Arvor 20

We don’t see many European trailer-boat designs in this part of the world.

So when Tony Trueman of Gulf Group Marine Brokers contacted me with a view to having a look at the Arvor 20, I was pretty interested. (I had already seen one at the Waikato boat show, but the huge crowd drawn to it prevented me from having a really good look.)

The Arvor is a French commercial fishing design, built for tough North Sea conditions, and in concept and design is quite different to the usual trailerboat offerings. This particular model (the 20-footer) is manufactured under licence in Australia. Other sizes in the range are sourced from France. Tony Trueman, based at Gulf Harbour, north of Auckland, is the sole NZ agent, and I met up with him at Westhaven to do the boat test during that patch of manky weather we endured just prior to Christmas.

Construction

This fibreglass hull is a traditional-style forward wheelhouse design, powered by a diesel inboard with a fixed-shaft propeller, keel and rudder. This type and size of rig as a trailerable boat is a rare beast. I am not sure whether this should be termed a planing or semi-displacement hull, as it seems comfortable in both roles. The under-hull design is an unusual tunnel and keel combination, negating the usual deadrise measurement.

The boat is made in two main parts: the hull is hand-laid fibreglass with vynalester and polyester resins. The deck section is also hand laid and features a fibreglass and foam-core sandwich. Interior fittings are moulded separately, then permanently fibreglassed into the hull.

The decks are sealed and self-draining through scuppers. The engine hatch is separately drained out under the stern platform.

Buoyancy figures were not available at the time of writing, but there are two underfloor buoyancy chambers that should at least keep the vessel afloat if swamped. An Australian report states that 0.79 cubic metres of internal foam is required to bring the boat up to survey standard for eight people, and I believe this option is available on request.

Power and performance

The Avor is powered by an 85hp turbo Nanni diesel, basically a Kubota block marinised in France by Nanni. As mentioned, this is a traditional shaft and rudder set up. The standard model has an 80-litre fuel tank, but the test boat had an additional 60-litre tank fitted. The battery box is down in the engine hold, and an option of twin batteries is offered.

We gave the rig a quick squirt in calm water and it produced 22 knots at 2800rpm. Not a particularly fast boat, but as you get older you start to appreciate a more measured approach to things, including sea travel.

The big advantage is the fuel economy. As fuel prices continue to soar, this is becoming a significant factor, especially if long periods of trolling are involved. At a cruising speed of 18 knots, the Nanni uses only ten litres per hour. At slower displacement speeds, this figure drops to less than five litres per hour! Fancy a day’s gamefishing for $40?

As you might imagine of a boat designed for North Sea commercial fishing, the Avor 20 can handle the rough stuff. We took the boat out into the Hauraki Gulf, and when the 10-knot gusting 20-knot winds turned against the tide, it kicked up a tight, metre-high chop in places. A real merde of a sea you might say – and I could just imagine the Arvor punching across the typically rough Bay of Biscay (or the Golfe de Gascogne, if you prefer).

The hull ate the sea at lower speeds, and buttoned down in the wheelhouse we were snug and dry, even when the spray was going over the top.

An interesting feature is the provision for manual tiller steering with a removable tiller supplied. It is also possible to fit a remote throttle back near the tiller for full stern control. The Avor handles more like a launch than a powerboat, and I enjoyed driving it.

Anchoring

Access to the bow to work the anchor is easy with the full walk-around cabin. The bulwarks have stainless rails fitted all the way to the bow, where they are split at the bowsprit. A flush hatched anchor-well is set in the foredeck, with a fairlead recessed into the bowsprit in front, and a tie-off bollard behind. An anchor-winch option is offered.

Sitting on the cabin top is the easiest position to pull the pick from. A good practical set up.

Layout

This hull, with its fully-enclosed forward wheelhouse, full walkaround, and sealed, self-draining decks, is designed for heavy weather. The two berths can be fitted with extensions for overnighting. There are three underberth stowage hatches, and a centre insert can take a chemical toilet.

Forward vision is good through the lightly tinted toughened glass ‘screens. There is space on the dash for instrument mounting, and a Lowrance LC X-18 and GME VHF were fitted. A knick-knack tray on the dash provides a spot to put odds and ends that may be often needed, such as keys, cellphone etc.

The wheelhouse has a hatch in the roof for ventilation and light, and a cabin light and windscreen wiper is fitted. Seating is provided by two fold-down bench seats, which are comfortable and may be folded up out of the way when travelling standing up. The cabin is fully lockable with a hinge door – just mind your head when emerging from the cabin.

Out in the cockpit is plenty of work space, with a central raised engine hatch in the middle just begging to be fitted up as a central work station. The self-draining decks have a non-skid finish. Short (about 1.5m) side pockets offer some stowage space along each side. In addition there are locker/seats built into each corner of the stern, and a removable bench seat fits between them, with clips to mount the tiller arm underneath when it is not in use.

Mooring cleats are fitted on the sides and stern, and hooks on the side of the forward bow rails allow a bow line to be run from the forward bollard that will not wear on the gelcote.

Fuel ports for the two tanks are fitted in the stern corners. A swing-door, walk-through transom gives access to the boarding platform with telescopic stainless ladder and grabrail.

There is plenty of cockpit space, and the makers offer options of cockpit side seats and various bimini tops and railings. An optional saltwater wash-down hose was fitted. All the basics are there.

Fishability

Apart from the general styling, there is one other hangover from the commercial fishing heritage of the Arvor – big net/line rollers set into the gunwale tops at each side of the stern. These may be useful for those running nets or pulling cray pots.

The big deck has a non-skid finish moulded in. There is not much toe room and the gunwale faces are just above knee height. Probably the best position to work a big fish is from off the transom, with the bench seat removed – there is plenty of toe room here.

There are two livebait tanks fitted, one under the deck with a ram pick-up, internal control cock and stand-pipe drain. A second, smaller tank is set in the transom top with a pump feed. This is a likely spot to store cut baits as well.

A moulded-in outboard bracket is on the boarding platform. Ladder, walk-through transom and grab rail, should make boarding easy for divers.

Although only two through-gunwale rodholders were fitted, no doubt more could be added. The pipe-clamp type could be easily fitted to the rails at any point, opening up the forward walk-around area to fishing.

There is plenty of opportunity for fishing customisation. Bimini tops and a rocket launcher are offered as standard options. Outriggers, padded gunwales and/or a light game chair would make this a useful little game boat. Fitting a central fish bin on the engine hatch and a bait station on the stern would suit the bottom-bouncers, and it would not take much to fit it up for comfortable trout trolling.

As Tony Trueman and I cruised around the inner Hauraki Gulf, the temptation to stop for a quick fish was too great. We dropped anchor at the ‘worm beds’, and although it was the middle of the day, we soon caught a couple of ‘pannies’ for dinner. A useful fishing position was found by sitting on the transom with one’s feet on the boarding platform, fishing astern.

A comfortable all-rounder with plenty of fishing potential.

Trailering

Production-made, trailerable keel-and-rudder boats are unusual in this day and age, but given a reasonable ramp, there was no trouble launching and retrieving the Arvor. Obviously, with a coat of antifoul and sacrificial anodes added (offered as an option), such a boat would be at home on moorings, too.

Arvors are supplied on Aussie-made Easy-tow trailers. The keel is supported by ten rollers and the bottoms by three benches and three sets of wobble rollers per side. The bow recess and guide poles aid loading in a side wind.

This galvanised A-frame trailer is made from closed box section, has tandem axles, leaf-spring suspension and galvanised guards with step plates. Mechanical override brakes work on the front axle. Approximate tow weight is 1800kg.

All in all...

An unusual and interesting boat that is sure to appeal to many. As you get older, you can really start to appreciate the comfort of displacement speeds, and with a cruising speed of 18 knots, you can also cover some ground when you want to.

The trade-off of speed against the excellent fuel economy of the Nanni diesel is sure to appeal to many who are past their ‘boy-racer’ years. In Australia, many of these hulls have been sold as work boats as well as recreational craft.

A good sea boat, offering shelter and comfortable travel in less that ideal conditions; not fast but very economical. The Arvor would be right at home in the Marlborough Sounds, or Lake Taupo, to name just a couple of places that spring to mind. If this style of boating is your cup of tea, then the Arvor 20 is well worth checking out.

Specifications

L.O.A 6.16m

Beam 2.48m

Draft 0.65m

Power 85hp turbo diesel

Approx. displacement 1300kg

As tested $84,950

This article is reproduced with permission of New Zealand Fishing News 2008 - by Sam Mossman Re-publishing elsewhere is prohibited