We arrive at the harbour on the Havel in Werder, and the test boat immediately catches the eye with a special feature. The cabin roof with the extension to the hardtop is tilted forwards. We board the boat and steer out of the harbour, and after a short time it becomes clear: with a little more speed, the bow lifts and the roof assumes a horizontal position - which creates a dynamic effect.
As already mentioned, we are travelling on the Havel and initially have to move forwards at 8 km/h. Only later, in the middle of the river, are speeds of 25 km/h permitted. It is precisely this 25 km/h that the manufacturer specifies as the cruising speed. If you look at our table, you will immediately see that this is correct! We achieved a reasonable range of 103 nm at 5000 rpm.
Need more information? You can find the test of the Neon 910 with further pictures, measurement results and full evaluation in BOOTE issue 11/2021 from 20 October 2021 at newsstands or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
As our boat is designed as a semi-planing boat, it can easily reach the semi-planing phase with the 115 hp engine we tested. With the standard 40 hp engine, this would of course only be sufficient for displacement cruising. At slower speeds below 2000 rpm, our test boat can even cover distances of up to 200 nautical miles without any problems.
Cornering: When cornering slowly, the boat leans heavily on the outside of the turn. When travelling at speed, the hull remains more horizontal and stable in semi-planing mode. The hydraulic steering makes a good impression and individual manoeuvres can be performed very precisely. During slalom manoeuvres, the boat moves back and forth very harmoniously. The nose lifts at 3000 rpm, but visibility remains good so that you have an unrestricted view straight ahead.
Fast cruising is achieved at 5000 rpm, and the course stability is pleasantly stable with trim-down. The stern wave is not too large and the boat is generally very pleasant to drive. This could be particularly interesting for fast journeys on the Elbe, for example, when you have to approach against the tide. This means you don't get stuck on your displacement trip, but have the option of turning up the throttle and travelling a few nautical miles fast. Harbour manoeuvres are simple thanks to the bow thruster and are also very easy to control in reverse. The driver's seat is a bucket seat whose front cushion can be conveniently folded up. The seat can also be pushed far back so that you can steer while standing or sitting. Even when manoeuvring standing up, there is enough space and legroom.
The seat feels a little too narrow; a seat size wider would be a little more comfortable. However, this feeling will of course vary from person to person. The front passenger seat is an extension of the seating area. You can sit very comfortably on good upholstery. The only drawback is that there is no grab handle in the immediate vicinity. You only have the option of holding on to the cab roof structure. From the co-driver's position, the view to the front through the windscreen is also adequate. The windscreen is made of safety glass - the side windows are tinted, but the windscreen is not. There are no reflections in the windscreen as the driving position has a dark surface.
The windscreen is fitted with two double-arm wipers. Except for a small section in the centre, the windows are cleaned well. If the windows mist up, a defroster nozzle on the starboard side of the driving position helps to keep them clear. All the instruments on the dashboard are easy to read and the switches are labelled with symbols and indicator lights. The cockpit is very attractive, has a sink and can also be closed off to make it wind and weatherproof. From here you can easily reach the bathing platform with a large ladder. Cockpit and stern showers are on the accessories list. The hardtop above the cockpit is available in two versions - our test boat has the aforementioned sloping roof, which also has zip fasteners for attaching the tarpaulin side panels.
Cushions for the sun lounger and bench can be ordered for the foredeck. From here you have a very good view with pleasant lying and sitting comfort. Below deck: There is a double berth forward, one corner of which is cut out on the port side. The cushions are firm and there is no partition between the cabin and the saloon. If you want this, you have to pay extra - the same applies to the underfloor cabin. In the latter, a person 1.85 metres tall can stand upright in the front area. The ceiling height drops towards the sunbathing area, which is due to the design of the boat. Only the washbasin is located in the toilet area as standard. The toilet is on the accessories list, as is the shower, and both can be installed for an extra charge.
Conclusion
The boat is a beautiful cabin cruiser for four people, which offers plenty of space for travelling in comfort. However, the well-equipped cruising boat still requires a large number of options from the accessories list. The workmanship makes a very nice and solid impression. In addition, the 115 hp version of this boat is another appealing aspect, as it allows you to go fast and still be quite economical when travelling.
