Fun, sporty boating on a budget

Building a budget boat isn't hard, and neither is building a high-quality one, says Nick Burnham in Motorboats Monthly. But combining the two takes some skill. This new Atlantis 34 Azimut has "risen to the task with tremendous success, creating a boat that feels every inch the quality product yet with a price tag that's bound to send a few shivers through the competition".

If you look closely you can see where corners have been cut, but the overall impression remains one of "quiet class", says Burnham. Space has been used intelligently, with a simple and safe deck outside, an open-plan main cabin, a gallery, a proper toilet and shower, and a large V-shaped dinette that can be converted into a "huge" double berth sleeping area.

The top speed of 30 knots feels "a little pedestrian for such a sporty boat", but the twin Volvo D3 220 engines are a good compromise between performance, economy and cost. The boat feels solid and rattle-free to drive, and high-speed turns are handled confidently. All in all, the Atlantis 34 gives you "a lot of boat for the buck". The look, feel and ambience inside are a notch above what you'd expect for a boat at this price level, says Burnham.

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