Cruisers Yachts 447 Sport Sedan (2011-)

Brief Summary

Why settle for an express cruiser when, for almost the same price, you can have a sedan with 25% more deck area for entertaining, sunbathing, or just sightseeing? The answer to that simple question is one reason the Cruisers Yachts 447 has been so popular the last two years. It is simply a lot of boat for the money. Women like it because they feel secure both in the cockpit, on the flying bridge, and because it so big it is almost like a summer cottage. Men like it because the helm is high on the flying bridge which gives them great visibility when running and docking and the boat simply has a big-boat feel. The kids like it because of the great mid-cabin and a swim platform that is just above the waterline. And everyone loves the boat because it is powered by twin IPS 600 diesels with joystick control!

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	45' 2'' / 13.8 m
Beam	14' 6'' 4.4 m
Dry Weight	29,500 lbs. 13,381 kg
Draft	48'' 1.2 m
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	6' 6'' 2.0 m
Bridge Clearance	16' 4'' 5.0 m
Fuel Capacity	370 gal. 1,401 L
Water Capacity	100 gal. 379 L

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	7.5 sec.
0 to 30	17.6 sec.
Ratio	2.5 : 1
Props	24 x 31
Load	3 persons, 3/4 fuel, 1/2 water, 200 lbs. gear
Climate	70 deg.; low humidity.; wind: 7 knots; seas; calm

Engine Options

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

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Capt. Steve Says…

As you step aboard the Cruisers Yachts 447 Sport Sedan from the swim platform, take a look at the fact that the cabin is “walk around.” That’ right, there are side decks on the 447. It's so easy for builders to forget that you sometimes need to traverse the side decks when line handling, and instead opt for a slightly wider main saloon.

This is one of the most attractive sterns on any boat in this class, in my opinion. Note the two seats port and starboard of the fender storage locker.

The swim platform itself is large enough for a party on the hook, but there’s an option for an extended version on a hydraulic lift, just in case you have a PWC that you can’t leave home without. And since this is where the action will be on a sunny day, there is another option for two aft facing seats on either side of the line and fender storage. The boat we checked out had the optional synthetic teak decking on the swim platform, cockpit and bridge steps. This really added to the yacht's looks and feel. The cockpit had a standard shower and an entertainment center complete with refrigerated drawer.

You are looking at the saloon, galley and settee of a 44’ boat-- this boat is huge inside! Don’t try to slide past that pedestal.

The Saloon…Let There Be Light!

Talk about open and airy… the saloon windows give you 360 degrees of visibility whether sitting or standing. Don’t take this for granted. Not only does that allow you to enjoy your ever changing scenery, but having the ability to continually see the horizon does a surprisingly effective job at keeping mal-de-mer at bay for your more shore based passengers. The greenhouse effect of all that glass is countered with tinted glass and 40,000 BTUs of air conditioning. That’s a substantial piece of equipment and it's powered by either a standard 11.5kw Onan genset if you are cruising in the US or by a 9.5kw generator if you are in the European market.
In the center of the saloon sole is a hatch that opens to a cavernous storage compartment. Some say this is a huge bonus, others say that it takes up space that could otherwise serve as another stateroom, or perhaps adding to the existing stateroom. I like it because there is never enough stowage space on a boat and the 447 might be the one exception that proves the rule. Opinions vary, but there it is, and it’s thanks to the space saving Volvo IPS600 engines. The saloon also features a large sofa that has two recliners as well as a sleeper.

Double sink and lots of storage – look at the drawers and cabinets at left.

The Galley…

The Cruisers Yachts 447 Sport Sedan is a galley up layout, and it’s one step up from the main saloon. This eliminates the option of a lower helm, but gives a better living and working area. In a yacht of this size, it makes no sense to tie up valuable space with a second helm station that would rarely get used. Standard features include a coffee maker, microwave/convection oven, refrigerator/freezer, dual stainless steel sink, and two burner stove.
There’s a settee and dining table that is slightly curved to face the saloon, so even these guests are a part of the group. With that many standard items, what’s left on the options list? Cruisers will provide you with plates and silverware for four settings.

The master stateroom is in the bow. Note the tasteful cabinets just below the overhead above the portlights.

Accommodations…

Because we’re not taking space for a galley down, the cabin has room for two staterooms and two heads. The forward stateroom is the master with a queen size island berth. The finish is Cherry veneer with curved panels overhead. The two hanging lockers are cedar lined and there are drawers beneath the berth.
If you tend to worry about treating your guests like second class citizens, you can rest easy. The Cruisers Yachts 447 Sport Sedan treats the guests as well, if not better than, the owners. The guest’s stateroom has six opening portlights that make this anything but a dark cave. There is a twin berth that converts to a queen simply by adding filler cushions.

“Captain Kirk here…prepare for warp speed, Scotty.”

Captain to the Bridge…

The flying bridge is the control center of the yacht. The helm is one of the most nicely laid out we’ve seen. There are five panels for displays, two for accommodating the optional 12” Raymarine E120 displays. Below are two panels on either side of the helm, holding the switch array to port, and engine switches to starboard. Circuit breakers are below and easy to get to. There’s a full windshield, so if you opt for the air conditioning on the bridge, you’ll benefit from its cooling effects without having all the air be instantly swept away.

I prefer the bunny pad up on the flying bridge than on the foredeck. It's safer for one thing, and then it is just more handy…

To port is a lounge that curves around the aft end of the deck. Aft is a sun pad with dual chaise type incliners.

Specs…

The Cruisers Yachts 447 Sport Sedan has a LOA of 45’2” (13.8 m). If you opt for the extended hydraulic swim platform, you’ll increase her LOA to 47’6” (14.5 m). Her beam is 14’6” (4.4 m) and she draws 4’ (1.2 m) with her IPS pods. She carries 370 gallons (1,401 L) of fuel and 100 gal. (379 L) of water and displaces 29,500 lbs (13,381 kg).
Her standard power, in fact her only power, is a pair of Volvo Penta IPS600s at 435-hp each.

Performance

I have not had the pleasure of testing this boat, but a couple of years ago my colleague, Capt. John Wenz, did. The boat he tested did not have the IPS pod drives but did have the same Volvo Penta 435-hp diesels. He got a top speed of 34.1 mph (54.6 kph) WOT and a best cruise of 25.2 mph (40.3 kph) getting .95 mpg (.35 kpl). With the IPS600s the boat obviously does so much better that Cruisers management has decided to offer it only with that engine and drive combo.

My Complaint

And that brings me to my one major criticism of the boat. I like choices, and like a lot of veteran boat handlers I’m pretty good at twin screw maneuvering in tight quarters, so I don’t really need the joystick. I’d like having the option of seeing how much more the joystick and pod drives cost, vs the old V-drive option that Capt. John tested. While I’m sure the boat gets a lot better mileage at best cruise, I’d like to make that “dollars now or dollars later” calculation for myself.
Whether you’re cruising to the islands for the weekend with friends or family, or spending the day having a water borne picnic and watching the sunset, there are few platforms more aptly suited than the Cruisers Yachts 447 Sport Sedan. Once aboard, I think you’ll be hooked. Check it out for yourself.