Test: Karnic CS700 S - Cabin cruiser with a wide range of cockpit variants
Ralf Marquard
· 03.05.2023
In this article:
Karnic Powerboats are based in Cyprus and produce sports boats between just under 5.00 metres and 11.46 metres in length. The boats are divided into different model series. We drove the CS700 S from the Cabin Cruiser model series. The boat is a good 7.50 metres long and offers a cabin with a double berth and a separate toilet room as well as a large cockpit. The owner can choose between two helm station layouts: with swivelling single seats or, like our model, as a weekender version with a double bench at the helm station and a pantry block on the port side.
Folding benches in the side walls, a cockpit table and a stern sunbed can also be ordered for both layouts. The equipment list also includes a long bathing platform with ladder and cushions for a bow sunbed. If you want to fully equip the galley block, the optional equipment includes a 1-burner gas cooker and "Igloo Coolbox 34 l". A 12 V refrigerator is available for the cabin, where it is installed in the cupboard at the entrance. If you want the entire outdoor area to be particularly non-slip and also look good, you can order sea deck flooring. Upholstery is available in a wide range of colours and there is also no shortage of canopy options. On our test boat, a convertible top with sturdy poles is installed, which offers a standing height of just under 2.00 metres.
The cab of the Karnic CS700 S
First into the cabin: there is a seating area here, which can be transformed into a double berth in no time at all with centre cushions. The upholstery is firm and comfortable. There are shelves behind the backrests, storage compartments under the seat cushions and storage compartments in the cupboard. On the starboard side, the shipyard has arranged a toilet compartment, which is only equipped with a washbasin as standard. If you want a toilet, you have to pay extra and can choose between a chemical toilet and a marine pump toilet. The latter is installed on our test boat, costs 1,566 euros extra and is installed together with a faeces tank. The route from the cabin to the cockpit is via a step and through a sliding door (with locking mechanism).
In the "open-air arena" on the port side is the aforementioned galley block, which on the test boat is equipped with the two additional options of a cooker and ice box. The seating area consists of fold-out side benches, a stern bench and a further seat that folds out from the rear of the driver's bench. A special feature is a rail system on which the rear bench runs. When pushed aft, it functions as a lounge bench for the seating area; when pushed forwards and with the backrest folded down, it functions as a bench facing the opposite direction of travel with a view of the bathing platform. There is a bathing ladder on the port side of the platform (easy to operate from the water) and a stern shower. The foredeck is a nice place in the sun, where the test boat offers a comfortable spot with a double sunbed (with adjustable head cushions). The path to the foredeck leads over non-slip side decks about 0.19 metres wide, and you can hold on to the window frame and railing.
About the driving characteristics
We take a seat on the double bench and sail out of our home harbour on the Doven Elbe towards the Tatenberg lock, which we can enter after a short wait. Mooring at the sheet pile wall is no problem. When we leave the lock, we leave the engine running at idle and sail behind the lock at a higher speed (around 1,500 rpm) and around six knots towards the Elbe. The Karnic stays on track and only needs to be corrected a little. If a person moves from one side to the other, this has little effect on the course stability. We then push the throttle lever fully forwards and the Karnic starts to glide after a good three seconds. The bow lifts only moderately and the foresight is maintained. With power trim (cruising trim about 1/2 on the display), the Karnic also manages to glide, but this takes longer and the bow moves into the field of vision. From around 3,700 rpm we achieve a good speed, we calculate the economic planing speed at 4,000 rpm, then the CS700 S travels at 23.2 knots and consumes 1.18 litres per nautical mile, which in turn results in a range of 144 nautical miles plus 15% reserve. A value that is quite suitable for this type of boat. Full-throttle pilots (36.4 knots) can theoretically still manage 92 nautical miles.
If you turn the rudder vigorously back and forth at high speed, the hull swings easily over the longitudinal axis. There is also no unpleasant surprise if you twist the rudder; the test boat only sets moderately with the stern and then continues on a stable course. As the circles get tighter and tighter, the boat lies on its side in typical glider fashion and makes its rounds with well-sustained lateral forces; if you turn the rudder very tightly, the stern lifts and the propeller draws air, which then ends the "carousel ride". A situation that occurs a little earlier with the engine trimmed. The hydraulic steering unit is smooth and precise in all driving situations. For the rough water test, we only had sports boat waves, which the Karnic hull skips without any problems.
Protected from the wind when travelling fast
To ensure that not only the skipper and co-pilot are protected from the wind at high speed, the shipyard has installed a windscreen that extends far aft. The skipper has a comfortable position directly behind the windscreen and can easily read the instruments and operate the switches next to the steering wheel without any restrictions. The same applies to the single-lever gearstick and the sports steering wheel. When seated, I (1.80 metres tall) prefer to put my feet on the cockpit floor and have plenty of legroom. This is also the case when I fold up the front cushion of the seat and sit down. Then I can look over the windscreen and have a great view on all sides and, of course, the wind in my face.
You can stand on the split bathing platform for the daily visual inspection of the outboard motor. The lines from the outboard motor to the onboard outlet are protected from UV radiation in a flexible plastic hose. They are adequately secured in the stowage box under the cockpit floor and suitably strain-relieved under the driving position. The automatic switches for the 12 V systems are located on a panel by the cabin entrance, and the shipyard has installed an easily accessible selector switch as the main switch. The fuel system has an exemplary water separator and stopcock. Shortcoming: The fire extinguisher costs extra. However, the shipyard supplies a hand bilge pump and electric bilge pump as standard.
Measurement results
Technical data
The boat
- Shipyard:Karnic Powerboats/Cyprus
- Type: Karnic CS700 S
- CE category: C/8 persons
- Hull and deck: Plastic
- Length over everything: 7,65 m
- Width: 2,45 m
- Displacement (n.d.): 1480 kg
- Depth:about 0.80 m
- Clearance height: 1,70 m
- Fuel tank: 200 l
- Water tank: 45 l
- Holding tank: 35 l
- Berths: 2
- Bunk dimension: 1.90 m x 1.75 m
- Standing height: Cabin 1.50 m; WC compartment 1.27 m; under convertible 1.98 m
- Cockpit size:2.75 m x 1.95 m
- Sunbeds: Foredeck 1.95 m x 1.25 m; cockpit 1.95 m x 0.81 m
- Freeboard (rear): 1,02 m
- Interior cockpit side height:0,82 m
- Turning circles (boat lengths): forwards tr. 1 1/2, bb. 1 1/2; backwards tr. 1, bb. 1
- Change course: from Stb. to Bb. 2s; from Bb. to Stb. 2 s
- max. motorisation: Outboard engine 1 x 184 kW (250 hp)
- Test motorisation:1 x Yamaha F200 XB 147 kW (200 hp)
- Price (Weekender equipment with test engine):82 532 € (Q2/2023)
- Distribution (test boat): Gründl Bootsimport, Nordring 1, 25474 Norderstedt, www.gruendl.de
Standard equipment
For Weekender version: Driver's double bench; steering; electric gearstick; cockpit bench; folding bench integrated in driver's bench; pantry block with sink; berth cushions; toilet compartment with washbasin; cupboard in the cabin; bathing platform; stern shower; pressurised water system; stern doors; railing; handrails; four cleats; rub rail; battery; main switch; circuit breaker; fuel shut-off valve; water separator; engine instruments; fuel gauge; bilge pumps; compass; lighting; music system
The motor
- Manufacturer: Yamaha
- Type: F200 XB
- Performance:147 kW/200 hp
- Full load speed: 5000-6000 rpm
- Cylinder:4 in series
- cubic capacity: 2785 cm³
- Fuel: Petrol
- Cooling: Water/single circle
- Generator: 12 V/50 A
- Gear ratio: 1,86 : 1
- Test propeller: Reliance Series 14 1/4 x 17 M
Our test judgement
DRIVING & MANOEUVRING
- +Easy manoeuvring
- +Safe driving characteristics in all situations
PROCESSING & TECHNOLOGY
- +Easy access to vending machines and selector switch
- +Good workmanship
SAFETY
- -Fire extinguisher costs extra
- +Water separator, stopcock, electric and manual bilge pump are standard equipment
COMFORT ON BOARD
- +Modular cockpit design
Conclusion
The Karnic CS700 S is a solid cabin cruiser that can easily accommodate two people overnight. The many design options in the cockpit are practical. Sun-seekers will be just as happy as bathers or water sports enthusiasts who want to have fun behind the boat. With the 200 hp Yamaha, the Karnic is a safe ride.
