KM Yachtbuilders has long been known in sailing circles, as the Dutch boat builders have been producing sailing boats between 40 and 100 feet in aluminium for around 20 years. It is therefore not surprising that our test boat from KM Yachtbuilders is also built in aluminium. Who does the shipyard want to appeal to with this boat? First of all, people who want to go on long sea trips, because the yacht is CE category A certified and has a lot of technology on board to make the journey comfortable. In addition, the shipyard wants to be able to offer a top-class motorboat to people from its own ranks and, of course, from other shipyards.
There are three engine options so that customers can choose their cruising speed as comprehensively as possible: the slowest option is a diesel with 250 hp; here the shipyard specifies a maximum speed of 12.5 knots. The second option is the engine with two 250 hp "semi-gliders" and a maximum speed of 18 knots. The last option consists of two powerful 2-x-440 hp diesel engines, which allow the boat to travel as a "fast semi-glider" at up to 25 knots. According to the shipyard, the cruising speed of the three boats is between around 8.0 and 12.5 knots.
Need more information? You can find the test of the Bestevaer 53 M/Y with technical data and more pictures in BOOTE issue 02/2021 at newsagents or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
We are sailing the medium version, the semi-glider with 2 x 250 hp. The shipyard says that the cruising speed is 9.5 knots, and that a range of 1250 nm is possible. We calculate about the same range at a slightly lower speed (a good 9 knots), but our result is 1077 nm - as we always allow for a reserve of 15%. It's clear to everyone that you have to pay a considerable premium when travelling at high speed, so at full throttle (3800 rpm, almost 18 knots) with a consumption of just under 6 l/sm, you can still cover around 300 nm plus a 15% reserve. To ensure that the Bestevaer 53 does this - as well as during the acceleration phase - in the best possible position, the test boat is fitted with Humphree trim tabs, which can also compensate for rolling movements in addition to the normal trim position. Humphree carbon stabiliser fins (SU553) can be ordered as an additional stabilisation system.
Our test area is the IJsselmeer. On the test day we had around 4 Bft and a hard choppy sea, which, as expected, did not upset the test boat. The hull performed well even in fast turns and gybes. The electric steering does the rest during all manoeuvres.
Mooring manoeuvres are carried out exclusively with our test boat using a hand-held remote control (Dockmate), but the Bestevaer can of course also be moored as normal from the helm. Here, the skipper sits on a single seat that can be raised, the cushions of which are quite soft, while the backrest is very vertical. However, the shipyard still intends to make changes here.
Need more information? You can find the test of the Bestevaer 53 M/Y with technical data and further images in BOOTE issue 02/2021 at newsagents or online at Delius Klasing Shop.
All controls are within easy reach and two large, easy-to-read monitors display engine and ship information as well as the position. The view towards the bow is guaranteed even in rainy weather and splash water, as the shipyard has installed three solid windscreen wipers with a washer system.
In addition to the driving position, there is a cosy seating area and the galley in the saloon. The galley is a real eye-catcher with its clean lines and metal surfaces. The saloon is flooded with daylight thanks to large side windows and the folding rear door with panes. Light also comes in from above through skylights. The sleeping and care area is accessed via a companionway next to the driver's seat. In the first cabin, guests lie on two single bunks (0.75 x 2.00 m) and have a desk in the entrance area. Opposite is the guest wet room, which also serves as a day toilet.
also serves as a day toilet.
The owner's area is located towards the front. Here there is a walk-in wardrobe and a double berth (1.65 m x 2.05 m). Unsurprisingly, the owner has a wet room that is only accessible via his cabin. What is annoying in the wet room is the narrow entrance to the shower
shower, which is only about 0.35 metres wide.
Now to the technology: whether you look into the engine compartment (under the saloon floor) or into the technical compartment (accessible by folding up the companionway): This is work at its finest. On the one hand, there is the aluminium construction, immediately followed by fixed and clearly laid cables and hoses. You rarely see anything like this. It is not surprising that safety standards are also emphasised in this type of workmanship. These include, for example, complete fire extinguishing and bilge equipment as well as the wide side decks, solid handrails, railings and side doors in the saloon superstructure and bulwark as well as an emergency ladder in the hydraulic bathing platform, which also serves as a stern wall.
