Out in the wild, riding the wave

'Give your yacht a name and she’ll sail accordingly...' It’s unlikely anyone at Brunswick Corporation had watched the quoted Soviet cartoon 'The Adventures of Captain Vrungel', but the brand name 'Navan' really does evoke a sense of journey and the promise of adventure. It’s a word dreamt up by marketers, meant to conjure up images of the sea and distant voyages. Or, to some, it might sound like the name of an alien race from 'Avatar'.

The brand itself is truly remarkable. For starters, it only launched on the market in 2023.

Past glories, a long history, traditions and triple-digit anniversaries — we wouldn’t be wrong to assume that a significant portion of a younger audience finds all that rather unrelatable. These days, you are what you are here and now and what you want to be (or appear to be).

Boating itself is changing. It used to be a haven for 'old money' for a long time. Today, a yacht or a boat is primarily a source of emotions, experiences and content-making. When you buy a boat, you’re buying the stories you’ll share on social media. Here’s one such story.

Early morning. The air is still cool, the water is glassy smooth, and the only sounds in the marina are footsteps on the pontoon and the gentle lap of waves against the hull. The Navan T30 is ready to go. Even tied up at the dock, it radiates energy and latent power – like a performance SUV ready to hit the off-road trail, yet equally at home on the neat driveway of a country house.

With an overall length of just over 10.2 m and a beam of nearly 3 m, the T30 hits that sweet spot: the boat feels substantial and spacious but doesn’t yet have you thinking about hiring a captain. It’s an open boat, with a hardtop mounted on visually light, almost invisible, yet sturdy supports.

From the first step on board, you sense the intelligent design of this boat. Unlike models with a forward cabin, the walkaround layout with a continuous, level deck from bow to stern allows you to move freely around the entire perimeter — and it doesn’t matter if you’re carrying a coffee and a smartphone or your diving gear. Fishermen particularly appreciate this layout, and the T30 won’t disappoint them — with rod holders available in the cockpit and on the hardtop, as well as a livewell for baitfish.

The practical, non-slip deck covering, the rubber rub rail around the hull’s perimeter, the high bulwarks and the handrails placed exactly where you’d instinctively reach for them create a real sense of security. You won’t have to gather fenders from all over the cockpit or fish them out of lockers — they’re neatly stowed in dedicated side compartments, always close at hand.

At the very bow, the rails converge at a raised platform. It’s an ideal spot for diving into the water, stepping onto a high bank or transferring to another vessel. On either side of the outboard engines are convenient platforms for accessing the cockpit. And even in these boarding areas, there are small closing gates — the attention to detail here is absolutely top-notch.

The sofa behind the helm station is reversible. It can face forward or turn to face the aft sofa. When folded back, it reveals a wet bar with coolers, a sink and a chopping board. This gives you two cockpit configurations: the cruising mode, with everyone facing the direction of travel, and the gathering mode, where the wet bar is accessible and there’s a dining area for four aft. Importantly, in the cruising position, the sofa sits higher, so the helm seats don’t block the view. It might seem like a small detail, but it’s absolutely essential — who wants to stare at the backs of others’ heads all the way or somewhere even lower?

The T30 is built on the same hull as the Navan S30 and C30. This is their proprietary T-Step Hull, developed by Brunswick. For those not entirely familiar, this refers to the presence of specially positioned transverse steps — chevron-shaped notches on the bottom that, at high speed, create air pockets beneath the boat. They work like an aeroplane’s wing, helping to lift the hull out of the water. The result is quicker planning, reduced drag, higher speeds and lower fuel consumption. Longitudinal steps, in turn, enhance directional stability, help maintain speed and stability during turns, and reduce the turning radius. Pronounced downturns on the chines act as spray deflectors, channelling the flow of displaced water downwards and outwards to keep the cockpit dry. With Mercury outboards delivering a total of up to 450 hp, the T30 promises ample power reserve, manoeuvrability and predictability in a wide range of conditions. Electric trim tabs and optional Zipwake Dynamic Trim-Control 600 interceptors make handling even more precise and enjoyable.

With the Navan T30, you can easily switch from cruising to sport mode, changing the surrounding scenery from a quiet cove with crystal-clear water to an expansive area swept by a fresh breeze in no time.

When the sun has sufficiently warmed the air and water, the boat becomes a base for active recreation. Clip the tow rope to the towing arch at the stern, bring out the paddleboards and inflatables from under the deck, and let the fun begin.

The open cockpit is easily adaptable: you can lay out gear, set up a table or install a filler cushion between the sofas to create a sunbathing area.

While the most energetic among you enjoy the water activities, the more responsible can take charge of preparing snacks. The pair of 16-litre coolers will hold a necessary supply of refreshing drinks and groceries. And ashore, you can fire up the barbecue and cook your fresh catch. The air, filled with the scents of the surrounding nature, the pleasant, gentle warmth of the sun-heated deck under bare feet, the quiet conversation around the table — all of it contributes to the feeling of a day well spent.

As dusk approaches, you can turn on the cockpit lighting and underwater lights, deck the boat with fairy lights or candles in glass holders, and transform it into a spot for a romantic date if it’s just the two of you or a party if you’re with a group. And wherever you find yourself with the Navan T30, this functional and very thoughtfully designed boat will prove to be an excellent companion.