Experience report SX20 -Yachtline-: Neckar, Rhine and Müritz lakes

A rented motorboat with a license-free 6 (!) hp in the French Mediterranean resort of La Grande-Motte – that’s how it all began. Then the driver’s license, with the intention of renting a boat now and then, the thought of owning a boat when I’m older – and then the question of why not now, because nobody knows what’s coming…

We were finally able to take over our Petite-Motte in Kürnach

The first result of a completely uninformed search on the Internet (trailerable cabin cruiser) was the Öchsner SX20 -Yachtline-! At first it was just more expensive than comparable boats – but the longer we looked into it, the more often we got stuck with Öchsner’s SX20. Design, features, appearance, wide-beam technology and undisguised praise from the competition – all this made us make an appointment in Kürnach. The advice from Mr. Küffner was very pleasant and so we decided to buy the SX20 -Yachtline-, which consequently could only be called “Petite-Motte”…

At the end of May 2021, the time had come. We drove to Kürnach to pick up our boat. While we were completing the final formalities in the sales office, a large white wall slid past outside the window…

Our “Motte” was placed on the trailer for instruction and a test drive. Shortly afterwards, we went to the Main with Mr. Öchsner, where the first slipping was scheduled. Well, since Mr. Öchsner explained everything in detail, lent a hand himself and gave precise instructions, this was of course no problem. The test drive was relaxed and we were able to familiarize ourselves a little with the boat. When we returned to the slipway, there was quite a bit of wind, a current and a ferry was also “in the way”. Under the patient guidance of Mr. Öchsner, we drove the boat onto the trailer for the first time and were proud of it under these conditions.

On the way back, we stopped for our first refueling. And as it takes quite a long time to fill the boat’s tank, we were approached several times about our boat – which happened to us again and again throughout the season. Even though our SX20 -Yachtline- is regularly one of the smaller boats in the marinas, it still stood out and was admired time and again for its design, equipment and functionality.

Back to slipping… Well, to cut a long story short: we found the first attempts difficult. Sometimes it only succeeded with the help of helpful boatmates. But with experience came safety, and later we actually managed to drive the boat cleanly onto the trailer so that it sat directly on the pass in the bow stop! This also led to appreciative comments on the coordinated combination of trailer and boat – if you do it right, it fits perfectly straight away.

The secret is to make sure that you only drive the trailer into the water until the boat jerks and starts to float – and that you don’t get any deeper when launching! Mr. Öchsner’s tips were worth their weight in gold.

The SX20 -Yachtline- is easy to steer

But the ride on our “Motte” makes up for all this effort. Whether on the Neckar, the Rhine or the lakes around the Müritz, it’s simply fun! The SX20 -Yachtline- is easy to steer. Even on the Neckar, where a maximum speed of 18 km/h is permitted and you have to be more considerate of anglers, rowers and stand-up paddlers, you can glide along with a well-trimmed motor without excessive suction and waves. Our boat on the Müritz felt like it started to glide at around 20-25 km/h. The “moth” also copes well with choppy water.

Even at low speeds, the SX20 -Yachtline- runs cleanly in a straight line, and when it is allowed to do what it can, it is great fun to glide over the water – the 80 hp are completely sufficient, we didn’t miss anything.

In our first season, we took the boat through the locks about 20 times (with and without escort from commercial shipping) and approached many a jetty. Here, too, you learn something new every time – and if the “Motte” didn’t dock really elegantly, it was more due to the skipper’s steady hand. The boat itself reacts very directly, so that you can – and should – carry out the maneuvers calmly and with foresight…

We enjoy slowing down and relaxing

The wide-beam hull feature ensures faster, quieter, more comfortable and also more economical planing.

The SX20 -Yachtline- requires less power and fuel and offers a more comfortable ride than comparable boats with an “I’m also a superyacht” look.

The upholstery and furnishings in the cabin are very elegant. We strongly recommend ordering a fridge, which has a decent cooling capacity and sufficient capacity, even if you are traveling with guests and a maximum of 6 people. We can also recommend the sunbathing cushion for the bow, which has always been a popular place for sunbathing. We found a supplier of magnetic glasses/cups/cups for the furnishings, these can be attached and hung on covered metal strips that are glued directly to the plastic. There are also magnetic nano pads, so that nothing stands in the way of a relaxed coffee or a glass of champagne in the cockpit, even when the boat is rocking.

All in all, we are very happy with our boat and enjoy the deceleration and relaxation that comes as soon as you have the famous hand’s breadth of water under your keel.

Best regards, Family S.

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