cruisers yachts 45 cantius review

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Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius

• By Kevin Falvey
• Updated: March 6, 2013

To view more tests of boats powered by Volvo Penta IPS, click here .

There’s no lack of coupe-style, pod-powered express cruisers from which to choose. Beneteau, Cruisers Yachts, Regal, Sea Ray , Sessa and Tiara represent just some of the players in this venue.

However, if you’re seeking a single-level cockpit between helm and aft lounge, your choices narrow. The field shrinks again if you require bridge clearance of less than 12 feet. And if you want a climate-controlled upper salon, separated from the cockpit by a standard hard enclosure instead of canvas, you’ve just picked your boat: Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius.

Well, maybe not so fast. Regal’s 46 Sport Coupe ($890,000 powered like our test boat) can be fitted with an optional glass enclosure for $16,750.

Still, the 45 Cantius stands out in many ways. Cruisers Yachts’ design team married the best elements of a sedan to those of an express, resulting in a cruiser unlike any currently available. The key to the layout is the hardtop, or, if you’ll excuse an old term, the deckhouse. Under its roof you’ll find the boat’s galley, upper salon and helm station. The aft bulkhead of the ’house consists of a swinging glass door and a wide half-height hinged window.

Open, these create a large flag-shaped opening, ensuring free egress between cockpit and the salon/galley/helm. It’s all on one level, from the transom lounge to the windshield. This delivers the layout of a big express boat, making it perfect for entertaining a crowd. There’s copious airflow from the retractable sunroof and the open aft bulkhead. Also, with the aft bulkhead open, you can freely communicate with those in the cockpit while at the controls. This is as great for socializing as it is for directing crew with line-handling duties while docking. Finally, a hinged door with a retainer is safer than the sliding patio doors sometimes seen aboard boats today.

The cockpit features a 2-foot-wide transom access door and steps leading to 12-inch-wide side decks that run to the bow. Grab rails are sturdy and well positioned. Going forward is safe and easy.

Cockpit amenities include a grill and refrigerator and the ability to “serve through” the opened aft bulkhead from the galley proper to the cockpit. The aft lounge converts electrically to a sun lounge, with kickstands serving to create recliners if so desired. Our tester boasted the retractable sunshade that extended to cover the entire cockpit.

Now, with the galley up instead of belowdecks, Cruisers Yachts could really go hog-wild incorporating living quarters that wow.

The master stateroom aboard the 45 Cantius offers a luxurious place to sleep, the convenience of an en suite head, and a place in which waking hours can be spent pleasantly and privately when other crew are aboard. Decor here is “deco,” evidenced by the angular geometry of the berth and the deck-hatch surround and valances. Doors are solid walnut, there is access to the queen-size berth from both sides, and the headroom taped at 6 feet 7 inches.

Aft are two more staterooms and a second head with shower stall. For a cruising couple, the convertible chaise lounges provide a quiet reading nook as light streams in via post-glazed hull windows. When entertaining, one of these staterooms serves as media room, perfect for movie nights.

The compact size of the twin 375 hp Volvo Penta IPS 500 pods combines with the upper galley to allow for this layout. These also delivered confident control of the boat in rough seas. Back at the dock, the joystick eases the stress of docking. And, with the aft bulkhead closed, sound levels are hushed, even running at high speed into the wind.

Marginal electrical power often irks me when inspecting cruising boats. That, however, was not the case aboard the 45 Cantius. I noted with approval that Cruisers Yachts wired this boat for 50-amp shore power. Additionally, this boat’s generator puts out 13.5 kilowatts, whereas 9 kW or 10 kW gennies are too often seen aboard boats this size. Both facts mean you’ll be able to run more gear whether dockside or swinging on the anchor rode, with less need to play “electricity cop” with your crew. The power largesse also allows for the installation of the massive 40,000 Btu reverse-cycle heat and air conditioning, divided into three separate systems throughout the boat.

The layout, propulsion and systems aboard the Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius integrate and accentuate each other in that rare way that makes the sum equal more than the parts of the whole. That allows this boat to work great as either a long-term cruiser or as day-tripper big enough to handle open water and a large crowd of friends.

Comparable model: Regal 46 Sport Coupe

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Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius

Cruisers Yachts Hit the Sweet Spot

There’s nothing like practice to make things perfect. After first introducing the 48 Cantius model in 2010 and really breaking the mold on North American express and sedan cruisers, Cruisers Yachts and parent company KCS International followed up with their 41 Cantius, still a terrific boat but significantly smaller.

Both of the first Cantius models embodied a lot of new design philosophy about living spaces and how to really add convenience and enjoyment to the designs. It looks to us like they’ve applied everything they’ve learned to their new 45 Cantius.

Increasingly, people are focusing on the cockpit and the stern of the boat as their patio on the water. What we think is going to really excite buyers is the fact that in designing the 45 Cantius, Cruisers Yachts took the opportunity of really building the connection between the cockpit and the salon by moving the galley up and putting it against the aft bulkhead with an enormous swing up glass window. The end result is that a significantly sized section of galley counter has now become like an open bar to the cockpit.

With the press of a button, you can go from full sun to full shade. It’s very convenient.

In fact, convenience is a really important aspect of this boat. When you come on board, there’s no canvas to fiddle with, the boat is completely locked up and secure, but just by opening a couple of doors and pressing the button on the enormous electric sunroof over the saloon, you can convert it into a very open feeling boat.

Let’s get down to cases. Starting at the stern where you generally step onboard, Cruisers Yachts has given the 45 Cantius a substantial swim platform with integrated swim ladder under a cover, a storage locker on the starboard side that includes the Cablemaster to reel in your shore power cords and then  a rumble seat that  very cleverly faces aft for swimming and also converts into a sun lounge or again into a cockpit settee.

On the port side, is the transom gate leading into the cockpit sole and there are molded- in steps with footlights leading up to the side decks on either side.

To further facilitate the entertainment space, the cockpit has a refreshment area with drink holders, storage, optional icemaker and a Kenyon electric grill for food preparation outside of the cabin area.

Two of the most important features are the glass bulkhead, elegantly framed in stainless steel, and then the electronically retractable sunshade covering the whole cockpit, which is sure to be a favorite feature.

These days it’s all about fine dining! We think Cruisers Yachts made a brilliant move when they located the galley up in the salon and back by the cockpit. Double door, under-counter refrigerators by Isotherm occupy most of the space against the bulkhead. This gives you a big expanse of counter space, open to the cockpit and puts the refrigerator and freezer at your fingertips whether you’re inside or out.

In the corner, there’s a large, round, polished stainless steel sink big enough to handle your pots and pans, a convection microwave mounted under the counter, coffee maker cubby, two burner electric stove, a roll out bin for pots and pans as well as for drawers in the cabinets and more storage overhead.

Opposite the galley on the starboard side is the ship’s electrical panel and there’s a bar as well on that side. Ahead of that is a settee that pulls out to make a berth when required for guests. It’s a nice spot to get in out of the sun or spray as well when running.

Then again, when you are traveling from place to place, many people will prefer to sit in the dining area where the seating is raised a bit and you have the dining table for drinks and snacks. This space enjoys a commanding view forward and 360 degrees because you are surrounded by side glass and you are also under the electrically retractable sunroof so you can choose indoor or alfresco dining.

The dinette seating is at the same level as the double wide and elegantly upholstered helm seat that features a wide range of adjustments.

The helm includes Cruisers Yachts’ elegant leather rimmed steering wheel with tilt adjustment, air-conditioning vents and wood grained trim for a warm and nautical look. All switches are located to the centerline so they’re easy for navigators and co-pilots to reach while the engine controls and the IPS 500 joystick docking control are on the starboard side of the wheel where the captain can rest his arm.

The windshield has two substantial wipers and there are opening side glass sections for ventilation.

The test boat had a center-mounted display for engine functions as well as a pair of Raymarine E120 widescreen multifunction displays delivering chart plotter, selectable engine functions, depth, scans from the optional 4 kilowatt radar and an IPS integrated autopilot was also included on the test boat. It’s a great looking helm, but it’s also very high-tech and user-friendly.

Staying on this level, the side decks provide an impressive amount of room and security for going forward. There is a sturdy bow rail as well as handrails on the coach roof. There are sun lounges on the foredeck that have adjustable angled backrests and there is easy access to the electric windlass, ground tackle and the generous anchor locker.

Cruisers Yachts has given the 45 Cantius a modern and very clean-lined design theme that is most evident in the cabins. The forward stateroom is bright, high and enjoys an overhead hatch, side portholes as well as spacious lockers at the gunwale level. This cabin has a shaped queen berth with generous storage drawers located underneath.

There are cedar-lined closets port and starboard, the now requisite entertainment system, with flat screen TV plus an iPod port with remote for evening enjoyment and the convenience of a well-appointed private head.

The master head has an enclosed shower stall, MSD, vessel sink on the vanity counter and mirrored medicine cabinet doors well located for makeup and shaving. We like the elegant faucets and the porthole by the sink.

The 45 Cantius also has a midship head and it has 6’4″ headroom in the shower stall, a contemporary vanity with solid-surface countertops, storage above and below. We appreciate the mirrored medicine cabinet and a hand-held shower in the wet head. It has a door on the shower stall to keep things dry.

The aft or guest stateroom is more like a private suite with a queen berth separated from an entertainment area by a stylish privacy wall. The entertainment hideaway is designed for socializing and movie nights with a port side settee, side lounger seats with footrests that convert to an additional sleeper, an iPod port with remote, and a pivoting TV for viewing from virtually anywhere in the room.

We also really like the enormous glass areas bonded into the hall sides. These bring in a tremendous amount of daylight and give this cabin a very bright and airy feel.

The test boat had air-conditioning throughout and other convenience and comfort features like a built-in laundry washing machine and dryer, central vac and more.

Performance with the 45 Cantius is impressive with twin Volvo Penta IPS 500 diesels at  370 hp, each running through pod drives. This includes electronic steering and engine controls that give the boat joystick docking as well as a solid level of performance topping out at almost 32 mph. IPS 600 engines are available optionally. The ride is very solid and stable, cutting through the chop with confidence and giving the captain very good sight lines from helm forward and aft. It’s an easy and enjoyable boat to drive. Just lay in the waypoints, set the autopilot and relax in comfort!

With the 45 Cantius, Cruisers Yachts really hit the sweet spot!

SPECIFICATIONS

Test boat engines: Twin Volvo Penta IPS 500, D6 inline 6 cylinder diesel with common rail injection and dual overhead cams, 5.5 L / 336 ci displacement, producing 370 hp and driving pod drives.

ENGINE RPM    SPEED MPH Idle                        4.0 1000                     6.7 1500                     9.10 2000                    11.1 2400                    13.9 2600                    16.5 3000                    21.7 3100                    24.0 3300                    27.0 3500                    29.3 3600                    31.0 3630                    31.7 max

CRUISING SPEED rpm / mph 3100 / 24.0

SPECIFICATIONS: LENGTH OVERALL: 45’0” / 13.7 m BEAM: 14’6” / 4.3 m WEIGHT: 29,500 lbs / 13,381 kg FUEL CAPACITY: 362 gal / 1,370 L WATER CAPACITY: 100 gal / 379 L WASTE CAPACITY: 48 gal / 182 L PRICE: (as tested, base, etc)

Test boat provided by and price quoted by: Cruisers Yachts www.cruisersyachts.com

Performance data by: Cruisers Yachts

Photo Captions Photo 1 – With a great new layout that emphasizes the “patio” and outdoor living in the cockpit, the 45 Cantius seems to hit the sweet spot for the new boat buyers’ wish list. Photo 2 – This view shows the salon layout, sun roof, helm, dinette and generous side glass areas. Photo 3 – It’s great to have the galley on the main deck level. It’s bright, has impressive counter space and the opening aft bulkhead to the cockpit is a great feature! Photo 4 – The forward stateroom has a dramatic design look, but is also comfortable and accomodating. Photo 5 – This shows so much-big swim platform, transom walk-through, very versatile aft seating arrangement and the port side refreshment area with grill.

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Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius

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Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius (2014-)

2 x 370-hp Volvo Penta IPS500

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The new boats, sign up for our daily newsletter, brief summary.

Every so often, a real breakthrough comes along in yacht design. In the world of mid-forties motor yachts, if you’re looking for something to get excited about, look no further than the all-new 45 Cantius from Cruisers Yachts. This design represents a whole new perspective on the utilization of space; interior versus exterior. It reflects the changes in the way modern families use boats in this size range, both for their own purposes and to host and entertain guests.

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