A familiar Nordic dayboat with a new power choice
Quarken is widening the range of ways to configure its 27 T-Top, a Scandinavian-style open boat built around all-day social use and a compact overnight cabin. The significant current change is an option for two Yamaha 150-horsepower outboards alongside the existing single-outboard approach. For buyers who use crowded marinas, narrow channels or a variety of cruising grounds, the new power choice is more than a numerical adjustment. It changes how the boat can be handled, serviced and balanced with other equipment.
The Finnish brand describes improved manoeuvring through differential thrust and the possibility of pairing the twin setup with Yamaha's Helm Master and autopilot equipment. Those are manufacturer claims about the configuration, not results of an independent comparison in identical sea conditions. A sensible buyer should drive both installations and establish the exact steering and electronic options included in the proposed purchase. The most effective arrangement will depend on cruising habits, experience and the local support available for the chosen engines.
Dimensions and practical capacity
Quarken specifies a length of 8.35 metres excluding the engine and a beam of 2.59 metres for the 27 T-Top. The manufacturer lists capacity for nine passengers and two overnight berths, a combination that makes the boat substantially more flexible than a small open runabout. That does not mean nine people should expect comfortable overnight accommodation. The numbers represent different operating situations, and actual safe loading must remain within the boat's approved limits and the prevailing conditions.
A 300-litre fuel tank and a published single-engine top-speed figure of up to 44 knots appear in the manufacturer's technical information. Those values should not be transferred automatically to the new twin-engine setup, which carries different machinery and loading. Range is also not a single fixed number: speed, weather, reserve policy and passenger weight all alter consumption. For practical passage planning, request a current performance table for the specific engine configuration and calculate adequate fuel reserves.
Why the T-top and side walkways matter
The Quarken 27 T-Top uses a protective roof over the driving area while keeping the surrounding deck largely open. This gives the skipper some shelter from high sun without converting the boat into an enclosed pilothouse. The broad aft cockpit can therefore remain an entertaining area, and the walkways support movement to the bow. Owners expecting to cruise through rain, cold or heavy spray should remember that a T-top offers less weather protection than a fully enclosed cabin.
At the helm, Quarken places controls and navigation displays around a driver-focused console, with room for two twelve-inch Garmin plotters in the described equipment arrangement. Hardware and screen capacity are useful only when properly installed and easy to use from the helm seat. Test visibility past the roof supports and windscreen, and check how quickly the operator can reach lines and fenders when mooring short-handed. A comfortable dayboat should make the ordinary work of boating straightforward.
Aft lounging rethought for the V2
The company is also promoting a second-version deck concept, described as V2, with revised aft seating and multifunctional social zones. The intention is to let owners change from underway seating to lounging or dining without requiring separate fixed furniture for every activity. This matters on an eight-metre boat because a square metre of cockpit must often serve several purposes during a single outing. A useful lounge should not obstruct the boarding route or access to lockers.
The standard layout and the V2 package should be compared carefully rather than assumed to be identical. Quarken advertises optional tables, cushions, a wet-bar arrangement and other amenities that may depend on specification. The right combination for a family with children may differ from that of a couple planning quiet weekends or friends meeting for watersports. During inspection, fold and move the seating yourself; photographs seldom reveal whether an adjustment is intuitive at sea.
Overnight capability without a large cruiser
Below the forward deck the 27 T-Top provides a cabin with a sleeping area for two, finished in a restrained Scandinavian style. Quarken's published options include facilities such as an electric toilet, refrigeration, shore power and fresh water within a weekend-oriented equipment package. Those details can make a one-night anchorage or an early start from a marina more convenient, but buyers should not confuse an option list with equipment supplied on every boat as standard.
Before treating the boat as an overnight weekender, check ventilation, berth access, toilet privacy and the capacity of any fitted water or electrical system. A comfortable cabin needs adequate storage for bags and weather gear, not merely enough length for a mattress. The appeal of this class lies in occasional overnight freedom while retaining the agility of a dayboat. Owners who expect long passages and several consecutive nights aboard may need a more fully equipped cruiser.
How to compare the new configurations
Quarken's current official material lists an indicative starting price for the single Yamaha F300 version, but it explicitly excludes taxation, freight, handling and commissioning-related costs. A twin-engine package or a V2 equipment selection should not be priced by simply adding two engine catalogue figures to that headline. Prospective owners need a single written quotation specifying hull, engines, rigging, electronics, warranties and the final local delivery costs.
The real news is greater choice within an established platform. Twin Yamaha 150 power may favour buyers who place a high value on close-quarters control, while a single outboard may suit those looking for mechanical simplicity. The V2 deck gives another reason to reassess how the boat would be used. A sea trial and a careful inspection of the actual configuration will reveal more than claims about manoeuvrability or fashionable seating alone.
Explore our Quarken company profile and consult the official manufacturer specifications for current equipment and availability.