|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
With its forward cockpit, pronounced tumblehome and deco hardware, Chris-Craft's new 28 Launch harkens back to an earlier age—in styling, anyway—which is just what the builder intended. Above the waterline, it resembles one of those lovely wooden runabouts from the 1950s. But the hulls on many of those older models had flattened aft sections with little transom deadrise to accommodate straight-shafted inboards. By comparison, the Launch has a deep-V hull and a pair of MerCruiser 350-hp Mag MPI Bravo One sterndrives. The combination yields a retro rocket that is no slouch when it comes to performance. The 28 hit a top-end speed of 46 knots. It careened into S-turns and slammed through wakes with no skidding. At idle speeds, the Merc throttle/shift controls were a tad tight without the strong click into neutral that I like, but a lot of that is brand-new-boat stiffness—our test boat had only a few hours on it. The Launch handled like an inboard, easily turning in its own length by just spinning the wheel. If your tendency is to tweak the trim while you're running, you're discouraged from it here. The trim switches are just forward of the throttles. To engage them when you're not running wide-open-throttle, you have to take your right hand off the controls or snake your left hand behind them. But when the throttles are advanced, all you need do is extend a finger to reach the tabs. According to Ron Johnson of Chris-Craft, this allows the boat to be trimmed when it needs to be, and I totally agree. Chrome-plated trumpet horns are mounted forward of the helm (careful when you're handling lines). Stainless-steel pop-up cleats are well-placed. There's also teak-trimmed coaming and a teak-planked swim platform. The Launch's fit, finish and layout is top-notch. The head compartment—unknown on those old woodies—is neatly tucked in the console forward of the helm and is large for this size and style of boat. Also thoroughly modern is the machinery space. No old-fashioned engine box here; a pair of electric-powered hydraulic rams lift the aft deck, exposing the engine compartment. The iron is staggered—the starboard engine is mounted farther aft than the port—which allows for easier servicing and more beef for the beam. The valving and hoses are well-marked and all of the wiring is properly color-coded and channeled. The underside of the hatch is insulated and the loudest noise you'll hear under way is from the dash-mounted Clarion Marine stereo. Another feature those old woodies lacked was stowage. Not the Launch. Besides a commodious cockpit sole compartment, which drains and doubles as a cooler, there's a nifty ski locker, stowage under seats and compartments for accessories. The Launch resembles that old '50s runabout, but it definitely plays by today's rules. —Capt. Stuart Reininger ©Motor Boating Magazine, June 2002
Other Sea Trials featured this month:Electronics Archive
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
