Clearing the crowded Quai Saint-Pierre in Cannes is not the easiest maneuver, especially with waterjet propulsion. At the helm, the skipper is serene, one of the two founders of the Centouno shipyard, Marco Arnaboldi, with 9 people on board and 15 knots of wind. The Vespro's dunnage doesn't have too much influence, but you do have to get used to the on/off steering mode, which is so particular to get used to, a bit like a jet-ski unable to maneuver without headway.
The sound is reminiscent of a jet plane
The sound of the 2 Man V8 1,200 hp engines, coupled with the MJP 350 X water jets, is reminiscent of a jet plane, even at low speed. There's no hiding the pleasure, and we can't wait to see in sustained conditions if the goose bumps are there, with the 56 knots of top speed announced by the shipyard. Once at sea, the 60-centimeter swell, added to the numerous wakes of the big boats we've come across, makes for an almost ideal playground for testing. So, yes, you'll have to wait a little before you can get your hands on the white half-moon steering wheel, but it's a good opportunity to listen and pay attention to how it feels on board. At low speeds, the hard-top provides excellent sound coverage. There's virtually no wind noise, and very little vibration can be felt in the hull. Once you've settled into the very comfortable helm seat, you'll appreciate the visibility afforded by the large windshield, both to the front and to the sides.
A drifting sensation
The dual throttle has a fairly short graduated travel. The engine reacts with a slight latency that takes some getting used to. The horizon is not lost to excessive pitching, and the Vespro reaches 20 knots in 15 seconds at 1,900 rpm, and planning in 20 seconds. Well adjusted in its lines, the Vespro is stable, the swell passes through without making the Vespro slap or fall heavily, and the wake is wide and flat.
To start the curves, there's a lag time, but at the helm, just a few degrees are enough to make the boat heel significantly and feel like it's skidding slightly off its ass. A very pleasant drifting or sliding sensation. The boat is very playful. Whether you're passing through waves or making tight turns, the sensations are there for the taking. Once the curve is completed, the helm, or rather the white half-steering wheel, automatically returns to its center. It's surprising and takes some getting used to.
Maximum speed: 51 knots at 2,285 rpm
By pushing the Vespro a little further up the revs, top speed is reached at 51 knots. There's no doubt that 56 will be reached with flat seas and fewer people on board. The Man engines are highly efficient, enabling the boat to go fast without too much vibration, explains Marco Arnaboldi: " It's a habit that goes back to the 90s, when I was still with AB. Our aim is to go fast, so we calculated the power according to the boat's length: 56 knots for 55 feet. The boat is very comfortable and responsive, and I feel young at the helm! "A feeling shared by the delighted smiles on all the passengers' faces.
