Finnmaster Finnmaster R7

The Finnmaster Finnmaster R7 is a large bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Finnmaster of Finland, a builder trading since 1972. On our measurements it works out at roughly 22 ft 12 in (7.00 m) of hull with a beam near 9 ft 10 in (2.99 m), which places it squarely in the trailerable family bowrider class: one vehicle, one trailer, one afternoon of prep, and the boat is in the water. Finnish fibreglass bowriders engineered for cold, choppy Baltic conditions.

Layout is classic bowrider and that is the whole point of the boat. Twin lounges run forward of the windscreen with a walk-through to the anchor well, the helm and companion seats sit amidships behind a wrap screen, and a full-width lounge spans the transom for sunbathing and socialising. Around 11 people fit aboard comfortably in sheltered water. Cushions lift out, backrests fold and filler pads convert the cockpit from a conversation pit into one long sun bed in a couple of minutes.

On the water the Finnmaster R7 is easy to like because nothing about it is demanding. Trim it out, settle into a mid-throttle cruise and it holds course with a finger on the wheel. Turns are progressive rather than sharp, wake crossings are soft, and the boat is forgiving of an inexperienced driver — an underrated quality in a family bowrider.

Power is a 190-285 hp four-stroke outboard package, and that suits both the hull and the way these boats are used. Keeping the machinery outside the hull frees up stern storage, simplifies servicing and removes the bellows and gimbal wear items that punish neglected stern drive boats. It also lifts the swim platform clear of the exhaust.

Watersports are well covered. A tow point is standard on almost every boat in this class, and Finnmaster owners regularly add a pylon or a folding tower for wakeboarding. A healthy outboard package pulls a slalom skier out of the water cleanly and tows children on an inflatable biscuit all day without protest. Skis, ropes and vests live in the under-floor and under-seat lockers so nothing sits underfoot while the boat is loaded.

Fishing is the quiet strength of this hull. Pull the bow cushions and the forward lounge becomes an open casting platform with clear access all the way around the bow, and the rear lounge lifts out to open up the transom and side gunwales. Ten minutes of work turns the family boat into a genuinely capable fishing boat, and ten minutes the other way turns it back again before anyone gets home.

Build and finish sit where you would expect for a premium boat from Finland. Finnmaster builds fibreglass day boats for the Baltic, and Nordic conditions shape every decision. Hulls have sharp entries and substantial deadrise for short, steep chop; freeboard is higher than Mediterranean equivalents; and the fit-out assumes cold water, so there are proper handrails, secure non-slip decks and well-sealed lockers. The Husky and Finnmaster T-series and R-series models include several bowrider layouts with forward seating that converts to sunpads, walk-through screens and Yamaha outboard power, since Finnmaster has a long-standing factory partnership with Yamaha that means engines are matched and warranted as a package. Build quality is high, with neat laminating, quality hardware and interiors designed to be used in wet weather gear rather than swimwear. Finnmaster is a strong seller across Scandinavia, the Baltic states and increasingly the UK, and the boats have a reputation for lasting decades in harsh conditions. Used values hold up well because Nordic buyers understand and trust the construction.

Options worth having on the Finnmaster R7 are the practical ones: a bimini for shade, a decent bow and cockpit cover so the upholstery survives being stored outside, an upgraded sounder if you fish, and a stereo package that can be heard over the engine. On fibreglass, a ceramic coat or a good polish once a season keeps the gelcoat looking new and protects resale.

As a used buy, check the same things you would on any bowrider in this size band: transom firmness, stringer and floor soundness, hours and service history on the engine, steering and trim function, and the state of the upholstery seams, which are the first thing to fail on a boat that lives uncovered. Boats from this builder hold their money well, so a tidy example will not be cheap, and that is usually a sign you are buying the right one.

Our price guide for the Finnmaster R7 is US$76,000 - US$101,000 new, which moves with engine choice, trailer, tower and how recently the boat was refreshed. Judged as a whole, it does what people buy a bowrider for: cruise, tow, swim, fish and entertain in one boat, without asking the family to compromise on any of them. Finnmaster has been refining that formula since 1972, and the Finnmaster R7 is a straightforward, well-judged expression of it.