EVALUATION
Performance and handling
PERFORMANCE -
We chose to fit a BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products - the people who make Rotax engines, Sea-doo and even Learjet) Evinrude Etec 150hp engine because we could source one with low hours at a reasonable price for our trials, and because they're arguably the lowest cost engine on the market to operate. Also - they're light and have very high torque which is the ideal powerplant for a boat (or an aircraft for that matter).
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Compared to many other boats in the same class, especially in Australia, 150hp is quite a lot less than you'd generally see hanging off the back of a boat like this, but the numbers show that this engine is quite sufficient to provide the kind of performance you're looking for in an offshore boat, and it's a lot more economical (from cradle to grave) than fitting a late model 225hp four stroke. In case some aren't aware of the Etec's capabilities I'll explain ...
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Because it's a two stroke engine it has a lot less moving parts than a four stroke, so naturally it's lighter and that improves the overall power to weight of the boat, so that's one way it's more efficient. Modern four strokes cost a lot to service, two strokes have very little that needs servicing, so it's less expensive. One of the problems of earlier two strokes was that they used a lot more fuel than four strokes, but that's changed since direct fuel injection was introduced, with the engine's computer judging the perfect amount of fuel for every part of the operation and also because the fuel is injected into the cylinder after the exhaust port has already been crossed by the piston, and that has solved the problem of unburnt fuel being lost to the exhaust port during the induction stroke. Sure - you have to provide the two stroker with oil which is burnt as part of the process but it's more than made up for by the cost of oil changes and servicing for four strokes. Add to that the very superior torque provided by the two stroke because it's firing every stroke instead of every second stroke, and it's easy to see why the modern two stroke wins both the efficiency and operating costs battle.
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HANDLING -
As many will know, there are three main factors to look for with a boat - it should be fast, economical and have a soft ride. The problem is that you can't have all three of them, there always has to be some compromise.
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A fast and economical boat will have a fairly flat hull which provides a hard ride as it pounds over the surface.
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A fast boat with a soft ride requires a deep-Vee hull which needs a lot of power to get up and stay up on the plane, so it won't be economical.
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And an economical boat with a soft ride will require a displacement hull rather than a planing hull, so it won't be fast.
There is also one other consideration that is desirable on any boat if it can be accommodated, and that is to keep the occupants dry from spray. Those are the challenges faced by every naval architect when he designs a boat - so where does the Oceania 23WA fit in?
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This 23WA has a moderate Vee hull with 16° deadrise at the transom. It pops up onto the plane quickly and easily and accelerates to a top speed of 36kts/40mph. It cruises efficiently at 25kts/28mph and that moderate Vee hull gives it a comfortable and stable ride. Fuel consumption at 25kts is around 1lt/1.5-1.8Nm, depending on sea-state, which is very good for a boat of this size and weight.
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It is also quite a dry boat. At speed she rides high in the water so most of the spray is aft of midships before even leaving the sea surface, and the high flared bows deflect the bulk of any spray from contact with waves. Of course, if the sea-state does build up and you want to keep the speed up then, like any boat, you'll get the decks wet - so that's when it's great to turn on the windshield wiper and enjoy the protection of the wheelhouse and cabin.
The boat is also very stable at speed or at anchor. Steering is positive and does not result in cavitation, even when turning hard and fast, as can be seen in the first video on the Videos page.
Build quality
Unless you're in one of a few specific industries, it's not unusual to think of products built in China as being of inferior quality. That's not the case with Oceania boats. As a company they established their high quality standards while still manufacturing in Europe and took their methods and processes with them some 13 years ago. In short - Oceania boats are built to the highest world-class standards and finish, using the best materials, processes and fittings available.
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In the Oceania manufacturer's own words -
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"OCEANIA has been building the finest boats in the world. It has evolved from a brand into an icon.
OCEANIA is proud to offer our clients a large selection of new boats that we can construct for you here in China where labor is a fraction of the cost of Europe but the quality is equal or better. Using this competitive advantage OCEANIA is able to produce labor intensive, high end touches to its boats such as: compound curved high tensile safety glass in the front windows, inlaid teaks, marble countertops, stainless steel hardware, to name a few. Because OCEANIA is able to purchase materials from source in the Far East at substantially reduced prices we can afford to deliver top quality boats at great prices.
OCEANIA adds extraordinary value to each boat. Cutting edge techniques – together with world class fit and finish and the ability of its customers to customize their boats to their personal taste – distinguish OCEANIA from its competitors. We only construct boats to achieve the high standards that we and our clients expect from their new purchase.
OCEANIA is the result of more than 25 years experience in big game and deep sea fishing. All the equipment, the layout, the comfort and the attention to detail fishermen look for, are found in OCEANIA.
By its cost, quality and equipment, OCEANIA is your best choice... boats for fishermen, designed and manufactured by fishermen".
Layout and design
If it's so good, why are we selling it? The simple reason is that when we chose this boat there wasn't an example for us to look at so we based our decision on what we could see in the photos and on the fine quality and finish seen on other Oceania boats.
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Make no mistake, when the boat arrived in Australia we were absolutely delighted, and that hasn't changed a bit, but we've since discovered that we need a larger boat for what we want to do with it.
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We need a boat that we can take a considerable amount of gear on, and to be able to spend several nights away at a time. With our experience of other 23ft boats we expected this would be possible with the 23WA, but here's the rub ...
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Many people will be aware of the differences between British and USA boat measurements. For example, in the USA they provide waterline length as the principle measurement because that is what most affects the performance and handling of a boat. Sometimes, where the vessel has large (or conversely, unusually small) overhangs at bow and stern, they may also provide a 'length on deck'.
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The British, by contrast, rarely mention waterline length, instead providing the overall length of the main hull - and this would never include the length of a bowsprit for example.
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In Europe they use a different method again, because they pay for marina berths by the overall length of the boat, not just the hull. As a result, the Oceania 23WA isn't what we would call a 23ft boat because the hull length is closer to 21ft and the swim platforms aft make up the difference.
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As a result of that, although the cabin is beautifully fitted and upholstered, and very cosy, it isn't really long enough for two people to sleep in comfortably for more than perhaps one night at a time. Note that you don't only have the seating area to sleep on, as shown in the Images, the table drops down and has a cushioned top, and there is also an infill in front of the toilet to complete the bed space.
We also need more space for food storage and preparation on longer trips.
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Nonetheless it's still a boat that is very much admired by all who see her, attracting regular envious comments from passers-by.
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As a day boat and occasional weekender it's hard to beat. The 50lt fridge/freezer is large enough for the food, drinks (and bait), the cabin dinette is very cosy for meals if the weather is not perfect, and the table transfers easily to the cockpit where the flip-up seats convert it for comfortable al-fresco meals or sundowners and LED lights in the cabin, wheelhouse and cockpit provide a pleasant ambience when staying out overnight.
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Anchoring by a single person is effortless with the electric anchor winch controls in both the wheelhouse and at the bow, and there is 35m of chain plus 50m of rope.
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The aft swim platform and flush-fitted telescopic boarding ladder make swimming a pleasure and boarding easy, and the cockpit fresh water pressure shower is a nice touch for rinsing off the salt water.