Beneteau’s Flyer 8 Spacedeck is an open day boat with lashings of performance and room for up to 10 passengers.

I shouldn't be, but I'm often surprised when a Beneteau powerboat exceeds my expectations

I guess my surprise has something to do with being brought up on a diet of Aussie and American boats. But there’s also something entrenched in my psyche that associates the Beneteau name with sleek sailing yachts even if the brand’s first engine-powered boat hit the water in 1908 and the original sterndrive-powered Flyer was launched around 1980. 

All these impressions skirt the issue that the Flyer 8 is a great performer with loads of room and well-deserving of the description as an all-rounder. It's a day boat, a toy hauler, a fishing weapon and a cruiser wrapped in distinctive European styling. It’s fun and safe to drive and feels rock-solid in a choppy sea at rest. 

Considering the company motto is the ‘Avant-Garde of Boating’, it’s only to be expected that the Flyer will have an individual appeal. Like a lot of contemporary European designs, the visual impact still takes some getting used to. The blunt bow section over a sharp entry with deeply scalloped chines may not be the prettiest, but the combination excels as a practical performer. 

The latest Flyer range incorporates the second generation of an Airstep hull that creates a flow of bubbles under the rear section of the hull to improve drive and stability. The range spans across models between 6m and 10m and most have the option of either an open bowrider style of the Spacedeck as tested here or as a Sundeck version with a full bow cabin.

THE BUILD

Beneteau is no stranger to fibreglass, and with vast economies of scale, it has invested in the latest design and production techniques. The hull and deck are a polyester sandwich construction using an injection moulding technique that ensures consistent hull strength and weight.

CLICK HERE FOR NEW AND USED BENETEAU BOATS FOR SALE

To maximise the deck space and liveability, the design sends the wide beam as far forward as possible with only the bow's lower sections taking on the usual sharp entry. In practice, we couldn't dip the bow down enough to cause any of the harshness you might expect from the blunt shape. At rest, the bow's width looks incongruous but as the hull rises under acceleration the deep hull shape and a set of planing strakes become visible and the lines of the boat make more sense.

Fittings all look high quality while the timber and brightwork are beautifully crafted. The upholstery has a tight fit, and the metallic grey finish adds a quality touch.

Large scuppers above the waterline allow a full self-draining deck for added safety at sea. Local importer Mark Chapman told me he would confidently cruise the coast and would be happy to take it to sea in almost any conditions.

ONBOARD

Swim platforms either side of the engine well lead into a cockpit that flows in a single level to the bow. To port are a folding stainless steel swim ladder and a handhold that should make for easy re-entry. A shower is on hand here and sets of cup holders each side will be convenient for those who like a drink. Stainless steel gates close off the rear end, and floor hatches are handy for line storage.

Overall length is 8m with a hull length closer to 7m. For a boat of this size, the amount of room is uncanny. The only concession to access might be the narrow walkway through to the bow at the helm console. 

The layout offers separate spaces at the roomy and innovative cockpit (1.85m x 2.15m) and another in that wide-as-possible bow. The centre console provides seating for two on comfortable pedestal mounted buckets. And, to add the essential day boat ingredient, a sliding door leads down into the compact console cabin with marine toilet and enough headroom for changing into swimmers.

At the transom is a full-width lounge that converts to forward- or rear-facing and also a generous size sun lounge. Hatches in the floor offer easy access to the batteries, fuel and water tanks and the various valves and pumps. There is also dedicated space for a timber table that slots into the cockpit or the bow. Padded benches also fold out from the side decks and with the helm chairs reversed there is seating for eight.

Upfront we find a twin lounge ahead of the console and fixed seating each side for a total of six spots. Freeboard is generous and low rails on the gunwales and grab rails at the console should keep movement around the boat safe even when underway. The trail splits at the bow where a hatch houses the ground tackle.

The optional T-top would be a must for local conditions. The unobtrusive aluminium frame sits high over the helm, and the black canvas bimini gives good shade coverage for the central section of the boat. Rod holders on the trailing edge hint at a more serious fishing ability than most day boats and there is an option for a live bait tank and bait table.

It’s easiest to step back down the three steps into the cabin, and although headroom is only about 1.6m, there’s room enough for most folk to make do. Despite a rough finish to the fibreglass walls, the interior is neatly finished with a timber floor and wall features, but I was surprised there is no window or extractor fan. 

The important thing is that there's a head onboard, as the lack of one can be a deal-breaker for many families.

MERCURY RISING

These latest Mercury V8 four-strokes put the American brand back at the head of the pack. The beefy black 300hp version is standard on the Flyer 8 for Australia, and it packs more than enough punch for a thrilling ride. A 350 is an option for a few more knots of top end.

Power from the naturally aspirated 4.6L four-stroke is instant and smooth and quiet enough to be unobtrusive. Features like Active Trim and Adaptive Speed Control through turns make driving the boat for new boaties much easier.

THE RIDE

At the helm, two optional pedestal-mounted chairs have bolsters for extra height or to lift out of the way and facilitate standing when driving. A grey tinted acrylic screen has a narrow grab rail and wraps around in front of the console. It does an excellent job of deflecting wind. 

The starboard-side driving position has an all-round vision from the high chair, and I found the binnacle-mounted throttle control and fixed position wheel well placed. 

A Simrad screen for navigation and a sounder sit in a gloss black panel on the dash and also has readouts for all engine data. Below is a straightforward row of switches for lights, pumps and so on and the push-button engine control. You also get an analogue fuel gauge and a set of 12V and USB outlets.

The Quick bow thruster helped ease us out of the narrow pen as we made our way towards Sydney Harbour. At low speed out of Blackwattle Bay and into the harbour proper, the boat tracked smooth and straight and handled the turbulent 15kt zone under the bridge without banging or drama.

Acceleration is brisk, and we were already planing at 10kt, which indicates that the stepped hull is useful in helping the boat perform. Around 3500rpm saw a cruise of 18.5kt with a fuel burn of 29L/h and a range of 195nm (360km). Optimum cruise came in at 4000rpm and 25kt where the range made it to 206nm from a fuel burn of 36L/h.

We saw a maximum speed of 41kt (75km/h) at 6100rpm and, even at this speed, the boat is very stable and tracks perfectly without chine walking or pitching. Steering is through the Mercury setup on the Verado and was very responsive and sporty. The hull rides relatively flat into fast turns with no wallowing or cavitation from the prop. 

The WRAP

Base price is $145,895. The review boat was kitted out with many options including the engine upgrade from a standard 250, bow thruster, marine toilet and tank and the T-top. These are sensible for local conditions and take the as-tested cost to $166,710. 

The Flyer 8 will appeal to anyone looking for a versatile day boat with lots of room for friends and family onboard. The capable hull has the performance and speed for a driving experience that is fun and safe. While not a dedicated fishing boat, it wouldn't be too hard to remove cushions for a day of piscatorial exploits. 

And in fishing mode, the all-round access will be excellent for fighting a big one or allowing the crew to spread out without getting tangled up together. 

FAST FACTS

PRICED FROM

$145,895

OPTIONS TESTED

Engine upgrade, Comfort pack including solid timber table, extended swim platform, T-Top, marine toilet and tank, bow thruster, helm seat upgrade

PRICE AS TESTED 

$166,710

GENERAL

MATERIAL GRP

TYPE Open monohull

LENGTH 8.17m ( 26ft 10in)

BEAM 2.53m (8ft 4in)

WEIGHT 1776kg (without engine)

DEADRISE N/A

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE 10

FUEL 340L

WATER 80L (option)

MAX POWER 350hp

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL Mercury Verado 300

TYPE V8 fuel-injected four-stroke XXL shaft

RATED HP 300

DISPLACEMENT 4.6L

WEIGHT 272kg

GEAR RATIO 1.75:1

PROPELLER 14.5in x 17in Revolution

MANUFACTURED BY

Beneteau France

SUPPLIED BY

Chapman Marine Group

Suite 2, Sydney Boathouse 2, Waterways Ct, Rozelle 2039

PH: (02) 9818 2000

W: chapmanmarinegroup.com.au