There are 4 of us aboard the Grand 850 on this test day, sailing in front of the small island of Lion de Mer, just off the port of Santa Lucia in the Var region of France. The 40 cm residual swell offers a light chop, while the wind is very light, from 3 to 5 knots. We have about a hundred liters of fuel, i.e. a third of the tank. The 2 Honda BF 200 D XDU engines have extra-long shafts and are fitted with 3 x 14 3-blade propellers.
First and foremost, there's the ergonomics of the helm station. Feet and loins are well supported by the adjustable seats, and instrument readouts are well aligned with the boat's motion. The steering wheel is fixed.
Thrust from low revs
The dual-motor drive offers the advantage of being able to operate the joysticks like a backhoe, with the extra maneuverability that's so much appreciated when maneuvering in and out of port.
Circuit-breaker in place, crew check, and off we go for a standing start!
At 1,200 kilos, the 400 horsepower have no trouble getting the Golden Line to glide along in just 3.30 seconds, without the horizon disappearing. It pushes on from low revs, with a sound volume that's fairly contained, but still transmits power.
If you shift your gaze slightly, one detail is immediately obvious: the windshield is distorting, a parameter to be taken into account by the helmsman. What a shame!
Revs climb in a linear fashion, with 20 knots exceeded in less than 5 seconds. We take advantage of this intermediate rhythm to gauge the responsiveness of the steering as we pass from edge to edge. It's lively and precise.
The feeling of control is undeniable
The hull can hardly be faulted, and shows almost no heel or counter-heel, despite jerky course changes.
The feeling of control is undeniable from the very first turns of the propeller, even when the boat is turned at the shortest angle. For the Golden Line, this means a very shallow turning angle. There's no skidding, there's grip. Let's make the most of it. Full helm and throttle! Same observation: the boat remains stable, it doesn't surprise the helmsman and the crew don't get (excessively) shaken up.
43.3 knots at 5,800 rpm
Even if the sea isn't rough, it allows us to measure the 850 Golden Line's wave action and enjoy watching the spray fall away from the hull. The trunks don't vibrate, and the crew have plenty of places to hang on. So let's not deny ourselves the pleasure, and let's lower the throttle.
Mid-range responsiveness is immediate, and the thrust is straightforward, reaching a top speed of 43.3 knots at 5,800 rpm. The Golden Line is so predictable and perfectly stable, even at full speed, that it's hard to deny yourself the pleasure of getting back down.
The hull/engine combination is one of the main attractions of this twin-engine version, even though, as we recall, the boat is also available as a single-engine model.
