Our Most Popular Express Cruisers of 2020 – Part I - 12/28/20
BoatTEST Newsletter December 28, 2020
Buyer's Guide Video
What to Look for in an Express Cruiser
Buyer's Guide to Express Cruisers
Express Cruisers are among the most popular large boats because they can do so many things. The key for getting the right boat the first time is for a buyer to zero-in on the size, power and activity primarily planned for the boat. As you will be able to quickly see from the 6 models below – and the 5 we will be featuring tomorrow – there is a great diversity on the market from which to choose. That makes getting the right boat on the first try problematical for many buyers. But don’t despair...
Watch our short Buyer’s Guide video to Express Cruiser and it should set you on the right track. More...
Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 50 Cantius:
Choose 2 or 3 Staterooms and Décor
Cruisers Yachts’ Cantius series has been around since 2015 and the line helped usher in European styling for this builder. The Cantius 50 made her debut in 2017 and followed in the footsteps of the first Cantius models that had proven successful. For many owners, she has the best of both worlds – Euro styling, and solid American build quality and ergonomics, excellent installations and reliable systems.
The Oconto, Wisc.-based manufacturer offers the 50 Cantius with two or three staterooms, which allows buyers to create genteel and luxurious accommodations for two couple cruising or three cabins for a family. The aft bulkhead in the master stateroom can set the tone for décor below and the builder is happy to oblige an owner’s fancy. In one version the headboard is a mirror flanked by stone, for example. On the main deck, the cockpit, galley and salon are all on the same level, creating a welcome gathering space for entertaining. Having the grill on the stern keeps any smoke from disturbing guests in the cockpit plus lets the swim platform serve double duty for added utility. More...
Test Video
Eastern 248 Islander:
Affordable Entry-Level Express Cruiser
Eastern Boats started out making commercial and lobster-fishing boats more than 40 years ago, but it wasn’t long before customers started asking for models for recreational use. The same strength of build that went into boats that headed out in all weather conditions to haul traps or in emergency situations to fight fires, goes into the recreational models. One of the company’s best sellers has been the 248 Islander.
Perhaps the most attractive thing about retaining that workboat character is that the 248 Islander is easy to maintain. All systems are readily accessible and the use of outboard power means a cockpit that can be laid out with bench seating or left open for folding deck chairs. In the pilothouse, there’s a galley to port and a simple helm to starboard. Two side windows open and the pilothouse can be enclosed with curtains. Belowdecks, there’s V-style seating that fills in with a cushion to create a berth. More...
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Test Video
Formula 37 Performance Cruiser:
A Legacy of Excellence
Formula 37 Performance Cruiser
Formula’s 37 Performance Cruiser has endured because there is nothing on the market quite like her. Ironically, many lower-priced open express cruisers didn’t quite cut the mustard with people wanting a luxurious yacht, with virtually everything done right and a high-gloss painted hull that is the gold standard in the industry. Pride of ownership of a Formula 37 PC comes at a cost, of course, but for the boaters who appreciate fine execution, the tariff is worth it.
To starboard, the U-shaped cockpit lounge wraps around a table that can be lowered and topped with a cushion to create a sunlounge. Because families like to camp out, the 37 PC comes with canvas to fully enclose the cockpit, which increases sleeping capacity. Belowdecks, she has a private owner’s cabin with a locking door in the bow, while the amidships lounge converts to a berth that can sleep two.
Because she’s a Formula, we know she has the “performance” part covered. The 37 PC has a straight, non-stepped V-bottom with 18 degrees of deadrise at the transom. Designer John Adams got the optimum bottom shape worked out years ago, and Formulas are generally among the very best handling boats in class. Despite the size of Formula invoices, this brand builds more large express cruisers sold in the U.S. than any other company. More...
Test Video
Galeon 470 Sky:
The Sky’s the Limit Express Cruiser
Galeon Yachts entered the U.S. market several years ago and wasted no time in making a prestigious name for itself. Built in Gdansk, Poland, the brand was sold in Europe for years, starting out with small boats and evolving into one of the largest high-quality builders of express cruisers in the EU. The boat dealer Marine Max struck an exclusive Western Hemisphere distributorship bargain with the company and annually sells out its allocation. Galeon has brought a breath of fresh air into what was a boat type where many builders were producing variations on a theme at higher or lower price points, with one or two distinguishing features, but not much really different. Galeon changed all of that with remarkable innovations of all kinds, the most practical of which have been widely copied.
Express cruisers by definition do not have a flying bridge. Notice that this boat is called, not the 470 “Fly,” but rather the 470 “Sky.” The model is a good example of Galeon’s innovation: taking an express cruiser then putting a small, low helm on the coach roof with some benches and sun pads and a wind deflector. This is a place where owner and guests can enjoy the sun and wind – on nice, calm days. When not in use, the whole section is covered in an electrically actuated fiberglass top that slides back over the helm and seats and what little tophamper it has disappears. More...
Test Video
Maritimo X50:
Performance Gains and an Innovative Stern
Maritimo is owned and operated by a family, first and second generation, that have for years been building boats in Australia under other brand names. Their emphasis has long been on performance. For the X50, Maritimo’s engineers moved the Volvo Penta D11 670 diesel inboard engines forward, closer to amidships, to create a more balanced distribution of weight. This increased fuel economy and improved the running angle which resulted in better overall performance.
Moving the engines forward also let designers get more creative with the X50’s stern layout. The company offers three different configurations of the space, an aft cabin with a twin berth, a tender garage or the beach that was on our test boat. The sole is lower in the boat and twin deck chairs provide a couple with stellar views at water level.
Side stairs lead to the aft deck, which has an outdoor galley. A glass divider has an integral door that can be opened to enter the salon or the entire assembly can be moved aside to link the two gathering areas. Belowdecks, two couples can enjoy a weekend with full-beam master aft and VIP cabin in the bow. More...
Test Video
Nimbus 365 Coupe:
An Express Yacht for Economical Cruising
Nimbus has long been one of Sweden’s most popular brands, and the country’s high per capita boat ownership means the brand is ubiquitous in Scandinavia and on European waterways. Residents of the country also experience some of the longest winters so when the time comes to go boating, they tend to take longer trips. That’s where the Nimbus 365 Coupe comes in. She’s intended to be at sea for extended times and one design element that supports this is her asymmetrical deck plan, allowing interior space to be slightly greater.
Nimbus takes the same approach in the salon with a lounge that converts to a berth being pushed outboard. Belowdecks, she has a master stateroom and a cabin for a single guest and a separate shower stall. With a single 440-hp D6 diesel inboard, she cruises at 15.7 knots and has a range of 217.2 nautical miles. Back off to trawling speed of 5.6 knots at 1000 rpm and the range is just under 890 nautical miles.
Nimbus has been available in America for the last several years and more models are planned to be on their way. 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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