Part of the mighty Brunswick Group, Quicksilver offer up a huge range of predominantly outboard-powered sportsboats, fishers, and cruisers with one rather lovely thing in common: stonkingly good value. That’s a result, no doubt, of the parent company’s little sideline in engines like Mercury and Mariner.

The Weekender range of 20ft, family friendly outboard-powered cruisers is a case in point. As the name suggests, these enclosed wheelhouse craft offer shelter, comfortable interior space and the possibility of some over-nighting, all for well under £30,000. But now Quicksilver’s ranks have been bolstered by the arrival of a new 26ft addition, the 750. This is a much bigger boat that comes with a much bigger, diesel-powered, shaft driven engine. The inevitable result of all this largesse is, of course, a much bigger price tag. In fact, try doubling it. So, with its asking price of closer to £60,000, how does the 750 stack up?

Compared to its smaller siblings the four-berth 750 takes on a far more modern, rounded look that is far less a sportsfisher and much more the fully fledged cruiser. The style is capped by a proper radar arch and finished by a curvaceous integral transom. Peer inside the transom lockers and you will find neatly finished, flow coated compartments with no rough edges – nor sadly drain holes – and plenty of space. There’s enough, say, for the boat’s fender complement plus a hose-reel and plenty more. The story continues within the cockpit where the bench seats open up to present massive stowage possibilities, again impressively finished even in the tucked away corners you can’t see. To port, a stainless steel fuel tank resides below a teak tray, the extra weight countered by the water tank and single battery over to starboard.

Between the two seats, a large engine hatch opens up the engine bay with plenty of space to the aft of the 250hp diesel engine. For access to the belts at the front of the block, an access panel is found below decks.

The bilge is finished with a liner that actually starts from the interior, around the forward berth, running aft to the engine beds. This bilge-meets-interior style works pretty well, creating a clean, practical finish, offset by the warmth of the mahogany fit-out. Served by a neat galley arrangement, a small but comfortable dinette will just about seat a family of four and drops down to make up a useful occasional berth. You might not need it though, as the open plan layout forward returns a real feeling of space and two proper double berths plus plenty of stowage from two larger hanging lockers. Finishing off your cruising needs, a fairly big toilet compartment has its own porthole and again is finished in mahogany.

If the finish is impressive, the standard specification is outstanding and just might help smooth out the jump up in price. A bow-thruster, trim tabs, shore power, fridge and even Navionics’ latest 6600 combined chartplotter and fishfinder are all included. All you need to do is fit a VHF and fill her up with fuel.
Once you have filled the 57gal (260l) tank, your return visits to the fuel pontoon will be far less frequent than with an outboard-powered boat. The top speed of around 27 knots will return 11gph, but a lower cruising speed of 20 knots at 3000rpm will mean a more economical (around 6gph), not to say relaxed, experience.

The hull feels smooth at higher speeds, more so than, for example, Quicksilver’s shaft-drive cousin the Arvor. It is more a case of the big diesel engine’s roar inside the enclosed wheelhouse that might make you want to drop the revs off a bit. The tabs do their bit, but with a good natural trim and little spray making its way over the bows, you will only be using them to level out any heel.

Fitted with a bow-thruster, the keeled hull is wonderfully easy to direct around the marina and even the tightest, trickiest visitor moorings will fall to you. And with your cruising needs supported by a 150-odd mile range and a comfortable interior, new horizons are a real possibility.

IBS Boats

Tel: 01245 425551
Web: www.quicksilver-boats.com