Along with the disappearing chart table, safety and security are two areas that are increasingly in danger of being overlooked in favour of style. Fortunately this is not the case on the RC430.
Along with the disappearing chart table, safety and security are two areas that are increasingly in danger of being overlooked in favour of style. Fortunately this is not the case on the RC430.
The wide, grippy teak-laid sidedecks are a huge improvement over the narrow strips of GRP that many manufacturers now expect us to teeter along. other than the two easily rectified failings on the flybridge, the deck impressed me with its tremendous feeling of security.
The standard of engineering was very high: We cannot remember a detail that could be significantly improved upon. Access to service items was particularly good, and this is bound to make a difference to all but the most conscientious of owners. During our three-day test, what also left a strong impression was the effectiveness of the saloon: the good internal helm, the comfort of the seating, and the amount of light.
Despite the small numbers of boats they build – and the inevitable ‘hand built by craftsmen’ reputation that follows – Storebro have some impressive advanced technology at work: their computer-cut furniture and their single-piece moulded hull stiffening being two examples. Having examined their construction drawings in some detail, we can vouch for the substantial nature of the hull and deck construction.
Although the superstructure is new, the RC430 still remains very traditional in appearance compared with its obvious European competitors. They may be bought, as may the Storebro, predominantly because of the buyer’s preference for a particular style. However it would be a mistake to presuppose that powerboats with more contemporary styling and glossier woodwork finishes somehow fulfil completely different functions. Anyone in the market for a safe, well-constructed and engineered, twin-cabin, aft-cockpit flybridge cruiser would be impressed with the Storebro RC430 Biscay.
DIMENSIONS
Length overall 45ft 5in 13.83m
Hull length 41ft 11in 12.77m
Beam 13ft 6in 4.11m
Draught 3ft 11in 1.20m
Air draught (mast raised) 15ft 1in 4.61m
Air draught (mast folded) 11ft 8in 3.56m
Displacement 111/2 tons
Fuel capacity 325 gal 1,600 litres
Water capacity 123 gal 600 litres
Holding Tank Capacity 33 gal 150 litres
Engines Twin Caterpillar
3126 420hp @ 2,800rpm
6-cylinder 7.2lt
turbo diesels Four-bladed props,
23in 5 33in (584mm 5 838mm)
RPM Speed Trim GPH MPG Range
600 4.5 0.5° n/a n/a n/a
1,000 7.6 1.0° 3.9 2.05 577
1,500 10.2 4.5° 8.3 1.44 405
2,000 18.6 4.0° 15.0 1.27 358
2,500 26.7 4.0° 25.7 1.05 296
2,700 28.1 3.5° 36.6 0.77 217
Range figures allow for 20% reserve
25% fuel, 15% water, 2 crew
Sea state: 16in (400mm) chop
Wind strength: Force 3
Performance
Maximum Speed 28.1 knots
Maximum Range 217 miles at 2,700rpm
Cruising Speed 23 knots
Cruising Range 327 miles at 2,250rpm
Price from
Price as tested
£262,500 ex VAT £297,535 ex VAT
SOUND LEVELS dB(A)
SALOON COCKPIT FLYBRIDGE
Cruising @
23 knots 79 8.5 7.5
Maximum @
28.1 knots 8.2 8.8 7.8
BUILDER
Storebro Bruks AB,
S-590 83 Storebro Sweden.
Tel: +46 (0)49 219500.
Fax: +46 (0)49 230300.
SUPPLIER
Kempers Watersport Kudelstraart,
Kudelstraartseweg 226,
1433 GR Kudelstraart,
Netherlands.
Tel: +31 (0)297 385385.
Fax: +31 (0)297 385380.
