Who among us hasn’t fantasized about dropping out and shoving off in a vessel custom-made for long-distance luxury? Take inspiration from these eight new yachts and you, too, can join the from-idle-dreamers-to-happy-cruisers club.
Prestige 450
Following in the wake of the popular Prestige 500, the 450 is billed as a true “live-aboard yacht” — and one with a lot of visual appeal to boot. The boat’s sleek sheer line is punctuated by sharp black hull windows, and its wraparound deckhouse glass affords nearly 360-degree views of the water. A large cockpit gives access to the hydraulic swim platform and big aft locker. The galley is conveniently positioned in the center of the boat, between the cockpit and salon. The master cabin amidships and forward guest cabin each have independent access and en suite heads with separate showers for unparalleled comfort in a yacht its size. www.prestige-yachts.com
Length Overall: 45 feet, 9 inches
Beam: 14 feet, 1 inches
Draft: 3 feet, 7 inches
Dry Weight: 24,251 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 317 gallons
Water Capacity: 137 gallons
Power: Twin Volvo Penta IPS drives
Grand Banks 55 Aleutian RP
With its 55 Aleutian, Grand Banks hopes to build on the success of its 53 Aleutian, which debuted in 2010. The two extra feet allow for more space in the cockpit and flybridge, added length in the utility room and a new transom locker. Other notable features include a second transom door for cockpit access, wing engine control stations, comfortable aft staircase to the bridge, a large swim platform that can be equipped with a tender lift system, and expanded provisions for galley storage and seating. The standard layout includes three staterooms below deck and large galley/dining and salon areas on the main deck. www.grandbanks.com
Length Overall: 55 feet, 8 inches
Beam: 17 feet, 9 inches
Draft: 4 feet, 9 inches
Dry Weight: 75,000 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 1,000 gallons
Water Capacity: 300 gallons
Power: Twin Cummins diesel inboards
Tiara 44 Coupe
Scheduled to launch this fall, the 44 Coupe is the second in a new line from this Michigan-based builder. (See the first, the 50 Coupe, in September/October 2013.) Joystick controls, glass cockpit instrumentation and integrated electronics systems all make the cruiser easy and enjoyable to navigate. Large sliding doors open the salon and galley to the aft cockpit, which offers seating and an optional electric grill. Below, there’s a forward master with pedestal berth and private head, as well as an amidships guest stateroom and day head. The 44 Coupe’s hardtop with powered sunroof brings the outdoors right back indoors. www.tiarayachts.com
Length Overall: 46 feet, 6 inches
Beam: 15 feet
Draft: 3 feet, 9 inches
Dry Weight: 30,000 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 350 gallons
Water Capacity: 118 gallons
Power: Twin Volvo Penta IPS drives
Regal 46 Sport Coupe
Comfort is king on the Regal 46 Sport Coupe. It starts at the transom, where there’s a multi-position sun lounge and refreshment center with fridge and electric grill, then extends through the sliding glass partition to the climate-controlled salon with convertible hardtop, and takes root in the cabin, which boasts a stylish galley and dinette, forward VIP stateroom and amidships king berth — a first in this size range. Another great feature is a walk-through windshield that provides access to the foredeck without having to scuttle around the gunnels. That’s another unique trait in this class, and a smart one, too. www.regalboats.com
Length Overall: 46 feet
Beam: 14 feet
Draft: 3 feet, 6 inches
Dry Weight: 25,300 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 328 gallons
Water Capacity: 101 gallons
Power: Twin Volvo Penta IPS drives
Carver C37 Coupe
The C37 is the third new yacht that Carver has introduced in the past 12 months. (See the C34 in May 2013 and the C40 in September/October 2013.) With a single-level main deck and hinged salon doors that swing wide open, boaters will enjoy unrestricted access from the aft cockpit to the salon and back. The accommodations level includes two private staterooms and a head compartment with home-like shower stall. Top speed with standard twin gas sterndrives is around 40 miles per hour. Twin diesels are also available. A power-actuated sunroof and optional cockpit sunshade round out the modern cruising elements. www.carveryachts.com
Length Overall: 37 feet, 8 inches
Beam: 13 feet
Draft: 3 feet, 6 inches
Dry Weight: 18,500 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 250 gallons
Water Capacity: 90 gallons
Power: Twin MerCruiser sterndrives
Cranchi Eco Trawler 53 LD
A 144-year-old Italian builder of performance yachts, Cranchi surprised everybody with its all-new Eco Trawler 53 LD. And don’t think it simply copied the traditional American trawler; the yacht still has that European élan, as evidenced by the giant sun pads on the foredeck and flybridge, as well as by the sleek and sophisticated interior. The main deck has the cockpit, salon and galley. The lower deck houses a full-beam master suite, forward VIP stateroom and guest cabin with twin bunks. The company says the boat will cruise at 20 miles per hour, increasing its status as a trawler for a new generation. www.crachi.it
Length Overall: 55 feet, 9 inches
Beam: 16 feet, 3 inches
Draft: 3 feet, 3 inches
Dry Weight: 40,120 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 740 gallons
Water Capacity: 214 gallons
Power: Twin Volvo Penta IPS drives
Back Cove 41
The Maine-built 41 is Back Cove’s largest yacht to date yet still carries on the brand’s tradition of practical elegance and efficiency of operation. The former is on full display at the helm, with twin Stidd chairs, room for two chartplotters and a “Dutch door” that allows the captain to assist with docking. The single Cummins diesel allows for a generous aft cockpit, and the bi-fold door and electric window aft open create a wide passageway into the deckhouse. Long-rangers will appreciate the well-outfitted galley and two cabins, each with queen-sized berths and heads with showers. www.backcoveyachts.com
Length Overall: 46 feet, 4 inches
Beam: 13 feet, 10 inches
Draft: 3 feet, 4 inches
Dry Weight: 27,000 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 400 gallons
Water Capacity: 150 gallons
Power: Single Cummins diesel inboard
Fairline Targa 48
A big, sporty, express-style cruiser from the U.K., the Targa 48 is equally well suited for entertaining and extended voyages. Two staterooms (one an amidships master) with en suite heads allow for a lower salon, or this area can be fitted with a third stateroom opposite the galley. The main deck of the Targa 48 is all about entertaining, with inviting sun pads fore and aft and spacious seating under the electric canvas roof. There’s also a garage for an optional tender and a submersible swim platform to help with launching and retrieving. www.fairline.com
Length Overall: 48 feet, 6 inches
Beam: 14 feet, 2 inches
Draft: 3 feet, 10 inches
Dry Weight: 12,790 pounds
Fuel Capacity: 288 gallons
Water Capacity: 106 gallons
Power: Twin Volvo Penta IPS drives
