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After seeing it in Düsseldorf, we finally went to try out De Antonio’s latest addition, D29: an 8.9-meter f.w. by 3-meter wide walkaround that, in keeping with the Spanish shipyard’s tradition, makes the deck layout its trump card.
What sets this boat apart from the rest of the walkarounds flooding the market? Undoubtedly the solution of “encompassing” the outboards inside the stern, an idea on which De Antonio has built his fortune, but which, on this size (the hull is only 7.99 long), represents a real rarity. One can thus have a free stern, open to the water, as on an inboard, while retaining all the conveniences of an outboard installation. Space and practicality then, not just aesthetics, all in less than 9 meters.
New hull, double step and deeper V, and new production method, upgrading to vacuum infusion, two features that make this D29 a true new model and not just a restyling. The deck layout is also updated from the D28, available in 4 different versions, with a single open layout, with berth/changing room/bathroom under the console and choice of hard top or softop.
The weather conditions were far from ideal for a scientific speed and consumption test, so we will start with the baseline data. The maximum speed achieved by the 200-hp pair was 51 knots, while the single-engine 400 stopped at 48. Cruising speeds, on the other hand, were comparable and stood at 33 knots. A definite step up from the previous D28, thanks to the new hull. Fuel consumption is comparable in both solutions: at cruising speed it is around 2 liters per mile, to stay just inside 3 at top speed.
Obviously, the motor pair is noticeably more responsive and snappy, more precise in pulling over, and obviously easy to maneuver but, once launched, the single-engine is extremely smooth and comfortable in cruise. Of course, with such a large propeller, the evolutionary effect in turns is impactful. In any case, the hull is smooth and stable, especially pitching in response to sharp speed changes.
De Antonio D29 starts at a price of €164,000 + VAT, with softop and single-engine 300-hp Mercury engine, while test configurations ranged from €219,870 + VAT (softop + twin-engine) to €227,170 + VAT (hard top + single-engine).
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