FULLY CONNECTED

Combining a floating office and the perfect escape takes the best technology

- ADAM PORTER

If you can remember when the world was normal – which turns out to be only a few weeks ago – you’ll remember that we used to be able to see our friends and family, go for a drink, and have a meal out. And at about this time each year we’d gear up for the Crick Boat Show, and try to ascertain which boats might do well in the public vote for Favourite Boat at the show. This year, thanks to the Coronavirus, the show has been postponed — which given that in the past we’ve seen builders frantically trying to finish their boats the day before the show opens, might come as a relief to some.

But one boat was finished in very good time, and as it comes from the builder with the best record in recent years, we jumped at the chance to have a preview. Boating Leisure Services has won four times in the past six years, including last year, so the 2020 show boat was always going to attract some interest.

It’s different in many ways from the company’s previous winners, but does have something in common – the combination of an owner with a clear vision of what he wanted, and a builder who found ways of achieving it. The owner, Malcolm Johnstone, also had the good sense to take advice on what would work and what wouldn’t. The result, as we’ll see, is a very smart boat that does exactly what it’s supposed to.

Technical