The boats from the ZAR Formenti shipyard are popular in the RIB scene because they are characterised by good handling characteristics and high quality. We have also undertaken several tours with a ZAR 53. The North Sea and Baltic Sea were on the itinerary for our travel editors. Our colleagues had a special piece of equipment on board: a tent that allowed the crew to spend the night protected on board. Such a tent is not needed on our test boat, the ZAR 85 SL (Sport Luxury), as it has a cabin with a double berth.
Clean processing
The workmanship: The GRP hull has a high-gloss gelcoat on the outside and the inside is neatly finished with a protective coating. We particularly like the fastening with through-bolts, the nuts of which are fitted with plastic caps on the cleats, for example. The edges of the openings and hatches are neatly sealed and the upholstery work is expertly done. The same applies to the workmanship of the support hoses. ZAR Formenti is also committed to quality in this area, as they manufacture their hoses from the high-quality material ORCA, which is produced by Pennel & Flipo. This is a high-strength polyester with a coating of neoprene and CSM (chlorosulfonated polyethylene), which is characterised by good chemical and UV resistance and therefore guarantees a long service life.
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We enter the boat sideways from the jetty and immediately feel safe, as the ZAR offers good lateral stability. You also feel comfortable in the driver's and co-pilot's seat, as the offshore seats (with front cushions that can be folded up) offer sporty upholstery and lateral support. There are footrests in the driver's and passenger's seats, and the co-pilot also has a solid grab rail in front of him. The skipper operates the two 250 hp Yamaha outboards via the electronically controlled "drive-by-wire" lever and the steering via the so-called "steer-by-wire". Both can be operated smoothly and without restrictions. On our test boat, a Yamaha monitor and a Raymarine Premium navigation kit (optional) display the engine data and electronic chart. Then it's out of Neustadt harbour and on to the Baltic Sea, where the moderate wind (around 4 Beaufort) produced a swell of around level 3 on the test day. I push the throttle forwards and am amazed at how powerful the two outboards accelerate the ZAR 85 SL. This also makes the RIB ideal as a towing boat for wakeboarders and the like. During the transition phase from displacement to planing, the bow lifts only slightly and the foresight is maintained.
Good rough water behaviour
A little further out on the Baltic Sea, the hull shows its best side in rough water, even at higher speeds it starts soft and dry. It also masters cornering with aplomb and keeps to its course. On the fast slalom course, the ZAR swings safely from one side to the other and you always have a good feeling. After analysing the measurement results, it becomes clear that the most economical gliding speed is 25 knots at 3000 rpm. With the 400-litre tank minus 15% reserve, this results in a range of 163 nm, which is a good value for this boat category. At full throttle at 50 knots, you can get a good half as far. At slow speeds, the hull runs true to course and the test boat can be moored precisely in the harbour, thanks to tight turning circles and direct reversing behaviour in reverse. The ZAR is moored to solid cleats, and numerous stainless steel handrails are available for attaching the fenders. All-round protection is provided by a sturdy, thick rubbing strake.
The shipyard provides a 9 kg anchor for anchoring, and an electric winch is on the accessories list. The latter also applies to the sunbed extension (with table and cushions) for the front seating area. If you order this, you can create a huge, comfortable sunbathing area in the bow. The rear bench can also be converted into a large sun lounger on our test boat. The split bathing platform is easiest to access on the port side, as a stern door is installed here (designed as a back cushion for the bench seat). There is also a bathing ladder integrated into the platform on this side, which is easy to use from the water. To rinse the salt off your skin after bathing, there is a standard shower with a 100-litre water tank and electric pressure water pump. The shipyard supplies a 64-litre refrigerator as standard to keep drinks cool, but an optional 90-litre refrigerator is installed in the pantry block on the test boat. In the same block, which is located behind the driver's and co-driver's seats, there is a sink and a two-burner hob, both of which are covered by a hinged bonnet (with brackets and catches). If you want to protect this galley area and the driving position with a roof, you can order a T-top. A premium aft sunroof was installed on the test boat, which is conveniently stowed under the aft bench seat.
Plenty of storage options
There is plenty of storage space throughout the boat. The largest storage space can be found under the cockpit in the aft seating area. To make it easier to open and close this storage space at the touch of a button, an electric drive is included on the accessories list. For sleeping, there is the aforementioned double berth in the cabin, which is easily accessible via an entrance with sliding door. The dimensions of the berth are good for two adults, with a washbasin and storage compartment on the port side under the cushions. Under the centre cushion (extra) on our test boat is a marine toilet (electric), which comes with a holding tank. The ZAR's installations are impressive with firmly and neatly laid pipes. The cables and hoses are laid in protective conduits from the onboard hatch to the two outboards. Two batteries are securely braced in plastic boxes in the large cockpit storage compartment. The filters for the fuel cleaning system are also located here. The electrical system also includes easily accessible main switches, a third battery and a switch panel with automatic switches for the 12 V consumers, which is conveniently located at the helm station. The shipyard supplies navigation lighting as standard, as well as the electric bilge pump and double LED lighting in the cabin. The standard equipment also includes an air pump, paddle, repair kit, piston pump and pressure gauge.
The test of the ZAR 85 SL in the video
Conclusion
- The Zar 85 SL is a RIB that is both sporty and safe when travelling
- It offers plenty of space on deck for a relaxing day on the water
- Two people can easily spend the night on the double berth
Technical data
- Manufacturer: ZAR Formenti/I
- Type: ZAR 85 SL
- CE category: C/14 (optional B)
- Hull: Plastic
- Length: 8,72 m
- Width: 3,30 m
- Displacement (standard boat): 1900 kg
- Depth: about 0.80 m
- Fuel tank: 400 l
- Water tank: 100 l
- Berths: 2
- Bunk dimension: 1.61 m x 2.10 m
- Standing height/seating height: Cabin 1.10 m, above toilet 1.20 m
- Cockpit size: 1.95 m x 3.07 m
- Freeboard: 0,65 m
- Interior cockpit side height: 0,50 m
- Sun lounger: front 1.80 x 2.47 m, rear 1.30 x 1.96 m
- Change course: from Stb. to Bb. 2 s, from Bb. to Stb. 2 s
- Max. motorisation: 2 x outboard engines with 184 kW (250 hp) each
- Test motorisation: 2 x Yamaha 250HP V6 184 kW (250 hp)
- Price (ready to drive with test engine, ex Wilhelmshafen): 229.736 €
- Distribution test boat: buy-a-boat.com
Measured values
Ralf Marquard
Deputy Editor in Chief BOOTE
