Cruisers Yachts 430 Sports Coupe (2014-)

Brief Summary

In the competitive 42’ to 44’ sport coupe market we think the Cruisers Yachts 430 Sports Coupe with two ensuite staterooms is hard to beat. The 430 Sports Coupe allows for both side deck and walkthrough windshield access to the bow, and on sunny days, roll back the sunroof and let the sun shine in. Below she has trademark high overheads and an open, airy-feeling. As for the performance and handling, well one will just have to watch our latest test video for that.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	43' 0'' / 13.1 m
Beam	13' 6'' 4.11 m
Dry Weight	22,000 lbs 9,979 kg gas
Tested Weight	23,700 lbs. 10,750 kg
Draft	44'' 1.1 m (IPS)
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	6' 5'' 2.0 m
Bridge Clearance	11' 5'' 3.5 m
Fuel Capacity	300 gal. 1,136 L
Water Capacity	75 gal. 284 L
Total Weight	23,700 lbs. 10,750 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	6.3 sec.
0 to 30	15.0 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	N/A
Load	2 persons, 3/4 fuel, no water, minimal gear
Climate	85 deg.; 46% humidity; wind: 0- 5 mph; seas: calm

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 370-hp Volvo Penta IPS500
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	2 x 370-hp Volvo Penta D6, IPS500 2 x 435-hp Volvo Penta D6, IPS600

Learn More
Watch Our Video

By Captain Steve

 

 

 

Performance and Handling

With an empty weight of 22,000 lbs. (9,979 kg), 3/4 fuel and two people onboard, we had a test weight of 23,700 lbs. (10,750 kg). With twin 370-hp IPS500 pods powering our 430 Sports Coupe we reached a top speed of 37 mph at 3550 rpm. At that speed we were burning 41 gph while getting .9 mpg for a range of 243 miles. Best cruise came in at 3000 rpm and 28.4 mph. Now we were getting a 25 gph fuel burn and 1.14 mpg for a range of 307 miles. We had a time to plane of 6.3 seconds, reached 20 mph in 8.2 seconds, and 30 mph in 15 seconds.

Now while we didn't get to take the 430 Sports Coupe offshore, a lot can be told about a boat by crossing wakes and seeing how she handles them. In that regard, the 430 Sports Coupe was excellent. Crossing at an angle showed no deflection of our heading, and we seemed to cut right through the waves rather than launch up and over. If I slowed down, we went over, and the re-entry was smooth and well mannered. When I took the wakes on the beam, we had a roughly 5-degree list, and again, with no alteration of heading. And try as I might, I failed to manage to take any spray on the windshield.

Stern Tour

The aft seating of the 430 Sports Coupe is much like one would find in any other boat in class. Wrap-around seating with storage underneath, tables that lower to form a sun pad. To port is an entertainment center, and the usual cast of options is available to make it what one wants to use it for. Choose from a Kenyon gas grill, a cockpit fridge or icemaker. Now if the boater really wants to class up their 430 Sports Coupe, they can opt for teak decking in either synthetic or real teak but that would be hard to justify. I have to say I rather enjoyed the look of the snap-in carpet, and being able to remove it for easy cleaning was a benefit to my way of thinking.

Helm Deck

 

The helm deck is elevated, and accessed via two 6" (15.2 cm) steps from the aft cockpit. The helm looked unremarkable due to the empty space for the nav electronics, and I measured 29" (73.7 cm) of open real estate for accommodating a pair of 12" (30.5 cm) flat panels. Analog gauges were above and included my two favorites…the rudder angle indicator and depth gauge. Two levels of electronics are available through Cruisers. The base system consists of the depth finder, GPS, and Raymarine E127 widescreen. The premium package upgrades the depth to add temperature, plus a 4kw radar and autopilot. VHF can also be added to either package. To port is the usual lounger that keeps the observer in the conversational range of the captain. The stereo, with 12V supply and MP3 port are just ahead, and there are additional vents for heat/AC as well.

The walkthrough windshield is huge, and thankfully, Cruisers Yachts inter-connected the latches so that when the top latch is turned, the bottom turns with it. A great feature since one can never reach that lower one.

Moving Down Below Decks…

As soon as one walks down the stairs, they are met with an open and roomy salon that has impossibly high overheads. In fact, I couldn't even reach the overhead at 7'3" (2.21 m). The queen island berth is forward and privacy is via a curtain that pulls across. Cruisers Yachts is big on storage and there are the usual accommodations below and to the sides, but not everyone puts the storage in the bow flare, and I was happy to see it here. At the aft end of the salon are two cherry laminate doors. To starboard is the head with a separate shower stall. To port is the aft cabin with twin guest berths, and they easily convert to a single queen. More importantly, this aft stateroom features a separate vanity and water closet, which makes a perfect combination for two people to get ready for a night on the town at the same time.

Power Options

There are a couple of choices for powering the 430 Sports Coupe.

For diesel, there is the 370-hp IPS500s or the 435-hp IPS600s.

The

Dynamic Positioning System can also be added, both of which are activated by buttons already on the control module and joystick, so no additional dash drilling is required. Cruisers Yachts did a good job with the 430 Sports Coupe. Her fit-and-finish are executed very well, and I found her to be a comfortable boat inside and out.

Recommendation

Because the IPS500 diesel option is more than the V-drive gas engines, boaters are going to have to carefully consider this option and we really can help in that decision. And there is yet another option, and that is the new 41 Cantius. In the end, our advice is to carefully compare these two Cruisers Yachts models to find the one that meets your needs and budget. Both are fine yachts.