INTEGRITY 440 SEDAN REVIEW
I have always loved displacement-hulled boats. They reek of development since the dawn of time. Commercially, they allow efficiency with huge capacity; recreationally, they indulge their passengers in the serenity of boating. Integrity Boats has emerged from this long evolution to produce deep-keeled clinker trawlers that combine old-world charm with modern design and technology.
They’re also great fun! Integrity’s spacious layout reflects a highly sociable attitude and is filled with amenities to satisfy baby boomers, Gen Y and generations to follow. I guarantee that when a few boats raft up for a party, the Integrity will be the catering centre and social hub.
INTEGRITY 440
I was immediately attracted to the single diesel shaftdrive power plant that features in the Integrity 440 Sedan’s beautiful trawler hull. She boasts a wide beam and a magnificent entry with a confident flared bow, and combines it all with a sexy sweeping and stepped sheer line. But there’s much more to this lady. She flaunts an open floor plan with innovative rear saloon doors, which, when pivoted open, reveal the full flow from helm to rear-mounted galley and through to the inviting entertainment deck.
From the moment you step aboard – via the large rear platform and cockpit doorway or through a sliding panel in the stainless steel siderails – the ergonomics ooze with intelligent design. There are full-width side companionways and a very handy sliding doorway to the helm on the starboard side. There are no large steps to contend with and even the steeper sections from the forward deck have a good combination of siderails and footholds to keep everyone secure. The easy ergonomics will especially appeal to boaties with diminished mobility.
Overhead, a full roof section expands to cover the walkaround decks and transom to create a covered rear deck with all-weather canvas surrounds. There are zip-opening clears that completely enclose the wraparound rear lounge and a convertible rear table that transforms to an extra outdoor double bed. I would be more than comfortable sleeping out there on a balmy night, anchored in a secluded cove – particularly after a little too much good living.
The watersports launch pad – or rear platform – is an ideal spot to get a party started. It features a folding rear ladder that swings deep into the water for easy access. A bread-and-butter fisherman could attach a custom baitboard and rodholder, and the standard boat comes with a simple stainless steel handrail that can be used as the base.
LAYOUT AND DESIGN
As you enter the cockpit through the hinged rear door, you’re invited to sit and relax in the plush rear lounge. The marine-grade vinyl upholstery is neat and functional with vented bases, while the teak floor adds practicality and nautical charm. There are a multitude of storage options under the lounge seating – including a large icebox that can be converted to a fridge-freezer – and a hinged floor hatch reveals a large lazarette for fenders, ropes and ancillary storage.
The convertible rear saloon wall is a major attraction. It has an alfresco café vibe, which is functional and attractive. The openings are formed from tinted safety glass panels in strong stainless steel frames. Two sections tilt upwards with gas strut assistance and lock into secure mountings locks under the roof so you can open one or both to create the full or partial alfresco space of your liking.
This is the only area of the entire boat that has a small head intrusion to the vertically extended. When tilted, the foldup panels allow around 1850mm head clearance, which is okay for most of us. The bottom panel slides into itself in front of the galley unit to open the cabin access – and I can imagine those with young kids or seafaring pets would love the safe containment.
ENTERTAINING AREA
This may be a great entertainer but it retains its seaworthy heritage with big, open scuppers around the cockpit and walkways. Beware though, they are big enough to lose a shoe or thong through… and I nearly found out the hard way!
The saloon is surprisingly spacious, especially considering the wide external companionways on both sides. It has sliding windows with manual blinds that create an open and airy feel and plenty of vision. Our demo boat had optional shade screens on all of the windows – a sensible inclusion on the wish list.
At the portside rear of the saloon we find a simple but very functional galley featuring twin stainless steel sinks with a hot/cold mixer tap, Corian bench tops and a Westinghouse two-burner electric stove. You’ll be astounded by the sheer quantity of bench space and cabinetry on offer.
Integrity use local electrical consultants to fit fully ADR-approved 240V systems with external shorepower and circuit breakers. Our demo unit also had an Onan 7kVa diesel generator, with a 4kVa fitted as standard. Personally, I’d fit a microwave too – as a standalone piece on the immense bench space or a custom fit into the teak cabinetry.
LUXURY DESIGN
The Integrity can comfortably support extended travel, thanks to twin 140lt Waeco AC/DC fridge-freezers in the starboard cabinets and a LCD flatscreen colour TV/DVD with a pivoting bracket. There are drawers and cupboards everywhere, including an overhead console on the port side.
Farther forward we find a most inviting convertible master dinette. I was pleased to note there is plenty of room to add some portable chairs to maximise the dining area for a complete dinner party. The teak dinette table drops to create a further double berth and folds and swivels to allow access to the engineroom hatches in the floor. But we’ll get to the engine room later…
Opposite the dinette on the starboard side is a relatively simple helm that reflects the traditional flavour of the trawler in its walnut finish. The 225hp John Deere 6.8lt six-cylinder turbo-diesel is driven by the age-old reliability of twin-lever Morse controls and cables. She has easy-to-read analogue engine gauges and a switch panel for navigation lights and basic functions as standard. She also includes twin toggle controls for the bow and stern 4hp Quick thrusters, anchor winch control (repeated as foot controls on the deck) and a John Deere key start and warning panel.
Our test boat also had a Raymarine multifunction display, p70 autopilot and e7 HybridTouch 7in touchscreen colour GPS-sounder-plotter unit. To be honest, it was too small for a boat of this nature and I would juggle the dash layout to fit a 10 or 12in unit.
A large stainless steel steering wheel drives hydraulic steering to the big rudder to provide effortless control. I initially found the helm seat rather minimal but the more I used it the more I liked it. I can see myself whiling away many pleasure-filled hours with my foot directing our destination.
BEDROOMS AND HEAD
A very large, flat dash with chart table sits underneath the three windscreen panels equipped with wipers and washers, overhead a communications console and separate switch panels for the AC and DC power. The cockpit and saloon present beautifully and invite you to enjoy her congenial hospitality and ample facilities.
The design flow makes the Integrity very easy to move around and the stairwell to the lower deck – in fact, the only one inside the boat– provides little obstacle.
There is a bathroom to starboard and a double stateroom to port. The bathroom boasts a separate shower behind twin smoked-glass doors and a large 115lt holding tank with macerator and all pumping options. Integrity’s national sales manager, Peter Hill, was on the spot to point out that you could easily read The Age or Financial Review while seated on the porcelain head! The vanity has a deep bowl and Corian bench tops, with plenty of cabinet space once more. It is well vented, well lit and has open teak flooring draining to the sump.
Personally, I would call the portside stateroom the master. It has the larger of the two double beds, a small wardrobe, down and night lighting. It is large, airy, light and comfortable and continues the theme of beige headlining that is common throughout the boat. My companion and photographer Ellen Dewar thought the bed height was a little low for older people with arthritic aliments. But if that’s its only flaw, it’s a delightful package!
The forward berth also has a double island bed with steps and padded edge trim. It appears slightly small at first but it’s most acceptable in reality. The wardrobes have cedar lining and the entire berth has good natural light with a series of drawers under the bed front. There’s down and reading lighting and adequate ventilation, especially when aided by the optional air-conditioning.
ENGINE
Down below, the 225hp John Deere 6068TFM diesel sits proudly in the centre of the large underfloor engineroom, with full service access all round. All of the electrics are neatly plumbed and the hoses are double clamped in the important places. There’s a 750lt fuel tank on each side with sight gauges toward the front. Access to sea strainers and taps is quick and easy and the Onan generator and hot-water system sit independently at the rear in full view.
Everything is clearly labelled and neatly presented. The John Deere has back-to-basics technology with mechanical fuel pumps, cable shift gear and throttles, and a strong ZF gearbox. It also meets Tier 3 emission standards, but I don’t see anything wrong with that. In fact, I like it that way!
HANDLING AND RIDE
Underway the Integrity 440 Sedan is just a dream. She cruises the waterways with genteel decorum. The big keel-protected rudder gives you plenty of manoeuvrability with minimal rotation at the helm, while the heavy, solid fibreglass displacement hull gives a solid feel of confidence. We didn’t get to test the Integrity in true offshore conditions but I feel confident it would travel beautifully with plenty of lateral stability from the deep 3ft9in keel.
We travelled up and down the Gold Coast seaway with a ripping lee tide while towing a tender. As with all displacements, I estimate the 440 Sedan will travel at the average 8kts comfortably at around 1600rpm. We had no means of testing fuel consumption but Peter Hill assures me the boat uses around 10.5lt/h at cruising speeds under normal load and conditions.
The Integrity certainly maintained easy momentum with the heavy-but-efficient design, pushed by a large 58cm diameter Shili 5 five-blade bronze prop. The 440 Sedan responds beautifully to a burst on the throttle for bar crossings and does it all with the confidence of the large block 6.8lt power plant.
THE TRADE-A-BOAT VERDICT
It was a pleasure to feel the old-world charm of the Integrity. In a world of mass-consumption, mass-production, go-fast technology, the Integrity is aptly named. When you’ve had enough of the headaches and fuel bills of planning hulls, you’ll find pleasure and relief in this honest and comfortable stateswoman.
The 440 Sedan is a totally new model and we tested the first arrival that was awaiting delivery to its lucky new owner. It truly is a winner for Integrity, which boasts the success of around 35 sales in the past three difficult years of business in Australia.
[HIGHS]
› My kind of hull
› Confident power
› Simplicity
› Alfresco saloon/cockpit
› Safe walkaround
› Easy manoeuvrability
› Singlehanded operation
› Flowing internal layout
› Rear galley
› Easy serviceability
› Big roof area for solar panels, tenders, etc.
› Vinylester outer
› Genteel demeanour
[LOWS]
› Limited dash for modern electrics
› Didn’t get to go to sea!
INTEGRITY 440 SEDAN SPECIFICATIONS
PRICE AS TESTED
$620,000
OPTIONS FITTED
Raymarine colour depthsounder-GPS-plotter, Raymarine autopilot, upgrade to 7kVa Onan generator, and air-conditioning (ducting included standard for aftermarket fit)
PRICED FROM
$599,000
GENERAL
MATERIAL Handlaid fibreglass
TYPE Displacement monohull
LENGTH 13.8m
BEAM 4.3m
DRAFT 1.21m
WEIGHT 12,000kg (dry)
CAPACITIES
PEOPLE (NIGHT) 8
FUEL 1500lt
WATER 950lt
ENGINE
MAKE/MODEL John Deere 6068TFM TYPE Direct injection six-cylinder turbo-diesel
DISPLACEMENT 6.8lt
RATED HP 225
PROP Shili five-blade bronze
SUPPLIED BY
Integrity Motor Yachts,
PO Box 414,
Sanctuary Cove, QLD, 4212
Phone: 1300 798 735; +61 400 901 563
Email: peter@integrityboats.com.au
Website: www.integrityboats.com.au
Originally published in Trade-a-Boat #445, October / November 2014