Arvor 23

The Arvor 230 on test was only a couple of weeks old when I got my sticky little mitts on her. She was already sold to Chris Watkins, a fishing mad chef from the Swansea area, and she'd been to sea just twice before I jumped aboard.

This was a sleek looking boat that really stood out alongside all the other craft in the marina as I walked down the pontoon being smartly finished off with tinted windscreens that really set off the white topside and blue hull.

What first struck me was that she didn't look that big, but it's got the Tardis effect and when standing on deck I was quite surprised at the huge amount of deck space you have available to fish from.

DESIGN FEATURES
The Arvor 230 has an overall length of 7.31-metres, that's including the fitted marlin or dive board, the actual hull being 6.67-metres. She has a generous 2.70-metre beam, and a draft of just 0.86-metres. The weight of the boat including the weight of the heaviest likely engine is quoted in the catalogue as 1830-kgs. The fuel tank takes 135-litres of fuel, and she's registered Category C and to carry 6 people.

Built to a semi-planing design the hull also incorporates stainless steel protection strips on the keels, and a propeller shield to help guard the props and rudder from hard knocks, either from debris passing under the boat, or when working in shallow water.

She also comes with a full 3-year warranty.

ALL ASTERN
Starting as far back as we can go the dive platform carries both a stainless steel dive ladder and an auxiliary engine bracket. Walking off the pontoon on to the platform you have access to the deck via a transom door on the port side, with the fuel filler sensibly positioned on the starboard corner.

The transom top sports a safety rail covering each stern corner, plus has a very useful bait cutting board in the middle. Each stern corner obviously carries a T cleat for tying up.

Glancing along the gunnels a feature seen on only a few boats at present is a stainless steel net roller, handy if you like dropping the odd lobster pot while you're fishing. The tops of the gunnels have teak inserts which also hold two stainless steel rod holders and add to the looks of the boat.

Built in to the stern corners are large storage lockers with snap clips easily capable of taking three or four big fenders and spare rope etc, the hatches also acting as seats. Between these is a drop in/lift out bench seat for extra seating.

ON DECK
The deck is fully self draining with the rear deck floor area hiding a huge storage locker, with a live bait well for sandeel and mackerel accessed through a lift up hatch positioned on the port side deck. Rear of the rear locker you also have an emergency tiller steerage point.

The 130hp Nanni diesel engine is hidden underneath a hinged hatch positioned in the middle. Lifting up the hatch to see the engine I was impressed by the large amount of working space you have for typical maintenance and servicing. The hatch cover is raised about a foot off the deck, but this is neatly moulded and does not intrude on the access in to the cabin.

You also have excellent hinged teak railing seats that when folded down are recessed in to the middle area of the gunnel for even more seating. Drop in hangers at the sides of the seats correspond with tunnels built in to the stern seat lockers and allow broom handles, boat hooks etc, to be slid in to the tubes and safely secured in the drop in hangers to maximise storage space and ease clutter on deck.

For the inevitable wet days at sea, you'll appreciate the overhanging cabin roof that extends well above the front cabin area to give both shelter to the cabin door, but also providing protection to those on deck. This also has a deck light fitted.

INSIDE THE CABIN
Those of us who like our creature comforts, and especially anglers who fish with the whole family aboard will take a likening to the cabin.

Open the cabin and you have a slight step down to reach the cabin floor.

The helm seat is a bench type comfortably upholstered and which folds down flat against the wall for ease of standing to steer when required. To the right of the seat at head height are two built in shelf areas for the stowage of smaller items.

The helm is a console type with a posh looking ships type wooden wheel with a stainless steel outer rim. The instrument panel is neatly moulded in with all the instruments neatly displayed. The switch panel is on the left side of the console. The compass sits proud just rearward of this panel and is ideally positioned to be easy to read at a glance.

Running towards the port side you have a very wide shelf area rear of the windows that has large amounts of space for fitting Sounders, GPS unit, and your VHF on a bracket to keep it out of harms way. On the far left side of this is a useful recessed holder ideal for taking pens and anything else you may need quick but need to secure safely until you do.

On the port side you have a large seat area with a locker underneath. Lift the seat cushion and you'll find a cracking little single burner Can type gas stove and sink.
Also at head height you have a single storage shelf.

Up forward there is a large sleeping area with a double bunk. Again remove the cushions and you have large locker areas each side, a small dining table, plus a chemical toilet facility. The sleeping area and cabin roof also carry air vents and cabin lights. There is also a shelf area running fully around each cabin side for storing odds and ends.

The decking inside the cabin is a teak type finish, but with an additional storage locker in the middle of the main cabin floor.

Again once inside you seem to have acres of space to live and work in.

UP ON THE BOW
Leaving the cabin to go forward, there is a small step up on the starboard side giving access to a wide walkway for'ard. Grab rails are positioned on each cabin side, with a safety rail running from the cabin to the bow roller which is high enough to keep you secure.

The bow is fitted out with an anchor rope locker on the port side, a stainless steel Samson post and a stainless bow roller. A safety rail also runs the length of the port side cabin too.

The outer cabin roof offers stacks of room for fitting your antennas, or alternatively a stainless steel gantry to give additional fixing availability for more deck lighting etc, and added height to your aerials for better reception and range. You also have stainless steel grab rails either side for holding when walking forward.

The cabin windows are split in to two at front with side windows. Both front windows carrying independent windscreen wipers.

HEADING OUT TO SEA
The wind had been southwest to west force 5 overnight, but swung more northwest as we pushed out through the Swansea Marina lock gates. The sea was still stirred up, but had lost the worst of its anger, though a good swell was a legacy of what had just passed. It was also drizzling and the sky a moody grey.

I liked the helm position, as always preferring to stand to fully search the water for any floating rubbish. When stood, the throttle is a good comfy height, but sitting down it might be just a touch high for some people. I also liked the wheel, easy to manoeuvre with and solid in the hands.

Visibility of the instruments is excellent, and the windows give you maximum sea coverage when standing, again just slightly impeded as you'd expect when seated. The bench seat was also very comfy if you need to travel long distances, your feet resting nicely on the foot rest at the base of the console. Glance across to your left just a fraction and you have full scan of your sounder and GPS. There is also a window in the rear cabin bulkhead which allows you good coverage for reversing or for checking what's happening on deck.

Powering the Arvor 23 forward the power comes in quick but does not consciously change the boats working position, she smoothly accelerates and was very stable for those stood either on deck or inside the cabin.

Punching her nose in to the oncoming waves she cuts and rides through the crests with very little slam and hull chatter. This was much better than I expected. Noise levels were very low inside the cabin, and with the cabin door shut it's almost like being in your living room with your feet up. This was something the owner Chris had noted as well on his first two trips.

Switching to quartering the waves, again she smoothly climbs up and just cuts through the upper portion of the wave. A little spray was washing back on to the side screen, but the wipers soon cured that. Travelling parallel with the waves you need just a little wheel correction to keep her full on track, but she almost steers herself.

The 23 has a small turning circle under a reasonable amount of power and needs little movement of the wheel to bring her back on s straight course. The hydraulic steering also makes for light work when steering in close quarters.

I got one of the guys with me to back the boat in to the waves and swell. Watching the water bulb created at the stern you'll see most of the sea goes under the platform and passes under the hull. Only a small percentage of water gets over the platform to reach the stern. This seems to rise only a few inches and gets thrown back seaward. In a following sea she keeps her course well, again with little correction needed.

My last test was to idle and see how the wind affected her on the drift. She typically comes just off the wind and then drifts pretty much straight. She's stable too, so bang on for any drift fishing you decide to do. Also you barely notice people wandering around on deck, such is the stability of this craft.

On deck you have all that room to work and she'll fish four easy, especially with your tackle boxes stowed on top of the engine hatch out of the way. The transom door and platform are very handy for releasing big fish like tope too.

With the standard 115hp unit, the Arvor 230 will cruise at 18-knots, with a top speed of around 21-knots. Depending how hard you work her expect a fuel consumption figure between 4 and 5 gallons per hour.

The boat on test, being new, was still being run in, so we took it easy on her, but she'll eventually cruise at over 20-knots with the optional more powerful 130hp Nanni diesel.

WOULD I CHANGE ANYTHING?
I could only really pick a couple of things, that if she was my boat, I'd probably change.

Inside the cabin, if you're travelling in rough old sea, you haven't got much to hang on to. I'd fit a grab rail on the leading front edge of the windward shelf on the port side. Possibly consider adding another on the inner cabin roof.

The other thing was that even though the gunnels come up to upper thigh height, I think I'd feel happier in rough seas and deep swells with a 6-inch safety rail added. It just stops you toppling over the gunnels if you get thrown off balance while on deck.

I'd also add a T cleat for tying up just rear of the cabin on each gunnel for easier mooring.

MY FINAL VERDICT
Very impressed! For a 23-footer she's got masses of space and is extremely well thought out and properly designed for easy fishing and living. The facilities and sleeping quarters make her a comfortable weekender if you want to stay overnight

She handles exceptionally well, is stable fishing platform and very forgiving for newcomers to boats. The visibility inside the cabin is another big plus factor.

Checking her over the finish is top class too, with quality fittings throughout and no obvious short cuts taken during the build.

For two guys who like loads of room to fish, a family of four, or four lads buying her as a package between them she'll be hard to beat when it comes to the crunch.

INFORMATION
If you need further information on the whole Arvor range, want to arrange a boat test on the 230 or any other Arvor that takes your fancy, or need further information on possible fixtures and electronics, the Sales Director at Cambrian Boat Centre is Robin Vaughan on 01792 467263, or Fax 01792 467263. You can also e-mail Robin at robin@cambrianboats.co.uk or check out the full Arvor boat range on their website at www.cambrianboats.co.uk