Crownline, which started production in the USA in 1991, recently celebrated its 30,000th boat leaving the factory door. Teaming up with Phuket-based Lee Marine, approaching their 10th anniversary in business on the island, the Crownline range looks set to make a major impact here.

Crownline has been responsible for some impressive innovations in leisure boating in recent years, and has taken its thirst for innovation further during the design of the new 25 footer, the 240 LS.

As an example, the 240 LS's wrap-around, hot-tub style bow seats have neat pull-up armrests, while the starboard seat and headrest flip forward as one unit for the most easily accessed, and biggest, bow storage area you'll find on a boat this size.

At the stern, along the transom, is one that you'll love. It's an optional 'social swim' sound system with music fed to the wide swim platform by two aft-facing splash-proof speakers.

The 'sports car' styling of the exterior lines and Crownline's ingenious F.A.S.T. Tab - hull design, with its ventilated chines and integrated fins, unite to make an eye-catching bowrider that handles and looks like a dream! - We could go on about the comfortable ride while we witnessed other boaters struggle to maintain speed and control under the exact same conditions, said Boating Life's reviewer.

So, it looks good. Comfortable? Yes. State-of-the art? Sure. But what about the speed? How does 0 to 48 kph in just under 7 seconds, top speed over 80 kph and optimum cruising speed at 50 kph grab you? Just perfect for us islanders! You can day cruise anywhere around Phuket, have plenty of time to relax, have lunch, fish or swim when you get there - and still be back in plenty of time for dinner!

Suitable for a maximum of 12 passengers, but very comfortable with a reasonable sized family group, the 240 LS's standard features include a wide swim platform with extendable stainless steel ladder (with built-in handles - a little extra not often seen), a depthfinder, water temperature gauge, docking lights, a 15-gallon freshwater system, tilt steering and an enclosed head with portable toilet, sink and shower.

And then there's water skiing and wakeboarding - something 240 LS excels at. With a comfortable, easy to handle helm and throttle, making smooth turns is a dream.

To find out more about the Crownline 240 LS, contact Martin Holmes at Lee Marine on 081 891 7057 or email info@leemarine.com. Lee Marine are authorized distributors for Riviera, Ferretti, Pershing and Jeanneau, as well as Crownline. They also have a wide range of pre-owned yachts, power and sail.