YAMARIN 74C

BUILT: 2007 PRICE: £41,950

The name of this Finnish built boat comes from the company’s strong association with Yamaha. As ever with Finnish brands, all-weather ability and clever design come as standard — if it works at their northern latitudes it should be brilliant here. And it is — a sub 8-metre boat with a diesel engine, an inside helm, sleeping for up to five (just) and a comfy cockpit. It’s even trailable. What’s not to like?

INTERIOR The key component of the Yamarin 74c is its deck saloon layout, rare on a 7.5-metre boat. There’s a decent separate loo just inside the sliding door, a dinette that will convert to a short double berth (the forward backrest tilts aft to create forward facing seating next to the helm) and a compact galley with a diesel powered ceramic hob.

Hinge the foredeck access ladder out of the way and you’ll find a decent-sized double berth tucked into the bow and another very useful single berth further aft beneath the dinette. It’s a packaging masterclass and a real plus for bigger parties.

EXTERIOR Despite all that interior, there’s a surprisingly decent cockpit with an L-shaped seat around a small circular table. Side decks are narrow, but you can head inside and up through the opening windscreen for a safer route forward. The wheelhouse even has a solid sliding sunroof so you can bring the outside in or stand with your head through the roof for better visibility or just to get the wind in your hair.

PERFORMANCE The engine is a Yamaha, naturally. In this instance a single ME372STI pushing 165hp through a sterndrive for about 30 knots.

SEAKEEPING Capable, rather than inspiring. When Motor Boats Monthly tested the boat back in 2007 it nevertheless reported favourably that the 74C corners well with little slip or cavitation.

Merit points in the test report were also awarded for the supersmooth Hydradrive leg. The Yamarin 74c is a smart, sensible boat for smart, sensible cruising. That was the conclusion back in 2007 and it stands true today.

LOA: 24ft 3in (7.4m) Beam: 8ft 6in (2.6m) Draught: 3ft 6in (1.1m) Displacement: 2.1 tonnes Fuel capacity: 185 litres Engine: Yamaha ME372STI 165hp diesel

FOR SALE: One Marine; www.onemarine.co.uk

The sidedecks are narrow so it’s easier to go through the opening windscreen

Although much of the main deck is saloon there is a decent-sized aft cockpit too