They Say: The unique open cockpit and retro look give the 22’6″ Frauscher 686 Lido space and style, while its hull delivers a soft, maneuverable ride.
We Say: Although it was envisioned as a yacht tender, the 686 Lido makes a cool runabout. Its lines evoke a classic wooden boat, yet within you’ll find a decidedly modern tone. The console’s curved shape provides unrestricted access fore and aft. There’s a pair of sleek chairs at the helm, room for four in dual forward lounges, and a spacious aft bench. Complete the layout with a monstrous aft sunpad and teak-covered forward deck. The latter houses bow stowage; flip up its access door for a table. The 686 Lido’s upholstery is basic, with only a single color and no accent stitching. Sunpad cushions also need to be wrestled out of place to access the engine. Helm chairs are fixed; I’d prefer adjustable. Yet, the 686 Lido turns heads, in both appearance and performance. It beat down the windblown chop on Biscayne Bay, peaked at 47.7 mph with a 320-hp Volvo Penta 5.7 GXi stern drive, and displayed nimble handling.
Who’d Want One: The well-heeled buyer seeking a versatile tender or day boat that doesn’t look like the neighbor’s.
Another Choice: Chris Craft’s Catalina 23 is a stylish 23’6″ center console with plenty of teak accents, but it’s more high-end fishboat than upscale tender. Equipped with a Yamaha F250 TXR outboard, it starts around $76,000.
The Numbers: $119,000.
Contact: Luxe Marine at 305/663-0007, www.luxemarine.com.
