Motor Boat & Yachting editor Hugo Andreae takes us on a full tour of the Balt Yacht 37 Grand

"Reporting from the 2023 Southampton Boat Show, MBY editor Hugo Andreae takes us on a full tour of the Balt 37 Grand...

Balt Yachts is likely to be one of the largest boat manufacturers you’ve never heard of. Based in Poland, they’ve been making boats for brands like Jeanneau, X-Yachts, Quicksilver, and Cormate for years but now it has branched out with a range of its own and the Balt 37 Grand is its largest offering to date. Instead of trying to compete with upmarket European rivals, it’s an unashamedly value-conscious package. Costing a whisker under £250,000 inc VAT, it must be one of the best value 40ft motor boats on sale today.

That money buys you a remarkably spacious two-cabin, two-bathroom cruiser that four people could comfortably live on for weeks at a time. With an RCD category C displacement hull and single shaft-drive engine of 60-115hp, you won’t be going anywhere in a hurry but for pottering along the rivers and canals of the UK and Europe and perhaps the occasional cross-Channel dash when conditions allow, it’s all that’s needed.

The raised aft cockpit features a cosy outdoor dining space for six, a small wet bar with fridge, sink, or optional boat bbq, and a basic helm position with a 7-inch chartplotter, rev counter, wheel and throttle. Good sized side decks lead forward to a second smaller seating area on the bow, perfectly suited to slow-speed cruising. Down below there’s a remarkably bright, spacious saloon with 7ft of headroom, big opening side windows and a raised dinette that converts into an occasional extra berth. There’s a gas-powered galley to port and masses of storage space for liveaboard cruising supplies. Ensuite cabins at either end allow good privacy for two cruising couples, although the beds are on the narrow side for doubles."