Outer Reef 620 Trident Evo Review (2024 Edition)

Right off the bat, the Trident's hydraulic bathing platform grabs your attention. This can be a launchpad for tenders thanks to the cleverly built-in plastic chocks that pop up out of the deck. The addition of a sturdy pole for easier water access when the platform is submerged is a nice touch, too.

Transitioning to the cockpit, you might initially think its size is a bit compact for a yacht of this length, but it's deceptive. The space is well-balanced, marrying the interior saloon through a seamless window and door system that enhances the sense of connection. It's a clever design choice, prioritising interior volume without sacrificing the usability of the cockpit. The U-shaped seating and versatile table setup, complemented by full enclosures, make this area adaptable to various weather conditions.

Inside, the Trident's layout shines with an open-plan galley and saloon that boast home-like comfort. The innovative window and pop-up bar area enhance the connection to the exterior, making the space ideal for entertaining. Despite its aft placement limiting direct access from the helm, the galley's size and amenities compensate.

Accommodation is impressive, with the VIP cabin forward offering excellent finishes, ample natural light, and generous storage. The owner's cabin provides a spacious room that cleverly integrates a split ensuite. 

The Trident's construction quality is evident in its satin walnut finishes, clever storage solutions, and engineering in the machinery space. The layout of the engine room and the inclusion of features like the Sea Talk insulated shaft system are typical of a design that prioritises owner maintenance.

The open-plan galley/saloon arrangement is a clever use of space, and it feels large for a boat of this size. A window pops open to create a bar area - complete with stools that tuck away beneath the counter. It's a good setup for enjoying breakfast or an evening drink and it means the person in the galley is still part of the action. All this helps connect the inside with the cockpit alongside a standard cockpit door that allows for movement in and out.

And let's talk about the galley itself. Positioned aft, it's very clever, offering enormous counter space and an incredible amount of storage. The option for an amidships galley is available, but it's clear why most would opt for the aft position. It's not just about the size; it's how the galley links to the living areas, making the yacht feel like a home away from home. The galley is equipped with large fridges, an icemaker, and lots of storage. Plus, the positioning of the hob and the inclusion of those big windows contribute to a very homely atmosphere.

However, there's a trade-off with the aft galley layout. Embarking on long-distance cruising, you might find the separation from the helm a bit inconvenient for grabbing a quick snack or drink. 

A few steps lead amidships to a dinette/TV area that's cleverly designed with rising ceilings as you go to accommodate taller guests. At 6ft tall, I had no issues with headroom. The dinette table is particularly flexible, doubling as a day bed or an extra berth if needed, and the television pops up from the counter.

VIP Cabin

The VIP Cabin is very lovely. Decked out in a palette of satin walnut similar to the saloon, its storage solutions are brilliant, with hanging lockers and drawers plus storage under the bed. There is generous natural light courtesy of portholes and windows that ensure the room is ventilated and bright, even without a ceiling hatch. The ensuite is spacious, with a separate shower cubicle that's nicely shaped to avoid it feeling cramped.

Lazarette

The lazarette, as standard, is arranged strictly as a utility space but there is the option to add a single crew berth. It's quite a basic arrangement for crew but this type of boat is likely to use occasional crew and will often be run by the owner.

There is a decent separate bathroom, too, quite handy if guests want to go to the toilet after a swim rather than having to dive into the boat.

There is access to this area both through the engine room and, crucially, also through a door set beneath the flybridge stairs. This clever bit of design means you can make your way into the lazarette without having to navigate around the back of the boat on the transom while it's cruising.

The other benefit of the position and size of the lazarette is that it acts as an insulation buffer between the engine room and the owner's cabin. 

The upper helm station, a good spot for piloting the yacht in good weather, has a double STIDD helm seat - incredibly comfortable, complete with a nice big footrest. The driving position is elevated, placing you nice and high, and a bit more forward than usual. This gives you commanding sightlines and helps when slow-speed driving. The layout here is straightforward and uncluttered, perhaps a bit plain compared to the main helm, but as a secondary helm, very practical. 

Main Helm

Shifting the focus to the main helm, it's a different world - centralised, it mirrors the elevated, forward position of the one above, ensuring the boat doesn’t feel too large from the captain’s chair. Despite the yacht’s considerable length, the view astern assures you are in good control. Twin MFDs dominate the dashboard, below which, a run of hard switches is installed. This yacht has a Humphree trim system, featuring both interceptors and fins for zero-speed stabilization - a clever fit for an owner-run vessel.

Propelled by a pair of Volvo Penta D8-600s, she boasts a healthy top speed of 21 knots, with cruising sweet spots at 10 or 17 knots. The shaft drive setup, enhanced by a joystick that connects with the thrusters, gives a huge amount of control at low speeds. The inclusion of a side door, offering access to the side decks is a good design choice for owner-operators.

At the waterline, the hydraulic bathing platform here does double duty - tender stowage, complete with practical plastic chocks and vents for water to pull through when submerging - and also as your launchpad into the sea. There's a handy pole, a nice addition that offers a helping hand out of the water or onto the pontoon. 

Transitioning to the cockpit, the space isn't enormous. The Trident prioritises interior saloon space, a choice that limits the cockpit. Yet, this isn't a downside. However, they've allowed for this by joining the two areas together with the windows, doors and the provision for full covers to enclose the space, converting it into an extended living area regardless of weather. There is U-shaped seating and a versatile table that adjusts in height. The table is a decent size and is well-positioned to allow for two more people to sit. Boarding gates on either side are a thoughtful addition so if you're side-to berthed, it's very easy to access.

Side Decks & Foredeck

Venturing forward on the Outer Reef 620 Trident, it may be a more modern take on the trawler, but it still has some good traditional trawler stuff going on. The covered side decks feel safe with tall bulwarks and guardrails and practical features like big, chunky cleats and a convenient side door. This will help smooth flow through the vessel and make it a cinch for a two-person crew to manage deck duties - very important for hands-on owners.

Positioned next to the foredeck sunpad, you'll find substantial deck lockers - capable of swallowing up essentials like ball fenders, lines, and hoses. It's pretty handy to have this kind of storage capacity, ensuring that all the necessary gear is stowed away, but remains accessible when you need it. The foredeck itself keeps things straightforward, with a sizeable sunpad flanked by those storage lockers. That sunpad has an adjustable backrest too.

Flybridge

Ascending to the flybridge reveals one of the benefits of this trawler-style design - having that big extension over the cockpit. This design choice gifts you with an enormous, open area. Unlike the classic range, this space isn't occupied by a tender and is just a nice big space to do what you want with. The wet bar can be upgraded to include a grill alongside cooling and storage options, and it's basically a superb spot for hosting, whether stationary or cruising.

The flybridge is cleverly designed to cater to adventurers aiming to tackle journeys like the Great Loop or navigate Europe's intricate waterways, offering an optional hardtop that lowers to seat level - providing the necessary versatility to reduce air draft and navigate under low bridges.

The engine room access is via a massive hatchback in the transom and it really is excellent - this feature highlights how easy this boat is to run as an owner, particularly impressive for its size. Also, through a watertight door, there is extra access via the lazarette.

Powered by twin D8-600 engines, positioned on V drives and augmented by the Sea Talk insulated shaft system, the setup is designed to muffle vibration and noise effectively. The engines are raised, and there's still plenty of clearance above. The accessibility of the engines themselves is brilliant, allowing for easy inspection and maintenance. However, getting to the peripherals, like the generator, can be tricky.

Despite a few untidy corners, the engineering is very good. Features like the twin fuel filters can be swapped on the fly if one clogs. The FlyByWire rudders, integral to the yacht's joystick control system, are also easily reachable.

Adding to the practical considerations, the yacht includes a spot-cleaning system for deck hosing with filtered water and an integrated reel for the shore power cable. These touches make the space highly usable and add a dose of big boat feel to this 60-footer.