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Construction is nothing too high tech, just GRP and glass-encapsulated stringers, with a stainless steel rub rail near the hull and deck join. The hull shape is a modified vee with a deep 20 degrees of deadrise up front ranging back to a flat 14 degrees at the transom. Keep the bow down for a smooth ride, trim the hull up and use the flatter aft sections for skipping along calm water and for at-rest stability. On the electrical front, the boat has Shorepower connection and a 20-amp battery charger linked to the two house and engine-start batteries. But there was no invertor, which I would add after visiting an auto outlet, so I could use 240-volt appliances away from shore. The 22.7-litre hot-water service is courtesy of a heat exchanger, there's a decent 320-litre fuel supply, but just 72 litres of water and a small 41.6-litre holding tank. But with this you will be just fine for weekends and quick transom showers (hot/cold handheld provided) and brief boat showers indoors if you're careful. Loads of serving room exists around the single 350cc V8 block, which is reached through a big lift-up hatch. Most other electrical systems are simple 12-volt ones, with the main breakers and battery switch concealed behind a padded seat backrest in the cockpit. I came aboard via the extended swim platform, which adds to the boat's outdoor lounging areas, noting a ski hook for towing the tykes and a clever convertible cockpit. Switch from an open-plan layout with extra floor space for dancing on deck to a sophisticated lunch for four setting on fold-away lounges before a pullout moulded lunch table. Nearby is a recessed portable 23-litre or 36-can capacity Igloo cooler and a small sink with cold water only. The co-pilot seat is actually a lounge with padded backrest that folds flat to create one big daybed when you're sated after that long lunch. Stainless steel drinkholders are alongside and a stylish targa arch with canvas covers and lights sits overhead. Moulded steps on the cabin door and an opening windscreen lead to the foredeck. A one-piece stainless steel bow rail and moulded toe rails assist with footing. A windlass was provided, but the deck cleats are small and you'll struggle to get more than a wrap or two of a mooring line. The helm has a flip-up bolster seat and is fronted by a low-glare beige dash loaded with gauges and room to mount a decent GPS chartplotter. Besides engine leg trim there were trim tabs to offset uneven crew load, plus the remotes for the windlass, spotlight and stereo, and a wiper. Not to mention the usual big spread of engine gauges including trim indicator, light dimmer, voltmeter and fuel gauges. The indoor studio, meanwhile, has a galley with a small sink with hot/cold water, basic Tappan microwave oven that can only be used when connected to Shorepower (no invertor) and a metho single-burner stove. As such, this is a reheat-and-eat kind of on-water cruiser. The 12-volt/240-volt fridge complements the portable cooler in the cockpit. Add a gas barbie outdoors and you're done. Alongside the galley is an oval dinette whose lounge backrest folds flat, very easily I might add, to form a portion of the offset double bed in the bow. There were trick reading lights and a nice hatch for fresh air. The dealer mounted a flatscreen 12-volt TV/DVD for added entertainment. Amidships is the head, a big moulded compartment with full-length mirror on the door, upgraded electric loo and holding tank. The stainless sink, handheld hot/cold shower with wall mount for the rose, shower curtain and vanity will work well enough. The guests' cabin back aft features a big double mattress on the floor and an overhead hatch with curtain. For a young family of four, the $135,990 package packs a lot of potential aboard. And with a multipoint injected 300hp V8 petrol engine, the Larson 260 wasn't hanging around. Think of it as a fast getaway machine for claiming the best anchorage and relaxing soon after. The best cruise was clocked at 3500rpm-4000rpm for low-20 knots. Above this, engine noise was rather harsh, but there was still plenty of speed to burn. High-20 knots was clocked at 4500rpm and flatout the boat reached mid-30 knots. But even parked it promises a lot of fun.
AT A GLANCE |
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