Whether for fishing, as a tender or for a family outing at the weekend - at first glance, an open boat with a centre console makes sense for everyone and can be used individually. The Italian Capelli 18 also offers enough space for a small family (6 people, category C). For a 5.50 metre long boat, this may seem a little cramped at first, but the space is well distributed thanks to a successful deck layout.
The sunbathing area in the front is upholstered with high-quality Sunbrella fabric, and with dimensions of around 187 cm x 177 cm, there is plenty of space here. However, if you don't just want to use the Freedom for sunbathing, you can quickly convert the sunbathing area and take a seat at the optional wooden table. The crew will find plenty of storage space under the cushions for extended day trips. The good fit of the respective cushions and their support while travelling should be emphasised here. The backrest of the driver's seat can be folded down, allowing the crew to sit on both sides at anchor or in the harbour. A wide bimini is optionally available and provides shade.
The cockpit is kept simple and straightforward. Two digital Yamaha instruments display all the most important data such as speed, fuel level, temperature and revs. The slightly tinted windscreen offers the rider behind the steering position good wind protection, which we were very grateful for during the test and in temperatures around freezing point. The stainless steel steering wheel sits comfortably in the hand and is very pleasant to the touch thanks to its artificial leather cover. The sturdy handle around the steering position not only looks good, but is also stable.
With the 90 hp 4-cylinder Yamaha Vmax, the Capelli Freedom 18 is very well motorised and reaches a top speed of almost 35 knots. From 3500 rpm, the Italian glides down the Main at a cosy 18 knots and reaches its most economical speed range at 4000 rpm and 20 knots. With her 90 litres of super in the tank, she then has a range of 127 nautical miles plus 15 percent reserve - a consumption of just 0.6 litres per nautical mile.
With a little more throttle, the Capelli runs even more dynamically and is a lot of fun to drive. Turning manoeuvres are possible even in the tightest of spaces, and even during fast and extreme planing manoeuvres, the hull sits securely in the water and does not slip away. The operating volume at idle is extremely quiet, but is clearly audible at full load.
- Shipyard: Capelli/IT
- Type: Freedom 18
- CE category: C/6 persons
- Hull and deck: plastic
- Overall length: 5.50 m
- Width: 2.22 m
- Unladen weight (without tyres): 680 kg
- Clearance height: 1.60 m
- Fuel tank: 90 litres
- Freeboard: 0.66 m
- Cockpit side height inside: 0.55 m
- Railing height: 0.25 m
- Sun lounger foredeck: 1.87 x 1.77 m
- Max. Motorisation: Outboard engine 100 kW (135 hp)
- List price (with test engine): € 41885
- Distribution : Boote-Pfister, Wahlweg 6, 97525 Schwebheim, www.bootepfister.de
The GRP work is exemplary in its finish. All technical installations, cables, lines, the fuel filter and the battery are easily accessible and sensibly positioned. In addition to various bilge openings in the floor, an electric bilge pump is conveniently mounted at the lowest point of the hull. The three-step, folding swim ladder installed on the port side is long enough to get back on board in a relaxed manner after swimming. The self-draining and spacious anchor locker with bow roller is not a matter of course on an 18-foot boat, but it is a very nice extra. Only the securing of the cover needs a little reworking. With a stated total weight of the test boat of 850 kilograms including the engine, but without a trailer, the Capelli is also ideal for towing with a normal car and can therefore be used in many areas.
The only really negative points, which actually bothered us enormously during the test, were the stiff steering and the gear lever, which rests on the console at full throttle and which you have to fumble up again when reducing the throttle. A different steering and gearshift system would offer significantly more comfort and even more driving pleasure.
Need more information? You can find the test of the Capelli Freedom 18 with more pictures, measurement results and a full review in BOOTE issue 04/2022 - available from newsagents from 16 March 2022 or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
