Zar Formenti 95SL: the right balance between sport and luxury

Almost 54 knots, with fancy solutions: our test of Zar Formenti 95SL explains the meaning of those two letters. Yes, they stand for Sport and Luxury.

The lake is calm, which is a bad start for our test. Will we be able to verify how good this Zar Formenti 95SL really is? Well, here’s the first indication: we can’t even use our wake to test the hull, as it works so well that there’s virtually no waves behind us. So it’s better to speed up. And as our rib gets to 54 knots the feeling of safety is total. Take a sharp turn at 40 and still you’re amazed by the steadiness.
Acceleration is thrilling: 3 seconds to planing and 8.6 to 40 knots. But we have to give credit also to the two Suzukis DF350AP, with twin 24” counter-rotating propellers.

Fuel consumption is acceptable even when pushing the throttle(s), but we would reckon a good cruise speed at 32 knots (4000 rpm): trim the engines 50% and you can save a further 5 liters per hour (from 80 to 75). If you want to further save, the minimum plane is 13 knots and 2400 revs, with just 28 lph burnt.


Another pro of this Zar Formenti 95SL is the null tendency to nose up, so the visibility is always excellent. Add to this an ergonomical helm station, both in sitting and in upright position, and you feel a confident driver.

Let’s get static

The overall design is from Carlos Vidal and naval architect Francesco Ambrosini. They developed a good blend between pneumatic tubular and fiberglass structure, as customary for Zar Formenti. The layout is the same of the other Sport Luxury models, but this is the largest of the range so every space is expanded to the benefit of passengers. The main difference to Zar 85SL is belowdecks, where the larger sibling has space for a separate heads while the bunks are the same. There’s plenty of light down here thanks to the large side portholes, which also add to the look.

As for the main cockpit, we let the photos talk. What we like in particular is the synthetic teak of the flooring: lighter and eco-friendly, it’s got to a point where it’s not easy to tell it from the natural wood. And, we like the final price of the 95 SL, which is a strong example of value for money.

The numbers of Zar Formenti 95SL

  • Length overall ………………………… 9.60 m (31ft 6in)
  • Beam ……………………………… 3.30 m (10ft 10in)
  • Tubular diameter ………………… 0.60 (2ft)
  • Chambers ………………………… 6
  • Dry displacement ………………………… 2500 Kg
  • Max output ………………………… 700 hp
  • Suggested power ………………………… 500 hp
  • Fuel reserve ………………………… 600 l (158 US gal)
  • Fresh water reserve ………………………… 140 (36 US gal)
  • Passengers ………………………… 14
  • CE design category ………………………… C

Performance

rpm knots mph lph nm/l range* dB
600  3,8     4,4    4,1 0,93    445     57
1000 6,0    6,9    9,2 0,65    313    64
1500 7,9     9,1     15  0,53    253    66
2000 10,0 11,5    24 0,42    200    69
2500 17,0 19,6    34 0,50     240   74
3000 21,0 24,2   46 0,46     219    76
3500 27,0 31,1    59 0,46     220    79
4000 32,0 36,8  80 0,40    192    85
4500 37,0 42,6  99 0,37      179    89
5000 43,0 49,5 127 0,34     163   93
5500 47,0 54,1 153 0,31      147   98
6000 51,0 58,7 196 0,26    125  100
6300 54,0 62,2 222 0,24   117  102
*(20% reserve)

Test conditions

Calm lake, clean hull, fuel 350 l (92 US gal), no fresh water, 5 passengers

Indicative price (VAT not included)

ZAR Formenti 95SL only boat …………… € 112.900
Suzuki DF350A …………… from € 27.700

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