Before deciding to buy a new boat, the first question is always: "How long should my boat actually be?What do I want to do with it?" If you want to trailer it, you also have to consider the weight of the boat plus trailer. Without an elaborate braking system, the benchmark here is 3.5 tonnes. However, this is too much for a normal mid-range car, as the possible trailer loads are between around 1500 and 2000 kg.Exactly in this category fits our test boatthe Öchsner 20 Yachtline.
According to the manufacturer, with the smallest engine, little equipment and trailer, you can achieve a total weight from 1400 kg. Even the compact car class such as the VW Golf can manage this towing capacity.
TheCabin with double berth and separate toilet room are the focus of the equipment, as they offer the comfort that is appreciated when staying overnight with two adults. They also offer real freedom on the water:Longer tours or overnight stays in anchor bays are no longer a problem. The necessary reclining area (approx. 1.78 x 1.95 m) is created by quickly converting a firmly upholstered bench seat. The upholstery covers are made oftypical smooth imitation leatherwhich prevents moisture from escaping downwards. As an option, the shipyard recommends thin, breathable special pads, which are available at an extra charge.
The cabin area is accessed via a companionway with sliding door (with locking mechanism) and step. To starboard is the aforementioned toilet room and opposite is a small cupboard with a sink for washing hands, brushing teeth or doing the dishes. In theStorage space under the sink fits a compressor refrigerator; otherwise a cool box would be possible, both cost extra. TheLower deck area with two portholes and escape hatch. In the cockpit, the carpool sits on a U-shaped bench, which can of course be converted into a sun lounger.
A particularly clever idea: the front cushion of the double berth fits exactly in the centre of the cockpit seating area - this saves storage space.
If you need to cool off after a hot sunbath, you can crawl directly from the sun lounger via the rear passageway onto the split bathing platform and climb into the water via the appropriately sized ladder with grab handles on the top. The other way round is just as easy, as is folding out the ladder. In other words, plus points not only for comfort, but also for safety.
This category also includes the plug-in bulkhead at the stern passageway, which is used to block the way to the bathing platform, especially for small children. To access the foredeck, there are narrow side decks about 0.10 metres wide. The railing and handrails allow you to climb halfway forwards, but this is not a particularly comfortable route in rough seas.
"You don't have to," says Sven Küffner, commercial manager at Boote Öchsner. "You simply open the escape hatch from the inside, put your upper body and arms through and use the cleats or even operate the anchor from there," he explains to me.
A sufficient number of handholds are available in the self-draining cockpit. The same applies toFire extinguisher, electric bilge pump and a loose manual bilge pump.
Now to the driving: The shipyard recommends outboard engines between 60 and 100 hp. We travelled with the smallest engine because they wanted to show us that you don't need that much power to get the boat planing. The Öchsner team came up with something special for this. In no time at all, half the staff were on board and we were travelling with six people. It must be clear to everyone that the acceleration phase cannot be exactly turbo-like, but despite the four people in the back as well as the driver and co-driver, the engine manages to get the 20 Yachtline planing without a trim aid.
However, we only completed the other test runs in pairs. The most economical planing speed is at a fairly high engine speed, which can be explained by the low engine power. However, thanks to the large fuel tank, even at full throttle (22.6 knots) you can still get noticeably further than the 100 nm we recommend for this type of boat. The power trim is then set to around 1/4. When making fast turns, it should be trimmed all the way to the transom so that the propeller draws air as late as possible. But even with the trim down, at some point it will draw air and you have to start again. However, it is possible to turn on the main without snatching air.
The skipper has everything firmly under control on slalom courses and when the steering is wrenched.
The steering with its ease of movement was particularly favourable. Normal turning circles and direct steering behaviour guarantee safe mooring. There is also no need to rush when travelling at slow speeds, as the rudder only needs to be corrected slightly from time to time. The wide wide-beam hull guarantees good lateral stability.
The gearstick is smooth and precise to operate. However, it is noticeable that the gear lever is close to the steering wheel at full throttle and obstructs the right steering hand - this is particularly annoying when seated. The driver and front passenger sit on firmly upholstered sports seats that can be swivelled and thus integrated into the seating area.
The carpool is protected by a Plexiglas windscreen in a sturdy aluminium frame. There is no windscreen wiper, but according to the shipyard, the windscreen has a nano-coating that allows rainwater to run off easily. We were unable to test whether this is really true, as it wasn't raining.
The skipper has a good view of the engine instrumentsThe same applies to the chart plotter, which, like all navigation instruments, is on the accessories list. To ensure that you are as fully equipped as possible, Öchsner offersa range of accessory packs on. We strongly recommend some of them, because otherwise you won't have important accessories on board for safety and comfort, such as bilge pumps, electric horn, navigation lights approved throughout Germany or the tarpaulin.
You don't have to worry too much about the workmanship of the Öchsner 20 Yachtline, because everything has been carefully executed. This starts with the neatly sealed cut edges and extends to the neat through-bolts on the cleats and handrails and the first-class stitching of the upholstery. The same care was taken with the installations. This includes, for example, clearly and firmly routed lines, two clamps on the fuel hose connections, petrol tap, filter cartridge, selector switch, firmly lashed batteries and a switch panel with fuses.
CONCLUSION
The Öchsner 20 Yachtline is an easily trailerable cabin cruiser that is ideal for travelling with two people. A trip with friends is also possible. The 60 hp is fine, but if you want to go faster more often, you should invest in a larger engine.
