Small Parcel- Good Thing!

INTEGRITY 320 EXPRESS SEDAN BOAT TEST
Our reviewer rated
Integrity’s new
320 Express as the
“biggest 32 footer
I’ve ever seen.”
Text by Warren Steptoe
Small ParcelGood Thing!
Each year Integrity presents new models and have gradually
progressed with larger boats up to 13.5m. In 2014 however
they reversed direction and came up with a comprehensively
reviewed 32 footer, the 320 Express Sedan.
74 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MARCH/APRIL 2015
I
NTEGRITY first grabbed attention in the
Antipodes with their 320 Sedan. An excellent
trawler style displacement cruiser in a
compact package with an even more impressive
price tag, the Integrity 320 Sedan sold very well
indeed. And in doing so it set the precedent for
what became the Integrity line we know today.
As boat builders tend to do, each progressively
larger Integrity model introduced subtle changes
as ideas developed and were fine-tuned. Many of
them were incremental steps but one in particular
stands clear as a notable step forward - when
they introduced the 380 Sedan, a model with
strong family lines; except that the deck in the
forward half of the hull had been raised 100mm.
Not that any Integrity has ever been cramped
or lacking cabin and saloon space, but the
new ceiling height “downstairs” in the
staterooms and bathroom wrought profound
change. All the more remarkable for it being
achieved without compromising the boat’s
overall height above the water line. While
this may or may not be of special interest
to some potential owners, it’s a critical
consideration for others. Especially people
living in places such as Qld’s Gold Coast
where a day out in the boat invariably
involves passage beneath several low bridges.
While developing the 320 Express Sedan,
Integrity would have been silly to depart
too far from the theme they so successfully
established with their 320 Sedan. And they
haven’t. The interior and hull configurations
remain essentially the same, with an
appropriate updating here and there. The
single exception is a new raised deck level.
An obvious trickle down perhaps, but as
successful as the 100mm higher deck was
in the 380 Sedan, Integrity’s recent move
upmarket with the 420 Aspire would be
another example. In this new 10m boat, the
amount of interior space that the higher
deck line creates, makes it stand out amongst
competitors. According to Integrity Motor
Yacht’s Brett Flanagan my reaction when I
first stepped aboard is pretty typical.
“Bloody hell is this a 32 footer?” I exclaimed
when I first entered the saloon.
“Yeah, it is, everybody says that,” Brett
deadpanned.
Fair enough, compared with low profile
sports cruisers the same length, interior
space and standing head height are what
you expect to gain with a trawler style
displacement cruiser. But THIS much interior
space takes the gain into another dimension.
SPACE PLUS PLUS
Given the boat remains low enough above
the waterline to get under most bridges,
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INTEGRITY 320 EXPRESS SEDAN BOAT TEST
A new higher deck line
creates a remarkable amount
of interior space, and yet
doesn’t compromise the
traditional “trawler” lines.
VALUE BUYING
Out on the transom, it’s a simple step aboard
onto a wide swim deck from a marina
pontoon or a tender. As a grandad, I’m happy
to report twin transom doors placed for ease
of access to the swim deck both have gates to
contain those precious little folk. As a boatie
who invariably carts lots of gear along on
any trip, I’m also pleased to report there’s a
voluminous lazarette stowage compartment
beneath the cockpit lounge deck.
Here in Australia it’s planned to offer this boat
as a fully functional unit at an attractive price
point. At the time of this review, Integrity
were anticipating that would be somewhere
below the $AUD300K barrier.
However sure to be popular options like
camper covers and a teak deck, are sure
to challenge that. It will be interesting to
see how many 320 Express Sedan owners
succeed in containing their investment
below the magic $AUD300K barrier.
One signature Integrity feature that won’t
go on the options list is bow access. They
ALWAYS ensure bow and side rails are high
and the side deck wide enough to go forward
while mooring or to handle ground tackle in
complete safety.
This boat displaces around 7.5 tonnes and
carries another tonne of fuel and water.
Although our time aboard was on calm water,
if experience with previous Integrity boats
is anything to go by, the 320 Express Sedan
can be expected to be as surefooted under
way and stable at anchor as only trawler
style displacement motor cruisers can be.
EASILY DRIVEN
The standard power unit is a 150hp John Deere
‘4045T’ 4 cylinder turbo diesel with a 225 hp six
cylinder ‘6068T’ engine from the same maker
amongst the options. The preproduction boat
came from the factory with a Steyr 230, which
while not being a standard option on future
models, did perform well. On the day, we
cruised along at 7-8 knots in much the same
style as every other Integrity I’ve ever been
aboard.
What Brett could tell us was that the same
engine delivers a top speed around 11
knots, maybe a bit more lightly loaded
with a clean bottom, in their 10.36m (34ft)
models. At least similar performance
seems a reasonable expectation from this
smaller and lighter boat. He also told me
that the 150hp ‘4045T’ engine burned 7 lph
powering a 10.36m Integrity en route to
Papua New Guinea from the Gold Coast.
This to my mind is why Integrity’s
trawler style displacement cruisers are so
popular. They invariably offer no stress,
comfortable cruising on the smell of an oily
rag and a similar lack of stress handling
the boat while anchoring and docking.
As I commented awhile ago, sport yachts
might steal a few points off the Integrity 320
Express Sedan in the looks department; if you
prefer low slung and slinky, above standing
tall and proud traditional trawler styling that
is. In terms of headroom and space to “live”
inside though, there’s no contest!
Take a look inside
there’s no downside here. Taller folk will
be particularly happy with the headroom
available “downstairs.” The bow stateroom
and separate toilet and shower put lots of
larger boats to shame.
After singing the praises of the increased
downstairs headroom, the saloon/galley/
dinette area and aft cockpit lounge were
always more than roomy for the two people
this boat is configured for. If another couple
happens to join them, the dinette converts to
a full-size double bed. When stowed, the trifold table is neat and compact, leaving lots of
space for entertaining. Folded out to its full
size, four people can easily dine there without
crowding each other.
Aft in the cockpit lounge, options are available
to make it a second dining area, which can be
insect and weather proof if you so choose.
Or you can leave it open and simply be more
floor space. Unfortunately, the boat reviewed
was a preproduction example, so a few details
were still being finalised.
One of which being that the saloon doors
were to be replaced with Integrity’s familiar
arrangement, where the aft of the saloon can
be opened wide to integrate the saloon and
cockpit lounge. Conversely this can be closed
to separate them.
Several Integrity owners I’ve spoken to
enclosed the cockpit area in their boats
76 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MARCH/APRIL 2015
with camper covers, usually with insect
screened
zip
open/closed
windows.
They also said that the (optional in this
model) air conditioning from the saloon
does a good job of cooling or warming
the cockpit when everything’s closed up.
Integrity
boats offer
no stress,
comfortable
cruising on
the smell of
an oily rag.
HIGH STANDARD
Inside the new 320 Express Sedan follows
Integrity’s established high standard of finish,
designed to keep housework to a possible
minimum. Thanks to massive windows
around the saloon the upstairs areas are
very well lit. Integrity always have left the
final choices of fabrics and timber décor to
individual clients, so it can also be as stylish
or understated as you like to make it.
Our review boat featured Antico flooring in
stonewashed American Oak, Ultra Leather
upholstery, and Caesar stone bench tops in
the galley area. The teak main deck in this
particular boat will be on the options list in
the future.
The helm is to starboard with a comfortable
wide seat behind the wheel and ample dash
space available if sophisticated electronics
are your thing. Behind the helm seat, galley
cupboards stretch all the way aft to the saloon
bulkhead. Portside, the galley sink is set
above more cupboards as well as a 140 litre
Waeco fridge. A cooktop is incorporated into
the bench top above it.
When we reviewed the boat, exactly what
would be on the standard inventory and
what would be on the options list was
still a work in progress. Some thought, for
example, is being given to supplementing
that galley cooktop with a portable “Weber”
style barbecue/oven out in the cockpit area.
Now that’s a great idea both for the food
options it offers, and for the social ones.
1
2
3
5
4
1. The bow stateroom is roomy with connected toilet and bathroom, and a remarkable amount
of headroom created by a new raised deck level. 2. The port side settee can be converted to
another double berth. 3. Looking through the Integrity 320 Express’ salon gives an accurate
impression of the space available. 4. Mr Integrity, Brett Flanagan is passionate about the brand
and treats every boat he sells as his own. 5. The entire stern area is occupied with this spacious
cockpit lounge.
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INTEGRITY 320 EXPRESS SEDAN BOAT TEST
Equipment Spec List
Boat Design Name: Integrity 320 Express Cruiser
Year Launched:
2014
Designer:
Integrity Motor Yachts
Builder:
Integrity Motor Yachts
LOA:
9.75m
Beam:
3.72m
Draft:
1.1m
Displ (loaded):
7,500 kg
Max Speed:
13 knots
Cruise Speed:
8 knots
Construction:
Hand laid GRP
Fuel Cap:
980 Litres
Water Cap:
500 Litres
Engine Make/HP: Steyr SE236E40 @ 230hp
Drive Train:
Shaft
Anchor Winch:
Quick
Anchors:
Plough
Engine Controls: Morse & ZF
Heads:
Jabsco
VHF:
Raymarine
Entertainment:
Fusion
Base Price of Boat: $AUD299,000
Price As Tested: $AUD329,000
78 PACIFIC POWERBOAT MARCH/APRIL 2015
Out on the transom,
it’s a simple step
aboard onto a wide
swim deck from a
marina pontoon or
a tender.