Astondoa is better known among lovers of larger yachts. The traditional Spanish shipyard from Santa Pola, south of Alicante, has been manufacturing yachts since 1916. As was customary at the time, the company began with wooden fishing boats. After a break during the Spanish Civil War, leisure boats were also added. It was not until the 1980s that the company switched from wood to fibreglass, and later to steel and aluminium. By 2006, the company had grown to over 500 employees with an enormous range of products.
Not quantity, but quality
To date, over 3000 boats have left the shipyard. The focus of the family business, now run by the fourth generation, is not on quantities, but on quality and a high level of vertical integration. From the development to the construction of all parts, everything is done in-house. Five lines are currently on offer. The new 377 Coupé, which is complemented by the 677 Coupé, is the shipyard's entry-level boat. A 66 Flybridge and the AS series, consisting of the AS5 and AS8, as well as the Century models 100 and 110 are also on offer, and a 125 Century has already been announced. The current programme is rounded off with steel superyachts in the form of the 151 and 197 Steel.
In Germany, Meik Lessig and Enjoy Yachting from Seelze near Hanover have taken on the distribution of these elegant boats. The Astondoa 377 Coupé has enriched the spectrum of the yacht world since the Boat Show in Cannes 2018 and is available with the test engine from 513,128 euros.
A sleek fair-weather boat with plenty of storage space
Several years ago, open centre consoles with larger dimensions were still rarities, but now several manufacturers are romping around in this growing segment. The target group is clearly owners who prioritise fresh air and sunny weather rather than long cruises in adverse conditions. The compartments are also designed for occasional overnight stays rather than week-long stays on board. It is therefore a purely fair-weather boat.
Visitors can access the wide entrance areas to the cockpit via the bathing platform, which is a good one metre long, after a step on both sides. There are no stern doors, which poses a certain safety risk. Three crew members can enjoy the view of the wake on the comfortably upholstered sun lounger in the stern. Below this is a practical storage space for water toys or equipment such as fenders and lines. This is followed by two sofas opposite each other which, with the optional lifting table in the centre, either form a seating group or, when the table is lowered and converted accordingly, create a larger reclining area, with the backrests serving as cushions.
Of course, you don't want to spoil the sleek silhouette of such a speedster with a railing. The shipyard has solved this problem well, as the sides are high and there are handrails and handholds throughout the deck area. This means that the crew is always well protected and safe. The cleats at the front and amidships are retractable, and several retractable fender holders supplement the fastening options for the protective elements.
A wetbar is mounted in front of the seating and lounging areas, which also serves as a mounting platform for the standard T-top and the seats in front of it at the helm. The basic equipment with sink, refrigerator and induction hob is also on board. The skipper and two other crew members can sit in comfortable bucket seats, which can also be used as standing seats, at the helm station in front.
An ingenious anchor construction that makes itself invisible
The steering position is well equipped as standard with the Volvo Penta MFD7607 multi-display, Volvo Penta trip computer and compass; if you want more, you have to pay extra. Of course, comparable components from the respective manufacturers are fitted in other engine versions. The large displays, joystick control and bow thruster on the test boat are optional. A Plexiglas windscreen was fitted in the test boat because the glass screen actually provided was not available according to the importer. However, this is still to be replaced.
It continues in the bow with a large padded sun lounger. Here, too, there are grab handles everywhere to secure the way. At the very front is the ingenious anchor installation, which is concealed behind a panelling when not in use and can be extended electrically at the touch of a button. This complex but indispensable construction costs an additional 9163 euros. Anchor and chain are also included in the price.
That leaves the cabins. Here, the crew can expect a double berth in the bow, which at 1.83 x 1.60 metres is, however, quite small for tall people. The two single underfloor berths amidships measuring 2.00 x 0.90 metres look better, but are only available for an extra charge of 9425 euros. For personal hygiene, there is a wet room with washbasin, electric toilet and shower. A large 130-litre refrigerator below deck can also be ordered as an option. Air conditioning is of course also available, but only in conjunction with the optional generator. A large hatch in the foredeck ensures good ventilation and can be used as an emergency exit.
Fire extinguishers were not fitted anywhere, a minor defect that could be easily rectified. We also mentioned the lack of a manual bilge pump and the undersized extinguishing system in the engine compartment. The importer promised to discuss possible improvements with the shipyard.
Competitors of the Astondoa 377 Coupé
Many motorisation options
There is a wide choice when it comes to motorisation. It starts with outboards in the form of two Suzuki DF 350s or three Mercury Verado F300 V8s. Those who prefer inboards can opt for two Volvo Penta D4-270 DPI diesel engines, which are also the basic engines. However, D4-300, D4-320 or D6-380 can also be ordered. If you want a petrol engine, you can also order the Astondoa 377 Coupé with two Volvo Penta V8-300 DPS. The test boat was fitted with a D4-320 with 235 kW (320 hp), which we consider to be a good choice.
The power is transferred to the water by Z-drives, which on the test boat were equipped with an optional joystick control that made manoeuvring child's play. But even without this aid, harbour manoeuvres are no problem with a turning circle of around two boat lengths and good reaction times when reversing.
Outstanding driving characteristics
If you bring the levers to the stop, you will reach stable planing speed after seven seconds at 2500 rpm and 17.6 knots. It is remarkable that the bow rises only slightly. After 20 seconds, the maximum speed of 34.9 kn is reached at the rated speed of 3600 rpm. We determine the efficient cruising speed at 3000 rpm with 25.8 kn. The drives draw 77 litres per hour from the 800-litre reservoir. After deducting a 15 per cent reserve, this results in a range of 228 nautical miles.
Measurement results:
The Astondoa 377 Coupé has excellent sailing characteristics. When travelling over waves, the hull dives in smoothly, which indicates good rough water characteristics. Full circles at high speed are mastered with four boat lengths in diameter. The inclination of the hull remains completely uncritical and leaves the crew with a great feeling of safety. Overall, the boat's handling characteristics are excellent. The same judgement applies to the workmanship and assembly of all components. Cleats, fender holders and all handrails make a rock-solid impression. There is plenty of space in the engine compartment for servicing. According to the importer, the few faults we criticised are still to be rectified.
Conclusion
The Astondoa 377 Coupé is clearly an eye-catcher that attracts a lot of attention in any harbour. Anyone looking for a fair-weather boat with excellent workmanship and outstanding handling characteristics should have the Spanish diva on their list. The motorisation in the test boat is a good choice.
Our test verdict on the Astondoa 377 Coupé
DRIVING & MANOEUVRING
- +Easy manoeuvring
- +Safe driving characteristics in all situations
PROCESSING & TECHNOLOGY
- +Professional installations
- +Good workmanship
SAFETY
- -No rear doors
- -No hand pump, missing fire extinguisher
COMFORT ON BOARD
- +Good freedom of movement
- +High-quality, comfortable upholstery
Technical data Astondoa 377 Coupé
The boat
- Shipyard: Astondoa/ES
- Type: 337 Coupé
- CE category: B/12 persons
- Hull and deck: Plastic
- Length over everything: 11,61 m
- Width: 3,56 m
- Displacement: (empty with test engine) 9700 kg
- Depth: (with drive) 1.15 m
- Clearance height: 3,61 m
- Fuel tank: 2x 400 litres
- Water tank: 200 l
- Holding tank: 120 l
- Berths: 2, opt. 4
- Bunk dimension: Bow 160 x 1.83 m; underfloor 2x 0.90 x 2.00 m
- Standing height:Cabin up to 1.84 m; wet room 1.84 m; under sunroof 2.04 m
- Cockpit size: 3.23 m x 2.94 m
- Sunbeds:Foredeck 1.80 m x 2.05 m; cockpit 0.40 x 1.95 m; stern 1.74 x 1.90 m
- Freeboard: 0,76 m
- Interior cockpit side height: 0,50-0,97 m
- Turning circles (boat lengths): forwards tr. 2, bb. 2; backwards tr. 1.8, bb. 1.8
- Change from starboard to port: 3 s
- Change from port to starboard: 3 s
- max. motorisation:Outboard 2x 257 kW (350 hp) or 3x 221 kW (300 hp) or inboard, 2x diesel and petrol each 199 kW (270 hp)-280 kW (380 hp)
- Test motorisation: 2x Volvo Penta D4-320 235 kW (320 hp)
- Price (standard boat with test engine): 513.128 €
- Dealer proof: www.enjoy-yachting.de
The motor
- Manufacturer: Volvo Penta
- Type: D4-320
- Performance: 235 kW/320 hp
- Full load speed: 3600 rpm
- Cylinder:4 R
- cubic capacity: 3670 cc
- Fuel: Diesel
- Cooling: Water/double circuit
- Generator: 12 V/150 A
- Gear ratio: 1,85 : 1
- Test propeller: H6
Standard equipment
T-top; bathing platform; Silvertex outer cushions; wetbar with sink, 65-litre refrigerator and induction hob; three seats at helm position; stern shower hot/cold; electric toilet; shower; starter batteries 2x 90 AH; AGM battery 1x 160 AH; battery master switch; two electric bilge pumps; Volvo Penta MFD7607 multi-display; Volvo Penta trip computer; compass; navigation lights; canvas cockpit table; canvas helm position
