The Bryant Boats Speranza has a LOA of 21’4” (6.73 m), a beam of 102” (259 cm) and a draft of 34” (86.4 cm).
Overview
Bryant Boats started out as a small family company in 1990 when the owner of Thundercraft Boats decided to go off on his own. From the start, the goal was to stay small and keep volume low so that focus could remain on putting quality into each and every model produced.
Fast forward to 2012 and John Dorton, previously the head of MasterCraft, made the Bryant family an offer they couldn’t refuse, and they didn’t. With the company under new ownership, but still employing the Bryants in key positions, Dorton set his sights on expanding the dealership base while still keeping production focused on quality with no more than 500 boats a year coming off the line. And, since Dorton ran MasterCraft he was no stranger to high-quality construction and finish work and knew what it would take to raise Bryant Boats to an even higher level.
He also set his sights on new products and initially launched the Calandra. At 23’4” (7.11 m) she has a capacity for 13 passengers. Shortly after, the Speranza was built and at 21’4” (6.73 m) she carries a capacity for 11.
The Speranza features a portside entry from the swim platform and then a slight meander to the layout allows for additional seating just ahead.
Build Quality
Cure Time is Critical. Once the hull lamination is complete, it’s left to cure for a full three days, as opposed to the industry standard of one day, or even less in some cases. This long cure time produces a far better product. By allowing the hull to fully cure before it is removed from the mold, the builder insures that there will be no warping, or slight deformities in the hull. It also helps prevent pattern read-through, something we saw recently at a mass-produced sport boat at a boat show.
The deck goes through the same curing process and no wood is used. Composite stringers are used instead of wood in order to eliminate any chance of rot.
Experienced Craftsmen. Once removed from the mold, another process is started. All openings for mounts and drives are cut by hand. No robotic arms are used. And to put aside any feelings of the skill level of those doing the cutting, the typical Bryant employee averages 12 years experience in the field.
Stepping aboard the Speranza immediately gives a sense of an upscale boat. Stainless steel accents, multi-toned upholstery and plush carpeting all add to the sense that this is a quality build.
Standing Behind the Build
John Dorton says Bryant’s business plan is pretty straightforward. Take the most talented craftspeople, give them superior materials and build the best boats possible. Then stand behind the product.
Bryant does just that with a lifetime structural warranty, a 5-year gelcoat blister warranty, and a 2-year stem to stern component warranty that covers everything but the engine, which falls under its own 2-year warranty.
Features Inspection
She’s entered from the swim platform via a walkthrough to the port side. A curved access from there allows Bryant to add a jump seat of sorts just ahead of the walkthrough. This provides not only additional seating space but also an aft-facing lounge to the port side.
In this simple shot, there are several things to take notice of. First, there are the multiple levels of padding throughout the seat, from the headrest to the sides on down to the dual seat cushions. Second, notice the double-stitching. Then there are the multiple tones, we count 5 in this shot (including the side bolster), each needing to be added separately.
Here we have a pair of stainless drink holders, because one will probably hold a cell phone. And we never see two speakers mounted together on beveled mounts. This makes for much better sound being received by the two positions of this lounge seat.
L-shaped seating to starboard occupies the rest of the cockpit, culminating in a swivel bucket seat at the helm. Storage is under all the seats, and it’s here that we notice more of the build quality. A close inspection of the storage compartments show that all receive the same level of attention as the more visible portions of the boat. Hatches are back-gelled and interiors are sanded and finished.
The bow is accessed from a walkthrough windshield and has the usual configuration of dual lounge seats that can accommodate a filler cushion to convert to a sun pad. A second sun pad is at the transom for use when the Speranza is not underway.
The bow seating starts out in the usual configuration and a filler cushion transforms it into a sun pad. Notice to the sides there are pull-up cleats and even fender hangers.
Storage is hardly a concern on the Speranza. Here, we can see how the portside seats allow for storage access in addition to the sizable in-deck storage compartment.
Helm
Bryant kept the tones of the helm down to avoid problems with glare on sunny days. An optional GPS display can be fitted to the center of the panel. A digital depth gauge is on the standards list and mounts to the far right of the panel. Rocker switches are occupying a mid panel stretching across the length of the console and blue lights indicate when active. A stereo remote is below and to the right, regrettably far removed from the MP3/USB connection to the other side.
The helm seat is mounted to Attwood Air Springs, plus it swivels and slides.
Four different tones are used in the makeup of this good looking helm, showing a higher level of dedication on the part of Bryant Boats. It’s certainly easier just to throw a single color console together.
The windshield is custom-made and has a few unusual characteristics. The frame is heavy-duty so feel free to grab anywhere to remain steady while underway. It comes up nice and high so the driver isn’t going to end up staring at the frame instead of the water ahead. It also has a much more gradual slope as it carries aft. This creates larger side windows further improving visibility as well as giving wind and spray protection to those sitting behind.
Power
Power for the Bryant Boats Speranza is available from either MerCruiser or Volvo Penta in sizes ranging from 200-hp to 270-hp. Lower to midrange engines are offered with either single or dual propped outdrives.
Observations
Bryant Boats may not be the biggest manufacturer of boats, and frankly that suits them just fine. It was never intended to be. Instead, the company chooses to focus on quality rather than quantity and that shows throughout the Speranza. Bragging rights are one thing, but lack of buyer’s remorse is another entirely. In our opinion, this is a boat to be proud to own.
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