BOAT TEST
Storebro 435 Commander
Datafile Storebro 435 Commander
Verdict Data
It could be that you’re only interested in something that knocks you dead the moment you clap
Overall length 43ft 4in (13.20m)
eyes on it. And there’s nothing wrong with that – I’d buy Maserati’s beautiful new Gran Beam 12ft 10in (3.91m)
Tourismo even if it drove like a Hummer. However, if you’re comfortable with something that
Displacement 9.5 tonnes light, 10.7 tonnes loaded
your friends are less likely to swoon over, you would be crazy not to put this Storebro 435 on
(loaded = light + 100% fuel & water)
your shortlist of two or even three-cabin fl ybridge cruisers. It is the quietest 32-knot boat of its
Draught 3ft 0in (0.91m)
kind – a huge plus whether you cruise far and wide or just stooge around at the weekend. All
Air draught 16ft 7in (5.05m) (mast raised)
told, it exhibits an outstanding attention to practical detailing that few boats equal. It has an
excellent pilothouse that lends itself to the rigours of long-distance cruising. And it sports twin
11ft 1in (3.38m) (mast lowered)
pilothouse side doors and separate steps to the fl ybridge – these two things alone transform
Fuel capacity 220 imp gal (1,000 litres)
the day-to-day workings of the 435. Having cruised on a boat with these features, I reckon they Water capacity 88 imp gal (400 litres)
could make or break your decision all on their own.
The 435 is not without its rivals. In particular, the Hardy 42 can give it a hard time, trading its
Test Engines
lower top speed for a softer ride when the going gets bouncy. However, the 42 is an aft-cabin
Twin Volvo D6-370 370hp @ 3,500rpm 6-cylinder 5.5-litre diesels
boat, so it gains privacy, but loses out in the storage stakes because it doesn’t have the 435’s
RPM 2,400 2,600 2,800 3,000 3,200 3,400 3,525
roomy lazarette. Both are great boats, just different in a few key areas. Pitched against more
conventional mainstream fl ybridge fare, the 435 may appear expensive. However, factor in its
SPEED 17.8 21.4 24.5 27.2 29.5 31.7 32.9
excellent build quality and attention to detail, plus its impressive standard specifi cation, and I
TRIM 6.0° 5.0° 4.5° 4.0° 4.0° 3.5° 3.0°
reckon it more than holds its own. MBY GPH 15.7 17.1 19.0 21.5 25.6 30.4 34.4
MPG 1.13 1.25 1.29 1.27 1.15 1.04 0.96
Thumbs up or thumbs down? RANGE 200 220 227 223 203 184 168
Speed in knots. GPH & MPG figures use imperial gallons. Range in nautical miles
THUMBS UP ➤ Workings of cockpit canopy
and allows for 20% reserve. Calculated figures based on readings from on-board
➤ Good standard specifi cation ➤ Sturdy mast hinges rapidly
➤
fuel gauges, your figures may vary considerably. 20% fuel, 100% water, 2
Class-leading sound levels ➤ Excellent saloon ventilation
➤ Outstanding practical detailing
crew, light stores. 15˚C air temp, 1,026mb pressure. light chop swell, Force
➤ Twin side doors & pilothouse steps THUMBS DOWN
2 for speed trials
➤ Quality of internal fi t-out ➤ Engineroom service access
➤ Deep fl ybridge & cockpit ➤ Engineroom & lazarette lighting
Cruising 27.2 knots 223 miles @ 3,000rpm
➤ Enormous bathing platform
Flat out 32.9 knots 168 miles @ 3,525rpm
Rivals
SOUND LEVELS dB(A) Saloon Cockpit Flybridge
Cruising @ 27.2 knots 68 75 65
Hardy Commodore 42 from £467,872
Flat out @ 32.9 knots 70 77 67
inc UK VAT
The aft-cabin rival. Like the Storebro,
Hardy’s Commodore has low sound
Price from £462,968 inc UK VAT (twin 370hp)
levels, good practical detailing and a superb
Price as tested £509,395 inc UK VAT (twin 370hp)
lower helm. Its top speed is only 27 knots,
Designer John Lindblom & Storebro, 2006
but it has a far softer ride than the 435. RCD category B (for 12 people)
The aft cabin also gives unmatched
privacy for the owner and crew. A truly
Contact Offshore Powerboats
superb cruiser.
Tel: +44 (0)1590 677955
Email: chris@offshorepowerboats.co.uk
Nord West 420 price on application
The quality Scandinavian rival. This
Website: www.storebro.se
Nord West is more compact in every
Storebro 435 Commander
department, not least because it has three
cabins as standard, but it is one of the few
Two-cabin layout
builders to match the Storebro 435’s
excellent build quality and attention to
practical and engineering detail. However,
it lacks the 435’s side doors and
pilothouse steps,
Bénéteau Antarès 13.80 from £340,158
inc UK VAT
Three-cabin layout
The bargain rival. It can’t match the
Storebro’s no-expense-spared build, but
this is still a remarkably practical 32-knot
tri-cabin cruiser with immense side decks,
excellent engineroom access, an amazing
view out, and an impressive
heavy-weather ride.
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