Hanse’s 2021 motor boating brand RYCK splashed down in Sydney late last year. Dealer Windcraft invited Kevin Green to use it as a media platform during the SailGP regatta on Sydney Harbour. It’s sharp and narrow hull proved ideal for cutting through the chop on a windy harbour as it ferried people to a mothership alongside the SailGP catamaran racing.
Named after the river that flows past the German yard, the RYCK 280 is designed as a utility boat by iconic naval architect Bill Dixon in conjunction with Hanse. It’s hard to avoid the comparisons with other rugged day-boats such as the Axopar 28, but RYCK is aiming more at the family market with the 280. And the RYCK 280 has its own charms – and, indeed, practicalities – such as the stepped topside that creates forward cabin space. Other useful features include the integrated bow roller/anchor and there’s an optional T-bar ski pole.
Blasting along at speeds of 40 knots was effortless and fun, even with three of us aboard, thanks to the stepped hull and a torquey 350hp Mercury Verado outboard. This is an in-line six cylinder with a 70-amp alternator to charge the battery. The near gale-force conditions also tested the 31-foot hull, which tracked straight thanks to its deep bow and pronounced deadrise running aft, which also reduces leeway.
As for me, I was snug behind the centre console under the cover of the T-Top bimini. Controls were simple yet sufficient, with a Simrad display, throttle on the right and an adjustable steering wheel.
Even more snug was my camera gear inside the cabin. The deep forefoot allows for a double vee-berth, generous storage and a separate toilet cubicle. Cooking is easy on the topside wet bar while dining can be enjoyed at the nearby table with a dropdown back that becomes a double sun pad.
I tested other features by regularly walking around the centre console to photograph from the sun pad on the foredeck, often relying on the sturdy handrails for support. My experience confirmed that the RYCK 280 is an ideal weekender, as well as a good media boat. BNZ
