Wednesday, 30 June 2010 13:07
Sports Boat and RIB sent Simon Everett to check out the latest version of one of Beneteau’s most prolific sporting cuddies - the Flyer 650.
Cuddy cabin boats are all the rage now and you can understand why. They offer more comfort than a regular open boat but without the need to increase the size of craft. So it’s good to see a boat like the Beneteau Flyer 650 providing not just an open cockpit for summer entertainment but also a small cabin to enable you to put your head down for a few hours. This neat treading of the line between the two forms is likely to have great appeal for a wide range of users, particularly as it involves surprisingly little compromise of the boat’s sporting credentials.
What’s the point of the Flyer?
The main focus of the 650 Open is likely to be simple dayboating, with the odd overnight stop and the odd weekend away. The boat's cabin is fairly cramped but, provided you are sensible about what you take away with you, there is more than enough room to go coastal hopping for a few days.
To keep things dry down below, the sliding cabin door (which can be locked in behind the dash panel) is given an all-round water channel to direct rainwater away from the joints and onto the self-draining cockpit. It’s a useful space but what is particularly noticeable is that, despite the below decks accommodation, the Flyer 650 still manages to offer a complete walkaround deck and a deep internal freeboard. It’s a measure of additional security that
will appeal greatly to young families.
To read more pick up a copy of the August issue of Sports Boat and RIB magazine or subscribe today.


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