A comfortable and safe cockpit
It is often the place where you spend the most time on a boat. The cockpit is therefore an essential element. The Astus 22.5's cockpit offers a safe space for 4 people. The 3.75 meter long trampolines complete the cockpit for additional crew members. A generous aft balcony (optional) can serve as a backrest for the helmsman. Some may want to add a small cushion.
On the storage side, two open lockers under the helmsman's seat hold the outboard motor's power supply on the port side and the maneuvers and mooring lines on the starboard side.
A generous deck hatch allows for storage of equipment under the cockpit floor.
Except for the gennaker, all the running rigging is sent back to the cockpit. A piano on the roof receives halyards, reefing lines and jib sheets. Winches on the cockpit coaming allow the adjustment of the gennaker.
Front deck and floats
The foredeck remains small due to the size of the boat, but sufficient for the little maneuvering required on site. One person can stand up easily. He or she can retract the bowsprit, cast off or raise the anchor, in safety. The ingenious anchor locker at the front of the roof allows both centering of the weights and easy access.
As evidence of the cruising program, the geometry of the float deck has been slightly modified compared to the Astus 20.5 to accommodate a deck hatch. It is thus possible to store equipment in the central waterproof compartment of each float.
A modular cabin
The descent into the cabin of the Astus 22.5 is done by a wooden step on the head of the daggerboard well, slightly off center on the port side. The trick, with little visible consequences in terms of edge-to-edge difference, frees up access to the volume under the cockpit, allowing the storage of a small 2-seater tender. Depending on the choice of equipment, the batteries can find their place under the companionway.
The cabin, generously lit by the side window of the roof and the deck hatch in front of the mast foot, offers 4 berths of 2 meters long. The 2 coffin berths at the rear are 46 cm wide, while the Breton bed at the front is 1.42 m wide at the head and 80 cm at the foot. A chemical toilet is located under the front bunk.
The kitchen furniture is modular and removable. Several options are proposed. The model we tested had a stove on the port side and a small sink on the starboard side, and storage space under the work surface. By removing the module, it is possible to extend the coffin berths.
If the layout will depend on the options chosen for the desired use, the Astus 22.5 responds with simple solutions to the needs of the yachtsman looking for short cruises and coastal raids.
