Cruisers Yachts 390 Sports Coupe (2011-)

Brief Summary

The 390 Sports Coupe satisfies the needs of a family that still loves watersports and now wants to do some weekend cruising -- or, for the couple who would like to do some serious cruising with another couple and go most anywhere coastwise. She has the speed of a sportsboat and the amenities of a cruiser for a family of four or more. The extended swim platform will be popular with the kids as they dip their toes in the water, dive off for the starfish or a couple sips some fine wine while observing a sunset. The unique design allows everyone to be in the action when you are underway. The wet bar abaft the center companion seating makes good use of space often wasted. You can add a refrigerator and ice maker to make the most of the entertainment possibilities topside. Below decks, you have room to entertain another half dozen or more, or set up movies for the kids to enjoy while you have private time topside.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	40' 2'' / 12.2 m
Beam	13' 0'' 4.0 m
Dry Weight	20,500 lbs. 9,979 kg w/eng
Draft	45'' 1.14 m
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	6'6'' 2.0 m
Bridge Clearance	10' 0'' 3.0 m
Fuel Capacity	300 gal. 1,136 L
Water Capacity	75 gal. 284 L

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	N/A
0 to 30	14.4 sec
Ratio	1.82 : 1
Props	T3
Load	3 person, 1/2 fuel, full water, 75 lbs. of gear
Climate	59 deg.; 48% humid.; wind: 2-3 MPH; seas; moderate chop

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 330-hp Volvo Penta IPS450
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	2 x 330-hp Volvo Penta IPS450 D6 2 x 370-hp Volvo Penta IPS500 D6 2 x 375-hp Volvo Penta IPS 550G Drive Gas 2 x 370-hp MerCruiser 8.1 S Horizon Gas 2 x 420-hp MerCruiser T-8.1 HO Gas

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By Captain Robert Smith
Learn about the back story of Cruisers Yachts here...

The Mission

The 390 Sports Coupe is a coastal cruising yacht targeting the boating family who wants to enjoy watersports, yet needs room for entertaining friends and special guests. She is also a good boat with which to start some serious cruising. I think she is one of the best built boats in class made in North America and she holds her own with the best European products as well. The boat is large enough that there are separate spaces for the kids and the parents. The integrated hard top with canvas enclosure extends the boating season by weeks both in the spring and fall.

Unique Features

Cruisers designers arranged this yacht with an impressive entertaining venue, and maximized standing heights and seating in the cockpit using a unique bench companion seat. This bench faces forward, with an aft facing bench seat in the center windshield walk-thru. This unusual set-up can be used a number of ways. While under way, a table can be inserted and the navigator can sit here with a paper chart on the table. Or, it is a great place for lunch while underway. When anchored and with the cushion on the steps to the windshield walk-thru it provides a cozy place for four people to have cocktails or snacks. This not only allows more guests to relax under the hardtop, but creates a second conversation spot topside.
Below there is great versatility in the layout. For extended cruising for two couples, perhaps the boat will be configured with solid bulkheads forward, making the bow stateroom more private, and a permanent wood bulkhead aft creating a mid cabin with door.
If the boat is to be used primarily for day trips and cruising with just the family, the owner might want an open layout with just privacy curtains for the forward cabin and mid-cabin berth. In this way, the salon is kept open allowing seven or eight people to enjoy a dinner together, or the whole family (and friends) to watch a movie together.

Main Deck and Helm

One of the most used areas on a sport cruiser is the stern platform. People will come and go, tie up and relax here. The optional synthetic teak and hydraulic lift add value and utility to this very important space.

Access to lines and fenders will be safer because the designers made the stern trunk accessible from the cockpit. Now your crew can prepare to dock without going out on the platform. When leaving the dock, they still have access from the stern to stow the lines and fenders before coming into the cockpit.
The helm is ergonomically designed and the instruments are clearly visible in daylight and dark. The angled dash has room for flat panel touch screens and analog/digital gauges. With joystick operation, the helmsman can relax behind the wheel and dance the 390 just about anywhere he wants including holding position while working with the ground tackle.

Below Decks and Accommodations

Cruisers Yachts designers understand how headroom makes a boat feel smaller, so they made sure even a six-footer will feel comfortable anywhere below decks. Privacy curtains are standard and the bulkheads are optional. Cruisers' joinery work is top notch, even in difficult corners and angles.

Handling and Test Results

Helm visibility is good. Of course, with a hardtop and center windshield walk through, you will have some distractions with the extra framing but you'll get used to it. When backing into a berth and looking aft without the Isinglass, you have unrestricted visibility.
We tested in blustery conditions with 2-3 foot seas and gusty winds of 12-19 mph crossing Green Bay, an arm of Lake Michigan. The 390 Sports Coupe handled as though it was a calm day on a small lake. In all conditions, head seas, beam seas and following seas, we could let the wheel go and she would maintain her course with the autopilot off for ten seconds or so. This little test speaks volumes about the tracking ability of the counter-rotating props in the Volvo Penta IPS pod drives. So not only do the pods give you better fuel economy but they also give a better-responding helm in sloppy conditions.
We raced across Green Bay in less than perfect conditions and reached a top speed of better than 34 mph. We didn’t notice any creaking, cracking or other working noises coming from below and the dBA readings at the helm didn’t exceed 85. At a best cruise speed of 32.0 mph and 3500 rpm, she delivered a fuel efficiency of 0.96 miles per gallon..

Recommendation

We find the Cruisers 390 Sports Coupe easily meets both of the mission statements outlined above. She is a solid performer and with the Volvo Penta pod drives, anyone should be able to take the helm and put her back in the slip. Her design, construction, fit-and-finish, and amenities place her at the top ranks of express cruisers world-wide. I'm hard-pressed to think of anything major that I'd change on this boat. That speaks well of the job Cruisers Yachts has done.