We published the test of the SunCamper 30 a good six years ago and one of the first sentences was: "This boat looks more like a caravan on the water." A look that the big sister SunCamper 35 has now shed. In any case, it has a much more ship-like and elegant outfit. What has remained is the desire to accommodate as many people as possible on the boat.
Up to seven crew members are possible: two in the aft cabin, a further two in the saloon and three in the bow or underfloor berth. The latter is only accessible from the bow cabin. Of course, such a large crew must also have a corresponding number of heads compartments available. The shipyard has planned two of them, but equipping them with a toilet, 110-litre faeces tank and hot water boiler costs extra. The same applies to the refrigerator. The sink and gas cooker, on the other hand, are supplied by the shipyard as standard.
Need more information? You can find the test of the Suncamper 35 with technical data and more pictures in BOOTE issue 04/2019 or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
Cooking is done at a well-positioned galley block to starboard. The dinette, which can be converted into a berth, is located opposite. It offers either sleeping space for two people or seating for four people for socialising and eating. If you are travelling with a full crew, you will have to move three people into the cockpit (covered by a hardtop) for meals, as a corner bench with a folding table offers additional seating. An additional seat is no longer located directly at the table, but on the starboard side next to the access to the bathing platform (extra).
In terms of safety, the rear door scores extra points here, as it prevents small children in particular from accidentally falling out of the cockpit. A ladder with two sturdy grab rails makes it easy to get in and out of the water. If you want to take a quick shower on the platform after a swim, you'll have to pay just under €200 extra.
Sun worshippers can either go to the bow bench on the foredeck or to the flybridge. There is no seating up there except for the driver's seat, but there is a sun lounger with a raised head section. Two people can make themselves comfortable here and also have a good view of the entire boat. The driver also has this on his thin and softly upholstered bucket seat with folding backrest. The seat can be moved forwards and backwards for the ideal seating position. The gearstick is located on the top of the side wall and has to be operated with the left hand, and the support for the railing, which otherwise performs well, gets in the way.
We also started from up here, in the marina at Yachthafen 1, in Deetz, where boat importer Annekathrin Fichtner has her base. Balt Yachts installs a bow thruster as standard to ensure that nothing goes wrong when casting off. We have to keep calm for the first few metres on the canal, let the boat settle and only steer a little, if at all, otherwise we will overshoot the mark again. On the Havel, we then slowly accelerate more and more and take our measurements.
This results in an economical cruising speed of around 6 knots. Our 115 hp Mercury outboard engine then needs 0.83 l/sm and, thanks to the 197-litre tank, the team can travel over 200 nm plus 15% reserve. A decent value. It changes rapidly as soon as you push the throttle lever towards full throttle and the outboard engine pushes hard on the transom with "Command Thrust". The SeaCamper now accelerates to a maximum of 14.1 knots and a good 2.5 litres per second run through the fuel line, which reduces the range to 65 nm.
The longer we are on the water, the windier it gets. It's not surprising that the wind affects the high superstructure of this type of boat. However, the fast ride from the Fly takes some getting used to, as the boat swings back and forth a lot, especially in waves - a sensitive steering hand is required. The rocking is of course less noticeable one floor below, at the driving position in the saloon. However, you can't see the stern of the boat, including the outboard motor, as well from down here as you can from above through the hatch of the access ladder (with a solid ladder). When it comes to the navigation instruments, a look at the options list helps, as does the heating, air conditioning, cockpit tarpaulin side panels and engine installation, which is just as well executed as the rest of the installations and workmanship.
Conclusion:The SeaCamper 35 is a boat that is great for travelling with a large family or charter crew. Slow speeds are more relaxed than fast travelling. The workmanship and installations make a professional impression, and safety is also assured.
