DALE 23 – “ the most astonishing boat at the show ! ”

The DALE 23 – Motor Boat & Yachting Editor’s personal favourite “by a nautical mile” of the 2010 Southampton Boat Show.

The first test reports of our newly launched DALE 23 have hit the news stands

With the huge amount of work we’ve put into the development of the 23 hull, getting it in front of the boating press was an exciting prospect. It seems just on our reputation, this was a boat that was creating quite a buzz in the boating press before they’d even seen it...

“A DALE with a planing hull that does 40 knots – sounds terrific. Where are the keys?” said Motor Boat & Yachting.

“Designed to incorporate a great many of the qualities that have made the DALE name so desirable.” Sports Boat and RIB.

“Designed to incorporate a great many of the qualities that have made the DALE name so desirable.” Sports Boat and RIB.

“An uncompromising 40-knot planing boat,” enthused Boat Mart.

So what would the verdict be once they’d actually got behind the helm...

From Hugo Andreae, Editor of Motor Boat & Yachting, ‘Europe’s best motor boat magazine’:

“My personal favourite [from the show] by a nautical mile is the DALE 23. With a 265hp diesel in the back I knew it was going to be quick. What I hadn’t anticipated was handling that left my spleen bobbing around Southampton. When Mike Reynolds asked me to hang on while he put it into a corner, I gave him my most patronising ‘I’ve driven a Class 1 powerboat before’ look and settled back in the seat.

“What are you doing?” was all I could manage as Mike flung it flat out into a turn so violently that death seemed inevitable. Yet despite the insane G forces, the hull refused to release its grip on the water. Whatever magic they are using to defy the laws of physics, it works... ...it was the most astonishing boat at the show and I want one.”

Thank you Hugo - now where did we put that order form?!