Banks Martin Beaulieu 30 Inboard Diesel

The side decks are  higher than typical cruiser and there are easy steps to reach them from the bathing platform than trying a direct climb from the bank. The decks are surrounded by guardrails to help keep you safe, especially for deck work in choppier waters.

The rear cockpit and bathing platform provide an excellent place to cruise and socialise. With seating for 6 in comfort and a reversible seat on the transom to face in to the cockpit or out to the bathing platform.

This is a social river-boat, with the cockpit at its heart. A full- width bathing platform gives very easy access from a pontoon when moored stern on and, as it is deep, also provides the easiest way to board from a bank. There is a shallow single step up into the cockpit, to starboard of a large bench seat.

The cockpit feels massive, given the compact overall size of the boat. The aft bench seat has a large locker underneath, and its back can swiftly be reversed so that you can sit facing aft – with the broad expanse of the bathing platform before you, plus good handholds to give a sense of security. There is a second settee to starboard, opposite the raised helm to port.

The cockpit of this model has a fixed wheelhouse with a roll able / removable aft canopy covering the rear part. This gives the boat an air draught of around 8ft

However, the broad wheelhouse roof, with full standing headroom under, has two fixed, tinted sunroofs, which keep the space bright. At night, excellent integrated strips of LED give broad, bright illumination.

On the outside, two integrated solar panels ensure the domestic and engine batteries are kept topped up when the boat is not in use.

As you enter the cockpit from the aft platform, there is, very sensibly, a plexiglass and stainless steel gate that closes off the cockpit, making it safe for young children and dogs. Housed in a small locker right by the gate are the battery master switches, so on boarding you can activate the systems without having to fumble around in an engine bay. Also, there is a small stainless steel sink complete with pull-out shower faucet.

The teak decking inlay is hardwearing and very attractive, while the whole area can be hosed down to keep the white gloss GRP clean, as even the cushions are waterproof.

This Beaulieu 30 has a single cabin, a big TV on the sideboard, and the wrap laminates on the cupboard's of wide steps. The headroom inside is well over 6ft 3in.

Large windows allow light to flood in, with attractive horizontal blinds in aluminium rather than curtains, to dim the interior. There are also two massive sunroof panels, which open at the touch of a button, with a further glazed emergency escape hatch in the forward part of the roof.

The sunroof has a concertina fabric blind for use at night, while a thin mirror, under deck level across the bow, adds to the apparent depth.

The combined effect of all the glazing is a very bright interior without being stark. This is helped by the choice of cream carpet, which goes well with the half-height wardrobe and internal shelving in the cabin.

Some very attractive wall lights give great indirect illumination, in addition to the high-level integrated LED strips and low-level lighting. Unusually, the multiple mains electric sockets throughout have both UK and Euro sockets.

Seating and sleeping
This layout  means five people can easily sprawl out in the cabin and all manage to dine around the dinette table to port. The table is on a single, height-adjustable pedestal and is incredibly sturdy. converting to a  double berth. Forward is a fixed comfortable large double.  Further aft, a separate single berth is accommodated to starboard with a closable door

Entertainment
Opposite the dinette is a large, low-level cupboard accommodating  a sizeable TV with stowage below  The units themselves have their ply carcasses and doors wrapped in the most superb laminate.

• 75 Hp Volvo Diesel
• 4 KVA Generator
• Antifouling
• Cockpit sink with pull out shower
• Canopy
• Full stainless steel pulpit
• Tec deck to cockpit and side decks
• Premium grade interior wood
• Blinds to windows
• Aft cabin single
• Entertainment cabinet
• Hob upgrade to electric induction
• electric oven
• Dinette double berth to port
• Rain shower
• Fresh Water Flush toilet to holding tank
• LED TV
• Speed & depth
• Raymarine Axiom 9" chart potter
• Webasto cabin sliding roof
• Additional opening window in galley
• Bowthruster
• Elec anchor winch
• Stainless steel Anchor