Boat Test: 2025 Navan S30

Overview

Navan (rhymes with “baton”) is new boat line from Brunswick Corporation, which also builds Sea Rays, Bayliners, Boston Whalers, Heyday Boats, Princecrafts and others, along with Mercury Marine outboards and sterndrives. Bucking the trend of similar boats imported from the Nordic countries, the S30 was designed at the state-of-the-art Brunswick Boat Group Technology Center, located at Boston Whaler’s compound in Edgewater, Florida, and is built in Merritt Island,  Florida, where the largest Sea Rays are built. (Navan boats sold in Europe are built in Poland.) Navan makes two models: the C30, which has an enclosed pilothouse and has proved to be more popular in northern climes for those seeking to stretch short boating seasons. The model we tested was the S30, which features an open design that will be more popular as a dayboat for those buyers seeking less weather protection and more open space topside.

Interior and Accessories

Navan designers created the ability to board the boat from either side thanks to extra-long swim platformettes, which wrapped around the optional twin Mercury 300 hp Verado V-8 outboards that powered our test boat. For better grip and comfort, the entire deck surface on our boat was clad in optional GatorStep. Adding an optional ski-tow arch gives those boarding an extra handhold for added safety, and it ups its fun quotient. On many boats of this type, fun-in-the-sun space is limited, but on the S30, those sitting on the quad-wide rear bench seat can enjoy the great outdoors. A generous amount of deck space between the rear bench and the one in front of it is ideal for cocktail party mingling.

Brunswick boats are known for their clever seating arrangements, and this boat is no outlier. The amidships bench can face toward the bow to create a total of eight to 10 forward-facing seats, which is the preferred arrangement for cruising. Both bench seats have tall armrests for comfort and security. But something magical happens when the amidships bench is tumbled aft to face the transom bench and create a social zone. This is enhanced by adding an optional bifold teak table in between. In addition, it reveals an entertainment area complete with a sink, a drink bin and plenty of counter space, along with an electric grill for creating hot appetizers. Below on our test boat was an optional pair of Isotherm drawer-style refrigerators.

At the helm is a pair of captain’s chairs with armrests for comfort. A bit unusual is the placement of the helm on the port side of the boat instead of the more-normal starboard-side helm found on most American boats. Despite being confined under a hardtop, it doesn’t feel claustrophobic thanks to the four smoked acrylic sun panels above. The windshield is sportboat-low, but it offers a surprising amount of coverage because the helm seats are low enough for average-height people to peer through it when sitting. A thoughtful option would be adjustable-height pedestals to accommodate drivers of varying heights. There’s plenty of room to stand and to look above the windshield for an uncluttered view.

Below is a well-appointed cabin with most of the space given over to the berth, which comfortably sleeps two adults. Thanks to the side windows and shaded acrylic hatch, it has plenty of ambient light. The large box on the starboard side contains the 12-volt Mabru climate-control system and makes a handy place to store luggage when weekending. Although there’s not enough room for an enclosed shower, there’s a handheld showerhead for bathing and an electric-flush toilet.

For those looking to work on their tans, there’s a large sun lounge on the foredeck with backrests for added comfort and cup holders for parking beverages. Our test boat had the optional windlass—a no-brainer on a luxurious boat like this.

The S30’s T-Hull is Brunswick’s first-ever with a vented stepped design. This design introduces air underneath the hull to reduce friction for better fuel economy and unreal turning ability. We tested the Navan on the Indian River in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, not far from the Boston Whaler campus where it was designed. The channel is relatively narrow here, but there was plenty of room to whip it into a G-force-generating 360-degree turn. Its hull features 20 degrees of deadrise at the transom and a fairly narrow-for-its-length beam of 9 feet, 10 inches to help it slice through the waves. And despite being 33-plus feet long with a weight of more than 4 tons, its performance was impressive. Reaching plane in 4 seconds, it accelerated to 30 mph in 7.1 seconds and achieved a top speed of 57.1 mph.

Our test boat was especially easy to drive thanks to Mercury’s Trim Assist, which automatically keeps the boat at the proper running attitude. It was also equipped with the ZipWake system, which uses blade-like interceptors instead of plate-like tabs. These automatically keep the boat running level. 

Comparison shoppers should trial the Nimbus T-9, starting at $191,496 with a single 250 Mercury V-8 and a bow thruster. Pricing for the Navan S30 with a 400 hp Mercury V-10 Verado starts at $216,496. 

Engines

When owners choose the twin Mercury 300 hp outboard option that we tested, the Navan S30 comes standard with Joystick Piloting for Outboards, which helps ease docking and offers other features such as Skyhook, a virtual anchor. Owners can select a bow thruster for docking assistance if they order the boat with twin Mercury V-6 225 outboards or with a single Mercury 400 hp V-10 Verado outboard. 

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Mercury V-8 4.6L 300 hp Verado outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Rev 4 14.6″ x 21″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 85 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 380 lb.

High Points

• Visibility at the helm is excellent in all ­directions.
• We found this boat to be efficient, achieving an impressive 1.8 mph at 30 mph when ­running at 3,500 rpm.
• The rocket-launcher rod-holder option is a plus for those who fish.

Low Points

• Even with the bow pulpit, the straight bow means you need to be careful when raising or lowering the anchor. Consider adding a scuff plate. 
• There’s no hardtop-rack option for securing items such as paddleboards and kayaks.    
• There’s no grab rail along the hardtop to help ease walking to and from the bow.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation