CRUISERS 390 SPORTS COUPE
By Captain John B. Wenz
An inevitable design addition for larger express cruisers has been the hardtop. While there are a number of yacht builders with hardtops as optional features, only a few include this feature as standard equipment. I recently had the opportunity to go aboard the Cruisers Yachts 390 Sports Coupe. This, indeed, is a forty-footer with a standard hardtop. With a sliding insert and a full glass enclosure, this is one of the best examples I’ve seen.
Bow Features
Starting up on the bow, what seems to be an acre of deck space can be customized by adding a sun pad, safety rails, and drinkholders. Make anchor work easy by adding an optional windlass to complement the standard roller. The foredeck is surrounded by double stainless steel handrails, so you don’t have to worry about the safety of your guests when they’re up here.
One of the common features you’ll find on all the express models in the Cruisers Yachts lineup is the walk-thru windshield. The 390 Sports Coupe is no exception. The challenge for the designers was to integrate the walk-thru feature it into the hardtop and full glass enclosure. Let me be the first to tell you that it’s indeed a success; execution of the design is excellent. It both looks and functions very well. A “sunroof” insert slides aft in a pair of heavy-duty tracks and the opening windshield is easy to operate. The hardware looks and feels sturdy and reliable.
Stylish & Innovative
Once you’re in the cockpit, you’re surrounded by so much glass that you don’t feel at all claustrophobic. Air conditioning and heat registers provide climate control, so you can extend your boating season into the cooler months. A couple of adjustable fresh air vents have been fitted into the overhead as well. While underway, the cockpit is quiet and wind-free, even when you have the “sunroof” open. There are also some other clever design features in the cockpit worth looking at. There’s a convertible dinette/companion seat, a sink, and an optional refrigerator and icemaker. They’ve even found a spot for a flip-down flat screen TV, if you want one here. The helm seat is a double with a flip-up bolster. This area is a little awkward; the seat is pretty high and the deck a little low, particularly for someone who might be “vertically challenged”. The balance of the cockpit is surrounded by an L-shaped lounge, and the swim platform is of substantial size.
Down Below
In contrast to the stylish and innovative deck design, down below you’ll find a fairly typical express layout. There’s an angled double berth up forward. Amenities include a therapeutic foam mattress, cedar-lined lockers, and an opening hatch and portholes for fresh air. On the standard layout, privacy for this cabin is provided by a curtain, so calling this a “stateroom” is a stretch. An optional layout includes a bulkhead with a door, however, so there is an alternative if a real private stateroom is a priority.
The head compartment is of decent size, and includes a stall shower.
The salon/galley area features an entertainment/TV package, an attractively curved dinette, and appears light and airy as the result of six opening ports and a couple of deck hatches. In the galley you’ll find sufficient workspace, an over and under fridge/freezer, and a clever microwave/coffeemaker combination, which I appreciate.
Engine Access
Beneath the electric hatch, the engine compartment and systems are designed and installed using the latest techniques and materials. Beyond the standard Twin Volvo 8.1 Gi 375 HP Gas setup, seven more options include both gas and diesels from MerCruiser, Volvo, and Yanmar. The 390 is also available with Volvo’s new IPS system. Based on a little bit of experience with this breakthrough system, I suspect this boat is a very suitable platform and I’d love to give it a try. Horsepower ratings range from a pair of 310’s to a pair of 420’s.
Specifications & Performance
The 390 Sports Coupe measures 40’2” in length, 13’ 0” abeam and draws 39” with traditional propulsion and 45” with the IPS gear. Tank capacities are 300 gallons of fuel, 75 gallons of water, and she weighs approximately 22,000 pounds.
Our test included some close quarters work and speed runs in the winding creeks and channels inshore of Atlantic City, NJ. I liked how the 390 Sport Sedan handled around the docks, but keep in mind that our boat was equipped with the optional bow thruster. Call me a sissy if you want, but I’ve run a lot of boats over the last thirty years and now that they’re practical, I think bow thrusters should be standard equipment on boats in this size range, if only as stress-relief for weekend skippers and shorthanded crews. When we ran her up, the 390 reached a top speed of 37.6 mph, and our best cruising performance indicated a range of 332 statute miles at 28.8 mph. She’s nice and quiet in the cockpit, there’s plenty of fresh air, and the glass enclosure works really well. My only concern is when the 390 is accelerating to plane. As typical of planning hull craft, the bow gets pretty high. Given the cockpit configuration at the helm, visibility is somewhat restricted and you’re forced to sit in the helm seat. I asked about my observation, and it sounds like a solution is in the works.
When it comes to 40 foot express cruisers, I can safely say that Cruisers Yachts has a strong entry with the 390 Sports Coupe. The hardtop and full glass enclosure is great, and a long list of factory options keeps the base price attractive while allowing you to fit yours out exactly how you want it.
