VIDEO: Cormate U23 review

The Cormate U23 is a focussed delight that majors on seakeeping, speed, style and Scandinavian practical thinking

There are two versions of the Cormate U23 and both of them are fast – very fast.

The outboard-powered Utility 23, even with the smallest single 115hp engine option, will achieve well over 40 knots and the Super Utility that you see here won’t stop pulling until it reaches 62 knots with a single 350hp Mercruiser V8.

The boat we have on test, with its 250hp petrol V6, is a smidge more restrained but, thanks to a displacement of just over a tonne, it still darts about with remarkable poise and tenacity. Article continues below…

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It begins to plane at only 12 knots, which gives you an enormous variety of cruising speeds given that this version will top out at 50 knots in flat calm conditions.

The sea state on test was quite the opposite but that merely unearthed the raw talent of the 23’s twin-stepped hull and restricted us to a top speed just shy of 47 knots on the day.

This boat is very focused. Weight saving is a priority, so there’s no heavy stainless around the windscreen, just a pair of handholds smartly cut out of the screen, and instead of portholes, thin strips of glazing in the console moulding allow just enough light to pour into the basic cabin and its double vee berth.

You don’t need sleep anyway, not when a boat is this good to drive… Read the report in the November 2017 issue of MBY.

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