SMALL WONDER
The Latrex 340 is ideal for fishing in sheltered harbours and estuaries
Looking for a harbour boat? Check out the Latrex 340.
Having described the diminutive Latrex 275 as the most basic motorboat I’ve ever used, it’s time to look at a larger model from the extensive range. The Latex 340, designed and built in Latvia with quality and affordability in mind, has a double hull filled with 200 litres of PU foam. The bare hull weighs only 79kg, roughly 174lb, so she is extremely light and easy to handle. That makes this craft ideal for launch and recovery in awkward, out of the way places, and she can be easily towed by almost any family car.
The overall length is 3.45 metres (about 11ft 4in), with a 1.45m (4ft 9in) beam and 0.52m (1ft 8in) of freeboard. Plated at CE Category D, she is designed for sheltered inland waterways including lakes, rivers and canals, where wind Force 4 and significant wave height of 0.5m may be experienced.
Clearly there are limitations on where and when the Latrex 340 can be used safely in saltwater. However, there are situations where she could be used for sea angling, such as within sheltered harbours and estuaries, along with sensible ‘nearshore work’ under ideal conditions.
Of course, the Latex 340 would be fine for use in many situations where sea anglers currently use kayaks, with her owner having the use of an outboard engine along with a pair of oars as a back-up. In addition to sea angling, she would have a wide range of applications in freshwater, including pike fishing on large lochs, lakes or reservoirs.
STANDARD FEATURES
She is licensed to carry three persons, or a maximum load of 285kg, but really this boat is perfect for a single person (two under ideal conditions) to fish from. The Latrex 340 is rated for use with an outboard engine ranging from 2.5-10hp.
As mentioned, strategic areas of the hull are foam-filled to ensure adequate buoyancy, with the double hull maximising lateral stability. Standard features include spacious stowage
hatches fore and aft, a central thwart fitted with a couple of rod holders, a couple of galvanised rowlock holders, three plastic cleats and four plastic grab handles, rubber fendering outboard, both external and internal transom plates, and a stainless-steel bow eye.
Optional extras include a choice of oars, either wood or plastic, plus rowlock clamps, stainless steel cleats and keel band, a storage tent and soft sea cushions.
The boat I reviewed was powered by the new Selva Ray 8hp four-stroke outboard. This twincylinder engine weighs 39.9kg, approximately 88lb, revs to a maximum of 5,000-6,000rpm and features a manual choke.
I especially liked the large, single gear shift lever, and the inclusion of four manual trim adjustment settings that allow the user to ensure the craft runs at the perfect angle given her load and current sea conditions. This is an important consideration for any boat working in choppy conditions, but especially so for one which is as small as this.
Fuel is supplied via a standard plastic fuel tank, which can be neatly and safely stowed within the stern locker.
SAFE RIDE
I had a short run aboard the Latrex 340 on the River Thames at Shepperton, where I discovered she handled very well. I am certain that, given an experienced hand at the helm, she would deliver a comfortable, safe ride under far more testing conditions than I experienced.
Provided you work within the parameters of safety, this highly affordable little package would provide a stable platform aboard which you could enjoy a lot of fun with a fishing rod.
Certainly, a couple of anglers could enjoy a day out fishing lures or bait either on the drift or at anchor. She’s an ideal little boat for trolling lures inshore, too. ■