Overview

Shortly after the launch of what has become the most awarded yacht of the century (the Monte Carlo Yachts 76), its Italian builder has launched a slightly smaller version – the Monte Carlo Yachts 65. With this second yacht in the series, a style has emerged that clearly defines the brand.

Captain's Report

By Captain Steve Larivee--

Mission Statement

The mission of the Monte Carlo Yachts 65 is to provide world-class cruising on a level of luxury and style comparable to much larger yachts. She is primarily designed to accommodate the family and (fortunate) friends of an owner/operator, but recognizing that many owners of yachts this size have little desire for cleaning, polishing and changing oil, the design will provide separate accommodations for a crew of two. Because she is 65' she can also be an owner/operator vessel and then her crew quarters may be used as another guest cabin.

The Monte Carlo Yachts 65 carries the same sweeping sheer line and hull side portlight design of the 76. No other yachts have this treatment. Her bow is wide on deck and has pronounced flare. Her dark side windows and black support pilaster aft serve to create the illusion that the boat is lower than it really is.

Distinguishing Features

Here are some of the features that separate the Monte Carlo Yachts 65 from others in class --•

The Monte Carlo Yachts 65 is not just another pretty motor yacht, she has lots of practical design thinking built into her that should make her successful in the long haul. For example her invisible passerelle tucked into one of rear stairs, the large teak beach swim platform with standard hydraulic lift for launching the vessel's tender, and her black carbon fiber hardtop all serve important purposes for cruising and entertaining.

Ease of Operation Thanks to the Joystick.

The MCY 65 can be maneuvered easily with a joystick which is unusual in this size boat. This eliminates any concern about being able to handle the Monte Carlo Yachts 65 in close confines for owner/operators. Additional operational parameters, such as trim, are designed to self-correct automatically throughout the entire performance range of the 65.

Lighter Weight than Most in Class.

Because Monte Carlo Yachts engineers have carefully managed the weight of the 65 by using Kevlar in the hull bottom, carbon fiber in the hardtop, relatively light MAN V8 engines, and cored bulkheads doors and cabinetry where possible, she weighs 61,729 lbs. dry.

Hardtop for the Flying Bridge.

Another departure for a European builder is to design the boat as standard with a hardtop, unlike most boats in class, which consider the flying bridge more a sunning area with a helm for convenience. Further, the hardtop is made with super lightweight carbon fibers which keeps the boat's CG low without added ballasting.

Relatively Shallow Draft.

Her relatively light weight combined with her long water length and 17' (5.2 m) beam permit her to draw only 4'4" (1.32 m), which places her firmly on the shoal side in class where some yachts draw a foot more.

Galley Aft in an Italian Yacht.

Traditionally, motor yachts of this size have had their galleys forward if on the main deck, or below in many European-built vessels. Monte Carlo Yachts has decided to capitalize on one of the newest trends in yacht design, and that is to put the galley on the main deck and aft. This design creates what is essentially a "country kitchen" arrangement with the settee and table opposite the galley. With glass doors that open completely to the aft cockpit, the galley can be joined with the big table located there. With the aft doors open, a unique huge area is available for parties.

Optional Lower Helm Door to Side Deck.

In flush deck motor yachts of this type, we seldom see side doors adjacent to the helm. They are absolutely necessary for handling the boat short-handed, something that both owner/operators will appreciate, along with a delivery crew.

Performance Numbers

With a pair of MAN 1200 engines powering ESMERALDA you reach a top speed at 2350 rpm of 29.7 knots. At that speed fuel burn is 120 gallons per hour giving a range of 206 nautical miles. With a boat of this size and displacement, there really is no "best” cruise but rather cruise performance is a determination between the desired speed and the desired range. For example, range is improved nearly 50% when reducing speed from 11.7 knots to 10 knots. One simply decides whether to go fast or far with the two characteristics being mutually exclusive. At 1750 rpm and 20 knots, the impressive fuel burn is only 60 gph with an endurance of nearly 14 hours, translating to a range of 279 miles, all while still maintaining a 10% reserve.

Handling Characteristics

ESMERALDA is offered with straight shafts and rudders. With that said, lest a future owner/operator be concerned about his/her ability to handle a yacht of this size and caliber with twin shafts, joystick maneuverability is offered by way of the Xenta joystick that combines the two propellers with bow and stern thrusters to provide complete joystick maneuverability at the dock.

Features Highlights

Flybridge

The flybridge is accessible by a stairway from the aft deck removing any concern of having to take up space in the sizable salon for an additional stairway.

The flybridge offers what will probably be the most popular gathering area while the Monte Carlo Yachts 65 is underway, at anchor or even at the dock. A starboard mounted helm sits ahead of a double wide helm seat with a sun lounge to port. A U-shaped settee lies just abaft with a refrigerator, ice-maker, sink and barbecue unit lying behind the base of the carbon fiber radar mast. There is space to either side of the outdoor galley for additional lounge chairs. This arrangement allows for the most efficient use of space on the flybridge and the entire area is shaded with a sizable carbon fiber hardtop, the center of which is fabric that retracts to allow the sun to shine through, when desired.

Teak decking runs the entire length of the flybridge including the raised helm platform. A clear hatch over the companionway allows viewing of the port quarter from the helm, even in the closed position. The hardtop supports are elongated to allow for strength while minimizing the impact on visibility. Both the hardtop and it supports are black so as not to distract the eye. The carbon fiber top has courtesy lighting that cycles through colors for day and night operation. The center retractable fabric section is controlled by a switch at the helm.

Main Deck

Exterior

The stern of the Monte Carlo Yachts 65 is highlighted by the sizable swim platform with a standard hydraulic platform. This will allow the platform to accommodate a tender, or pair of PWCs, or even serve as the much enjoyed "teak beach". The cockpit is accessed via stairways to either port or starboard, one of which can accommodate an optional passerelle.

The aft cockpit is protected by the extended overhead of the flybridge. Overhead supports have tinted glass to maximize visibility while reducing wind coming from the sides. The aft deck outdoor gathering area is well-protected from the extended overhead of the flybridge. Windage is reduced by the overhead supports to the outside of the side decks, and these supports have tinted glass inserts to lessen an obstruction of the waterfront view. An aft sofa is in a fixed position and five movable deck chairs lay opposite a teak dining table allowing eight to be seated comfortably for al fresco dining.

Operationally, there are dual warping winches to either side of the cockpit and the teak railing with stainless grab rail curves around the quarters, above stainless steel rollers to pass dock lines through. Symmetry adds elegance to the transom. Note the sunning lounge chairs on the top deck.

Crew quarters

Crew quarters are accessed through a door in the transom, and they're accommodating enough to serve as additional guest space with an ensuite head. The high quality of finishing is unusual in the crew quarters for this size of yacht.

Salon Deck

Galley and Dinette

The salon deck features three distinct gathering areas flanking an aft galley in the middle of it all. The lower helm is located forward and to the starboard side and features a side door leading directly to the outside deck. Triple opening glass doors allow a seamless transition between the aft cockpit to the inside. The galley aft and to port features a full range of full sized appliances and serves as a central service access point for both the interior and exterior dining areas. To the starboard is an L-shaped sofa and a table being custom-designed to allow for effortless passage to the forward salon and expanding to allow dining for six to eight.

The aft galley is centrally located to the gathering areas and features full-size appliances as well as ample ventilation and natural light. It has a full-size stand-up refrigerator/freezer and exhaust hood over the stove top. The counter at left can be used for food prep allowing two people to work in the galley at once. The table to the right is folded over on itself to open the passageway and can be used as a counter during food prep. When it is time to dine, the table folds out and chairs can be pulled up.

Salon and Helm

Moving forward, a single step up transitions to the forward salon area with a C-shaped sofa within close proximity to the helm. To the starboard side is a well-equipped helm that may be thought of as the primary operational station, due to the completeness of its layout and level of equipment and functionality.

The port side sofa provides an intimate gathering area in close proximity to the helm, allowing the owner/operator to be involved in the conversation while underway.This lower helm station was certainly not created as an afterthought. The nav displays are correctly placed low enough to not interfere with visibility at the bottom of the windshield. In order to do that the counter has to be lower than normal which is exactly what should be done in this instance. The hub of the wheel is higher than the instrument counter. This is a sign of very good design and quite practical. This level of sensitivity to proper helm design is rarely seen.

Accommodations Deck

The Monte Carlo Yachts 65 continues the same tradition as her larger sister for spending the days above decks and nights below. A three stateroom layout accommodates the owners and two other couples or a family. All staterooms have ensuite heads and surround a central foyer bathed in natural light.

Walnut and gray oak are complemented by brown and gray leather inserts and fabrics are from Armani Casa and Rubelli. The full beam master gets the full treatment of the larger hull side windows and a settee to the starboard side allows you to lounge in privacy with a waterfront view. A vanity lies adjacent to the master stateroom entry. Opposite the vanity is the head featuring dual travertine stone sinks and decking as well as natural light from additional hull side windows. The travertine stone decking continues into the shower that is surrounded by ceramic tile. Indirect lighting comes from above the overhead vents and behind the headboard panels.

The VIP ensuite head features a rain-type showerhead and sitting platform for use while underway. With the single basin sink on top of the travertine stone counter, more storage space is opened up in the cabinet below. The guest stateroom features twin berths and dual opening portlights. The guest ensuite features a shower with a rounded sliding door that creates a much more efficient use of space. The portlight opens.

Engine Room and Crew Quarters

The Monte Carlo Yachts 65 engine room is as much a study of elegance and functionality as the rest of the yacht itself. The machinery space is gleaming white with a surgical look to it. With 5'10" (1.77 m) of headroom, the compartment is clearly designed for working as well as housing the twin MAN diesel engines.

The engines are relatively small for such a large motor yacht. This is one of the secrets to this boat's success. No one likes to spend more money on fuel than necessary.

Heavy stainless steel rails around the engines and to the port side seamlessly blend into the access ladder to the overhead hatch which opens to the aft deck. Additional access to the engine room is via a watertight aft hatch, something not found on many 65' boats. The generator is at the aft bulkhead, fuel tanks are to either side of the compartment with twin filters attached to each tank allowing for change out on the fly.

The crew's quarters feature twin berths with head, storage and separate climate control.

Propulsion System.

There are a number of motor yachts on the market in this size range but the MCY65 stands apart for several reasons. First, her stunning good looks that will age very gracefully. Second, she has one of the most efficient propulsion systems seen in class. Because she is relatively lightweight with low horsepower engines she excels at performance at reasonable speeds. That not only makes her less expensive to buy, but also less costly to operate.

Reduced Depreciation.

The  Monte Carlo Yachts 65 will likely render other motor yachts of the same size which are heavier, have much bigger engines and can go faster obsolete, or nearly so. Where there was once a craze to go 40 knots in a motor yacht, the bloom may well be off that lily. Cruising at 20 to 24 knots makes operation of the 65 even more advantageous. It is expected that in the future people will be looking for economical boats to operate – in the rarified air of multi-million dollar yachts. A boat such as the Monte Carlo Yachts 65 will likely be a hot ticket on the used boat market.