Test / Pacific Craft 650 T on the Water: How the Yamaha 100 ch Performs

© Yamaha Marine

Overcast skies and the Arcachon Bay in its winter setting: the conditions were ideal for testing the Pacific Craft 650 T. With just 100 ch on the transom, cruising speed and stability at a standstill are the most important factors.

A pond that looks a bit like a lake in winter

Our test of the Pacific Craft 650 T, alongside its bigger brother, the 750 T, took place in the Arcachon Bay under heavy cloud cover and with a very light northeasterly breeze. The sea is completely calm?will we have to cross each other?s wakes to test the hull?

Nous sommes sortis en binôme avec le 750T©Yamaha Marine
We went out in pairs with the 750T©Yamaha Marine

We leave the harbor at a slow speed before heading toward the harbor exit. On the transom, the 100 ch 4-cylinder Yamaha engine is paired with a mechanical drive. The transom can accommodate up to 115 ch. From the very first minutes, with the temperature just a few degrees, the wheelhouse proves its worth, accommodating a crew of three.

At 19 knots, the 650 T finds its stride

Once the navigation area finally allows you to open the throttle, the boat accelerates briskly without giving the impression that the 100 ch is struggling to move the boat.

Le 650 T atteint 19 noeuds en vitesse de croisière ©Yamaha Marine
The 650 T has a cruising speed of 19 knots ©Yamaha Marine

The cruising speed at 4,500 rpm is 19 knots, with an instantaneous fuel consumption of 16.9 l/h. At full throttle at 5,900 rpm, we reach 26 knots and fuel consumption rises to 38 L/h.

The 650 T is therefore not a fast boat, but that is not its purpose. Opting for the 115 cv engine might be worth considering when carrying a heavy load or to get more torque during acceleration. But in our opinion, the 100 cv engine offers the best fuel-efficiency-to-speed ratio.

A sound hull

When turning, the boat maintains good traction. Abrupt changes in course do not reveal any erratic behavior. We?re riding at about twenty knots over the waves caused by the 750 T?s wake, and the 650 T remains stable, though with the inevitable vibrations typical of a compact helm.

©Yamaha Marine
©Yamaha Marine

The deep cockpit also contributes to the feeling of safety. The available space allows several people to fish on the same side without turning every cast into a coordination challenge.

The forward station provides an additional workspace. This ability to spread the fishermen out around the boat reduces line tangles and makes it easier to track a fish.

Finally, with the 90-liter fuel tank at cruising speed, the theoretical range approaches 100 miles.

100 milles, une belle autonomie pour de grandes journées de pêche ©Yamaha Marine
100 miles?plenty of range for long days of fishing ©Yamaha Marine
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