JAWSSS

This ACTIVA 5800 from 2013 is the ideal family cruiser for the Andaman sea.
Equipped with 2 X John Deere Diesel engine, her maximum speed is 15 knots, and can cruise confortably at 12 knots.

The Activa 5800’s basic hull is a stretched version of the company’s proven, semi-displacement design. An additional mid section, together with subtle changes to the cabin and transom layout, provides extra space and more possibilities.

First impressions of the interior of the Activa is Teak which is used extensively, and the quality of the woodwork and finish is equal to the best available anywhere. Small touches, like the paua shell inlays into the counter tops, indicate the local “flavouring”.

Lifting an oversize hatch in the cockpit floor gave access to a large storage area under the cockpit, complete with workbench, vice and toolkit. A walkway through to the engine compartment gives access to the two gleaming 775hp Volvo D12 diesels.

Accommodation

Going down the curved companionway from the helm station to the lower deck brings one to three cabins. The forward cabin has a double bed mounted longitudinally, with easy access from either side. Just aft of that on the port side is a cabin with two single bunks, while on the starboard side the guest toilet and shower sits alongside the staircase and a storage cupboard. Exactly midships is the master stateroom, with a thwartships king-sized bed and ensuite bathroom. All bedrooms have air conditioning and CO2 gas detectors.

A soundproofed access door leads from the master stateroom into the engine room, which is clinically clean, brightly lit and well laid out. Headroom is good, and there is ample space to get all around the engines. Twin fuel tanks are positioned on the outside of the engines, placing most of the weight closer to the boat’s centre of gravity. Of particular interest was the triple-stage filtration that the fuel goes through before reaching the big Volvos. Dirty diesel is not going to cause these engines any grief!

Passing through a further bulkhead door, you arrive at the stern of the boat, where the genset and workshop, plus large amounts of storage space, are located. The shafts pass through here to drive the big props, and the exhausts pass through mufflers to the outside. The previously-mentioned hatch up into the cockpit provides the second accessway to the engine room.

Up on the main deck, the saloon at the rear is separated from the cockpit by large sliding glass doors. With these shut, the engine noise is well-muted. No back draft of spray occurs into the lounge, although with a following wind the cockpit can get wet while underway.

The saloon is the main entertaining area, with large TV-DVD, a bar tucked into the corner, and a beautifully inlaid electrically-adjustable cherry wood coffee/dining table. Comfortable leather-covered chairs complement the built-in settee, and discrete lighting is everywhere.

Moving forward from the saloon and up two steps, you arrive at the pilothouse section. It contains a galley on the starboard side, a curved stairwell up to the flybridge on the port side, a saloon area seating six and the main helm position.

As well-equipped as most homes, the galley has full-size domestic appliances (including dishwasher) and a granite counter top. The helm station, which has a double-eyebrow layout, is dominated by twin 15″ Simrad CX50 screens, one running the radar and the other with chart plotter and sonar displays. The rest of the helm is filled with the compass, displays and controls from the twin engines, autopilot, bow thruster, searchlight, capstan and chain counter and VHF radio. Although there are enough controls to confuse the unwary, everything has its place and is logically laid out.

An internal stairwell (left of the pilothouse area) gives access to the flybridge in all weather, and the wide stairs allow them to be ascended even while carrying a tray. Going up into the flybridge reveals a large lounge area, with stainless, gas-fired barbecue and bar fridge. The secondary helm station, while not as well equipped as the main one, also has a Simrad CX54 display with all the engine controls duplicated. A bimini top and clears enable the flybridge area to be opened to the sun and wind.