- Test engine: 1 x Mercury Verado F200, 149 kW (200 hp)
- Price (standard boat with testm.):
- Spyder with bimini:72,101 euros
- T-Top: 75,349 euros
- Spyder X-Jobe Revolve: 79,920 euros
- Distribution (test boats): Boote Polch KG, D-56841 Traben-Trabach, www.bootepolch.de
The sharply cut two-stage hull is the same on all boats, the models differ only in the T-top and the equipment package of the X-Jobe Revolve, which has a Jobe SUP board anti-slip coating on the deck, for example, giving it a particularly sporty and young look.
The shipyard has put a lot of effort into the hull design. The hull has a particularly wide beam, which means that it does not taper inwards towards the waterline at the sides, but is slightly curved outwards again, which creates buoyancy and therefore improved swimming stability. This also makes the hull shape look particularly curved and elegant. The only downside is that a rubbing strake is not provided and cannot be ordered as an extra.
The basic version of the Axopar 22 Spyder without engine costs just 35,800 euros ex shipyard, which is a really good price for a boat of such high-quality construction and exemplary workmanship. The standard equipment is already very complete, with even a leather steering wheel, position lighting, a manual bilge pump and even the harbour cover for the driving position included in the basic price. With the smallest engine, a 115 hp Mercury and delivery in Traben-Trarbach on the Moselle, the boat is available from 61,600 euros.
However, the motorisation of our test boats was chosen to be somewhat more powerful; all three boats are equipped with a Mercury F200 Verado (surcharge around 7700 euros), which is also the largest possible motorisation. With the V6, the Axopar 22 is extremely lively and a real fun package. As the speed measurements for the three models revealed hardly any differences, we have not included three tables here. After all, the weight of the boats and the motorisation are almost identical. In order to know exactly how much the Axopar 22 trailer boats weigh, the boats were weighed after the test. With empty tanks and a 2500 kg Ohlmeier trailer, the result was a towing weight of 2310 kilograms, which is actually a little heavy for the planned use as a trailer boat, as a smaller SUV (e.g. VW Tiguan, Skoda Kodiaq) is required for towing. With the smaller 115 hp engine, the boat is only 50 kilograms lighter.
The strengths of the Axopar 22 are obvious: it is multifunctional and is suitable both for the Finn who wants to go to his island in bad weather and for the Mallorcan who goes out for a swim. The latter will appreciate the particularly large bathing platforms on both sides of the engine, where you will want to spend a moment.
The raised hull with a deep cockpit tub offers special protection in cold weather and overcoming spray, making you feel very safe. The same applies to the wide helm position, where the driver and co-driver sit protected behind the wide windscreen, which can also be infinitely adjusted in height using two star screws. And there are plenty of holding options around the cockpit.
The fully-fledged toilet compartment, which is integrated into the front part of the steering position in such a way that you only notice it at second glance, comes as standard. The toilet itself, including waste tank (25 litres), costs 2023 euros extra, a washbasin including water tank and pump another 738 euros. In most cases, however, a Porta-Potti will certainly do the job, because when in doubt, you're not picky if you find a closed-off toilet room and don't have to push a cushion aside on a bunk somewhere.
Depending on the rear option selected, it is even possible to convert the seat of the U-shaped sofa into a sun lounger. A reclining cushion is also available for the multifunctional storage box, although at 1.50 metres in length, the reclining surface is somewhat shorter than the 1.90 metres of the converted U-shaped sofa. The multifunctional box has a reversible backrest so that passengers can sit either lengthways or crossways to the direction of travel. It is suitable for storing water toys such as wakeboards, kneeboards, water skis and similar boards, which are included in the "X-Jobe Exploration Package", which can be ordered separately for 1428 euros. However, it must be criticised that the main battery switch and a few circuit breakers are also located inside this box, which is designed for wet water toys. All other electrics and the circuit breakers for the consumers are easily accessible in the toilet room.
As usual with Axopar, the consumers are activated via pushbuttons at the helm. Even the large 12-inch Simrad plotter looks lost on the huge dashboard. The display is very clear and all engine information can be called up and displayed. Trim tabs, LED deck lights and a sound system from Fusion are available as extras.
With the 200 hp Mercury, the Axopar 22 is extremely stable both in displacement and planing mode. It does not yaw or yaw at all, but runs as if on rails. During the transition to planing speed (2100 to 2300 rpm), the boat lifts its nose slightly, but not so much that it obstructs visibility. The Axopar 22 runs better at around 3000 rpm, which is also its most economical speed range. With a speed of almost 19 knots, it has a range of 187 nautical miles plus 15 percent reserve with its 230 litres in the tank. Consumption is therefore just one litre per nautical mile. The boat reaches its top speed at 5900 rpm and just under 43 knots. It then requires 1.7 litres/sm and still has a range of 111 nautical miles.
During the test drives, the boat impresses with its particularly precise hydraulic steering and directional stability. No matter what we do with the boat, it handles even the roughest turns or hectic evasive manoeuvres with flying colours. Even full throttle turns at 40 knots are possible. At no time is there a tendency to slide off the back or even break away. Thanks to the very ergonomically designed cockpit, the driver also has particularly good control, you almost feel like you've grown into the boat.
Conclusion
With the Axopar 22, the shipyard has achieved a great success. A boat that can unfold its many strengths in both cold and warm conditions and offers space for up to seven people. It also impresses with its excellent handling characteristics, low fuel consumption and numerous equipment options, making it possible for every buyer to order "their" boat.
Need more information? The test of the Axopar 22 can be found with further pictures, measurement results and full evaluation in BOOTE issue 05/2022 - available at newsstands since 20 April 2022 or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
