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Austral Yachts

Austral Yachts have been manufacturing quality boats for over 40 years.  During that time the Austral Association was formed, from a group of enthusiastic boat owners. The object of the association was to encourage the growth of “One‚ design class yachts” and then to supervise the racing of those classes and to foster participants in association activities.

Austral Yachts has spent considerable time and effort researching the marine industry in China. We have now re-located our manufacturing capability into China to continue to make competitively priced and the highest quality boats for the Australian and International markets.

Currently there are new design proposals being evaluated by Austral Yachts, 2016 and beyond will be a new and exciting time for Austral Yachts. Please stay tuned for further updates.

CONTACT US for more information >

The Farr 42 is built by Austral Yachts to bring a competitive Cruiser/Racer to both the Australian and International markets. This Farr designed yacht is a strong contender for handicap wins in both round the buoys and offshore events using IRC ratings. The interior features provide for safe and comfortable cruising. 

The Clubman 36 is a balance between out and out racing performance and the practical enjoyment of sailing for less strenuous pursuits.  Race winning necessities such as high performance composite foils, close sheeting angles and ergonomic cockpit layout have been integrated with a high volume comfortable interior.

This award winning 8 metre trailerable yacht made by Austral Yachts has a proven reputation for safety and comfort in extended cruising and for winning races both across the line and on handicap throughout Australia. The interior layout features six berths, a comfortable saloon with fold away table and complete galley facilities.

Farr 42 interior for safe and comfortable cruising

The Farr 42 is built by Austral Yachts to bring a competitive Cruiser/Racer to both the Australian and International markets. This Farr designed yacht is a strong contender for handicap wins in both round the buoys and offshore events using IRC ratings. The interior features and accommodation provide for safe and comfortable cruising.

The T-style keel with a lead bulb supported by a cast iron fin gives the boat a low centre of gravity and minimised wetted area. This allows the rig and interior to be positioned to suit the hull centre of buoyancy preferences and produces a relatively simple structural solution.

Deck and interior have been designed around the dual requirements of comfortable, workable cruising accommodation and the necessary cockpit workspace for round the buoys racing. The well-proven interior layout features a central saloon, berths both forward and aft, galley to port, navigation station to starboard and more than ample locker space. Double or single berths aft are optional. Twin wheels afford the helmsman good viewing for sailing and offer a passage through the centre of the cockpit for crew movement.

Rig is a standard 20-degree swept-spreader with the option of a prod or standard pole for downwind work. Either aluminium or carbon rigs are available. Hull, deck and interior grid construction is in E-glass sandwich.

FARR 42 SPECIFICATIONS

Loa: 12.75 m/41.8 ft beam: 3.94 m/12.9 ft draft: 2.55 m/8.4 ft displacement: 7,300 kg/16.094lbs, i:  17.32 m/56.8 ft p: 17.31 m/56.8 ft e: 6.07 m/19.9 ft j: 4.93 m/16.2 ft  .

Clubman 36 Comfort balanced racer 

The interior layout is centred around a fore and aft galley opposing a large settee with a centreline bolster seat.  Sleeping accommodation is in two spacious double cabins which afford generous headroom and floor space.  A traditional navigation station situated to starboard serves both as the boat's command centre and mini-floating office.  There is a large head and enclosed shower.

On deck the cockpit features generous seating with comfortable backrests which in no way impede the ability of the crew to sail the boat hard when racing. The swept spreader rig is available in either Aluminium or Carbon.  This is an easily tuned performance boat which is also capable of surviving the toughest Hobart.  With no runners and small headsail area this rig further simplifies the sailing of the boat which is benefitial to both casual cruising as well as serious racing.

The hull is laminated with Vinylester and Polyester Resins using E Glass, Double Bias and Triaxial Fabrics with Foam Cores.

CLUBMAN 36 SPECIFICATIONS

Loa: 11m/36.1 ft beam: 3.5m/11.5 ft  draft: 2.16 m/7.1 ft  displacement: 4,950kg/10.910lbs, i: 13.7m/44.9 ft  p: 13.7m/44.9 ft e: 5.0m/16.4 ft  j: 4.24m/13.9 ft.

Clubman Super 30 One design class racer

Clubman Super 30

The Clubman Super 30 is a very competitive 9.5 metre sports boat in both inshore and offshore racing. This one design class racer is very suitable for IRC rating. The retractable keel allows the boat to be easily transported from regatta to regatta as well as being able to be boat ramp launched.

The clean and uncluttered deck layout combined with a large cockpit allows the racing crew to perform their duties safely and efficiently making this boat ideal for off-shore events like the Sydney to Southport and Adelaide to Port Lincoln races.

The functional interior layout offers accommodation with a level of comfort far superior to other ‘stripped out’ sports boats. Standard Carbon rig has no running backstays and features swept back spreaders. A mast head assymetrical spinnaker enhances down wind performance capabilities.

This competitively priced boat must be considered by all sailors who are serious about a sports boat campaign.

CLUBMAN SUPER 30 SPECIFICATIONS

Loa 9.50m/31.2 ft beam  3.29m/10.8 ft draft 2.10m/6.9 ft displacement  2,800kg/6,174lbs, i: 12.1m/39.8 ft p: 12.6m/41.3 ft e: 4.5m/14.8 ft j: 3.7m/12.1 ft  .

Clubman 8 Award winning trailerable

This award winning 8 metre trailerable yacht has a proven reputation for safety and comfort in extended cruising and for winning races both across the line and on handicap throughout Australia.

The interior layout features 6 berths, including an innovative double under the cockpit, a comfortable saloon with fold away table and complete galley facilities. Tunnelled halyards on the cabin top are a feature of the clean deck layout. The cockpit has ample room for crew movement whilst racing, and the outboard is housed in a well in a starboard locker with an external breather.

The aluminium mast with single aluminium speader is easy to raise and lower.

CLUBMAN 8 SPECIFICATIONS

Loa 8.150m/26.7 ft beam 2.450m/8.0ft draft 0.230-1.830m/0.7-6.0 ft displacement 1250kg/2,756lbs towing weight (approx) 1800 – 1900kg/3,968 – 4,189lbs sail area 32 sq.mt/344 sq ft  .

Austral Yachts NEWS & EVENTS

News & Events - Austral Yachts

Dun Laoghaire Regatta Crowns IRC Coastal Winner WOW 'Volvo Boat of the Week' - Afloat Magazine, Sunday, 12 July 2015

George Sisk's Wow was named Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta's 'Boat of the Week' after an impressive offshore performance. Dublin Yacht Club's shared the bulk of the overall prizes at Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta2015 this afternoon, winning 22 of the 29 classes including the coveted 'Boat of the Week' Trophy.

Veteran big boat campaigner George Sisk's Farr 42 WOW from the Royal Irish Yacht Club was named top boat after winning three of four challenging IRC Coastal races in a buoyant turnout of 25 boats in the offshore class. Read the Full Story>>

Hamilton Island Race Week August 2010

Evolution Racing WINS Regatta  - The Farr 42 built by Austral Yachts in South Australia called Evolution Racing, chartered by Ray Roberts for the regatta, wins first place in IRC Passage Division 1 of the Hamilton Island Race Week 2010.   Read the full story with pictures >>

Farr 42 May 2007

Austral Yachts is proud to announce their first international export of the Farr 42. Headed for Ireland, this is the first in what is expected to be a long line of international exports. With interest from Scandinavia and Western Europe, the US and even as far away as Azerbaijan, the Farr 42 has certainly turned a few heads. Read   more >>

Australian Sailing April 2007

Ray Borrett of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria has had a succession of Yachts named Laurelle in honour of his daughters Lauren and Michelle. His previous boat was an Austral Clubman Super 30, forging a relationship with South Australian boat builder Michael Keough of Austral Yachts.  Download PDF >>

Farr 42 Club Marine Feb 2007

Can a seriously competitive race boat double as a fully-equipped cruiser on its days off? Ray Borrett asked the question and Laurelle provided the answer. Ray Borrett has been around performance cars for most of his life.so when he describes his new boat Laurelle as a cruiser/racer you could well imagine him portraying his pride and joy to his wife in the way a man might insist that his new Audi TT is an ideal family saloon.  Download PDF >>

Boats Plus March 2003

For a summer afternoon the marina seems exceptionally quiet as my mate David and I step it out along the pontoons trying not to miss our 3.30pm scheduled arrival time. We figure most people are still sleeping off their New Year’s hangovers, or catching up on jobs around home.  Download PDF >>

Modern Boating February 2003

Australian builder Austral Yachts' latest offering is a lively cruiser/club racer with the option of getting more serious around the racetrack, reports Vanessa Dudley  Download PDF >>

Australian Sailing October 2001

For many people, in many locations, owning a small cruiser/racer is only affordable or feasible if it can be kept on a trailer at home, or in a club yard.  Download PDF >>

Trade A Boat April 2001

Australian company Austral Yachts has brought some 30 years of experience with trailerable yachts to meet the challenge of developing a fast, modern offshore and club racer.  Download PDF >>

Australian Yachting March 2001

The launch boat that also named a class, Clubman, was built for and with input from Geoffrey Vercoe, one of Adelaide’s keenest supporters of far-flung regattas.  Download PDF >>

Australian Sailing November 2000

Austral Yachts at Hamilton Island Race Week launched its new Clubman Super 30, a Scott Jutson onedesign keelboat targeting the growing interest in the Super 30 JOG class and set up to be inexpensively portable between regattas.  Download PDF >>

Australian Waters June 1999

The calm, quiet voice of boatbuilder Adrian Keough assured me over the 'phone that I would be welcome to visit his yard in Hackham. A few days later I called out to Cottage Lane, turned up a tree-lined driveway, then drove past a pleasant house and gardens to the boatyard beyond. There I saw half a dozen gleaming yachts on trailers, and two large workshops.  Download PDF >>

East Coast Boating June 1988

The trailer-sailer concept has been through a multitude of design expressions - water-ballast, alloy construction, TSs which would require a front-end loader to transport them and the current little "trick" go-fastrange, again originating in New Zealand. However, there are not many current trailer-sailers that fulfil the role of a genuine cruiser-racer.  Download PDF >>

Australian Yachting July 1997

A family business, the company now employs 12 people. Austral have built over 350 yachts ranging in size from 20 feet to 40 feet, 300 of these being trailable. An association of owners has a membership of over 150 with sail training as a primary part of the association's function to encourage family involvement.  Download PDF >>

Modern Boating July 1993

New-generation TS is big enough to offer speed and space, light enough to be manageable, and built to world standards.  Download PDF >>

Australian Sailing June 1993

Austral Yachts' new trailerable, besides having the accommodation of a small yacht sails with a yacht-like feel.  Download PDF >>

Australian Yachting May 1993

Who needs another trailerable yacht when the entire industry is struggling to stay afloat?  Download PDF >>

The Farr 42 built by Austral Yachts in South Australia called Evolution Racing, chartered by Ray Roberts for the regatta, wins first place in IRC Passage Division 1 of the Hamilton Island Race Week 2010.

Upwind sails were Evolution made at their Mona Vale Sydney loft.

Downwind sails were Quantum.

Ray Roberts  Skipper , Richard Hudson  Navigator , Jamie McPhail  Tactics , Dave Morris  Main , Tim Davis  Trim , Toby Munns  Tail , Garry Adshead  Pit , Dale Johnson  Mast , Disco Mid Bow , Andy Hudson  Bow , Adam Brown  Float/Grind

The Results

First in IRC Passage Division 1.

Race 1 = Position 2 Race 2 = Position 1 Race 3 = Position 1 Race 4 = Position 2 Race 5 = Position 3 Race 6 = Position 1 Race 7 = Position 5

Race 7 was the discard. The results after race 6 meant that it was not necessary to start in the race 7. Total points 10, Charisma the 2nd placed boat had 19 points.

Summary of each race

Race 1: Molle Island race 24nm. 8-12kts E/SE Evolution Racing 2nd by 1 second.

Race 2: Island race around Pine Island 22nm. 8-12kts E/SE. Evolution Racing 1st.

Race 3: Scheduled Long race was cancelled due to light wind and replaced by a 14nm Island race around Anne Island. Less than 10kts all day. Evolution racing 1st and also Line Honours.

Race 4: Island race Around Sidney Island 18nm. NE/SE 6-19kts.Evolution racing 2nd.

Race 5: Island race around Sidney Island and Pine Island 24nm. 16-24 kts E/SE. Evolution racing 3rd.

Race 6: Island Race around Sidney Island and Pine Island 22nm. 12-18kts E/SE. Evolution racing 1st.

Race 7: Lindeman Island race 23.5 nm. 13-18kts SE. Evolution racing 5th.

Michael Keough, Austral Yachts Managing Director

Competing on the local stage, the yacht has certainly proved her metal in the Adelaide to Lincoln (third across the line), the Sydney Hobart and Skandia Geelong Race Week.

The Farr design office was very keen to be involved in this project and set about researching the rule and coming up with a design that met my objectives of performance and reasonable accommodation for the return trip cruises after ocean races and major regattas. 

Since launching the yacht in October 2006, we have done the races from Melbourne to Stanley and Sydney to Hobart as well as the Lipton regatta, sail south week, Docklands invitational and Skandia Geelong week. I am extremely happy with the performance of the yacht, and we are on a steep learning curve with many of the crew who have not sailed on such a powerful stiff yacht(last boat was a Super 30). 

In lighter breeze (5kn - 12kn) where the crew work is less critical, the performance has been up there with the 45ft - 50 ft yachts and certainly ahead on handicap. In the heavier winds we need to develop the skill base of the crew to get consistent results.

David Eickmeyer, head of Quantum Sails in Melbourne has also spent a bit of time on board the new Farr 42. “I have sailed on many IRC boats over the last few years and no 40 odd foot boat has impressed me more than the new Farr 42 built by Austral yachts.

The boat has it all for a racer /cruiser, great rating, great speed around the track, and an interior that will cater for families.

With the direction of the new IRC 40+ footers being flat, with massive rigs and great amounts of lead under the water, they make for a very fast and powerful boat for the more skilful crews to fang around the race track.

"The Farr 42 stands out as a great production racer that will cater for those that have racing in their blood and wives that like cruising. Sailed well this boat will be a stand out performer for a production racer /cruiser in the IRC class."

Regatta Chairman Tim Goodbody's reminder that 'Volvo Dun Laoghaire is a fun regatta, not a championship' did little to stem the fierce competition for the coveted Volvo prizes in 29 classes as the last race of the event concluded in the lightest winds of the series.

Three national championship titles were decided as part of the regatta programme for more than 3,000 sailors. Joker II (John Maybury) took the 11-boat J109 Irish title after a series long fight with Pat Kelly's Storm from Rush and a Clyde Cruising Club entry, Leaky Roof 2, (Alan Harper) won the Sigma 33 championships. TheBeneteau 21 title went to Séamus Storan's Capilano of the Royal Irish Yacht Club in a 13-boat fleet.

The biennial regatta is being hailed an enormous success both afloat and ashore for a combined fleet of 415 boats, the biggest on the Irish Sea. Over 250 races on five different courses were staged in a range of light to very heavy conditions since racing began last Thursday.

Although 180 visiting boats, made up nearly half the fleet, yachts from outside the bay area took away only seven trophies. The bulk of the silverware – 17 titles – have stayed on Dun Laoghaire's waterfront.

Trophies were awarded in each of the 29 competing classes plus several premier awards at a special National Yacht Club ceremony this afternoon bringing the curtain down on one of the most successful stagings of Ireland's biggest sailing event.

The IRC Coastal fleet start race four this morning under race officer David Lovegrove from Howth

In a summer of achievements for George Sisk, the Boat of the Week award follows his IRC National Championship victory in Kinsale last month. The premier award for top visiting boat went to Harper's Leaky Roof 2. The best IRC yacht award went to Paul Colton's quarter tonner Cri-Cri from the Royal Irish. The best one design keelboat award went to the Ruffian 23 Diane II skippered by Chris Helme of the Royal St. George YC.

Scotland's Clyde Cruising Club took a win in the Sigma 33 class and very nearly in the Beneteau 21 class. Howth Yacht Club took wins in IRC three, the Howth 17s, J24s (including the class Leinster Championship title) and the Water Wags but outside of that there was only single wins for Belfast Lough in the RS Elite. Cullaun Sailing Club in County Clare won the Wayfarers.

In Dun Laoghaire, The Royal Irish topped the leaderboard with eight wins across IRC and one design including: IRC One, IRC Four, J109, White Sails Two, Dragon, Beneteau 21 and Mermaid. Royal St. George YC yachts won in seven classes of one designs from Beneteau 31.7 keelboats to GP14 dinghies.The National Yacht

Club had five victories; White Sails one, Flying Fifteen, SB20, Shipman and Moth.

In the IRC divisions although Royal Cork's Jump Juice, Howth's Dux and the Royal Irish's Cri–Cri held their leads in Divisions zero, three and four respectively today's final race brought changes to the leaderboard in both IRC one and two. South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club in Wales looked sure of IRC Two with a fine

performance by The J97 Injenious (Mike and Graham Crompton & Hallworth) until a last race comeback by Howth's modified Half–Tonner Harmony.

In the one designs there were plaudits for many consistent performers including John Masterson's National Yacht Club based Shipman 28, Curraglas. Winners of the GP14 series, Gerard Owens and Melanie Morris were eight points clear at the top with six results from eight in the top three. Likewsie in the Squib keelboats, Vincent Delany took the overall prize with six race wins from nine starts.

Contact Austral Yachts International Enquiries

Contact us by filling out the form below and pressing "submit". If you wish to discuss your project directly then call Michael Keough on

Mobile Aus   + 61 (0) 408 608 466 Mobile China   +86 180 9511 0919

Australian Enquiries

Contact us by filling out the form below and pressing "submit". If you wish to discuss your project directly then call Tony Gold on

Mobile Aus   + 61 (0) 411 082 735

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Yamarin 88DC 2024 Review

The flagship of the yamarin fibreglass boat range, the 88dc is a low profile half cabin cruiser with sports boat handling, ride and performance..

This Scandinavian styled, racy-looking rig is a furiously fast offshore day boat with the features and amenities of a family weekender.

We tested this cool cruiser offshore from the Gold Coast with the Surfers Paradise skyline our backdrop, the morning sun glinting off the high-rise buildings on the glitter-strip.

Finland boat manufacturer, Yamarin, is making inroads into the Australian market, following the introduction of this sport boat brand to local shores earlier this year.

Yamarin also produces the Busta alloy fishing boat range and Cross sports boats and bowriders, the latter made with a plate aluminium hull topped with a fibreglass deck.

All Yamarin boats are made in Finland by parent company, Inha Works Ltd.

A few months ago, we published reviews on the impressive Yamarin Cross 62BR and Yamarin 63DC.

This time around we were able to secure the Yamarin range-topper, the ultra-impressive 88DC (Day Cruiser) paired with Yamaha’s epic 425hp V8 four-stroke outboard.

As you can imagine, the Yamaha XTO 425 packs a mighty punch – accelerating the Yamarin 88DC to a top speed approaching 50 knots. Yes – this is one very fast day cruiser.

Price and equipment

The 88DC is the flagship of the Yamarin fibreglass boat range. Other models include the 60DC, 63DC, 67DC, 79DC, and the 80DC.

Similar to its siblings, the 88DC is very well equipped. There are enough features and amenities in the standard boat to keep everyone happy.

Package pricing starts at $383k when the boat is paired with a white-coloured Yamaha 300hp extra-longshaft four-stroke outboard engine.

Included in the standard boat is a low profile, timber-trimmed cabin complete with a double berth, stand-alone head compartment with toilet and shower, as well as a transverse berth/storage space beneath the helm station deck.

Other key features include a deluxe helm station with Yamarin’s Q+ multi-function onboard computer system (with 2 x 16-inch flush-fitted displays); stereo with speakers; a tilt-adjust steering wheel; as well as a pair of helm bucket chairs and a port side bucket chair fronting the lockable cabin door.

Overhead is the low profile toughened glass, centre-opening windscreen with heavy-duty stainless steel frame and windscreen wipers.

Elsewhere, the 88DC has a moulded aft cockpit seating area with removable cushions; a garage/enclosure compartment for the optional bimini cover; forward anchor locker; 45L fresh water tank; 30L black water tank; interior lighting; opening hull windows; cabin ceiling windows; 12 volt and USB sockets; Yamaha Y-COP immobiliser; boarding platforms and ladder; cup holders; transom fender/rope lockers; cockpit entertaining/storage unit with sink and stove; cockpit table.

The 88DC is rated to accept Yamaha’s largest outboard engine, the XTO 450 Offshore. Our test boat was optioned with the slightly less powerful XTO 425.

Packaged with the big Yamaha V8, our test boat price climbs to $440,480.

This higher price also includes the Yamarin Deluxe option package – which adds the pull-out bimini cover; sunbed in aft cockpit; harbour cover; trim tabs; twin battery system; bow thruster; cockpit refrigerator; and shore power.

With the Touring package also fitted, the 88DC gains an electric anchor winch, shower on bathing platform, and a heater or air conditioner.

Hull and engineering

The Yamarin 88DC has a maximum length of 8.8m and a wide, 2.90m beam.

As such, the 88DC is not trailerable here in Australia – but it is the perfect size to keep at a canal-front home, in a marina pen, or dry-stacked at a marina.

The Yamarin’s distinctive looking fibreglass hull, with its upright, steep-stem bow shape is exceptionally soft riding in chop and offshore.

The hull deadrise is modest at 19 degrees at the transom, but the bow has a very fine wave cutting vee angle forward to cleanly part the waves.

There’s not a whole lot of flare in the topsides, yet the hull rides smooth and dry offshore.

Noticeable from the photos is the anchor at the bow which is suspended from the stem so that it is ready to drop at a moment’s notice.

The test rig was also optioned with a bow thruster for maximum manoeuvrability at docking speeds.

Internally, the 88DC is very well equipped, and I found the fit and finish to be excellent throughout.

Like the smaller Yamarin models, the 88DC conforms to European CE and Australia standards for safety and flotation.

Runabout or cuddy cabin?

The 88DC is the latter of course – but you wouldn’t know it from the outside as the cabin has a very low profile, topped then with a curved glass windshield.

Due to the 8.8m length of the hull, the exterior topsides appear to be quite low – but there is more depth/height here than you might first think; there’s enough in fact to conceal a full size cabin with full standing headroom at cabin entry.

The cabin layout is unusual but effective. One step down from the helm station, there is a port side upholstered lounge bench seat, beneath a handy storage/clothing cupboard.

Immediately to starboard is the stand-alone head compartment with electric toilet, vanity with sink and pull-out shower rose, as well as overhead lighting and hull-side window. 

Moving forward, the 88DC has a double bed which angles across from the starboard side up to the forepeak.

The ceiling and cabin surrounds have a smooth white gelcoat finish which is offset by dark, diamond-stitched upholstered vinyl side panels - which stretch the length of the cabin.

Berth cushions are upholstered using a neutral coloured cloth material which blends in nicely with the light-coloured timber veneer trim and the dark upholstered side panels and curtains.

Other features include tinted/smoked ceiling and cabin side windows, ventilation hatch, forepeak mirror, interior lighting, and storage compartments beneath the double bed and port side lounge seat.

In the rear of the cockpit, behind the single cabin step, there is a crawl-space leading through to a surprisingly large transverse double bed.

It is not easy for adults to climb into – and there’s very little headroom - but it would be ideal for a pair of youngsters. 

This 2.0m long aft transverse bed/storage area can also be accessed via a gas-strut opening hatch behind the two helm chairs up in the cockpit.

Related: Yamarin Cross 62BR 2024 Review Related: Yamarin 63DC 2024 Review Related: Yamarin bowriders, day cruisers, fishing boats launch in Australia

At the helm.

There is enough space behind the broad dash and windshield to fit two bucket helm chairs side-by-side - in addition to a third chair over to port.

The chairs have flip-up front bolsters for maximum comfort when sitting or standing.

The starboard side bucket seat pair is mounted above a moulded storage box - behind which is an aft facing seat and the hatch to gain access to the sub floor berth/storage space.

The port side bucket chair also sits above a moulded fibreglass box which incorporates cutlery storage drawers as well as the galley unit - which comes standard with a sink with freshwater faucet, fold-out bench space and stove.

Our test boat was also optioned with a refrigerator.

Fronting the twin bucket chairs is a wide, angled fascia panel which easily accommodates the two included Yamarin Q+ 16-inch multi-function displays.

Yamarin Q+ is a multi-function onboard computer system which can be setup to display Yamaha engine data.

Other functions include chart plotting (using Navionics charts) and sonar, internet/hot-spot connection, boat user manuals, boat theft protection/position monitoring and more.

In the centre of the dash, moulded steps lead up from the floor to the centre-opening windscreen to provide access onto the foredeck for disembarking over the bow – where there are sturdy hand rails to make that task easier.

Reconfigurable cockpit layout

The rear cockpit is all about comfortable, reconfigurable seating and lounging.

There’s a moulded L-shaped box lounge on the port side, and stretching across the transom, as well as an aft facing seat behind the skipper to starboard.

Naturally, each seat box contains a storage compartment and is topped by comfy, well padded vinyl upholstered cushions and backrests.

A cockpit table slots into the floor to service the port side L-shaped lounge – but can also be reached by those sitting opposite and further forward to starboard.

The L-shaped lounge also converts into a sunbed with additional cushions and infill boards.

Behind the rear bench seat backrest is the garage/compartment from which you can open and easily erect the included bimini cover.

Other noteworthy features in the rear of the Yamarin include the starboard side entry steps, storage/gear lockers to each side of the single-engine outboard well, stern cleats, and twin rear boarding platforms with starboard side telescopic ladder. 

On the water

The Yamarin 88DC is a big, fast and capable offshore sports runabout and day boat.

It’s also sleek and good looking – though not in a traditional US Scarab/Cigarette race boat way.

Instead – and to its credit, the Yamarin 88DC is clearly Scandinavian, unmistakably modern.

But that’s enough about its looks. How does the Yamarin 88DC perform? In a word: superb.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time zooming about offshore from the Gold Coast, as the 88DC is very fast, very smooth, nicely balanced.

Did I mention it was fast? Paired with the Yamaha 425hp V8 four-stroke the 88DC accelerates to a top speed of 47 knots. And getting there is a heck of a lot fun.

Mind you the Yamarin’s speed can be deceptive. It gathers in a wave, rather than hitting you with a rush – as the 88DC feels so solid and well-planted that you don’t always realise how fast you are going – until you look down at the GPS.

And that’s what this flagship Yamarin is all about – effortless performance and handling coupled with an interior layout that suits day boating and overnighting equally well.

As an aside, we were unable to conduct our usual full performance trials on this boat/engine combination. However, in the table below we have listed the performance data gathered overseas on the Yamarin 88DC with the slightly more powerful Yamaha XTO offshore 450.

Performance (when paired with a Yamaha XTO 450)

REVS    SPEED                            FUEL USE          RANGE

1000     4.5kt (8.3km/h)             6.6L/h                194.3nm

2000     8.2kt (15.1km/h)           17.0L/h              137.5nm

2500     11.6kt (21.5km/h)        24.9L/h              132.8nm

3000     18.2kt (33.7km/h)        32.6L/h              159.1nm

3500     24.1kt (44.6km/h)        41.0L/h              167.5nm

4000     28.7kt (53.1km/h)        55.7L/h              146.8nm

4500     33.0kt (61.0km/h)        72.9L/h              129.0nm

5000     37.3kt (69.0km/h)        94.5L/h              112.5nm

5500     41.8kt (77.3km/h)        118.5L/h            100.5nm

5700     47.1kt (87.1km/h)        152.4L/h            154.1nm

Range on 95% of the 300L fuel supply at 3500rpm: 167.5nm

The Yamarin 88DC is a cool, capable sports day boat and weekender. It’s very fast and fun to drive, soft and seaworthy in the rough stuff, solid and stable at rest.

These performance attributes combine with a surprisingly spacious cabin and an abundance of seating/storage space to make the Yamarin 88DC a fine choice for family boating.

Specifications

Model: Yamarin 88DC

Length overall: 8.8m

Beam: 2.90m

Deadrise: 19 degrees

Hull weight: 2,420kg

Weight with Yamaha XTO425: 2,890kg (approx)

Maximum power: 450hp

Engine as tested: Yamaha 425hp four-stroke extra-longshaft outboard

Passengers: 10

Priced from: $382,856 including a white-coloured Yamaha 300hp extra-longshaft four-stroke outboard; cabin with double berth; head compartment with toilet and shower; transverse berth/storage space; deluxe helm station with Yamarin’s Q+ multi-function onboard computer system (with 2 x 16” flush-fitted displays); stereo with speakers; a tilt-adjust steering wheel; 3 x helm bucket chairs; moulded aft cockpit seating area with removable cushions; a garage/enclosure compartment for the optional bimini cover; forward anchor locker; 45L fresh water tank; 30L black water tank; interior lighting; opening hull windows; cabin ceiling windows; 12 volt and USB sockets; Yamaha Y-COP immobiliser; boarding platforms and ladder; cup holders; transom fender/rope lockers; cockpit entertaining/storage unit with sink and stove; cockpit table.

What we like

• Soft, stable ride
• Excellent handling and performance
• Versatile day boat/overnighter layout

Not so much

• Difficult access to transverse berth/storage space

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