Sargo 45 Review (2024 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Sargo 45 is the largest boat the company has built so far, moving up from their previous 36-footer. Despite the step up in size, it sticks closely to Sargo’s ethos of practical, finish-built, walk-around boats. This one has the Explorer pack, which swaps the standard stainless steel rails and white hull for black rails and a choice of dark grey or lighter grey hull.

At the stern, there’s a high-low bathing platform that can carry a tender like a Williams TurboJet 285. The boat runs on outdrives that tilt up, and it also has beaching legs - an unusual feature on a boat this size. Pull the pin, drop the legs, and the boat will dry out upright without tipping over.

The cockpit area has been set up with plenty of smart touches. Under one seat there’s a fridge, and there are rope bins and diesel filler access tucked neatly into other parts of the structure. Storage is a real strength here. Two large lockers, one near the seating and another underfoot, provide space for infill cushions, cockpit canopies, deck chairs and more.

A door can close off the cockpit completely, and a canopy zips around from the back to enclose the space. There’s a docking station to port with an IPS controller and manual bilge pump, and an EPIRB distress beacon is mounted close at hand. The walk-around decks are stepless, with high bulwarks and rails giving a secure, easy path right round the boat. Up on the bow, sunbathing cushions can fill the space completely, although this would reduce natural light below.

On the flydeck, there’s a spotlight fitted to help navigate rocky areas, with antennas, radar and lifestyle bars for stowing paddleboards, bikes or other gear. They’ve even tucked in a small seating area up there. Right forward, the anchor is offset to make it easier to nudge the bow against rocks and islands - a typical Finnish anchoring method.

Stepping inside, the saloon feels spacious and bright. This boat has the optional oak interior rather than the usual teak, and a wood finish underfoot instead of the standard carpet. The galley sits opposite the seating area and is fitted with a dishwasher, fridge, sink, gas hob, and a combination microwave and grill. Storage is dotted around, with gas struts holding lockers open for easy access. If preferred, owners can choose darker colours for the galley surfaces.

The table in the saloon adjusts in height, allowing it to drop down and create an infill berth. Overhead, two large hatches flood the area with natural light. One hatch slides open for ventilation, and both come with blinds and bug screens.

Twin sliding doors port and starboard give a commuter-boat feel, making it easy to slip in and out whether moored or offshore. The forward-sloping windscreens add to the sheltered, rugged feel, and there’s a sliding aft door too. Ventilation is well thought out, including a neat latch on the side door that holds it ajar securely. The roof is electric, sliding back at the touch of a button, and fitted with blinds and bug screens.

A flybridge version is in development, although fitting one would remove the sliding roof and hatch. For now, the open roof and big windows give a great sense of space and fresh air, with a television also discreetly fitted into the saloon.

Owner Cabin

A sliding hatch at the front of the saloon leads down to the owner’s cabin. In this two-cabin layout, the forward cabin feels generous and well-appointed. Big overhead hatches fitted with bug and night screens keep it bright. There’s a large wardrobe and shelving, hull windows with opening sections, a big locker, and even a small seat tucked against the side. Floor space is good too.

The owner’s heads can work either as a private ensuite or as a shared day heads, with doors on both sides. There’s a separate shower stall, sink, and toilet. If a three-cabin layout is chosen, this space changes slightly. A third cabin goes in under the helm area, the heads shift forward, and the seating and some floor space in the owner’s cabin are lost. It depends on how the boat will be used - a couple with occasional guests would likely prefer the two-cabin layout, while families might favour the extra sleeping space.

Guest Cabin

In the two-cabin layout, the guest cabin is hidden beneath the saloon seating. Lifting up the seat reveals a neat twin cabin tucked under the floor. The beds can stay as two singles or slide together on tracks to form a double. There’s built-in storage around the beds.

The guest heads is a wet-room style setup, with a loo, shower, and sink, and a decent-sized window fitted with blinds. The space feels well thought out, giving guests their own comfortable, self-contained area.

Access to the engine room is cleverly handled. A manual hatch provides quick access, but the entire aft section can also lift on powered rams, including the table, clearing the upholstery without needing any dismantling.

The Sargo 45 can be specified with either Volvo Penta IPS 650s (480hp each) or D6 440s on stern drives. This boat has the D6 440s. The stern drive version, combined with the beaching legs and tilting outdrives, lets the boat dry out upright - a rare feature on a 45-footer.

The engine room is spacious, with room to move around the engines. A generator is fitted, along with an outboard engine for the tender. Top speed with the stern drives is about 36 knots, and it will cruise comfortably between 25 and 30 knots, giving a range of about 400 miles. Go slower, and the range increases.

If the IPS option is chosen, the engines move further forward, and a locker behind them under the bathing platform gives back some storage. The hull is a deep V, built for punching through rough offshore conditions at speed. It feels every inch the rugged offshore commuter boat it was designed to be.

The Sargo 45 leans hard into practical design, with details like beaching legs, wide decks, smart storage, and stepless walkarounds making a real difference at sea. Performance is brisk and confident, and the interior layout is flexible enough to suit owners who cruise as a couple or with family. Built for tough conditions but full of considered touches, it is a capable offshore boat with a lot of get-at-able charm.