With our test boat, the Atlantic Marine 720 DC, most skippers will certainly not be travelling for months on end, but it is suitable for short trips and weekend tours. This is because the cabin with double berth has a huge sleeping area that can accommodate two adults as well as a child.
If you use the bench as a seat, the headroom of 0.71 metres for adults is not so generous.
Next to the cabin entrance - where you have to take a deep step to get in - there is a chemical toilet (just under 200 euros extra). When not in use, it can be pushed under the cockpit floor. A marine toilet with faeces tank is also available for an extra charge.
When it comes to open-air fun, the first place is of course the "cockpit". There is an L-shaped bench seat here, which can be converted into a lounger using shelves (extra). Although these shelves are not lightweight, they offer good stability.
According to the importer, future models will have the same robustness, but will be one size lighter.
When the shelves are not in use, they are stored dry and secure (holders and straps) in a storage box under the cockpit floor. The backrest of the passenger bench can be folded forwards to increase the space even further.
Another clever feature of this bench: when the seat is fully folded forwards, there is a small sink and a single-burner hob underneath (both extra). That's enough for making breakfast or preparing snacks. The electric fridge - to keep food fresh and cool drinks - is on the accessories list at just under 1761 euros.
You also pay extra for the sun cushions on the bow and for the hatch, which is desirable for better ventilation in the cabin alone, and if you want to cool off, you can easily climb in and out of the water via the split bathing platform with ladder. After a swim, a stern shower ensures that your skin is free of salt and mud.
Driving and manoeuvring
For a relaxed ride, the skipper sits on a sliding seat with thin and not particularly hard cushions. This assessment applies to all the cushions on the boat. Here you simply wish for a firmer foam.
To integrate the driver's seat into the cockpit seating, its backrest can also be folded down.
Back to driving: standing drivers push the seat all the way aft and then have a suitable distance between the steering wheel and the seat.
All the controls are easy to reach, and the steering wheel and gearstick get further plus points for their smoothness and precision. Minus points are awarded for the non-standard compass and the lack of windscreen wipers on the otherwise impressive windscreen.
ASpecial accessoriesOn our test boat is the automatic trim unit from Mente Marine, which controls the trim tabs. It keeps the boat at a predefined trim angle and automatically compensates for lateral tilt.
At full throttle, the optimum boat position is balanced with the power trim (about ½ on the display). Trimmed in this way, we reached 44.8 knots, which with four people on board and a full tank is quite an achievement.proud value is.
Distance runners reduce the speed to 4500 rpm and - as with 4000 rpm - can cover 116 nm with one tank of fuel minus 15% reserve, which is completely sufficient for this boat category. Basically, however, the entire speed range between 22 kn and 37 kn is suitable for cruising.
When the Atlantic goes into a fast carousel ride, the hull with the outboard motor trimmed turns its laps without a hitch until the propeller draws air. Then the motto is to take the throttle off briefly and off you go again. Without trim, the boat is tighter and rocks into its own wave.
Slalom courses can be sailed with and without trim just as safely as the manoeuvre "tearing the rudder". On slow courses, you should stay below 6 knots so that the stern wave does not reach a height that threatens the shore. A slight yaw typical of a glider is just as much a part of this as the slight influence of weight shifts.
Harbour manoeuvres can be carried out unerringly and without hectic cranking of the rudder.
Equipment
When it comes to safety, the standard version lacks the manual bilge pump, which also works in the event of a power failure. To access the foredeck, the route leads via the centre access in the windscreen (rounded corners), which can be reached via non-slip, wide steps.
The shipyard provides four suitably sized cleats for mooring. The centre cleat, which is particularly useful for single-handed locking, is on the accessories list. The same applies to all types of tarpaulins and convertible top parts.
In terms of the installations, we were impressed by the fuel system with the permanently bolted tank, the stopcock and the petrol filter - and in particular the electric water alarm. Pipes and hoses areexpertly bundled and fastened.
The overall finish is of a high standard. These include sealed plastic edges and a clean protective coating.
CONCLUSION
The Atlantic 720 DC is a day cruiser that has a lot to offer, but you still have to pay almost 17,500 euros extra for the complete comfort of our test boat. The boat is well made and is fun and sporty with Mercury's 250 hp Verado.
