Delphia Escape 800 Gota 3 review
Houseboat · 27 ft (8 m) · Motala
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- Delphia
- Model
- Escape 800
- Length
- 27 ft (8 m)
- Guests
- 6
- Cabins
- 2
Verdict
A compact canal and coastal cruiser with a practical 2-cabin layout, easy livability, and modest speeds suited to relaxed boating. It is best judged as a comfortable houseboat-style family charter rather than a performance motorboat.
Pros
- +Compact 27 ft size suits canals and sheltered waters
- +2 cabins and 6-berth layout for small groups
- +Low fuel use and modest running costs
- +Good headroom and sensible interior layout
- +Bow thruster and dual helm setups improve maneuvering
Cons
- −Limited performance from the small 25–30 hp engine
- −Not ideal for fast passagemaking or rough-water use
- −Cabin space is efficient rather than spacious
- −High occupancy can feel tight for six adults
- −Shallow draft and houseboat format favor comfort over sporty handling
The Delphia Escape 800 is a compact 27-foot houseboat-style motor cruiser built around practical charter use. Its proportions are friendly for inland waterways, with a beam around 2.9–3.0 m and a simple, functional profile rather than a sporty one. The design emphasis is on usable deck space, straightforward access, and an interior that makes efficient use of a relatively small hull.
On the water, it is not a speedboat. Public listings for this model point to a small diesel engine in the 25–30 hp range and cruising speeds around canal-appropriate levels, which suits calm water and leisurely itineraries better than open-water performance. Handling is helped by features such as a bow thruster and dual helm positions on some examples, but it remains a boat that rewards slow, deliberate maneuvering.
Comfort is one of its stronger points for its size. The usual 2-cabin, 6-berth arrangement works well for families or two couples with children, and the saloon/cockpit layout is geared toward social use. Storage and living space are sensible for short to medium charter holidays, though six adults would be a tight fit for extended trips.
In value terms, the Escape 800 is attractive for buyers or charter guests who want a simple, low-running-cost cruising platform rather than a high-performance motor yacht. It offers a balanced package for canals and sheltered waters, but its appeal depends on accepting limited speed and modest handling reserves in exchange for easy, economical living aboard.
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