Most Researched Flying Bridge Yachts – Part I - 12/30/20
BoatTEST Newsletter December 30, 2020
Flying Bridge Yachts – Part I
Flying Bridge Yachts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including monohulls, and – increasingly – catamarans. The upper station has evolved from a one-or two-person perch to the most coveted places to hang out on most boats.
They are one of the most researched types on BoatTEST because they are so complex, so many are on the market and they are so expensive. Here, buying the wrong boat can be a mistake costing the owner hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Following is Part I of our two-part review of the most researched flybridge models of each brand.
We urge you to watch our Video Buyer’s Guide to learn what you need to know before buying one of these luxurious boats... click here...
Operational Features Video
Absolute 50 Fly:
Balancing Size and Functionality
Absolute Yachts’ 50 Fly came on the heels of the successful 52 Fly. Customers said they wanted the features of the larger boat in a smaller, less expensive model. Apparently, the designers got things right on the 50 Fly, because the buyer of hull #1 traded down from another brand’s 65’ (19.81 m) yacht. And this illustrates an important thing to keep in mind when buying these large expensive boats – don’t buy more boat than you need, because over 50’ (15.24 m) or so, they all have the same basic functionality, and increased comfort is the primary variable.
In the 50 Fly, large salon windows are free of view-obstructing mullions and her 14’6” (4.41 m) beam is carried well forward, which gives the salon a more spacious feel. Belowdecks, the 50 Fly has a full-beam master amidships, plus a forward VIP and guest cabin. Crew quarters are in the stern.
Her flying bridge has a lounge aft that wraps around to port, plus a J-shaped seat alongside the two chairs at the helm. Much of the flying bridge is shaded by a fiberglass hardtop. More...
Test Video
Aquila 44:
Designed for Multiple Use
The Aquila 44 catamaran was developed to serve both charter clients or private owners. Thanks to her 21’6” (6.56 m) beam, she feels like a larger yacht with three separate cabins with en suite heads, a foldaway bar off the galley and opening doors and a window that connect the galley to the cockpit. MarineMax has the sole distributorship in the U.S. of this vessel, which is built in the Far East.
Catamarans have been popular for years in the charter trade because they have a lot of deck space for entertaining and for launching water sports, they are stable in rough conditions. They can also have four cabins, which lets four couples share the charter fee. This makes boating affordable for virtually anyone. Income produced by the charter management companies is passed on to the owners to help them pay for the boat.
Her beam is carried up to the flying bridge, which has two primary spaces: helm and companion seating forward, and lounges for entertaining and sight-seeing aft. An optional hardtop is available. More...
Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 60 Fly:
Practical American Ergonomics w/Luxury
The 60 Fly is the flagship of the Cruisers Yachts lineup along with the Cantius 60 express cruiser. She has a spacious cockpit and flying bridge for maximum socializing opportunities and can accommodate a day trip, a weekend getaway or a multi-week cruise equally well. Three staterooms come standard and each is crafted with large hanging lockers, comfortable berths and abundant light.
Where once there were nearly a dozen American companies building production boats in the 50’ to 60’ (15.24 m to 18.28 m) range, there are now just a few. Of those, Cruisers Yachts is the most prolific, both in terms of the breadth of its product line, as well as the sheer numbers sold. Its survival since the company’s founding in 1954 is a testament to the tenacity and resourcefulness of the craftspeople in northern Wisconsin.
On the flying bridge, the helm is centrally positioned, something that sets apart this vessel from most others in class. From that spot, which is almost exactly in the middle of the flying bridge, the skipper has good all-round views. The chaise lounge seating is made for sunbathing, but when in party mode at the dock or at anchor, they become bench seating. They, together with the U-shaped dinette aft, can easily accommodate a dozen or more guests. More...
Test Video
Fountaine Pajot MY-40:
Designed for Volvo Penta IPS
Fountaine Pajot’s MY-40 was designed as a powered motoryacht from inception and is not a warmed-over sailing cat hull, which many builders market. In fact, she was designed specifically for Volvo Penta’s IPS pod system, which is more compact compared to an inboard with straight shafts. That leaves more room for accommodations and storage. Fountaine Pajot says the power cat is designed to “entertain 20, sleep eight and cruise two or four in stable comfort.”
Like most power cats, the MY-40 has a beam that no monohull of similar length could match at 19’10” (5.6 m). Fountaine Pajot designers took full advantage of that space by putting a private master stateroom with an en suite in the port hull and two guest cabins with a shared head to starboard. The main deck has the large aft cockpit, galley and salon on the same level with open-air lounges on the bow.
The flying bridge is a highlight that extends about half of the hull length. The upper gathering area has a wet bar and dinette aft with a flat open sunpad to port opposite the helm. More...
Test Video
Galeon 640 Fly:
Large, Flying Entertainment Bridge
When Galeon started designing the 640 Fly, the goal was to build a motoryacht that feels bigger than her length. The company succeeded with optional fold-out bulwarks on the sides of the aft deck. An aft extension that makes her flying bridge one of the longest in class. It also creates an opportunity to enclose the cockpit in isinglass for three-season boating.
Our test boat had the optional extended flying bridge with a large lounge starting abaft the flying bridge stairs and wraps around the port side with seating space for about 20 people. The lounge shares a backrest with another one that’s forward to port and at the front, there’s a flat sunpad that extends past the flying bridge helm. To starboard, a wetbar has two stools, dual-level Corian countertop, a sink and a refrigerator. Overhead, a hardtop shades the forward half of the bridge deck. More...
Test Video
Greenline 48 Fly:
Hybrid Propulsion Extends Her Range
Because she’s designed, built and powered to be at sea for extended durations, the Greenline 48 Fly is laid out to give passengers space to relax with some privacy. Her hybrid diesel and electric power system let the 48 Fly stay at sea for extended times at trawler speeds, but she can still get up on plane when speed is wanted.
Greenline has been a pioneer in hybrid large cruising boats, which are designed specifically for people who are not in a hurry, and want to smell the salt air and listen to the seabirds as they cruise along at 5 knots. By alternating diesel power with electric power, fuel expense is cut dramatically and range increases. This is not a boat for people who want to just blast around.
On the flying bridge, a wide aft pad awaits sunbathers with a C-shaped lounge and a table just ahead to starboard. A wetbar with a sink, electric grill and refrigerator is opposite and it’s all protected by a hatch. The upper helm is forward to port and to starboard, convertible backrests on the companion lounge let passengers choose the direction they face. She sleeps six in three cabins with en suite heads and she has gathering areas in the cockpit, bow, salon and on the flying bridge. More...
Boating News of the Week: Episode #34
We wind up this year’s Weekly BoatTEST Reports videos with an interview with Brunswick’s CEO predicting the next couple of years of boating activity. Then, we'll take a look at the affordable Alumacraft Competitor FSX 185, see the first video of Cruisers Yachts’ 42 GLS Crossover, check out Chaparral’s 23 Surf in action, and get a look at Everglades’s only dual console – the 340DC – and Absolute’s new 50 Fly. As always, there is boating news and a quiz for serious captains. More...
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