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oat Test
Arvor
215 & 215AS
PHOTOS DAVID LOCKWOOD
TWICE
AS
NICE
The French-designed Arvor 215 and
215AS are fraternal twins, the former
with a symmetrical cabin layout and the
latter an offset design. Which is best
Read on, says DAVID LOCKWOOD

BOAT TEST
BOAT TEST
Up and running, the Arvor 215s are good
for more than 21kts on smooth water.
Underway or anchored, the easy-clean
moulded non-skid decks allow you to
use the full length of the boat with
confidence
No space is wasted in the underfloor
engineroom, and without sacrificing
engine servicing access.
What isn’t there to
like about a 21ft
cabin cruiser with
a frugal diesel
inboard engine, a
vee-berth on which to sleep or escape
the weather, a decent cockpit for
fishing or hanging out, and a nifty
turn of speed in case you need to
hightail it home on Sunday afternoon
How about the fact you need to make
the choice between the symmetrical
cabin layout or the asymmetrical
alternative. The price is the same, so
you need to weigh-up the differences
and make your decision.
The good news is this brace of
smart French-designed, Polishbuilt
Arvor 21-foot cabin cruisers
are low-maintenance, high on fun,
and offer an interesting twist on
the side. You see, the AS part of the
Arvor 215AS nomenclature is short
for asymmetrical. This points to
the fact the cabin is offset to port
to create a wider, deeper and more
accommodating walkaround to
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starboard than is otherwise possible
with the symmetrical variant called
simply the 215.
The AS also has an extra cockpit
storage locker moulded into the
starboard corner and a burgundy hull
as standard. The downside of the
asymmetrical deck layout is an everso-slight
decrease in sleeping space
in the cabin — although storage
space improves. Really it’s a bit like
splitting hairs, as both boats are easy
to get around and you won’t struggle
with reaching the foredeck during
anchoring duties (windlasses are
provided), to unload or pickup crew
from the wharf, or cast a line at a
school of fish.
In short, the big difference is
aesthetics. When viewed head on, the
asymmetrical cabin version looks a
little strange whereas the symmetrical
variant is prettier. And even with
the smaller walkaround decks, the
latter boat, the 215, is still a cinch for
accessing the bow. So if looks count
for plenty then the 215 is your boat.
The red-hulled 215AS cuts a striking line on
top of the water, and underneath, too, where
protected running gear makes for beaching.
tradeaboat.com.au 111

Twin Volvo Penta IPS 500s can race the
Montebello to more than 30kts, and provide
an economical cruise between 22 to 25kts.
BOAT TEST
Not quite peas in a pod,
the 215AS, at right, has its
wheelhouse-cabin offset to port.
Like those sister ships preceding them,
the Arvor 215 in either guise… is an
unpretentious boat built on utility above
all else
UTLITY FOREMOST
The popular Arvor family includes
the 20, 23, 25 and 28-foot models. All
are built on the same basic singleengine-cabin-cruiser
formula. But
moored alongside the widely popular
Arvor 20, which is built under licence
in Nowra on the NSW South Coast
— more than 260 sold at the time of
writing — the new 215 is said to be
noticeably wider.
While the 215s’ beam of 2.54m
means the boat is still trailerable with
a permit, it would be a fair lump at
2400kg plus trailer. The hull is deeper,
with more freeboard, increased
bow flare to shed the water, and a
bigger cabin in both standard and
AS variants than the 20. As such, the
215s fill an interesting niche. We see
it as a mooring proposition foremost
and, thanks to its undeniable utility, a
great boat de jour.
Rising fuel prices, a lack of leisure
time, a disinclination to waste a
day on maintenance — such things
only underscore the attraction of
these boats. And while you can
gad about with glee, the Arvor 215s
also pack a punch. Their single
Cummins MerCruiser Diesel (CMD)
QSD turbocharged 2lt 115hp diesel
has a Bosch common rail fuel
injection system for plenty of at-call
acceleration, impressive cruising
economy and clean running across
the rev range.
According to CMD’s official seatrial
figures, the engine uses 11.6lt/h
at 2400rpm cruise of around 16kts
and 21.8lt/h at top speed of 21kts to
22kts. Maximum torque is made at
2200rpm or 12kts, allowing you to
make good progress while holding
a steady plane in heavy weather. As
these are mere 21-footers, the key to
ride comfort comes from keeping the
forefoot in the water and not landing
on the flat aft sections. But more on
the ride later.
UNCLUTTERED DECKS
Underway or anchored, the easy-clean
moulded non-skid decks allow you to
use the full length of the boat with
confidence. But compared with the
early Arvors we tested, the mouldings
are much improved and the finish,
even in out-of-the-way places, is a
step up from the past. In keeping
with tradition, there is a spread of
heavy-duty stainless steel deck gear,
oiled teak coamings (one of few areas
of maintenance) and, the signature
fitting, gunwale rollers intended to
assist with retrieving a crab or lobster
pot off the boats’ popular homeports
dotted along the North Sea.
The self-draining cockpit has
sufficient floor space for fishing with,
say, up to four anglers or, with the
addition of an aftermarket awning,
room for kicking back with a family
and doing lunch out of the sun.
Officially, the boat is rated for six
adults. Rodholders, a transom door,
[HIGHS]
› Enduring, low-cost, low-maintenance boating solution
› Big cockpit for fishing and family entertaining
› Protected wheelhouse for all-seasons’ cruising
› Cabin with bunks, toilet and single burner
› Established brand and strong after-sales support
[LOWS]
› No freshwater as standard for sink
› Asymmetrical boat looks a little odd when viewed head on
› Could do with more cabin storage
› Shallow transom deadrise necessitates you back off in
rough water
The Arvor 215s blend traditional fishing
function with modern construction,
engineering and design.
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BOAT TEST
At 8kts, the four-cylinder common rail
Cummins is using about 6 to 7lt/h, while
at 10.5kts the boats are well and truly
planing for 8 to 9lt/h
The AS setup allows for a fishofriendly
walkaround to starboard,
while a sliding door seals the
wheelhouse from the elements.
Inside, inset, you'll find a tidy veeberth
cabin (symmetrical variant) and
unobstrusive moulded helm dash.
Wood in gunwales trim and flip-down
coaming seats adds that old-world charm to
an otherwise neatly executed fishing cockpit.
and tiller are provided. And it’s not
just an emergency tiller, you can
steer from the transom while trolling
for tailor or singlehandedly coming
up to your mooring. There’s even
a trolling valve to reduce thrust,
which might come in handy
for downrigging.
Other cockpit features include folddown
teak seats, rod or gaff/paddle
rack, a tackle locker and livebait tank,
with the moulded swim platform
including an auxiliary outboard
engine bracket. A rail-mounted
cutting board for preparing lunch or
bait (not simultaneously) is provided,
but you need to add a rail-mounted
charcoal barbecue for cooking lunch
and portable icebox in which to stow
the catch and/or steak and you’re set.
Underfloor are two lockable storage
hatches, and engine access (below a
low-profile moulded lid that doubles
as a table) is unfettered to all the key
maintenance items from fuel filter to
sea strainers. If you want hot water,
a heat exchanger on the Cummins
QSD 2.0L Cummins diesel adds about
$1800, we’re told. However, the boat
doesn’t come standard with a water
tank, though there’s room to retrofit a
plastic tank under the floor.
Stylish helm seats have flip-down bases.
CABIN CAPERS
Compared with the Arvor 20, the
lock-up cabin is substantially bigger
and, most importantly, having spent
many hours on the 20, the helm
seating arrangement is superior.
Instead of one uncomfortable seat,
the 215s have two seats allowing
you to cruise with your crewmate
alongside. And with flip-down bases
you can also drive comfortably
offshore while standing.
There is storage space — though
not under all the bunks — and a
portable toilet under the vee-berth.
With infill, you will create enough
room for a couple to sleep over or
some weary anglers to catch 40
winks if not a snapper. An alcohol
stove sits in a neat moulded recess in
the cabin for boiling the billy during
winter fishing sessions or perhaps
reheating the pea-and-ham soup
during an upriver cruise.
Ventilation is via small opening side
windows, a rooftop hatch, and large
sliding cabin door. While the sight
lines over the boat and astern are
nice and clear, a windscreen wiper
is provided and, with the timber
wheel in hand contrasting with the
SmartCraft digital engine-monitoring
dial on the dash, the Arvor 21s are a
blend of old and new.
Pricewise, the 215s are attractive
at $94,500 as tested, a $15,000
premium over the 20-footer. As
touched on, you don’t pay a premium
for the asymmetrical variant, so it
gets back to personal preference.
But with a push-button windlass or
anchor winch as standard there’s
not that much reason to head to the
bow anyway. Thus, I’ll pass on the
bit on the side. Make mine the white
symmetrical Arvor 215.
Facts& figures
run down
The cathedral-type or
gullwing running surface
of the Arvors is slippery
and eager, although the 215
does tend to throw spray
and bang a tad if you push it
fast through rough water. As
touched on, the key to ride
comfort is to make sure the fine
entry cuts the waves rather
than having the boat blast
skywards and land on its flatter
aft sections. In other words, you
need to drive the Arvors to get
the most from them.
At 8kts, the four-cylinder
common rail Cummins is using
about 6 to 7lt/h, while at 10.5kts
the boats are well and truly
planing for 8 to 9lt/h. Lowspeed
cruise of 12 to 13kts was
recorded while using 10.5lt/h,
with the boat a tad noisier at
the 2500rpm cruising groove
of 16 to 17kts for 13lt/h. The
noisiest setting was 2750rpm,
when a resonance emerged for
some reason, but then things
smoothed out again at 3000rpm
for 21-plus knots, which we
could only maintain on smooth
water.
PRICE AS TESTED
$94,500 w/ QSD 2lt 115hp Cummins diesel
engine as standard
OPTIONS FITTED
None
PRICED FROM
As above
GENERAL
MATERIAL: GRP (fibreglass) w/ glass-encapsulated
Oregon sub-frame
TYPE: Moderate-vee planing hull with
gullwing shape or tunnels aft
LENGTH OVERALL: 6.88m inc. swim
platform
HULL: 6.36m
BEAM: 2.54m
DRAFT: 0.75m
WEIGHT: 1650kg w/ engine; 2400kg loaded
ARVOR 215 & 215AS
capacities
FUEL: 1200lt
BERTHS: 2
FUEL: 90lt
WATER: n/a
HOLDING TANK: Chemical toilet instead
ENGINES
Make/model: Cummins MerCruiser Diesel
QSD 2.0L
Type: Four-cylinder commo rail diesel w/
turbocharging and aftercooling
RATED HP: 155 at 3600rpm
DISPLACEMENT: 2lt
WEIGHT: 250kg (dry)
DRIVE: Shaft, 2:1 Technodrive TB 345 A
gearbox with trolling valve
SUPPLIED BY
Collins Marine,
Unit 26, 17-21 Bowden Street,
Alexandria, NSW, 2015
Phone: (02) 9319 5222
Web: www.collinsmarine.com.au;
www.arvor.com.au
FINAL REPORT
Like those sister ships preceding them, the
Arvor 215 in either guise as tested is an
unpretentious boat built on utility above all
else. That’s a quality missing in many heretoday-gone-tomorrow
contemporary cruisers
that put fashion first and, in essence, it’s the
reason for the success of these jaunty little
cabin cruisers in local waters. Turn the key
and go. Put the boat to bed after a wash with
the hose. And head home with the fish in
your esky. Quintessential powerboating for
today’s time-poor pleasureboater.
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