GROUPTEST


The Axopar sits solidly in the


water, inspiring confi dence


The purring Merc Verado is a fi ne partner for the hull and effortlessly propels the boat through the troughs


Plenty of space in the cockpit for taking to the water on skis or a board


dash specifi cally designed to hold an iPad and a canvas chart holder that poppers off the dash so you can take it away with you. The only change I would make is to increase the


length of the windscreen wipers – they don’t sweep enough of the screen. This entire area, as far back as the radar arch, can


also be covered in a canopy to give even more protection but, as we found at the end of the test, this isn’t the most simple of operations. Aft, there are three forward-facing seats aligned


side-by-side with the same bolstering and bum hugging properties as the two main helm seats. It’s a smart bit of design because it means that this 28-footer manages to give fi ve of those on board a forward-facing seat, which is priceless on longer trips. Then things start to get really clever because beneath the aft


A real plus on a boat of this size, a double cabin with windows


sunpad is a double cabin. Accessed from either end of the sunpad module via hatches on gas struts, the entire space is covered in mattress, save a small well to drop into at the forward end, and it genuinely feels like somewhere you may spend the odd night. It even has a pair of windows and LED lights for after dark. But even if you don’t want to sleep in it at least you have a huge, easily accessed dry storage area to chuck kit into. It’s a genuine benefi t and something that sets the Axopar apart from the pack.


OPTIONS, OPTIONS On top of this brilliant design and impressive versatility of the OC version Axopar also does an Open version with no aft cabin and an open cockpit for watersports or fi shing (for around £9,000 less), an aft cabin version with a T-top and then two wheelhouse iterations with full-length canvas sunroofs with either an open aft cockpit or


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