Nothing succeeds like success!

By: John Armstrong and Andy Adams

The latest new model from Cruisers Yachts is the Cantius 42 and this yacht made its debut in the fall of 2017, at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. We had the pleasure of going all through this newest Cantius there and clearly, the Cruisers Yachts people continue to refine and expand on all the features that have made the Cantius line such a success.

The new 42 continues the Cantius family resemblance with handsome and distinctive lines including a big section of hull side glazing port and starboard that makes the full-beam mid-ship master stateroom feel very bright and open.

The primary design philosophy behind the Cantius models is to offer an express cruiser where the fully enclosed main cabin has one flat floor that extends through the entire cabin and into the cockpit creating one continuous living area. As you get ready to cast off, just open the big glass bulkhead door. Later, this slides closed and locks meaning that there is little or no canvas to stow when your day is done. Convenience is another major design driver for sure.

In most areas of North America, we dock stern-to and the swim platform is the easiest, (although not the only) way to board the boat. The stern became a much bigger design focus on the Cantius 42. First, it features quite a big swim platform that will have room to carry a dinghy if you want one. The available electrically adjustable platform can be lowered into the water to float the dinghy on, but this is also great for swimming. The boarding ladder can drop down into the water but with the platform in the lowered position, you can just swim up and hop on. Then, Cruisers has designed a very clever set of folding steps making it easy to walk up from the platform and into the cockpit.

The large transom swim platform includes this outdoor galley with electric grill and food prep area 

The walk-through is on the port side because the L-shaped cockpit seating goes across the transom and up the starboard side to the salon bulkhead. A choice of two removable cockpit tables let’s you accommodate probably nine or ten people here - very spacious and with cavernous storage under the seats as well. Also in the walk-through are the shorepower connections, freshwater wash-down and a hand-held shower to rinse off after a swim in saltwater.

The swim platform is also your outdoor galley and there is an available stern mounted Kenyon electric grill, a Vitrifrigo drawer type beverage refrigerator as well as a deep storage space for a bunch of enormous fenders or water toys.

These amenities work well with the cockpit refreshment stand that had a Vitrifrigo ice-maker. The test boat was equipped with Amtico cockpit flooring. It’s an attractive woven material that’s soft on the feet but does not hold water the way carpet will. Another great cockpit feature is the electrically retracting sunshade that covers the entire area.

This is the view of the salon and galley looking forward from the glass bulkhead and with the sunroof open.

You will love the way the aft glass bulkhead works. You can open it from the centre and then slide all the panels either to port to open the cockpit L-shaped seating to flow through into the salon, or to starboard to open up the main galley to the cockpit.

One more thing about the exterior features on the Cantius 42; instead of the common deck mounted sun lounge, the 42 has a seating area at the bow with a foot well, side armrests and a foldout cocktail table! We should add that the side decks are wide, the railing has a welded lifeline, there are big rails on the cabin trunk and on the starboard side, plus there is an opening starboard side gate to board from a pier.

The fore deck area is quite unique and provides you with a bow rider type seating area with a fold out cocktail table. Also, the Cantius42 has recessed side decks, high rails and cabin side rails for securely moving around the boat.

We should also mention the big anchor locker and windlass arrangement for mooring out. The exterior spaces are very usable and well thought out.

Back to the salon, the L-shaped galley is located on the port side at the aft bulkhead. The galley is well equipped with a Vitrifrigo refrigerator and freezer, a big convection grill microwave by Mauve as well as a two-burner stovetop, large round stainless steel sinkunder a cover and drawers and lockers for cutlery, provisions and more. It’s great to have the galley on the main deck level with plenty of daylight.

On the opposite side is the dinette. This really connects with the cockpit seating and everyone at the table enjoys a nice view of the outside.

The Cantius 42 has a huge electric sunroof and opening side windows that transform this cruiser into almost a breezy open runabout.The opening roof is not just a sliding fiberglass panel. It’s an electric sunroof from Webasto who also supply sunroofs to several of the top luxury car brands.

Then, reverse-cycle heat and air conditioning make this boat comfortable in almost any weather and the sunroof can bring in the sun when you want it or shelter you from the glare when you don’t.

The double size helm features great sightlines, twin Raymarine orGarmin screens, tilt wheel, footrest and all day comfort.

Located up the starboard side is the helm with a double-wide seat that has a flip up bolster, foot rest, convenient storage for personal items and all the electronics. The test boat had twin Garmin 12” flush mount screens, (Raymarine are also available) tilt wheel and Volvo Penta screens for engine functions and switching.

The Cantius 42 is designed around Volvo Penta IPS 500 engines and the controls for the IPS are on the side console along with the joystick lever, trim tabs and the switches – allwithin easy reach. Now, the little joystick can be used to run the boat all the way to wide-open speeds (over 36 mph) and if you let go, the boat holds course.

The 42 is a driver’s boat too, and it has a hugeone-piece curved windshield as well as big side glass including port and starboard opening sections, for nearly 360° visibility when running, or around the docks. Of course, using the joystick docking control,you can move confidently out of your slip and away from the docks.

Just like the salon, all the cabin areas feel open and spacious.The Cantius 42 is a two-stateroom yacht and both are big and accommodating. Either could be the master.

Coming down the companionway, the day head (with access from the forward stateroom) is just to the starboard side and it is generously sized and elegantly appointed with hull side glazing for light and an opening port for ventilation, plus a large vessel sink and a vanity with lots of storage for towels and personal items. There is a Dometicmacerator MSD, medicine cabinet with mirrors and the best part;a fully enclosed shower stall with folding glass door. Very comfortable for everyone!

The full beam master stateroom is very spacious and has a convenient couch on the starboard side.

The VIP stateroom is in the bow with an island type queen berth, storage drawers below, private entrance to the day head, starboard side hanging locker, big windows and a large screen TV plus an audio system. It also hasan escape hatch above, hull side glazing to bring in more daylight as well as blinds for privacy, his and hers reading lights and more.

Next, most owners will claim the mid-ship master stateroom which is full beam and includes arectangular island queen-size berth with an upholstered headboard, nightstands and reading lights on either side and abundant drawers and storage for extended cruising.

On the starboard side, there is a comfortable couch where the owners can read or nap. The very large hull side windows make this area feel like it's an above decks cabin it's so bright.

The master stateroom en suite head is elegantly appointed.

The master has an en suite head with a glass door shower stall a large sink in a vanity with mirrored medicine cabinet, Dometic centrifuge system MSD, and room for lots of cosmetics and towels.The Cantius 42 also has a large hanging locker. It’s bright and pleasant in the daytimewhile the extensive indirect lighting makes it really elegant at night.

We applaud Cruisers decision to offer the 42 with two large and elegant staterooms instead of trying to pack in a third ‘kids’ cabin that would have compromised the other two. For 42 feet, this is an impressive and very accommodating big yacht that enjoys strong performance and the latest design features.

SPECIFICATIONS
Engines: Volvo Penta IPS 500, twin 5.5L 6 cylinder common rail diesel engines with electronic control, 370 hp each. Twin counter rotating forward-facing prop sets on IPS drives. Joystick docking and driving control.

ENGINE RPM MPH
Idle
1,500
2,000
2,400
2,600
2,800
3,000
3,200
3,500
3,630

Length overall: 43' 2" / 13.15 m
Beam: 13' 8" / 4.16 m
Draft (IPS): 40" / 1.01 m
Fuel Capacity: 300 gal / 1,136 l
Waste Capacity: 50 gal / 189 l
Water Capacity: 80 gal / 303 l
Weight (Diesel): 28,469 lbs / 12,913 kg
Price: (as tested in US $) $

Test boat, performance data and pricing supplied by: Cruisers Yachts Inc., www.cruisersyachts.com and Crates Lake Country Boats http://www.cratesboats.com