Cruisers Yachts 420 Express (2004-)

Brief Summary

The 420 Express by Cruisers Yachts has been completely redesigned for the 2005 model year. They have taken some of the dramatic styling of the big sister, the 520 Express and have packed in some great amenities in addition to totally reworking the interior.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	43' 0'' incl swim platform
Beam	13' 6''
Dry Weight	22,000 lbs. gas
Draft	41''
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	6' 5''
Bridge Clearance	11' 5''
Fuel Capacity	300 gal.
Water Capacity	80 gal.

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	23 sec.
0 to 30	34 sec.
Ratio	2.0:1
Props	22x 25 4-blade Nibral
Load	Load: 3 persons, Fuel: 1/2 full, Water: 1/2 full, Gear: minimal
Climate	Temp: 92 deg., Humid: 41%, Wind: none, Seas: calm

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 370-hp Yanmar 6LYA-STP - Diesel
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	2x 420-hp MerCruiser 8.1 S HO gas 2x 370-hp MerCruiser 8.1S Horizon gas 2x 370-hp Volvo D6 diesel 2x 430-hp Volvo TAMD74L diesel 2x 440-hp Yanmar 6LY2A-STP

Warranty

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

Learn More
Watch Our Video

Learn about the back story of Cruisers Yachts here...
Tested By Capt. Bob Smith
Although BoatTEST.com has been testing the Cruisers Yachts' line of boats for a many years, this was my first year getting to test them. I was in for a pleasant surprise. Two boats were coming down that were fresh off the line in construction and were hull number one for the 2005 series. The 420 Express was one of them.
Cruisers Yachts’ 420 Express has been completely redesigned for the 2005 model year. They have taken some of the dramatic styling of her big sister, the 520 Express as well as packing in some great amenities and totally reworking the interior. When I first stepped in the cabin, I couldn’t really believe it was a forty footer, actually 43 feet overall.
In the Cockpit
You typically enter across the beam width swim platform. This area has a covered telescoping swim ladder to port and a large fender locker in the center of the deck. A large hinged locker has room for life jackets, extra lines and large items across the center of the stern while another hatch keeps the power, cable and telephone connects dry. A handy swim ladder is just before the port side walkthrough which leads you into a huge entertainment space with bench seating wrapping from the stern around to the starboard half of the lower cockpit. A wet bar is positioned next to the seating on the starboard side with sink, prep top and refrigerator with ice maker below.
When you need to access the engines the cockpit area lifts up on twin electric lifts for easy maintenance. Space is the word in here too! I found there to be lots of room to work around the twin Yanmars.
At the Controls
Back up topside, the helm has adjustable seating with a bolster for the captain. A companion side lounge swivels to either face the helm or face forward. Instrumentation was arranged for easy view and there’s plenty of space to add your flat panel displays.
Making your way up to the bow is made safe with steps just to the left of the helm, but watch out when you have the hardtop because you’ll have to remember to duck. Although our spotlight was not installed yet, it is standard, as well as a windlass under a huge hatch up front. Inside with the windlass are two nets for storing the fenders, which is always nice so they’re out of the way, yet handy when you need to get them.
Cabin Features
Several steps lead down into the huge cabin. There’s an L-shaped lounge across the stern and starboard side with a table that folds from a triangle to a small square when needed. The stern bench pulls out and the seat flips over to fill in a double berth, when you’ve got overnight guests.
The galley is starboard mounted with a large countertop with a double sink, double cooktop, and many cabinets above. A microwave/convection cooker is below the countertop with more storage and drawers next to it. A large refrigerator/freezer is just forward of the counter. Across from the galley is an entertainment center with large screen television and sound system with a countertop/bar and two bar stools.
This model has one head with entry from either the salon or the forward master cabin. The full head has a separating shower door, which keeps the rest of the head from getting wet. The forward/master berth has an island bed, cabinets and another TV for individual late night viewing.
Specs
The redesigned 420 Express is 43’0” in length overall and 13’6” in the beam, which gives her a smooth, stable ride. She requires 36” of water under her keel and weighs 21,000 pounds with diesels or 19,500 with gas power. Maximum headroom was listed at 6’5” but it seemed closer to 7 feet. Fuel capacity is 300 gallons and the water capacity is 80 gallons.
Performance
Our test boat was outfitted with twin Yanmar 370 hp 6LYA-STP diesels with ZF V-drives. She can be powered with various power plants from Yanmar, Volvo or MerCruiser. With temperatures approaching 87 degrees and humidity approaching 70% we set out in Tampa Bay to see how she performed.
The 420 moved around in the slips with relative ease and idled along at 750 rpm and just over 5 mph. At 2000 rpm she was moving at about 12 mph. She cruised best and most economically at 3250 rpm running 28 mph, which uses about 35 gph. We achieved a top speed at 33.6 mph turning 3500 rpms Sound levels at the helm were great with a low of 67 dBa at idle and 87 dBa at wide open throttle.
If you want the big boat feel when entertaining but want something more manageable for the budget and the slip, the redesigned 420 Express can fit nicely in these plans.