Monachus Issa 45 | Monte Carlo Yachts 70 | Sea Ray 320 - 02/09/20
BoatTEST Newsletter February 9, 2020
Most Popular Boats of the Week
Every week BoatTEST publishes news items on about 25 boats. Readers have asked which ones are the more popular each day, so below you can find the answer – by day.
Monday #1
Monte Carlo Yachts 70:
Al Fresco Entertaining on a Grand Style
Most yachts these days take advantage of the bow space by adding an al fresco entertainment area, but few compare to that on the Monte Carlo Yachts 70. She has space up front for literally dozens of guests to party, kibitz or sun tan. The combination of high bulwarks from bow to stern along with the Portuguese bridge design make getting up front easy, even for guests who might still be finding their sea legs. The zone features two semi-circular settees behind solid teak tables, placed 3’ (.91 m) apart on electrically activated hi-lo pedestals so one or both can convert to a sun pad. A sunshade supported with carbon-fiber stanchions that fit into deck sockets is optional. There’s also lots more open-air entertainment space on the flying bridge, the swim platform and in the cockpit. More...
Tuesday #1
Absolute 47 Fly:
Bold Design, Spacious Interior Spaces
Many Absolute models display a level of boldness in exterior design that makes them immediately identifiable, but the new Absolute 47 Fly goes one better with a blunt, almost bull-nosed style up front that will make her unmistakable. The nearly plumb bow, wide beam carried forward, and high foredeck houses a large forward master cabin below. A double berth here is angled from the starboard side to the center of the cabin, creating a single level on three sides of the bed. Very large hullside windows make this area more open and airy than most in class, by far. It's easier to make up the berth and to get in and out with this design. Massive use of glass amidships along with a cutout in the bulwark also opens up the salon and galley areas. She looks different, but we suggest boaters get used to it, because this is the design trend coming out of Europe. Once inside, the advantages become apparent. See our first look at this innovative yacht here...
Wednesday #1
Prestige Yachts 420 Fly:
New Compact Cruiser w/2 En Suites
The Prestige Yachts 420 Fly is the company’s entry-level cruiser, but she’s equipped with the same easy operation as the larger yachts. This model has been “re-imagined” for 2020 by Garroni Design with sculptured hull surfaces, which at the same time provide a graphic on the hull side and more light below. She has an en suite master amidships and a VIP forward with a dedicated head, something often not seen in a boat of this size. A convertible settee in the main deck salon allows her to sleep up to six. She’s available in both coupe and flybridge designs, with power options up to twin Cummins 6.7L 425-hp diesels with V-drives. We tested the flybridge model. Best cruise was at 2400 rpm and 22.5 knots, at which she got 0.9 nmpg for a range of about 255 NM. With an optional bow thruster and joystick controls, docking is easy, but old salts will be happy docking the old-fashioned way. More...
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Thursday #1
Sea Ray Sundancer 320:
Broad-Beamed Dayboat Ready for Overnights
There’s a surprising amount of space in the mid-cabin of the Sea Ray Sundancer 320 considering her 32’9” (9.98 m) LOA, thanks in part to the 10’7” (3.22 m) beam. The twin berths slide together to form a double. At the bow, the usual V-settee converts to a double as well. The exterior also has added bow-rider space up front via a squared-off bow, though she retains a sharp forward entry. The 2020 version offers the Sea Ray Connect system, which can convey the boat’s location and status of vital systems to users via a smartphone app. Boaters can remotely view the condition of their boat’s key components, receive alerts and share diagnostics with service providers should any system require attention. More...
Friday #1
Monachus Issa 45:
Euro-Styles with American Influence
We’re seeing more U.S. yachts with European styling touches these days, but not many European yachts with American influence. The Monachus Issa 45, built in Croatia, is taking many of its design and layout cues from traditional high-quality American builds emanating from Maine. Forward, she has a traditional trunk cabin and she has pronounced tumblehome aft. In between, we find a boat built with teak decks and cap rails, and dark wood with old-world craftsmanship inside. Our test boat also made extensive use of real leather in the furniture, including the helm chairs. But the interior design is largely custom-fitted to the desires of the customer. For example, she can be built with two en suite staterooms, or one large, open salon below with an island-berth forward. Some owners might want to make this vessel strictly a dayboat by eliminating the berth and having one, large leather banquette with a table for cozy cocktails and a candle-lit dinner at night. No expense has been spared in her build. All hardware is robust, and what might be found on a far larger boat. Because she is new to the U.S. market, her pricing is intended to be compelling. She’s powered by twin Yanmar diesels in 330- or 440-hp versions, and standard bow and stern thrusters make docking simple with her Lewmar joystick. Monachus will have five boats on display at the Miami show, Feb. 13-17. More...
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