Cruisers Yachts Has Built a Shining Flagship that Can Compete with the Best that Other Manufacturers Have to Offer

"Full speed ahead Mr. Sulu, warp factor five." There can be no denying that at least a small part of the enjoyment of pleasure boating comes from the fulfillment of our fantasies, and Cruisers Yachts 50 footer, which was introduced in 1999 and remained in production through the 2003 model year, comes well equipped to fulfill more than a few.

For more than 50 years, this Oconto, Wis., boat builder has been turning out quality small- to medium-sized family cruisers. With the introduction the 5000 Sedan Sport, Cruisers Yachts jumped headlong into the luxury sport yacht market, a leap that appears to have been made with a considerable amount of thought and planning.

It has become nearly a cliche to refer to this style of vessel, with its sleek tear drop-shaped cabin windows, swooping lines and absence of any sharp corners, as Euro-styled. However, while a curve here or a flare there may have influenced the designers at Cruisers Yachts, the 5000 Sports Sedan is an all American yacht. The 15 feet and 6-inch beam is a foot wider than comparable European yachts, and the amenities and open, light-filled living spaces result in a yacht that is completely in tune with the American boating lifestyle.

Cruisers Yachts makes extensive use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology in the design and building of all its boats. This technology allows designers to create virtual 3-D models and identify problems before production even begins. Every square inch of space is precious on any yacht, and the use of CAD/CAM technology ensures that very little space is wasted.

Cruisers Yachts, a leader and innovator in the area of fiberglass composite construction, has been using end-grain balsa wood in the construction of its boats since 1956. To keep weight to a minimum and strength and stiffness to a maximum, the 5000 Sport Sedan features this end-grain balsa construction in the hull, decks and liners. The lay-up of the hull begins with a resin-rich skin coat of vinylester resin that reduces the chances of osmotic blistering and provides a smooth, high-gloss surface. Wooden frames, stringers and engine beds are glassed in place and totally encased in fiberglass and resin.

The interior, constructed and installed in modular components, makes access to the bilge and interior space difficult, however this method of construction is time proven, efficient and strong.

The cockpit of the 5000 Sedan Sport is relatively small for a 50-foot boat, but other aspects of the deck layout more than make up for this factor. The flybridge, which can be accessed from either a staircase along the starboard side or a staircase next to the lower helm, is huge and exceptionally well laid out. The triple-wide helm seat puts the helmsman in the center of the action and allows for passengers on either side. This arrangement is unique in that there is passage along either side of the seat, successfully eliminating the need to crawl over the back of the seat or the driver to reach the outboard position. The center section of the seat has electric fore and aft controls to put the driver at the most comfortable position. A wet bar aft of the helm position is sometimes equipped with an optional ice maker/refrigerator, and a curved lounge along the port side seats five to six adults comfortably, with plenty of storage below for life jackets and other stores. At the after end of the flybridge, a large sunbathing deck that may be converted to a dinghy deck. Space is provided for mounting a davit.

The 5000 Sedan Sport comes standard with a large fixed swim platform with a hot and cold fresh water shower and a solidly mounted transom door between the platform and the cockpit. The swim platform is designed to support 1,000 pounds and is wide enough to accommodate a PWC or other water toy. An optional, hydraulically operated, extended swim platform can accommodate an inflatable dinghy.

A substantial number of stainless steel handholds and rails are strategically placed for safety throughout the deck areas. The stainless steel life rail around the large, unobstructed foredeck and narrow side decks is high enough to provide security, and deck surfaces are finished with a molded, non-skid pattern for secure footing.

From the time you open the sliding glass door at the after end of the main salon until you crawl out the foredeck hatch, it's hard not to be impressed with the interior of this boat. The galley along the starboard side is beautifully finished with cherry wood veneered cabinets and Avonite counter tops. To the port side are a leather couch and two swivel-base easy chairs. Large, full-length windows along either side provide a bright, open living space. The cabin sole in the lounge is carpeted, and a beautiful hardwood cabin sole sets off the galley.

Forward and raised two steps is the truly impressive, Starship Enterprise-like, lower helm position. The leather upholstered, six-way power adjusted helmsman's seat is perfectly positioned on centerline behind an equally impressive instrument console. To the port side is a leather upholstered settee and table, and a stainless steel and cherry wood staircase leads to the flybridge. The entire area is surrounded by a wraparound windshield that offers an almost unobstructed view from anywhere on the salon deck level.

To the right and down four steps are the staterooms. A small but cozy guest stateroom with twin berths is tucked behind the stairway. This area may also be converted to a small onboard office. To port is the master stateroom, which features cherry wood paneling, a walkaround queen-sized berth, a large cedar-lined closet and an apartment-sized head with shower that is only accessible from the master stateroom. Further forward, on the starboard side, is another good-sized head and shower with access from the hallway or the forward stateroom. Forward is another stateroom, which features a centerline queen-sized berth, ample storage drawers and a cedar-lined hanging locker.

The furnishings and finishes are first class throughout. Both heads are equipped with Vacu-Flush marine toilets, tiled floors and separate Plexiglas-enclosed shower stalls.

The business end of this yacht is no less impressive than the rest. From a stowaway ladder to the cross connections for water-lubricated propeller shaft seals, there is evidence of the attention to detail paid by designers and engineers for the company's first, though not its last, foray into this size and class of yacht.

The engine compartment, located below the main salon and after deck, can be accessed through a hatch in the after deck. The hatch opens to reveal a neatly stowed stainless steel ladder that can be extended to assist with the four-foot drop into the engine room. The engines are fitted with v-drives and are positioned forward beneath the deck of the main salon. The propeller shafts are fitted with Tides Marine dripless seals. A crossover hose connects the two seals and prevents damage from lack of lubrication in the event you need or choose to operate on only one engine.

Even though the vessel I inspected was equipped with the largest engines available, there was still plenty of room to move about the engine room and get to all parts of the engine for service. There is ample space forward of the port engine for additional equipment. Standard equipment includes a 13.5 kilowatt Kohler auxiliary generator which is installed with a sound shield. Sound shielding and insulation in the engine compartment is excellent throughout. While sitting still with the generator operating, the sound is barely perceptible in the cabin spaces. Running at full throttle, there is no need to raise your voice to carry on a normal conversation anywhere aboard the vessel.

If major engine work is ever necessary, the designers have planned for this too, and the salon cabin sole is removable.

Any boat with "Sport" in its name is ultimately going to be judged by its performance, and in this regard the 5000 Sedan Sport shouldn't disappoint either.

Original engine options range from twin 420-horsepower 3126TA Caterpillars to the 625-horsepower Detroit Diesel 6V92TIA DDEC. Our test boat was equipped with the 625-horsepower Detroits, and under nearly perfect weather conditions, it reached a comfortable cruising speed of just under 30 miles per hour at 2,100 revolutions per minute (RPM) and topped out at just over 34 miles per hour at 2,400 RPM. Reportedly, even with the standard 430-horsepower Volvo diesel engines, this 50 footer will cruise at around 24 miles per hour.

During our sea trial, the boat came up on plane quickly, averaging around 12 seconds, and it maneuvered through broad and tight turns with little loss in boat speed and minimum fussing with the hydraulic trim tabs to keep it on track and properly trimmed. Slow speed handling was excellent. One particularly nice feature of our test boat was a slow idle setting, which sets the engine idle at about 400 RPM for better control and more precise maneuverability around docks and in tight spaces.

This is a 50-foot boat that handles and maneuvers exceptionally well and is not intimating to the operator from either helm position. In fact, neither helm position is preferable to the other. The lower helm is positioned so that even when powering up onto a plane, visibility forward remains good. At normal cruising speed there is no difficulty spotting obstacles on the water's surface ahead. The seat swivels 360 degrees, and large windows provide an unobstructed view for nearly the entire 360-degree radius. There are only two small blind spots, one caused by the refrigerator and a second at the starboard stern corner of the main salon. The flybridge helm is positioned nearly in the center of the boat for 360-degree unobstructed visibility. For single-handing, it is easy to move quickly from either helm position, and there are no dangerously steep ladders to negotiate.

The 5000 Sedan Sport comes equipped with an array of standard features you would expect. Some of the more notable ones include three reverse-cycle heat and air-conditioning units, windshield defrosters at the lower helm, a Bose Surround Sound stereo system, a 60 amp battery charger, a remote controlled anchor windlass and a 13.5 kilowatt auxiliary generator. Optional features you may come across include a washer/dryer, central vacuum system, bow thruster and hydraulic swim platform, to name a few.

Cruisers Yachts has built a boat to be proud of, one that competes well with the best the European and other American manufacturers have to offer.

Jack Hornor, NA is the principal surveyor and senior designer for the Annapolis-based Marine Survey & Design Co. Hornor writes for BoatU.S. Magazine and other marine publications.

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