A family business and a tradition of over 30 years in the construction of motor boats, Karnic Powerboats Ltd. successfully copes with the wave of models recently launched by the major shipyards. The Karnic R8-S is the newest model in the range, a motorboat with sporty valences, but also suitable as a daycruiser or weekender. We went to Limassol, Cyprus – the headquarters of this shipyard at the shipyard to test the new model and get to know its manufacturers.
Cyprus, the place where Aphrodite was apparently born from the foam of the sea. An island like a paradise with golden beaches and turquoise waters. A paradise that, although politically divided in 1974, is now experiencing a considerable economic boom, the main contributor to GDP being, of course, tourism.
The other side of the coin is that gradually numerous mega constructions are put in place by agile real estate developers, eager to become millionaires overnight, thus selling the country’s “soufet” or doing it good, depending on the perspective of the interlocutor.
Limassol – “the city that never sleeps”
The flight from Bucharest to Larnaca took just over two hours, and then another 40 minutes to Limassol, the second largest city after Nicosia.
Today, Limassol is similar to the American metropolises on the ocean coast, skyscrapers that house office buildings, hotels and the headquarters of large companies. Among them, the Old Town, still carries the air of a former British colony with seafaring streets, full of picturesque pubs, bars and restaurants that make up the Old Town – renovated, reinvented and now transformed into a tourist center. Limassol practically stretches next to a large coastal boulevard, crowded, full of cafes, restaurants, terraces, beaches and outdoor relaxation or sports areas.
In the old port, but also next to a former Turkish quarter, there is a lively shopping area, full of taverns, shops and terraces, their names often referring to subtle British humor.
Limassol is nicknamed “the city that never sleeps” and this of course in terms of the nightlife in the tourist area.
If you arrive in Limassol, you must visit its medieval castle in the Old City. It is said that Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre here. Then leave the city to see the ancient Kourion, an ancient Greek settlement that also went through Roman and Christian periods, which is believed to have been destroyed by a powerful tsunami in the fourth century.
Its agora is very large, and there is even a Christian church there. The public baths were equipped with hot and hot spas and a huge octagonal pool. In the amphitheater facing the sea, gladiator fights were held. The entire old town has very beautiful mosaic sidewalks, most of which are found in the house of Achilles.
Petra tou Roumio is a white rock, thrown into the sea, not far from the shore, a few kilometers from Limassol. It is said that the rock is located where Aphrodite was formed from the foam of the sea.
Don’t miss Kolossi Castle to learn about the history of Commandaria wine, presented as the oldest wine production in the world. Sweet and liqueur, it is made from grapes left to dry in the sun, at the foot of the Troodos Mountains, respecting the same tradition of 800 years.
However, we stopped here with the “tourist exploration” because we were not even in high season, at the beginning of May, but also because we had something much more important to do. But if you have the opportunity, I sincerely invite you to give Cyprus at least the chance of a vacation.
Expanding production facilities
We adjusted thus, at the invitation of the importer Karnic Powersoats for Romania to Limassol to test the newest model of the Cypriot manufacturer Karnic R8-S, on which occasion we met the owners of this brand, we found out their story and visited the shipyard where about 300 boats are produced per year.
Karnic Poweboats is, as I said, a family business, which started in 1993, now in full expansion and focused on production for export. The construction site currently covers approximately 6000 sqm and investments in new production halls for another 8000 sqm are planned. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take photos inside the workshops, where we also met Romanians, who had various roles in the management of some departments and were highly appreciated by the employer.
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The entire production is carried out in-house, from the design, the design of the molds, the lamination process, upholstery, wiring harnesses, etc. However, I must point out that in terms of design, an important point for every boat builder, Kanic does everything through its own team, without resorting to foreign designers or engineers. The team is led by the owner of Karnic Powerboats LTD, Nicos Karaolis – who founded this business as a student in London in the 1980s.
At present, about 300 boats are produced by Karnic per year, and every year one or two new models are launched into production, the production capacity is increasing.
Most boats use outboard propulsion, the engines being exclusive to Mercury, but for the 37 model there is also an inboard variant ready to be launched.
Karnic focuses on building boats that combine practicality, with the comfort of spending a weekend or many days at sea with the necessities for various hobbies such as fishing, which is why most models offer various configuration possibilities depending on the customer’s wishes. The only restriction is that even in the case of optional equipment, they can be chosen from a predefined list.
R- for Racing
We easily return to the subject of this article, namely the water test with the new R8-S model, an abbreviation where the “R” stands for Racing. We therefore have a model that emphasizes sportiness, from the bowrider category, 7.5m long and powered by a 300HP Mercury outboard engine.
The R8-S may be sporty in terms of performance and configuration, but it can also be a hobby boat for various nautical or commercial activities – and I am thinking here of the Danube Delta for example, where it can easily penetrate the canals due to the very low draft, as a fishing boat, the shower cabin or the cockpit galley offering a minimum comfort sufficient for spending a few days on the water.
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Of course, in the configuration tested, with the double cockpit cockpit and the multiple configuration possibilities of the cockpit bench, the R8-S can be an ideal holiday boat among the islands of the Mediterranean Sea. The boat is also approved category C for eight people, but from my point of view four or six would be ideal.
Constructively, the boat has a two-step hull design, with slightly aggressive lines, being sporty and it is the first time that the Cypriot builder tries this architecture that combines the traditional Karnic line – with ultramodern elements such as the straight bow, in Scandinavian style and the ribs (chines) through which the jet of water displaced when moving forward is pushed to the side.
As an aesthetic detail, it glues the protective band, an element that usually masks the point of junction of the shell with the axle, but instead some carbon details are present that amplify the sporty image.
The boat is made of composite material, with injected foam, with protection for the guest.
For spending time at anchor, the boat is equipped with two fairly generous bathing platforms, at the stern, but unfortunately there are no retractable side platforms, these are found on other models of the brand.
It should be noted that the boat in the test is a showroom boat, customers can choose to equip it with a biminitop, spray hood and even a hardtop that will be available from next season.
Comfort and sportiness
The cockpit is sporty, offers two seats, and the rudder has a small diameter. The dashboard is ergonomic with two “classic” clocks for speed and fuel, control buttons and cup holders. In the center is the large touch screen. Everything is protected by a curved and inclined windshield that protects the area from splashes of water and wind and on both frames there are also two handles.
The bow is occupied by two sun loungers, which can be adjusted to three positions. From the cockpit you can easily reach the bow thanks to the wide passage area and well protected by the dashboard and the high balcony handles. On either side of the beach area are built-in audio speakers and cup holders. The anchor is discreetly concealed in the plank, and the opening above it can be used as passages for access to and from the boat to the quay.
The piece de resistance of the boat is the cockpit. It offers a central sliding seat whose backrest can be moved from side to side. On the port side there is a chair that can be transformed into a beach bed by folding the backrest and the inclination of the cushion. There are also several storage spaces here On the starboard side there is also a folding chair, stored in a special space.
The teack table can be mounted in the cockpit or cabin, while the small galley in the cockpit benefits from a sink, burner and a small worktop. Underneath there is a refrigerated box on the lid of which there are holders for glasses and a ruler for measuring the caught fish. At night, the cockpit can be illuminated with LED lights.
The cabin benefits from two generous benches, which can be transformed into a double bed by folding the table. There is also a 12V refrigerator, storage spaces and a toilet with a shower, where you can stand, almost a rarity in this class of boats.
The port of Limassol, from where you can also depart. On a trip along the Cypriot coast is a modern marina, built less than 10 years ago, of course elegant. Chic and full of terraces and restaurants.
In the harbor of Limassol
We went out on an extremely calm sea with weak winds, ideal test conditions for the Karnic R8-S.
What surprised me was first of all the silence of the engine and how well the bow is soundproofed – practically at the impact with water the noises are imperceptible. In fact, thanks to the hodrodynamics of the live work and the aerodynamics of the dashboards – the airflow is well directed around the cockpit, allowing passengers to have a decent conversation. We appreciated the protection offered by the windshield, but also the very useful visibility when leaving the port and mooring.
The boat sits nicely on the water, gliding being nice and smooth. The model in the test was also equipped with an automatic trimm, which offered extra comfort. With the 300HP R8-S engine, it easily reaches 40 knots, a speed at which you feel permanently safe.
Weekender and more
At high speed, however, he does not like sudden maneuvers from the rudder, but it is somewhat natural due to the low draft. However, I was left with a strong feeling of security, the boat is maneuverable and responds well to the slightest impulses. This design with a straight bait that breaks the wave also helps, and the bow-spray – the deflector efficiently releases the water that thus no longer manages to spray the bow.
Perhaps for a boat with these dimensions you will consider that a solution with two engines could be more efficient, but it depends. The boat has two tons south, so it is relatively light, even loaded to the maximum, the 300HP Mercury engine responds very well, including short maneuvers in tight spaces for mooring and in addition it would greatly decrease its autonomy. Personally, I think that the single-motor variant is the solution that offers the best compromise between handling, sportiness and autonomy.
The whole assembly offers a feeling of robustness and solidity. Basically, the Karnic R8-S meets all the qualities of a powerboat, offering elegance, modern lines, exhaustive equipment and sporty performance.
It is a portable boat for a daily commute, in case you prefer this type of travel and benefit from direct access to the dock, being compact it can also be kept in the garage, if you live on the shore of a lake. It is also suitable for both hobby activities, such as fishing or sorkeling, but also for spending a weekend on the water with friends or family. Of course, you can stay even longer, but here you depend on the supply of water and food.
Anyway, the Karnic R8-S is a complete boat, with a modern design, balanced in terms of performance, with a draft that allows navigation both at sea and in shallow waters, such as some canals in the Danube Delta, with sufficient space and good cockpit modularity.
Personally, I see it as a boat for young people who want to spend a few hours, or even a weekend on the water!
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Technical characteristics
Maximum length: 8.4m
Hull length: 7.5m
Width: 2.45m
Draft 0.37m
Approximate weight: 1760kg
Tank: 285l
Water tank capacity: 60l
Motor Outboard: 25”
Maximum power: 300Hp
Cabin: 2 pers
Cockpit depth: 0.84m
Stern free curbs: 0.98m
Bow free curbs: 1.21m
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