The hull is new, and so is the deck set-up. You can easily turn all of the space into a large sun pad
by Niccolò Volpati
Taking a new look at a legend is never easy. With no risk of overstatement, the “old” Clubman 22 can aspire to be called a legend. The reason is clear: it was created over thirty years ago, but until last year the yard had never felt the need to replace it. Now it has, showing that even difficult tasks can be handled simply.
The reasoning behind this is fairly clear. What works extremely well? The hull. And what has changed a lot in thirty years? The way spaces are set up. The aim of the Clubman 22 Plus is thus to continue to deliver excellent performance, and to modernise the usage of the deck by optimising the space available. Let’s take it all in order. The hull was designed by Federico Gerna in association with the Joker technical department. Gerna has designed all of the most recent models produced by the yard.
The hull meant it was always stable and safe, despite the fairly tough sea conditions. It fends off the waves well but is also agile and easy to handle when underway or manoeuvring.
The conditions that I found outside the harbour wall at Genoa were ideal to try a boat out: long, breaking waves of at least 70 centimetres, crossed with the new ones whipped up by a wind of around 14 knots. Bearing in mind that the RIB is seven metres long, you would quickly notice if the waterlines aren’t right. In displacement mode everything is fine, then, at 16 knots and 2800 rpm, it starts to plane. It does so effortlessly, not least because the new 250hp Yamaha V6 is very responsive and delivers a lot of torque.
Engine data
The new 250 hp V6 from Yamaha produces a lot of thrust without using much fuel. The 19-inch pitched propeller was essential in reducing the time needed for planning, and accentuating the characteristics of the pair of outboards.
I then accelerated up to 20, then 25 and finally 30 knots. The Clubman 22 Plus was unruffled. The electronic throttles react quickly. You just have to adjust the throttle to move through the water calmly without any thumping. At that point, I had barely gone over 4000 rpm, so still some distance from getting to full power. To try it out, I picked a slightly more protected place along the shore, and I went into the wave trough. At 4500 rpm we did 35 knots, and at 5000 we got up to 38.5. If the sea had been smoother, or at least a bit less rough, I could have gone up to 5500. But I made do with 5000 to avoid problems, not least because the exam had been easily passed. I felt like one of those university professors who are faced with a student who can’t stop talking and answering questions: “Alright, alright”, he might say “That’s enough, I’ll give you full marks”.
There are a lot of compartments, glass holders and pockets on the sides. There’s room for every-thing on board.
The conditions were decidedly tough, but the RIB didn’t feel the effects and never gives a feeling of danger, at least not up to 38.5 knots. The feeling of how easy to handle it is was another plus. The 22’ turns well, without ever going too far. The deck was dry, even when I turned and halfway through a gust appeared. The rubbing strake keeps the spray off and the waterlines help to create a bow wave that is clean and not too large. Fuel consumption is just as surprising and here credit should be even further split with the Yamaha engine. It is the new V6, which at any speed uses between one and two litres per nautical mile. To use more than two you have to open up the throttle to produce 5000 rpm, and even then, you only get to 2.2 litres. At all other speeds, in gear and between 500 and 4500 rpm, less than two litres per mile are used. That is good news, especially in the times we are in. If costs are lowered and the range increased, that is a plus.
THE 210-LITRE PETROL TANK GIVES A GOOD RANGE: FROM A MINIMUM OF AROUND 100 NAUTICAL MILES AT HIGHER SPEEDS UP TO 150 OR SO
AT ECONOMY CRUISING LEVELS.
The Clubman 22 Plus is classed as a C category, and so is conceived as being for day trips. The capacity of the fuel tank, when paired with the good fuel consumption of the outboard, means it can do over 100 miles, a considerable distance for a boat that is over seven metres long. Concerning what is above the waterline, the yard focused on two issues: comfort and practicality. The first of these was obtained from a very versatile deck setup. What is the dream, not even a forbidden one, of somebody who does a trip on a boat like this? Having every square inch that can be used as a sun pad. Joker has managed to do this, because between the bow and stern practically the whole deck is a sun pad. Just the area alongside the console remains to tread on the surface of the deck.
As an optional, buyers can add the awnings to have areas dedicated to sunbathing, with bits for shade. To optimise the areas, it was decided to make the pilot’s and co-pilot’s seats so can be folded down. That way further space is gained, which can also be used as a living area. There is an adjustable table in the cockpit. By lowering it, you get the biggest sun pad, while if you keep it high you get a classic dining table. And the traditional U-shaped sofas around it are joined by another seat, which comes from the chair used for the helm. And finally, there are some details like pockets and lockers. The power switch is in one of these, so it is always easy to hand.
JOKER BOAT
Via Santa Maria, 98
I-20093 Cologno Monzese (MI)
www.jokerboat.it
PROJECT
Federico Gerna and the shipyard technical department
HULL
LOA 7.01m • Maximum beam 2.77m • Length 6.02m • Beam 1.65m • Tube’s diameter 0.46-0.54 m • 6 compartments • Light mass displacement 1,200 kg • Fuel tank volume 210 l • Maximum rated power 184 kW (250 hp)
MAIN PROPULSION
Yamaha F250 V6 • Outlet mechanical power 184 kW (250 hp) • 6 60°V-shaped cylinders • Swept volume 4,169 cc • Transmission ratio 1.75 • Maximal rotational speed 5500/min • Weight 255 kg
EC CERTIFICATION
CAT C
PRICE
54,800 €, Excl.VAT as standard, bare boat (September 2022)
(Joker Clubman 22 Plus, il trasformista – Barchemagazine.com – September 2022)
