No prizes for coming up with a use for this boat. From catching whiting in Port Phillip Bay to snagging snapper in the channels off Whyalla, from cruising to Tangalooma at a fast clip to pottering lazily about Sydney Harbour, the Arvor 20 is tailor-made for doing a variety of things on the water.

A pocket-sized diesel-powered craft, the Arvor puts a new spin on a classic theme. It has a wheelhouse just like fishing boats of old, but it doesn't shake, rattle and roll. Instead, the Arvor flies along thanks to a puissant turbo-charged Nanni Diesel motor spinning a shaft-driven prop.

The boat delivers a useful turn of speed, terrific onboard comfort, and giant-killer performance at sea. While it was originally designed for Channel fishermen in the north of France, its performance will obviously appeal to recreational anglers and cruising types in more southerly latitudes as well.

The big attraction is that the boat can function comfortably in just about any weather. With two different helm positions, you can go boating come rain, hail or shine. While the main helm in the wheelhouse affords protection, it's plainly more fun driving from the cockpit with the tiller in your hand or locked between your knees.

But it's especially pleasing knowing that you're not going to be lumped with the fuel bills normally tied to powerboating. Darting across the ocean, reeling in the sea miles, the frugal diesel heart of the Arvor 20 takes you places more sustainably and expeditiously than petrol power.

A STRONG FAVOURITE
This craft is getting a warm reception wherever it pops up. Some 300 were sold at last year's Paris Boat Show, where the Arvor 20 was judged a big hit, and now a market has opened up for it right here in Australia.

Collins Marine, the local Nanni Diesel engine distributor, is building the Arvor 20 in Australia and pitching it to everyone from smart retirees to hale and hearty anglers who will stop at nothing to catch a fish.

The first model to come off the mould was launched through Hunts Marine in Sydney who, we're told, thought it even better made than the original, which we tested. Smartly put together, with a curvaceous deck moulding bonded to a tough hull, Arvors have been beefed up for local conditions and, eventually, survey requirements.

Engineering-wise, the boat is really very simple with a centre-mounted engine, some running gear and a throttle cable. Yet there are some neat features about the deck that one normally doesn't associate with a 20-footer.

While there is a self-draining cockpit and high coamings for security at sea, there's also a clean transom without any running gear hanging from it, and a low-profile, delightfully unobtrusive engine box.

Fitted with a five-cylinder, turbo-charged 2.5lt Nanni Diesel, the Arvor 20 takes rough water in its stride while delivering a handy 19-20kt down-sea. For optimum efficiency, you can cruise at 14-15kt burning 10lt/hr. Better still, trolling consumes just 4lt/hr.

PRACTICALITY PLUS
Despite its European heritage, the boat's layout is entirely practical for local needs. There is bow-to-stern access along walkways around the cabin, a decent anchor well, and full headroom inside as you pilot the boat.

There are even compact sleeping quarters on a vee berth tucked back under the bow, a useful amount of dry storage, and room to mount electronics alongside the timeless wooden ship's wheel.

Storage in the cockpit includes clips under the coamings for a gaff or boat hook, and a small fish or bait well. Other highlights are the terrific access to the centre-mounted Nanni motor, and the quarter seats in the transom.

With a removable bench seat, you can seat four guests outdoors for those little voyages you might take upriver or across the bay. There's not much left wanting but a fold away full-length canopy, a few lines and some bait.

Off Sydney Heads, the Arvor tamed a ship's wake and delivered a sense of seaworthiness that will endear itself to seasoned fishermen. Since the deck is high, there's little chance of putting water aboard. Should it come from above, well, you only need to step inside.

An all-weather boat which you can run for under $50 a day, with sufficient cockpit space for fishing or entertaining - the Arvor 20 is just the kind of craft more people should be driving these days. Cheap to run and cheerful.

The boat/motor combo weighs 1500kg and, with a 2.48m beam, it is legally trailerable. The retail price is $59,950, excluding a trailer.