BWA Sport 24 GTO Review

In this review, the topRik team shares their experience testing the semi-rigid boat BWA Sport 24 GTO, which filled the gap between its 22 and 26 Sport GTO siblings from the Italian shipyard BWA.

We illustrate the story with a large number of photographs, and so that you can imagine this RIB in motion, we have added several more videos on Sport 24 GTO.

The history of this famous Italian brand began in the late 1950s, when Breventani William Adriano, whose initials formed the name of the future shipyard, began producing inflatable boats. The Holiday line appealed to enthusiasts right away.

Breventani founded BWA Nautica in the mid-1980s. The first models that the shipyard produced were aimed at scuba divers and those who use boats in their professional activities. It was these consumers who influenced the company's priorities. Strength and safety are of paramount importance here. As it turns out, these characteristics are in demand not only by divers and professional rescuers, but also by fans of sea cruises and water recreation. BWA Nautica now produces many different boat models (both for work and for leisure), using the vast experience that has been accumulated over the years.

The Sport GTO series of semi-rigid outboard boats was no exception. BWA Sport 24 GTO, the testing experience of which is describer further, develops the Sport range, demonstrating all the main features of line. This is a family inflatable boat both in its layout and deck equipment, and in its navigation qualities. It was created based on the experience gained from developing the 22-foot model, but is more versatile as it makes good use of the increased dimensions, and is closer to the comfort of the model 26.

As with all boats in this series, even the standard equipment is quite sufficient to organize a great weekend holiday at sea for a family or group of 13 people. And if you take advantage of the options available on the list, you can also afford a coastal cruise for several days. You will read more about this later in our review.

BWA Nautica would be betraying its traditions and prestige if it compromised its principles regarding safety and quality of materials and design. Since we already mentioned the coastal cruising capability, this RIB's design is CE Class C certified.

This became possible thanks to the use of advanced technologies in the manufacture of the hull from fiberglass and inflatable sides from high-quality modern material - Hypalon. Dark gray or white Impression Military fabric was used for Sport 24 GTO.

So that we are not accused of bias, we first of all declare the disadvantages of Hypalon - this is the high price and weight - it is almost twice as heavy as PVC. However, in this case the latter is its advantage: for boats over 5 meters in length, Hypalon provides the proper weight to maintain stability on the water.

The advantages of RIB made from Hypalon include, first of all, a higher coefficient of wear resistance and strength in general. The fabric is a 10-layer material based on metallized rubber and Kevlar cord, which provides quite powerful protection against ultraviolet exposure and rotting. Inflatable chambers made of this fabric are able to withstand temperature changes that are practically never found in nature: from -50 to +100 °C. That is, the boat can be stored outside in cold weather, but the hot rays of the tropical sun are not dangerous to it, and the surface temperature of inflatable sides in these regions can exceed 60°C.

It is also important that there is no etching of air through the fabric of the inflatable chambers. Hypalon allows you to avoid additional pumping of the boat during almost the entire high season, while PVC models require more frequent attention - the shape lasts no more than 3-4 days.

The strength of Hypalon is also beyond doubt, since it is quite difficult to damage this fabric even with a nail. The super-strong cord layer prevents damage when hitting rocks or sharp stones, even at high boat speeds. It is worth noting that the properties of this innovative material (which, however, is becoming increasingly common in boat construction) have become the main reason that swimming structures using Hypalon are used in the US armed forces and other special services - water rescue, emergency medical services, etc. hard-to-reach coastal settlements, supervision in the field of fisheries protection and ecology, etc.

The same properties of Hypalon have made this material in demand in the manufacture of sports and pleasure boats, since it guarantees the integrity of the boat in emergency situations.

The second part of this RIB construction - the rigid fiberglass hull - also plays its role in ensuring the safety of passengers. Even if you imagine the impossible - damage to all inflatable bladders, this hull is able to stay on the surface of the water supporting all the passengers until rescuers arrive.

 

Features of BWA Sport 24 GTO

 

Review of BWA Sport 24 GTO by topRik Team

The topRik team saw BWA Sport for the first time at La Trinité sur Mer, Morbihan, France. At that time, a presentation of Suzuki engines was taking place there, for which semi-rigid BWAs Sport and BWA Marshall were chosen. Previously the BWA Sport series was powered by 150 HP Honda engines. Now BWA Sport 24 GTO can also be equipped with a 175 or 200 HP Suzuki outboard motor with electric drive.

 

First Look

It was approximately from this angle that our experts saw the Sport 24 GTO at one of the berths. It seems that nothing could be unexpected here. A center console with a helm station amidships, an outboard engine (our boat had a Suzuki one) and two large social areas aft and bow.

But after a closer examination of the list of options, there were enough pleasant surprises here.

 

At the Transom

Although this is not a yacht, or even a pleasure boat, we did not change the order of inspection of the boat, starting from the transom. Still, our fleet is located in the Mediterranean region, and stern mooring is a familiar sight for us when looking at a ship from the pier.

Look! There are two very large islands here - these remains of a swimming platform are enough to accommodate a folding ladder for getting into the water. Swimmers, divers, spearfishers and underwater explorers – all will benefit from this.

These islands, which frame the outboard engine on both sides, can be covered with teak for comfort and safety, but can also be left in their original form.

We have already mentioned some brands of engines that the manufacturer offers for BWA Sport 24 GTO, like Yamaha and Mercury.

 

Aft Cockpit

The initial configuration of this part of the boat is an area to accommodate some of the passengers: there is enough space on the aft sofa to seat 5-6 people.

We hope you have good eyesight and can see the recess in the insertion point in front of the sofa where the table leg is mounted. Once the table is installed, the aft cockpit becomes a dining area.

But this is not all the possibilities for transforming this zone. If you lower this folding table so that its tabletop is level with the seats, and put an additional mattress on top in the shape of the tabletop, and also bend the back of the sofa, you will get a huge sunbathing area. And if you do raise the backrest, you can even spend one or two nights here in a warm climate near a guarded pier.

 

Everything for the Skipper

As we already mentioned, the open wheelhouse in the Sport 24 GTO is located amidships, centered from the sides. It includes a full helm station, which includes a helm panel and a comfortable seat. But in fact, the seat is a sofa for two, so that the skipper does not get bored alone and does not feel deprived of the attention of passengers.

There is absolutely no need for the help of a second person in steering this boat - unless the assistant's tasks will be limited to passing drinks or something tasty from the table or from the refrigerator to the skipper. Moreover, the optional refrigerator with freezer is located in the console itself, so you don’t have to walk far. We'll get to the refrigerator later - let's finish with the chair.

As you can see in the photo above, the helmsman can adjust it to his height, as well as to his position while steering the boat - you can either stand or sit at the helm.

An adjustable footrest will make it easier to control the boat during maneuvering and turns at high speeds.

And here is the heart of the Sport 24 GTO - the steering wheel. As you can see, the manufacturer provides owners with the opportunity to place a second chartplotter or a full-fledged marine display, leaving enough space for this. Likewise, the entire set of navigation equipment and indicators that display the operation of the boat's systems and equipment will be placed on the panel depending on the owner's preferences. Please read the list of standard equipment and options carefully.

If you think that this is all with the cutting, you are very mistaken. It probably occurred to many that something was missing here. Exactly! Sun protection. Well, if you think it is necessary, prepare to spend extra, since T-top is included in the list of options. Together with the windshield, located at a sufficient height, this powerful T-top pretty much forms half a cabin.

Now everything is done with the wheelhouse and we can go into the bow cockpit. Have you noticed that there’s no risk of falling overboard? For a boat of this width, when a significant part of it is occupied by inflatable sides, you can move around quite comfortably and safely.

We also draw your attention to the fact that there are handles on top of both sides that you can hold on to when moving. You can also use the metal handrails of the chair and the elements of T-top. But when the boat is moving at high speed, it is better to sit or lie down rather than risk flying overboard.

 

Bow Cockpit

The cockpit in this part of the boat is a huge social area, which, like the previous ones, hides more surprises. If you look with an untrained eye, you can see a sun lounger located on the other side of the center console, a large sunbathing area, and in the very bow - an anchor installation.

And if you (like topRik experts, for example) have already had to deal with boats from BWA Nautica, you will just be sure that there’s more than meets the eye in here. Doesn't this rather large part of the center console look suspicious? So much free space is just empty? Not the case with BWA Nautica. The shipyard's designers and designers make good use of every square and cubic centimeter – look what we have here!

Yes, this is a latrine, where, if the owner wishes, you can equip a toilet and shower.

After that, you already guessed that, by analogy with the aft cockpit, you can install a table here and turn this place into a large dining area, or, by transforming the table, equip an even larger sunbathing area here than the one at the stern. By the way, spending the night here is safer than at the stern - there is no risk of rolling off the “bed” even while the boat is moving.

The anchor installation, including a chain box and winch, is located at the very bow of the boat and pretends that it is a bowsprit, giving the exterior of BWA Sport 24 GTO a finished and fast look.

As topRik team finishes up its study of the boat on land, we invite you to test the Sport 24 GTO at sea.

 

Performance Testing

topRik experts tested BWA Sport 24 GTO at sea with 200 HP Suzuki outboard motor. The speed results were higher than those reported by testers of this boat equipped with a 150-horsepower Honda. We almost reached 40 knots, but decided not to push it further after the first jump, which the RIB made at over 39 knots. It is quite possible that the reason for this was that the helmsman got a little carried away with creating artificial waves in order to test the maneuverability and controllability of the boat on a higher wave than nature provided us with that day.

To be honest, we expected to get off the boat wet from head to toe, but fortunately our expectations were not met. Even with maximum roll, only half of the side was in the water.

Thanks to its streamlined keel and powerful motor, the boat picked up speed quickly, and we barely noticed the transition to planing. Also, the Suzuki engine was not too noisy.

Very simple and convenient control - the boat follows the course, and this was especially noticeable when leaving the marina and subsequent mooring. Our helmsman did not need any help; the rest of the sailors of our team on board were simply resting, because the skipper just did not let us take the helm – pretty selfish, but understandable!

 

Advantages of BWA Sport 24 GTO

Quality. Safety. Comfort. Versatility in use. These are the four main advantages that developers can brag about shamelessly.

Top-grade materials and thoughtful RIB design with fiberglass deep rigid hull and large diameter inflatable sides from Military Fabric Impression ensure passenger safety.

Quality equipment has the same goals. The manufacturer offers a choice of several brands of outboard engines of varying power.

For passengers, especially taking into account the possible options, comfortable conditions for staying on board have been created both for a weekend excursion and for a short cruise along the coast.

We talk about how many options there are for using this amazing boat in the next section.

 

Video Reviews of BWA Sport 24 GTO

Here’s more visuals of this boat – informative slideshows, showcasing both exterior and interior spaces.

The version with the T-top, well worth it in our opinion:

But the one without it doesn’t hit your wallet as much, so it’s all up to you:

 

Conclusion

Very fast and comfortable for a rigid inflatable boat of this size, the BWA Sport 24 GTO is in demand by a wide range of sailors, including both experienced and beginners. The former can take a break from complex controls, but not give up speed, and the latter can learn a new hobby, getting used to the open spaces of the sea.

This boat is an excellent choice for those who prefer to relax at sea with their family or a large company. But for singles who prefer to be alone with the sea, this is an even more ideal option.

For those who are interested in towing water sports, the package includes options such as a wakeboarding kit, as well as reinforced stainless steel ski pole. The power and speed of this boat will provide an unforgettable experience.

The Sport 24 GTO is also suitable for those who go deep as divers, underwater hunters or wreck hunters - the large area of the bow and stern cockpits allows you to lay out all the necessary equipment here.

It probably won’t be possible to use this boat for trolling, but using a spinning rod from the side will do just fine. However, it should be taken into account that the hook can, if not pierce, then scratch the side, so be careful.

Of course, we must not forget the whole constellation of rescue and security services, as well as the ability to use a boat to transport residents of villages along the coast.

And one more category that the topRik team cannot ignore is charter companies. It seems that the BWA Sport 24 GTO, due to such diverse demand, can quickly pay for itself.

 

Where to Buy BWA Sport 24 GTO at a Bargain Price

Marketplace topRik provides you with a full range of services, including purchasing the boat at the best possible price.

The main thing is that you don’t have to engage in exhausting and not always successful search on the Internet. We will immediately offer you a profitable option as soon as you formulate your requirements for the Sport 24 GTO configuration.

A virtual boat configurator is available for free on the topRik marketplace. Go to the Price Calculator specifically designed for the sales page and create a boat to your taste and in accordance with your planned expenses.

topRik experts will help you at this stage completely free of charge too. Ask us questions through the quick link of the site or by calling the specified phone number. You can also send your questions about the configuration of the boat to [email protected].

After you understand the configuration, entrust the topRik team with all the rest of the work, which includes negotiations with the manufacturer or dealer so that you are provided with the most favorable offer, preparation and execution of the necessary documents, monitoring the condition of the boat and its equipment, delivery of BWA Sport 24 GTO to the location you specified.

Just call – and you won’t have to waste extra money and time.