Performance and speed are a theme undoubtedly dear to motor boating, especially when it comes to small open boats, boats that are agile, compact and capable of offering large doses of fun, often combined with all the comfort and qualities one could want on a dayboat. And the market has not a few to offer, indeed. But, what are the superfasts of 2024? A clue might be provided by the annual Best Boat Awards, a major European award that sees hulls divided into categories. In this case, the Best Performance, or Best Performance category is the one we are interested in. And, for 2024, there are four finalists, four performance and sporty boats to fully enjoy the adrenaline rush of a day out: theAnytec 860 T, theHydrolift X-28 DC, the Virtue V10 and the Sterk 31 Wet Bar. In this article, we’ll look at the latter, the small and nimble Sterk 31WB, a 60-knot fireball.
Sterk 31 Wet Bar
Among the finalists selected for Best Performance at the annual Best Boat Awards is him, the Sterk 31 Wet Bar by Sterk Yachts, a shipbuilding company as young as it is solid, and already a winner of the award in 2023(here we tell you about the Sterk that won last year). Consistent with the category for which it is a finalist, the Sterk 31WB is an agile and sporty open, 9.28 meters long overall and just 2.99 meters wide at the maximum beam, but its strengths, compactness aside, are to be found elsewhere: certainly in the layout (appealing for its role as a dayboat) and, above all perhaps, in the performance, which sees it capable of reaching speeds between 50 and 60 knots depending on the chosen motorization. Let us see it, however, in more detail.
Sterk 31 WB – Layout and deck
Although, given the premise, it may be the performance that is of most interest, first, however, it is still necessary to look at what this boat has to offer outside of pure adrenaline. After all, this is no offshorer. On the contrary, the 31WB is far from the typical minimalism of a hull purely dedicated to speed, and its deck plan well demonstrates this. Intended for the role of a dayboat, and thus for the satisfaction of needs capable of offering the most pleasant and relaxing days at sea, the Sterk 31 WB in fact does not miss a thing. Above all, of Wet Bar, i.e., the external kitchen top from which the model takes its name, complete with refrigerator, sink and cooktop.
Set up as a walkaround, the 31WB articulates, around the center console, a versatile layout in every context of use. In fact, at the bow, which can also be used while sailing, it offers a V-shaped lounge area with settees at the side and a central table, while, at the stern, it offers a more “multipurpose” space, that is, capable of lending itself to more convivial moments as well as those intended for pure relaxation.
Behind the wheelhouse (optionally protected by Hard Top), there is in fact a convivial area complete with a C-shaped sofa with central table. This, however, ideal for meals and aperitifs, can also be converted into a full-beam sundeck by simply lowering the backrests and the central table, which can be cushioned to provide the maximum available surface area. Just aft, then, two swim platforms flank the outboard motoring, facilitating both access to the water and boarding and disembarking from the berth.
To complete the picture, to provide shaded areas wherever you want them, then comes into play a bimini system capable of providing shelter fore and aft, not only from above, but also 180 degrees around the hull, thus offering a virtually closed system around the entire boat. This is a detail not to be underestimated, not least because, potentially, it turns out to be capable of offering no small amount of privacy should one wish to take advantage of the large sundeck to sleep in the roadstead, in full nautical camping style.
Propulsion and performance
Coming finally to the highlight component, the Sterk 31 WB boasts a wide range of options related to motorization, again Yamaha outboards. In fact, the shipyard first distinguishes two versions, a first, named Sport and capable of reaching 54 knots of maximum speed, and a second, named Supersport, capable of reaching 60 knots of speed. In terms of maximum powers, the first offers hole engine pairs of up to 250 hp per engine, while, the supersport, contemplates up to twin outboards of 350 hp each. However, single-engine variants are also contemplated, more specifically, the Yamaha F350USB (also contemplated in the 2×350 hp option), the Yamaha FX400USA and the FX450USA.
Data Sheet
Length Over All (LOA) | 9.28 m |
FT length, including engines | 9.73 m |
Baglio Massimo (Bmax) | 2.99 m |
Draft (Draft) | 0.84 m |
Empty displacement | 2620 kg |
Max Motorization | Sports: 2x 250 hp
Supersport: 2x 350 hp |
Maximum Speed (Sports vers.) | 50 kn |
Maximum Speed (Supersport vers.) | 60 kn |
Cruising Speed | 30 kn |
Fuel Tanks Capacity | 347/530 lt. |
Contact | Sterkyachts.com |
- You might also be interested in: