Cruisers Yachts 3970 Express (Not in Production)

Brief Summary

Test# 081502355. Archived 070204.

The 3970 Express is completely redesigned with sleek European styling and improved use of space both above and below deck. She’s a luxurious cruiser that offers a long list of standard and optional features.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	43' 0''
Beam	13' 6''
Dry Weight	19, 500 lbs.
Draft	3' 0''
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	6' 5''
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	300 gal.
Water Capacity	75 gal.

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	7.9 sec.
0 to 30	16.2 sec.
Ratio	2.53:1
Props	4 blade 22 x 23 x 1.5
Load	6 persons, 1/2 fuel, no water, min. gear
Climate	92 deg., 55% humid.; wind: calm; seas: flat

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 420-hp Crusader 8.1 HO
Std. Power	2x370-hp MerCruiser 8.1S Horizon
Opt. Power	Not Available

Warranty

Deck Warranty Extended	5-Year
Engine Warranty Extended	Engine warranties vary by manufacturer
Gelcoat Warranty Extended	3-Year
Hull Warranty Extended	5-Year

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New for 2003 is the latest edition to Cruisers Yachts 30 something lineup. The new 3970 Express is completely redesigned with sleek European styling and improved use of space above and below deck.
As you board the latest member of the Cruisers family, you will immediately notice the large swim platform and integrated storage lockers in the sole. These three lockers are self-draining and provide a great place to stow wet items. The third locker houses the recessed, folding swim ladder. There are two transom lockers, one is huge and is the place to store all your fenders and more. The other transom locker neatly conceals the pressurized transom shower with hot and cold water, shore hook-ups and cable-master. All these items are well designed to keep your yacht looking clean and uncluttered.
As we move forward into the spacious cockpit, a u-shaped lounge to starboard converts into a dinning table perfect for sun set cocktails. The table can be lowered, and a filler cushion added to make a sun lounge. The port side wet bar has everything you need for on the water entertaining. It includes, of course, a sink with pressurized faucet, ice maker/ refrigerator, meal preparation counter, and lots of storage cabinets. Directly forward of the wet bar is a comfortable chase lounge and exceptional steps with hand rails to access the foredeck.
The helm is well laid out with all controls and instrumentation within easy reach. I felt the gauge aesthetics were a bit dated in a yacht of this caliber, but they made up for it with a high-tech, digital touch pad located on the starboard gunwale that includes a coded electronic ignition system that prevents the vessel from being started without your special four digit input.
Entry in to the luxurious cabin is through a sturdy Plexiglas companionway door and down a few steps. For your cruising delight, this boat is available in two different floor plans. You can choose from either a double stateroom layout that utilizes a private guest stateroom with two single bunks, or, a single stateroom layout that we had the opportunity to evaluate. The single suite configuration is intended for customers seeking a roomier salon, or for those who only occasionally bring along overnight guest. The surprisingly large aft cabin incorporates a comfortable settee with generous headroom as opposed to the small ‘caves’ that you find in so many other aft cabin cruising machines. Additionally, the settee folds out and converts this space into a double berth, should you decide to bring your friends along. Directly to port, is a pass-through underneath the companionway steps that leads to a vanity with sink and cabinet space. Aft of the vanity is an enclosed stand up head with shower. The designers at Cruisers Yachts deserve kudos for making so much space avaible from such a seemingly small area. One of the challenges encountered with this design was that a new stringer system had to be developed in order to provide enough head room in the aft cabin. Cruisers also incorporate a fully molded fiberglass liner for strength and hull rigidity.
As we move forward in the salon, the richly appointed interior is finished in cherry wood veneer trim and supple tan leather upholstery. Berber carpeting greats your feet while gold tone hardware adds the finishing touch to this classy yacht. A crescent shaped settee and cherry wood dinning table is located to starboard and provides you with ample room to dine in style.
The port side galley is set at an angle to give your gourmet cook more room to create. Complete with a fridge, sink, stovetop, microwave and TV/VCR. The granite/epoxy counter top and cherry wood cabinets add lots of contemporary styling. The large round ceiling hatches provide good light and ventilation when needed.
The master suite is forward, just behind a cherry wood door that will give you all the privacy you desire when accompanied by guests. The smart use of space continues in this suite with a good-sized shower to starboard, and a head with vanity located to port.
This vessel has so many standard and optional features that I could continue discussing it for pages, but what is important is that Cruisers Yachts builds a premium product. They have executed contemporary styling and combined it with high quality manufacturing to provide their customers with a boat that performs very well and provides luxurious comfort.
By Capt. Ron Svoboda
Test Captain