In the past few years, Axopar has gained a large following by thinking outside the box, building its 28- and 37-foot models with their iconic looks and head-turning performance.
Now, it seems, Axopar wants to become even more popular by thinking inside the box or, to put it more accurately, delivering its new 22-foot starter boat to you in its own box. That move alone would save several thousands of dollars over the usual shipping costs from the Axopar factory in Finland to the east coast of the U.S.
In every other respect, the 22 carries on with the traditions of its larger siblings. The new Axopar Spyder 22 is still a driver’s boat; it’s fun, fast and safe in a seaway, and it has all the lines of the 28 and 37. There are no extraneous bells and whistles here; the 22 is just a scaled-down version of the larger Axopars with the same twin-stepped hull, deep walkaround deck spaces, and protected seating.
What is different is that the 22, which weighs only 2,650 pounds and has a beam of 7’ 4”, is fully trailerable. It’s definitely a day boat, but you can spend one day here, another day somewhere else. Considering its size and weight, launching and retrieving should not be a problem.
It also performs. With a standard 115-hp four-stroke Mercury outboard, Axopar says the new 22 will top out at more than 40 knots. (The first boat will be launched later this month.) If that’s not fast enough, you can order more powerful outboards, up to 175 hp.
The Axopar Spyder 22 has an open deck bench seat in the bow, and twin captain’s chairs behind the helm console. But then there are options, including a U-shaped settee in the stern that seats six with a toilet in the console; a smaller bench seat aft, and a “multi-storage option” with a sunpad for water toys.
Starting price for a “turn-key ready” Axopar 22 at the factory, with the 115-hp Merc, is about $58,000 including VAT. Otherwise, look for a big box to arrive in your driveway.
Specs.: LOA: 23’20”; Beam: 7’4”; Draft: 2’8”; Disp.: 2,650 lbs.; Fuel: 60 gals.; Water: 11 gals.; Power: 1×115 Mercury outboard.
