Today we are taking a look at the Hermes Speedster, a runabout named after the Ancient Greek messenger god and the stripped-down roadster variant of the iconic Porsche 356. True to its name, it is indeed reminiscent of the classic car with its natural curved lines, convertible soft top, hand-stitched leather interior trim, round dashboard gauges, and double engine grilles. Its looks induce a nostalgia for times we haven’t even lived through. It conjures up images of the French Riviera in the 50s and 60s, a post-war boom in full swing, movie stars and aristocrats, living classy and carefree. Besides its beauty, the boat also has several technical merits.

 Its patented Amfihull(R) has a very low drag resistance which allows the use of a smaller engine than similar sized boats, while still being faster. The way it cuts into the water with an entry angle of 72 degrees ensures the boat has a very soft ride absent of uncomfortable wave-pounding. This is further aided by a very low centre of gravity making it extremely stable at all speeds. All of this translates not only into rides of maximum comfort, but also of maximum efficiency: the Hermes Speedster has an unbelievably low average consumption of 5,5L/h. The convertible top and optional heater and glass defroster makes the Hermes Speedster ideal for both warm and cold climates.

 Some stats for the technically-minded:

• LOA: 6.75m
• Width of hull: 1.80m
• Draught: 0.27
• Displacement approx. dry: 684Kg
• Crew max.: 5 pers
• CE:  CE certified hull, desing class c
• Engine: ROTAX
• Engine type: Rotax® 1503 NA 4-TEC® 
• Max. power: 155bhp/116 kW
• Propulsion: Jet Drive
• Max Speed: 45mph /72kmh

Only one version of the Hermes Speedster is currently on offer and that is the full extra. This includes metallic paint with anti-scratch varnish, real leather, handmade steering wheel and one can choose between several colours for the hull, upholstery, and convertible top. The company is making a point of selling one standard version with all options included, rather than selling the options at an additional price. The price of the Hermes Speedster is available upon request.

Seven Seas Yachts is a United Kingdom-based company with production facilities in Greece, where the Hermes Speedster is assembled. In development since 2015, production started in earnest in 2017 and by 2018 the runabout had already, yet unsurprisingly, won its first award: the HISWA Boat of the Year. A combination of classic good looks and an enviable fuel efficiency makes us hope we will be seeing more of the Hermes Speedsters in yachting hotspots around the world.

For more information on the Hermes Speedster we invite you to take a look at their website: 

https://www.hermes-craft.com/