Flight of fancy

 

WORDS + PHOTOS: ANDREW RICHARDSON

This French mademoiselle rides on a cushion of air.

The last time I reviewed a Beneteau Flyer 750 there were some communication problems, because we were in Spain on the Med, trying to direct the boat photo shoot in French through a Portuguese translator. It was fun, but there was a little bit more travel time involved in the last story compared to this one.
In fact, this time I simply had to walk down a local wharf, meet the Beneteau Power team and after a quick spin around Sydney Harbour with French model Monique and the crew, the aromas of Europe came back without the travel time.
The latest Beneteau Flyer 750 WA Airstep was powered by a hefty 275hp four-stroke Mercury outboard, which delivered acceleration from 3-30 knots in less than 10 seconds. The top speed was 38 knots with five onboard, so it was fun for everyone including those seated in the recessed bow area. In fact, at the end of the review we had trouble convincing our two-year-old crewmember that it was really time to go!
The new Flyer 750 WA's updated styling includes improved and more comfortable bucket bolster seats and a more generous use of teak trim. For a change, Lionel Dooley (who is part of the Beneteau Sydney team) decided to varnish the teak combings and it is quite a good look!

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Overall, the Flyer 750 WA offers a lot of panache in a powerful single engine package. The walk-around bow has a seating area that the kids loved and it converted to a sun pad. There was also a deep anchor well at the bow that housed an optional windlass.
Layout
The 750 WA family friendly layouts encompass a cuddy cabin with V-berth, enclosed head and small galley. The galley featured a clever twist-to-open timber cover over the sink that increases effective bench space. This cabin is light and airy and the portholes can be opened if required.
Although this vessel would work as an overnighter, its primary focus is being a sophisticated day boat, with a choice of seating options up top supported by creature comforts including several drink holders. The use of exterior teak trims on the combings and underfoot enhances the French styling that encompass curves and stainless steel with contemporary beige upholstery. Simple features like the lift-and-lock access door to the aft deck step illustrates good attention to detail being paid during the crafts design stages.
The driver's seat has a comfortable relationship to the helm and the dash features engine instrumentation including a whiz-bang information system supporting the Mercury outboard.

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