Integrity 386ES Trawler

 

Issue: April/May 2006

NO CREW REQUIRED

Weekends away are a breeze on this Chinese-built cruiser.

WORDS + PHOTOS ANDREW RICHARDSON

Angel Bay Marine imported nine Integrity motor-yachts, ranging from the 386 up to the larger 526, in 2005/2006. The 386ES is the smallest Integrity it imported, but her size and price combination is proving so popular that three have been sold here.

The vessel in this test has a price tag of $495,000 and features twin 210hp Cummins diesels, a 7Kva Onan generator, bow thruster, twin helms, two-bedroom layout and leather upholstery in the saloon. And to top it off, she's covered by a three-year limited structural hull warranty.

Modern Boating's outing on the 386 was the Friday crammed between Australia day and the last January weekend, so for all intents and purposes, we were cruising on a long weekend. When we nosed into the odd, beach-lined anchorage, other holidaying flybridge vessel skippers looked on with keen interest.

With an overall length of 38ft 6in and powered by twin engines and a bow thruster, the 386 ES falls into the 'no crew required' category of displacement cruisers. This means you can take out the in-laws (if they ever make it to the top of the waiting list!) and they can stand back and watch you do all the work.

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PERFORMANCE & HANDLING
On the water the Integrity Trawler delivered a soft ride across moderate chop and slush. But because the test boat's underside was due for a scrub, her speeds were down from spec.

At 2000rpm she delivered a 10-knot cruise speed, which after scrub should be closer to 12.5 knots.

We drove the 386ES from the flybridge where noise levels were low. But I did go down into the saloon while underway and noted the engine insulation kept cabin engine noise levels well under control.

LAYOUT
The flybridge helm has a single seat, stainless steel wheel, a solid footrest and most of the instruments repeated from the lower helm. The helm seat is well forward, offers good visibility and there's standing room for passengers up front so they can chat with the skipper.

Overall, the flybridge is roomy with an L-shaped lounge and table on the portside that incorporates an aft facing lounge. The whole area is protected by a bimini and the presence of stainless steel combined with the absence of timber ensures low maintenance. There's also a good forward stowage area with a door, under-seat stowage and room for a fridge. Finally, flybridge access is via easy-to-climb teak laid stairs with a good size stainless steel grab handle and a hatch to keep the weather out of the lower cockpit.

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