Boats from an accessories dealer? At A. W. Niemeyer, it's a completely normal thing. For years, a wide variety of inflatable boats have been on the catalogue pages of the "outfitter", and since the beginning of 2017 there are now also three different boats made of glass fibre-reinforced plastic with the name OceanBay.
It starts with an open console boat (4.26 m), continues with a 4.50 m cabin boat and ends with the MM-500 Classic with sprayhood over the centre deck. Our test boat is the OceanBay MM-450 Cabin.
It can be equipped with an outboard motor with a maximum output of 60 hp. We drove the licence-free 15 hp version - just the thing for beginners who want to try it out first.
The good thing about this is that anyone who is gripped by boat fever and has obtained a driving licence can simply fit a more powerful engine (or have one fitted), get the OceanBay planing and make faster progress.
Our test engine, an OceanCraft F15, also comes from Niemeyer and is sold exclusively there. The programme includes a total of five models (2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 25 hp). If we push the lever of our 15 hp engine all the way forwards, we reach a speed of 6.3 kn at 4200 rpm.
According to the manufacturer, the engine should turn at least 4500 rpm; a sign that the propeller is one size too big - at least if you are travelling in pairs like us. At just under 5 knots, the boat reaches around its hull speed and can travel around 30 nm plus 15% reserve on one tank of fuel (12 litres).
Not particularly generous, but still acceptable for such a boat-motor combination, especially as an additional 5-litre reserve canister increases the range by 15 nm. Anyone chugging across the water like this can do so in peace, as the noise level is kept within limits at 79 dB(A).
There is also no need to worry about wildly cranking the steering wheel, as the hull runs straight except for a few swerves. Weight shifts by one person have a moderate effect, depending on the size of the boat.
The wind is clearly noticeable, the 4 to 5 Beaufort on the test day already had a clear influence on the course stability. The offset is particularly pronounced when the camper top (extra) is set up, which provides a huge surface for the wind to attack. Harbour manoeuvres are of course also influenced by this fact, which requires some skill in such conditions.
At a fairly windless corner we noted tight turning circles and direct reversing, which is of course favourable for harbour manoeuvres.
The skipper sits at a bare driving position without instruments. The gearstick and steering wheel are easy and precise to operate. The only drawback: when I lean back on the swivelling bucket seat, I can't reach the steering wheel.
There is no special passenger seat; the rest of the carpool sits on the benches in the cockpit that match the boat. They spend the night on simple cushions in the cabin. Tricky: There is an indentation on the port side of the cockpit where long people can put their feet.
When it comes to installations and processing, the picture is mixed. The list of safety equipment does not include bilge pumps and fire extinguishers. You also pay extra for the lighting and the horn as well as the associated fuses and switch panel. The standard trailer, on the other hand, is exemplary.
Conclusion
The OceanBay MM-450 Cabin is an affordable cabin cruiser that is suitable for discovery tours and occasional overnight stays; however, the owner should not expect too much comfort. Practical: With a larger motor, you can "teach the boat to run".
This test comes from BOOTE 8/2017
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