Cruisers Yachts 540 Sports Coupe (2012-)

Brief Summary

For boaters who are ready for the reward of a large yacht, and by that we mean one with standing headroom in the mid cabin, adult-sized everything, first-class amenities, and with sea-keeping abilities that can shrug off summer squalls, then the Cruisers Yachts' 540 Sports Coupe should be on your shopping list. While she is big, she is also nimble, says our captain.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	52' 3'' / 15.9 m
Beam	15' 6'' 4.7 m
Dry Weight	42,000 lbs. 19,051 kg
Draft	44'' 1.1 m
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	6' 6'' 2.0 m
Bridge Clearance	13' 1'' 4.0 m
Fuel Capacity	500 gal. 1,893 L
Water Capacity	150 gal. 568 L

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	5.4 sec.
0 to 30	10.9 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	N/A
Load	2 persons, 2/3 fuel, no, minimal gear
Climate	Climate 85 deg.; 56% humidity; wind: 5-10 mph; seas; light chop

Engine Options

Tested Engine	3 x 435-hp Volvo Penta D6 IPS600
Std. Power	3 x 435-hp Volvo Penta D6 IPS600
Opt. Power	3 x 370-hp Volvo Penta D6 IPS500

Learn More
Watch Our Video

By Capt. Steve--

The Mission of the 540 Sports Coupe

The Cruisers Yachts 540 Sports Coupe was designed to be the ultimate express yacht built in class for genteel cruising and superior performance both in terms of top speed and fuel economy at cruising speeds.
The watchword for this boat is "comfort." That means high headroom, large beds, plush reclining seats and settees, and plenty of room in which a number of people can move around without being in each other's way.
Finally, her builder wanted to create a entertaining venue where an owner could host a dozen or more guests and seat them all for dinner or cocktails.
All of that is tall order, but as we will see the Cruisers Yachts 540 Sports Coupe is a very special yacht.

Distinguishing Features

Triple IPS Power System.

With three 370-hp IPS drives the 540 has the most efficient system available in class -- yes, that means more efficient than two engines when it comes to total fuel burn. (See below.)

Walkthrough Windshield.

While this is something fairly common in smaller boats, the 540 is the only boat that has it in class. Women prefer it to access the bow rather than going forward on the "cat walk" side decks.

6'10" Headroom in Salon.

The boat looks huge below and one of the reasons is that it has such high headroom.

Arched Door Frames Below.

Most boats in this class have squared-off door frames as used in most houses. The 540 has arched, nautical-looking door frames. There is no comparison between the two.

Moveable Aft Deck Seating.

The 540 has an attractive crescent-shaped bench seat at the transom which can be moved to join the port side settee to seat two more people at the aft deck table.

Two Full Galleys.

Many boats have a galley down to open up space on the main deck, but the 540 is so large the builder was able to install a full galley on deck as well.

Seats 8 for Dinner in Two Locations.

Because of the sliding seat mentioned above and the sheer size of the space, 8 people can be seated for dinner both on deck and in the salon below.

Air Conditioning is Standard.

The 540 comes with 32,000 BTUs of reverse cycle air conditioning. People in northern latitudes can simply reverse the cycle and turn on the heat.

364 Miles Range at Best Cruise.

At 23.1 mph our test boat burned only 28.5 gph giving her a range of 364 stature miles or 316 nautical miles.

Superior Fuel Economy at Best Cruise.

At 23.1 mph the 540 with triple engines burns only 28.5 gal. (108.3 L) per hour giving her a .81 mpg. At 27.6 mph she got .80 mpg. This is the long suit of the IPS system.

Pod Drives for Efficiency.

The Cruisers Yachts 540 is one of only two boats in class that uses pod drives.

Elegant Entertaining Venue

The fortunate owners of the 540 will be able to host gatherings on the aft deck that range from civilized evenings of wine and champagne to rocking the docks with a gang of party animals. The seating is commodious and versatile. The boat's ample beam and layout permits good flow for cocktail parties.

Versatile Seating.

When it is time to dine al fresco, the on edeck table can easily handle eight guests. The high gloss cherry electric hi-low table is an attractive and versatile piece of furniture. It electrically moves into any of three positions: full height table, cocktail table height, or to make a sunning platform. It folds inward to create more room for moving around.

Cockpit Galley.

Opposite is the cockpit galley and it has it all: solid surface counter top, sink with pressure water, electric grill, refrigerator and ice maker. These standard appliances are all stainless steel so they will be looking like new for a long time.

The Other Party Deck

The 540 Sports Coupe is so large that two groups of friends can be entertained or served dinner in two locations at the same time. Below there is a huge salon with seating for eight to ten people. It has a long J-shaped banquette with two stools opposite. To port is the below-decks galley.

Six vertical portlights bathe the salon with light. Under foot is 44 oz. carpeting. The interior cabinets and bulkheads are all cherry with a mat finish. There is hardly a bit of fiberglass to be seen! This is what gives the 540 its rich, classic yacht feel.

Lap of Luxury.

The crescent shaped dinette sofa is standard with double incliners and Ultraleather upholstery. An optional sleeper sofa can be ordered instead of the incliners. Two stools are inboard of the table. A standard 20” LCD TV with Dolby Digital Surround Sound and 5-disc DVD player are standard in the salon.

Galley.

The galley is to port. The sole there is Amtico synthetic cherry and maple which can be added to the salon sole as well instead of the carpet. The counters are solid surface Mystera which is a synthetic solid product that is 4 times lighter than stone, easy to clean and is "Food Prep" rated by the National Sanitation Foundation. The cabinetry follows the cherry theme and Cruisers Yachts kept all of the grains aligned and colors matching as one would expect from a fine cabinet maker.
Appliances in the galley include coffee maker, microwave (with convection oven), Nova Kool refrigerator/freezer and two burner electric cooktop. A couple of options include a dishwasher or a wine captain for chilling up to 17 bottles of wine. A trash compactor is optional. The stemware cabinet is lighted with a clear door to show crystal or colorful bottles of party juice.

Genteel Cruising Accommodations for Two Couples

When cruising a boat in this class typically it is done by two couples or a family. When two adult couples are cruising for, say, two weeks together, it's important that each couple have its privacy. Here the 540 excels.

Privacy is a Good Thing.

The two cabins are separated by the salon and galley, as well as has thick bulkheads and two solid doors. The forward stateroom's head is also the day head and a door from the salon has access. The forward stateroom, or VIP, has a double island bed with therapeutic foam mattress. There is 6'2" (1.9 m) of headroom. The door swings out to the salon to maximize deck space in the cabin.

The VIP head cabinetry has the same treatment as the galley with solid surface counter and cherry cabinets. Cruisers Yachts uses tile on the sole in the heads and the separate shower has a door to enclose it so two people can simultaneously prepare for the day.

Optional Layout.

An optional layout for the forward stateroom features two single berths instead of the queen berth. We like this layout better than one bed as it is more versatile and better for families or a stag cruise. It also opens up the middle of the cabin creating more deck space and makes a big forward cabin even bigger. Cruisers Yachts can make one of the beds wider than the other if desired.

The Master Stateroom

The master stateroom is full beam (15'6"/4.70 m) and also has a walkaround queen-sized island bed with therapeutic foam mattress. Headroom measured 6’ 2” (1.9 m). To port is a cozy settee to relax and read a book, enjoy television, or use as a dressing bench. There are large aisles on three sides of the bed. Four large portlights allow the owner and partner to have a clear view outside.
The head has an enclosed shower and premium fixtures. Counters are solid surface Mystera with decorative tile backsplash and the cabinetry is cherry.

Triple Diesels for Performance and Economy

One of the most unusual aspects of this boat is her triple 435-hp diesel IPS600 propulsion system. While one may think that three engines simply means that the boat will burn 1/3 more fuel, in actuality, it's more efficient than others in class with just two engines. That is one reason the builder installed them. The other reason was to get the 540 past the 40 mph barrier.
(Volvo Penta calls this the IPS "600" instead of "435" because the system with the pod drives and forward-facing dual props has the performance of a 600-hp diesel even though it is only 435-hp when compared to inboard power. And 3 x 600-hp is 1800-hp.)

Designed Right.

The hull was designed from scratch specifically for the IPS drives. Volvo Penta engineers were involved along with the naval architectural firm of Donald Blount & Associates, one of the world's leading firms in high-speed recreational boats. This is an important pedigree and is one of the reasons the boat performs as it does.
With three IPS 435-hp IPS600 engines the 540 has better performance and economy than most models her size and weight that have only two engines. So, by doing something a little out of the box, the engineers at Cruisers Yachts have come up with a huge express cruiser sport yacht with remarkable performance both in terms of speed and fuel efficiency.

The Test

With an empty weight of 42,000 lbs. (19,051 kg), 65% fuel, and two persons onboard, we had a test weight of 44,300 lbs. (20,094 kg). With three Volvo Penta 435-hp IPS600's powering our test boat, we reached a top speed of 41.4 mph at 3621 rpm. At that speed we were burning 65 gph while getting .64 statute miles per gallon for a range of 287 statute miles.

Best cruise

came in at 2500 rpm and 23.1 mph where we had a 28.5 gph fuel burn and a range of 364 statute miles. Bump the revs up to 2750 and go 27.6 mph and only suffer a 5 mile penalty in range -- 359 statute miles instead of 364. That's probably where I would run her on a long leg in most conditions. This range is noteworthy for this class of boat.
We had a quick time to plane of 5.4 seconds, reached 20 mph in 6.5 seconds, and accelerated through 30 mph in 10.9 seconds. This is almost sportboat performance in a large, heavy yacht, and is truly remarkable.

Comparison With Twins.

The 540 Sports Coupe is only offered with triple Volvo Penta power in either 370-hp IPS500’s or 435-hp IPS600’s. When we compare the Cruisers Yachts 540 with other boats in class we discover that she has the highest WOT speed at 41.4 mph. Part of the reason is that she was lighter than some of the boats, but she was heavier than others. The Cruisers Yachts 540 has 1305 total horsepower (3 x 435) which is from 105-hp to 495-hp less than the other boats we checked.

Best Cruise Fuel Economy.

Best cruise fuel economy is the IPS system's strong suit. At her best cruise she gets .81 miles per gallon. All of the boats we compared with twin engines got from .48 to .61 mpg and their best cruise. When we compared all of these boats at about 27.6 mph, the 540 got .80 mpg and the others at about the same speed ranged from .48 to .57 mpg. These figures are for the total fuel consumption of each boat, not per engine.

Comparison With Other Models on the Market

Power Comparison.

There are not many 54' express hardtops or coupes on the market. When we compared them we were surprised to find that most still have inboard power. Only one other yacht in class has pod drives, and it is noteworthy that that builder also uses triple IPS engines, (and claims exactly the WOT speed we recorded on the 540.) When it comes to performance, the pods make all of the difference. One builder offers surfacing piercing drives -- which extend five feet beyond the swim platform -- as an option, so this boat could probably be the fastest in that configuration (and have the highest rooster tail).

Beam and Displacement Comparison.

At 15'6" (4.72 m) the 540 has the greatest beam in class, and nearly 1' more than one boat . At 42,000 lbs. (19,051 kgs.) the 540 is at the light end of the displacement scale, about the same displacement as two of the other boats we checked.

Accommodation Comparison.

When it comes to accommodations, three boats had two staterooms below and three had three small staterooms with two heads. Only one other boat had two large staterooms in a layout similar to the 540.

Galley Comparison.

Only one other boat we checked was promoting an on deck "entertainment center" plus a galley below. A second boat had room for a on-deck galley but normally uses it for other purposes. Three of the boats had no room on deck for even a partial galley and theirs were all below.

What does all of this mean?

First, it means that the Cruisers Yacht's 540 is one of the best performing boats in class. Second, it means that she was purpose-built for comfortable extended cruising for two couples in courtly style. Third, it means that she is one of the most versatile entertaining platforms in class.

On Deck Inspection

Hydraulic Swim Platform.

For distance cruisers especially, a welcome option is the Nautical Structures hydraulic platform. A dinghy in a cradle can be kept on the platform and it is as easy as pushing a button to launch and recover. Submerge it just below the surface, and add a few deck chairs and guests will never want to leave.
For parties the swim platform is the best place to meet and greet, and tie up their tenders. While the party is full roar it becomes a good overflow space for people to chat.

The Foredeck.

Our test model had the optional chaise lounge on the foredeck. Fully forward, the 540 Sports Coupe has a standard Maxwell VWCLP 1200 windlass, plow anchor and 180’ (54.9 m) of 3/8” chain that should suffice in up to 25’ (7.6 m) of water.

At the Helm

Forward seating includes a companion lounge and two, wide seats at the helm for the captain and navigator. An optional electric helm seat goes up and down as well as fore and aft and we would recommend it. The Coupe’s top has an electric sunroof that opens up enough to let lots of sun shine through, and a sun shade will mean the standard 32,000 BTU air conditioning system won't have to work so hard.

Visibility

at the helm was pretty good, although the aft support and mullions for the walkthrough windshield do block some of your vision. When I first saw it I was concerned, but after running the boat for 15 minutes my eyes got used to the extra mullion and it became a non-issue.

Instrument Panel.

The helm console is huge and well laid out with the instruments all angled for clear view from the skipper's seat. There is no standard instrumentation, so owners can specify exactly what is needed made by the brand wanted, or buy in the after market. In any case there is plenty of real estate available.

The Engine Room

People might think that triple Volvo Penta IPS600 engines in 15’ 6” (4.72 m) of beam would stuff the engine compartment, but there is room to get around and take good care of the power plant, generator, filters, sea strainers and batteries. Everything is labeled and the wiring is orderly. We found enough room to do a complete overhaul on any of the engines with this installation. The engine room is accessed through a hatch in the aft deck.

Observations

It may take a bit of counter intuitive thinking to get acclimated to the concept of three engines, but if the price of the boat is competitive, what is the down side? The triple IPS system will offer significantly lower operating costs than larger twin inboard engines. Further, the boat can always be run with just the outboard twin engines at displacement speeds. And if one engine conks out, two are still left!
We find that Cruisers Yacht's joinery work, glass work and general fit-and-finish are as good any on the market in class. When it comes to systems installation work, Cruisers Yachts is one of the best.
There are not too many hardtop express cruisers in this size range on the market so consumers can easily check them all out as we have. We think boaters will be surprised at the value in the Cruisers Yachts 540.