BENETEAU FLYER 7.7 SPACEDECK
BUILT: 2017 PRICE: £44,950
Beneteau’s latest Flyer series was introduced to us in 2014, when the company launched the six-and-a-half-metre 6.6 in three versions, offering choice and value.
Since then the Flyer range has grown in both size and popularity, with a range spanning about 5m through to 10m. This 7.7 model offers a good compromise between space, performance and running costs.
INTERIOR Most Flyer models were originally launched as three distinct versions based on the same hull; SPACEDECK, Sundeck and SPORTDECK. Sundeck has the helm in the centre, a cockpit aft and a cuddy cabin forward with vee berths and a loo. The cabin’s foredeck is laid with sunbathing cushions, hence the name.
EXTERIOR The SPACEDECK you see here has a centre console and walkaround decks the full length of the boat giving masses of space for day boating but no cuddy cabin for overnighting. The aft seat hides a cool box and storage, and also unfolds, doubling in size to become a sunpad. There are infills to convert the seating forward of the console into a further sunpad. Cunningly, the centre console hides a small toilet compartment adding welcome convenience to an otherwise alfresco experience. The SPORTDECK had a more conventional layout with bench seats to port and starboard ahead of the low dark tinted screen and swivel bucket seats behind consoles either side.
PERFORMANCE Single or twin outboard engines were offered. With the single 250hp Suzuki outboard fitted to this vessel, you can expect a 35-knot top speed.
SEAKEEPING An Air Step 2 hull provides a decent ride and is pretty good at spray deflection too. The hull steps also improve performance by introducing air to the underside, reducing drag.