[imagesource:wikicommons]

Owning a boat is one of the greatest pleasures in life.

Sure, a beastly motorcycle is more ‘pragmatic’, but hitting the throttle and feeling the hull rise above the choppy water is a thrill that never gets old. Besides not having to dodge taxis and erratic Cape Town drivers, it’s also not easy entertaining a gaggle of bikini-clad lasses on your KTM Enduro. So yes, boats are the shit.

But its the classic runabout that gets our engines revving, with its characteristic look – a smooth curved profile, varnished mahogany hull and decks, and mirror-finished chrome. This style began in the 1920s before really becoming popular in the 1960s, yet the classy look continues to inspire boat builders today, even if they include modern engines, fibreglass hulls, and all kinds of onboard technology.

Classic doesn’t mean old, it’s more of a vibe.

For those who are into watersports, there is no shortage of powerful pleasurecraft out there. Connoisseurs however prefer designs that pay homage to a cruise on the French Riviera rather than a day out on Hartebeespoort Dam.

The Wajer 44

Unveiled in the swimming pool of the exclusive Hotel Le Beauvallon at the Cote d´Azur in Saint Tropez in 2023, the Wajer 44 is a spacious, four-metre open-day boat that is also suitable for comfortable overnight stays for up to two passengers.

The Wajer 44 boasts a “40-knot planing hull, a functional cabin, and an outdoor layout that optimizes usable space.”

25 of these beauties have been sold already, with NFL legend Tom Brady having bought two after its launch.

The Frauscher 1017 GT

Designed by the Frauscher family, who have been building boats since 1927, the 1017 GT is designed to be “timeless’ instead of “retro.” A forward-looking version of a 1920s Gentleman’s Racer, with a top speed of 110 kmh thanks to its stepped hull and twin 430 hp engines, while the options list includes such futuristic features as underwater lighting.

Cockwells ‘Grace’