48’-53’ Express Cruisers: We Tale the Measure of 4 Yachts

Monte Carlo 5S. She is radically different from the other three boats in a number of ways, and most noticeably her exterior styling approach. She has what is known as a tulip-shaped bow, something that was used on some battleships at the turn of the 19th century. That, along with her round portlights, give the MC5s a distinctive look that sets her apart from nearly every other boat in the marina her size.

Inside, she is different, too, being the only boat of the four which does not have a galley down. Because of her plumb bow she can push her VIP cabin further into the bow, and actually has slightly less fore and aft accommodation length than the other three. This is compensated for by her aft crew cabin, which none of the other boats have. Since few owners in the U.S. will want or need a captain for this vessel, she effectively has four guest cabins – or, perhaps a nanny cabin. At 31,649 lbs. she is also the lightest of the four in our fleet. She is the only boat of the four that has a sunning location on the hardtop.

Gran Turismo 49. She has what has become the more traditional “Euro” style exterior, and, like the MC5S, is built by Beneteau. Below, she can be configured in either a two or three stateroom design. The two stateroom design has a settee instead of a cabin. Her fore and aft accommodations length is about 33’ and her master cabin has a chase lounge to port in the master stateroom just abaft its all-in-one wet head compartment. On deck, this boat is big, and she has a high freeboard that makes her look huge at the dock, in addition to providing 6’6” head room below. Her aft deck is large and made for al fresco dining and also makes a good venue for a cocktail party.

Cruisers Yachts 48 Cantius. Like several of the other boats in this group she has a galley down with either a large U-shaped dining banquette or an optional third cabin. In this way the owner can match the accommodations to the family involved. The master stateroom aft has a largish head, made more functional by placing the wash basin outside of the head compartment. The builder has dropped the deck at the foot of the bed between the stringers to maximize headroom there. In the VIP stateroom the head is split in two which has proved to be quite functional. Her aft deck has a U-shaped dinette which maximizes seating for al fresco dining.

Regal 53 Sport Coupe. Her exterior styling is more angular with hard edges of the kind that we often see coming out of design houses in Milan. Because she has the greatest length, and at 36,000 lbs. the greatest displacement, it is not surprising that she has the largest accommodations below, measuring about 38’ fore and aft. Her beam is also the greatest at 15’4”. Both of her heads have separate shower stalls, and by splitting the master head in two, it is probably the most comfortable head arrangement of the four boats. She also comes with an optional third cabin, but in this case the builder has managed to squeeze in a small L-shaped settee as well. She also has a tender garage in the stern.

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