Yamaha Motor España and Pacific Craft brought together three boats in Port Ginesta designed to help you make the leap into recreational boating: the 650 Timonier, the 750 Timonier and the 695 Open. Each one meets a different need —short fishing trips, ambitious group fishing or family fun— and all three can be skippered with accessible boating licences.
Choosing your first boat is often more complicated than learning to handle it. That’s why Yamaha Motor España organised a sea trial day at Port Ginesta, with the French boatbuilder Pacific Craft —25 years building recreational boats— in the spotlight. The weather didn’t help: southerly and south-westerly winds of 12 to 15 knots and seas ranging from slight to moderate, just the kind of conditions in which someone with no experience shouldn’t head out of port on their own. But to truly assess how a boat designed for beginners behaves, there’s no better test than a demanding day.
650 Timonier: the gateway to fishing
With an overall length of 6.46 metres and a 115 hp DOHC Yamaha as the test engine, the 650 Timonier is the most compact of the three. Its cabin is small compared with that of its larger sister, but big enough to take shelter in or even grab a nap. Certified for 6 passengers, with the LN licence as the minimum requirement, it is the most straightforward option for anyone who wants to head out to fish or simply cruise without overcomplicating things.
750 Timonier: when the plan gets more ambitious
One extra metre of length —7.50 m— changes things quite a bit. The 750 Timonier can take up to 200 hp; the model tested was fitted with a 150 hp Yamaha, able to hold a 20-knot cruise and reach a top speed of 34 knots. Its walkaround design lets several people fish at the same time without getting in each other’s way. That said, its 2.75 m beam exceeds the legal width limit, so it cannot be towed by road like a conventional boat. With capacity for 7 passengers and the PNB licence as the minimum requirement, it is the choice for anyone who already knows they want to go a step beyond short outings.
695 Open: the most fun in the range
Here the goal changes: this is not a fishing boat but one for enjoying the summer. With the 200 hp Yamaha fitted for the test —it can take up to 250 hp— and a top speed of 41 knots according to the figures supplied by Yamaha, the 695 Open proved the most agile and the most fun to helm through the waves. Its centre console divides the deck into distinct areas: a Sun bed at the bow, a transverse seat and a swim platform at the stern. Certified for 10 passengers, with the PNB licence as the minimum requirement, it is available in Trendy, North Shore and Black Series versions.
Which one should you choose to get started?
There’s no need to force a single answer. If the goal is fishing on short trips, the 650 Timonier is the most manageable and economical. If you’re looking for scope for longer outings with a group, the 750 Timonier makes that next step worthwhile. And if what you want is speed, versatility and social space for the family, the 695 Open is the most complete of the three. What they share is what really matters: they are designed for beginners, with accessible boating licences to take that first step at sea.
Frequently asked questions
What licence do I need to skipper the Pacific Craft 650 Timonier? The model’s technical data sheet lists the LN licence as the minimum requirement.
What licence do I need for the 750 Timonier or the 695 Open? Both require, as a minimum, the PNB licence.
Can the 750 Timonier be transported on a conventional road trailer? No: its 2.75 m beam exceeds the legal width limit for road transport.
What top speed does the 695 Open reach? Up to 41 knots with the tested 200 hp Yamaha engine, according to data supplied by Yamaha Motor España.
