Bryant Calandra Review

Bryant Boats has always followed a philosophy that owners should never have to compromise. Want snappy handling and spirited acceleration? Check. Want room for the whole family and all their gear? You bet. Great styling and an innovative design approach? Absolutely. The company’s new Calandra model really does seem to do it all.

Stretching 23 feet, four inches in overall length, the Calandra offers the power and handling of a performance runabout, but with seating for 13 in its deep and roomy interior. Its unique balance of capability and style begins at the stern with its roomy integrated swim platform, complete with a comfortable, non-slip Sea-Dek faux teak finish and a full-width, wrap-around stainless steel grab handle. A deck level walk-through to the port side provides access to the main cockpit, where a plushly upholstered bench seat along the transom with a multi-position back can be set to recline facing forward or aft, or laid out flat to create a large sun pad. A single-position lounger to port with an adjustable backrest can also be set forward- or rear-facing while to starboard, back-to-back double-wide seats face the stern and helm. There are 14 cup holders in this boat, so no matter where you choose to sit, you’ll find a secure spot for your drink close at hand.

A double-wide helm seat includes a flip-up bolster, providing improved visibility when approaching harbour entrances or narrow channels.

That starboard-side seat cushion offers storage beneath, accessed by a double-acting hinge that can be flipped forward or backward as needed. An optional swiveling dinette table with two integral drink holders fits between this seat and the stern bench. Overhead, a Bimini top that covers the entire cockpit provides additional protection from showers or the mid-day sun.

Midway through the cockpit, a large floor hatch accesses an enormous storage compartment. While the word “enormous” does get tossed around a lot in boat company brochures, this compartment truly lives up to the description, stretching a full six feet in length and nearly two feet deep. Flooring is a snap-in basketweave mat, which is soft under foot yet easily removed for cleaning.

The passenger console conceals an enormous compartment which is normally set up to house an optional Vacu-flush toilet, and includes a small but useful sink. It also houses the Clarion CD stereo with MP3/USB connections, keeping it safely out of the weather.

The Calandra’s integrated swim platform comes with a comfortable, non-slip Sea-Dek faux teak finish and a full-width, wrap-around stainless grab handle.

The helm console presents a clean and uncluttered dash panel, with the primary gauges positioned right up top around a large panel, which can be removed to allow a center-mounted multi-function display. Its European-inspired, steel-spoke steering wheel has soft padded grips for all day comfort, while French-stitched upholstery featuring sun-proof, earth-tone vinyl further suggests the look of a European yacht.

Up front, the spacious bow cockpit takes full advantage of the Calandra’s wide beam to provide surprisingly spacious seating. While this end of the boat is normally relegated to the kids, there’s more than ample room in this boat to comfortably accommodate multiple adults.

The Calandra’s beamy hull allows plenty of interior space. Even the bow offers plenty of room for adults to stretch out – or get cozy.

With the Calandra’s spacious cockpit, it’s easy to forget that this boat runs on a performance hull with a full 20-degree deadrise. Not only does this allow it to eat up choppy waves, it provides astounding acceleration and handling. With a 320 horsepower Volvo Penta V8, the boat planes in three seconds flat and achieves a top speed of almost 50 mph. Or, cruise comfortably at 30 mph while turning just 3,000 rpm for incredible fuel economy.

With its graceful European styling, inspiring performance and premium appointments, the Calandra is clearly the top of the Bryant line. It provides the kind of luxury one easily falls in love with – and enough capacity to share the experience with the entire family.

Available with a range of power choices from MerCruiser and Volvo Penta, the Calandra allows owners to attain a perfect balance between power and fuel economy.

Bryant Calandra Specs
Length: 23’4”
Beam: 8’6”
Fuel capacity: 185L / 49 gal
Passenger capacity: 13
Fresh water capacity: 53L / 14 gal
Dry weight: 4,750 lbs.
Info: bryantboats.com