GROUPTEST T


hese four boats are close rivals in many ways but quite different in others, not least the type of customer they will appeal to. The Draco 27 RS stands out for its


clean, almost retro, looks and its practical and very sociable deck spaces. For a bowrider it feels remarkably safe,


and as a watersports platform and family dayboat it is close to perfection. The hull may not be quite as sharp or as soft riding as the other three but it’s still a Hans Jørgen-Johnson design and very sure-footed. The Draco also gave the XO a good pasting in our drag race, even if the XO did overtake it at the top end. Speaking of the XO, this is the least family oriented boat


here and is slightly mad in the most excellent of ways. The test boat’s madness was enhanced by the black on black colour scheme and the 300hp Mercury Verado Pro outboard – you could make it look less SBS with a more forgiving hull wrap. But make no bones about it, the XO 250 is an absolute weapon out on the water, it’s devastating in a chop and it is by far the most exhilarating to be behind the helm of. For the thrill-seekers and speed freaks, there is no other option. The Paragon is the most serious cruising machine of the


bunch and the one you would want to be in if the sea really kicked up. That mix of inboard diesel power, more weight and the sharpest hull of the lot puts the Ranger ahead in the rough and it is the one you are most likely to spend an entire weekend on, but you do pay, literally, for that particular convenience. But when it comes down to the wire, the Axopar stands


out as the most talented all-rounder of the bunch, and combines many of the best elements of the other three boats without ever feeling bland or compromised. Its dayboat credentials rival the Draco, its accommodation is nearly the equal of the Paragon and it is almost as fast and fun to drive as the XO, yet crucially, it undercuts them all on price. The XO, Paragon and Draco are all great boats and all can claim at least one discipline in which they lead the pack but in our opinion the Axopar is the first among equals.


THE DATA MODEL


Base price inc UK VAT from


Price as tested Length overall Beam


Weight


Fuel capacity Water capacity RCD category Test engine


Top speed 0-30 knots


Speed LPH MPG


Range 20


24.3 3.74 171


AXOPAR 28 OC £53,635 (Mer


cury 150hp £76,400


28ft 3in (8.6m) 9ft 4in (2.9m)


1900kg (ex engine) 260 litres 45 litres


C for (8 people)


Mercury 250hp @ 5,500rpm


40.7 knots 10.7 secs


30


50.8 2.68 122


20 )


DRACO 27 RS £88,776


(Yamaha 225hp) £105,142


27ft 4in (8.31m) 8ft 2in (2.49m)


1900kg (ex engine) 230 litres 42 litres


C (for 9 people)


Yamaha 300hp @ 5,500rpm


42.3 knots 10.2 secs


30


25.4 3.58 145


45.1 3.02 122


42.3 99.5 1.93 78


20


PARAGON 25 RANGER


£125,899


(Volvo 225hp D4) £156,584


28ft 3in (8.52m) 9ft 8in (3m)


3300kg (inc engine) 320 litres 42 litres


B (for 8 people)


Volvo D4 300hp @ 3,520rpm


34.3 knots 9.9 secs


30 29 .0 47.5


34.3 58


20


XO 250 £56,460


(Evinrude 150hp) £86,614


24ft 8in (7.52m) 7ft 6in (2.28m)


1500kg (ex engine) 230 litres na


C (for 8 people)


Mercury Pro 300hp @ 5,500rpm


44.2 knots 11.2 secs


S P E E D A S T E S T E D I N K N O T S 40.7 102 1.81 100


3.14 177


“It’s nigh on impossible to pick a personal favourite in such disparate company, especially as one pair sports berths and the others do not. So I’d take the Paragon 25 for comfortable cruising, and the Axopar 28 for ultra- rapid cruising. The remaining twosome are both extremely capable high speed day boats. Ultimately, though, I’d run with the XO250 for the same reasons that I’d buy a Nissan GTR instead of a Mercedes SL500 – it’s hard core, and then some. Dave


2.87 162


139 30 33.0


2.69 2.76 151


44.5 3.06 155


44.2 113


1.78 90


“In the Paragon I wanted to turn left at the Needles and carry on until I reached Guernsey – the ultimate pocket cruiser. The XO 250 is at the opposite end of the scale – lithe, edgy and sensational to drive but a little too small and focussed for a family day out. The Draco makes a great alternative to a fast family RIB but for me the Axopar manages to combine the looks and driver appeal of the XO with the sociability of the Draco and the overnighting potential of the Paragon – a Range Rover Sport to the XO’s Nissan GTR. Hugo


62 MAY2015


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