We tested De Antonio D34 Cruiser. Outboard or platform? Both!

If you are looking for a summer family cruiser with trendy elements, designed to take you around your favorite gulf, but with the possibility of sleeping onboard, the De Antonio D34 is an excellent option. I arrive at the dock in Lavagna, in the province of Genoa, and the De Antonio immediately stands out among the moored boats. Maybe it’s the white hull that glistens in the sun with its slightly squared lines from the profile to the windscreen, a black T-top, and the pure walkaround look, including the stern platform. Then I think about the outboard engine and every time I am amazed at the truly ingenious solution that the Spanish boatyard has come up with and that, given the market trends that increasingly favor these engines, is rewarding them. For those who don’t know, the main feature that distinguishes De Antonio from other walkarounds on the market is that the boats are equipped with outboards installed under the sundeck, effectively hidden from view, but ready to go at full speed when needed.

De Antonio D34 Cruiser

“All versions of this model are very popular – explains Giancarlo Pedetti (Pedetti Yacht Sales) – but the real bestseller in this size is the D34 Cruiser. The reason is easy: the De Antonio D34 Cruiser does away with the forward cockpit to make room for a large sundeck above and a voluminous cabin below, together with a second aft cabin, under the helm console, a head with shower in between. This way, a boat of 34 feet, or 10.47 metres in length overall (a registration-free boat in Italy) becomes suitable both for daily use, for the classic swim out with family and friends or for cruising in the Mediterranean with the possibility of sleeping onboard. 

The D34 Cruiser has a deck layout that makes her particularly liveable (up to twelve people) with double sundecks fore and aft. The end of this sundeck is designed to rise up to serve as a headrest when lying facing forward. In the middle of the boat is a table that opens out; around it, are two sofas that can seat up to eight people. Under the seats there are several lockers where you can put inflatable wings, ropes and anything else you don’t want to see on deck, but at the same time easily accessible. To make room for the cabin below decks, the deck has been raised so much that three steps have to be climbed to access this area on either side of the helm station. Here, a platform has been left to provide foot support.

De Antonio D34 – The test

Going back to the stern, before going below deck, we see the helm station which is located forward of the sofas and rests on a piece of furniture that hides the fridge. The helm station is protected by a squared-off windscreen that shields the large seat where three people can sit at the same time. This boat is more focused on life on deck, but, below deck, the Cruiser version can accommodate a family on a cruise thanks to its two cabins, one double located aft, and one owner’s in the bow. Completing this part of the boat is a practical galley that can be used throughout the day without disturbing the guests on deck and a fully-equipped head. Now, it’s time to talk about performance.

The test day is a typical summer day in the Gulf of Tigullio, in front of Lavagna. Flatwater, very little wind, and just the waves of a few motorboats enjoying the day. The De Antonio D34 I tested was powered by twin 300 HP Mercury Verado outboards with ActiveTrim, a system that automatically adjusts the trim while sailing according to the boat’s trim, which is also helped by the trim tabs. When it comes to acceleration, the two outboards, which are not the most powerful that can be installed, pushed the D34 to 42 knots in 23 seconds, which can be enjoyed safely. Handling is easy and the correct combination of hull and engines means that, even in the most challenging turns, there is always a good grip on the water from both outboards. A further 200 HP can be added to the stern, split between two 400 HP engines, but even in this configuration, there is plenty of fun to be had. The fast cruising speed is between 4000 and 4500 rpm. At around 25 knots, we registered an average hourly consumption of 80-90 litres. During the test carried out with two people on board, half a tank (around 290 litres of fuel) and three-quarters of water (175 litres), at 4500 rpm, the D34 reached 28.2 knots with an average consumption of 99 l/h. Maximum speed, with Active Trim at work, was 44 knots.

Gregorio Ferrari

For more information about De Antonio D34 Cruiser, click here

Scheda tecnica della barca: De Antonio D34 Cruiser