Boesch 680

 

Issue: April 1999
Manufacturer: Boesch

A landlocked country renowned for its spectacular alpine scenery and snowfields, Switzerland may seem an unlikely base for a European boatbuilding company with traditions stretching back 80 years.

But then, given the proliferation of scenic lakes such as Constance, Lucerne, Locarno and Geneva, plus the close proximity of the Mediterranean boating playgrounds, it's a little more understandable.

I must admit to knowing nothing about Boesch boats prior to this test. Some quick research revealed that the family-run business has established a reputation for traditional timber boat design and building that stretches throughout Europe and the USA.

While the company now concentrates solely on power runabouts, for more than two decades it built both power and sail craft including the Star class keelboats. In the 50s, Boesch were the sole ski boats used at Geneva, which was then the centre of waterskiing in Europe, and from 1960 through to 1976, and then again in 1981, 83 and 91, Boesch were the official tow boats at the World and European waterski championships. This is quite an achievement for a company that has stuck with traditional materials and methods, refusing to flow with the rest and adopt the impersonal product that results from moulded GRP. Boesch started with the purchase of the Treichler & Co. boat yards on Lake Zurich in 1920. In an era when one-off boats were the norm, and fast runabouts a plaything for only the well-to-do, company founder Walter Boesch set his sights on improving hull designs that increased performance and efficiency. He also developed construction techniques that retained traditional materials and finish yet enabled the company to increase production to meet their growing popularity. In the 40s the production Boesch fast motorboats were capable of a startling (at the time) 45 kph, and that hull design was to be the forerunner of the runabouts that were developed throughout the following decades. Renown for their outstanding stability, manoeuvrability, and the low, constant wake, these boats were to develop a genuine uniqueness.

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While Boesch has gradually improved their production efficiencies, current buyers of handcrafted timber boats pay a big premium. The $300,000 price tag here is indicative of that. But someone prepared to spend that sort of money on a 6.8 metre runabout is looking for a boat that is warm and unique in character; is flawless in every respect; and shows genuine pride in workmanship. Who would buy a Boesch - either the 5.6 metre, the 6.2, the 6.8 as tested, or 8.5? Probably the same person who owns a Rolex and a Bentley and enjoys the finer things in life. For lovers of traditional timber, these are superb craft - an opulent ski boat, an impressively upmarket harbour runabout that oozes class and sophistication. Using mahogany lamination over a traditional keel, stringer and rib frame of solid mahogany, the Boesch hull doesn't flex the way that conventional lapped or planked construction does. This enables all of the timber and the joints to be permanently sealed; thus the boat stays dry, clean, relatively maintenance free, and retains the right glow that can only be brought out in solid dry timbers.

The depth of the shine that radiates the richness of the mahogany is only obtained by starting with a well-rubbed coat of colour stain, followed by five to seven coats of epoxy, finished with four coats of polyurethane varnish. This deep clear finish made me very hesitant in approaching this test. Do I dare step on anything with other than feet wrapped in cotton wool? What do I say if I bump the wharf? Should I even get the boat wet with salt spray? I know - let the dealer get on first, follow what he did and let him take it out of the marina, and put it away at the end of the test! The best and softest of deck shoes lay idle on the jetty as we climbed aboard with socks on our feet, even then feeling guilty in having to step onto the sun lounge and the cockpit seating.

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