Cruisers Yacht 54 Fly

I’ll let you in on a little secret: Cruisers Yachts did their homework. They planned ahead. And that makes the addition of the new 54 Fly fairly seamless for them and attractive to the marketplace.

Cruisers anticipated change when they designed and constructed the popular 54 Cantius. They knew they would want to make a flybridge model, and why not? So they designed the hull, powerplant package and exterior lines to easily translate from the 54 Cantius hull to the 54 Fly. And it works.

Cruisers retains the ability to open up the yacht with the aft deck and galley/salon blending together. The flow of the 54 Fly is basically from stem to stern, courtesy of a fold-back door and drop-down window in the aft bulkhead. From the aft deck settee with a double-post wood table, there’s clear access to the portside U-shaped galley, which includes drawer fridge/freezer units, a two-burner cooktop, a microwave oven and abundant counter space. Midship to port is the U-shaped settee and dining table, and across is a sofa and recessed TV. Forward to starboard is the full helm station, with a Volvo Glass Cockpit system, a joystick controller and touch-screen monitors for charts, radar, etc. Accommodations are just a few steps below and include a VIP in the forepeak and a full-beam master midship. A third stateroom is an option, or go with the standard open atrium with couch layout — a neat hideaway nook. (For more interior details, check out the 54 Cantius Boat Test in the <<ITAL>>Lakeland Boating June
2016 issue).

Don’t fear the engine room, as there’s 6 feet of headroom and access around the twin Volvo Penta IPS 950 engines/pod drives. That’s 725 hp each helping the 54 Fly attain cruising speeds of 31 knots at 2,300 rpm (62 gph) and WOT of 36 knots at 2,550 rpm (76 gph). Make no mistake; those powerplants are working hard for you.

Interestingly, the addition of the flybridge doesn’t add noticeable weight, as it replaces the heavy sunroof and associated apparatus. But since sitting higher gives a different feel to the motion of the ocean, there is an option for a Seakeeper 9 gyro stabilization system.

More everything

With the addition of the flybridge, there’s an exponential jump in creature comforts, usability, visibility and function. What Cruisers has done is make the flybridge a destination unto itself. Climb the teak-capped floating steps and you’ll find a thoughtfully laid-out deck that can accommodate your entire party, or just the two of you.

Overhead, the hardtop has a beefy integrated arch that is sized and angled to fit in with the overall style. An aft V-shaped metal stanchion and side support poles keep the hardtop solidly in place. Without the need for forward support poles, there’s 180-plus degrees of open viewing. The 14 recessed hardtop lights and four speakers will keep the party going day and night.

The aft half of the deck is a plush U-shaped settee with a foldout, rotating solid teak dining table. You can easily fit six to eight people here, no problem. Or take it all for yourself and relax under the stars.

On the port side is a prep station with a Kenyon electric grill and sink under the cover, and a Vitrifrigo fridge/freezer and ice machine units below.

Forward to port is a second settee with an L-shaped seat and a teak foldout table. For a cruising couple, this is perfect for keeping the captain company or enjoying the forward view. There’s a nice seat pad forward and a built-in draining cooler.

At the con

The starboard helm doesn’t disappoint. With a commanding view and a full complement of controls and electronics, there may be no need for the lower station. On my sea trial, Matt VanGrunsven, director of marketing for KCS International (the parent company of Cruisers Yachts), had the con as we plied the Atlantic Ocean with 3- to 4-foot choppy seas, while I took some numbers and sat around the flybridge for a sense of the ride. True to form, the 54 Fly handled very well on all points of the compass. The Venturi screen helped deflect enough wind to allow us to hold a normal conversation, even at 20 knots.

From the commander’s seat, the Volvo IPS joystick controller is aft of the throttle/gear shifters on the right. Depending on needs, there’s ample room for two chart displays, a VHF, a Seakeeper controller, trim tabs and more. The twin helm seat bench with armrests and swing-up bolster aids in comfort, as does the tilt steering and angled footrest on the helm’s base. Cruisers designed the helm seat to swivel inward, creating a functional perch when not underway.

Additional niceties are the placement of several 110V outlets around the flybridge (to keep those phones charged), under-seat storage, an optional hatch over the staircase and under-dash access for wiring electronics.

Cruisers Yachts’ 54 Cantius is a great boat. Having the option to go with the 54 Fly makes this an exceptional yacht that needs to be looked at if shopping for a mid-50-foot yacht.

Cruisers did their homework. Give them an A+!  

DEALERS

SkipperBud’s
Multiple locations in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin


skipperbuds.com

847-201-4040

Krenzer Marine
Sodus Point, NY

krenzermarine.com

315-483-6986