Refining the day boat cruiser concept

By Andy Adams

When moored, the twin Mercury engines tilted clear of the water and just ahead of them on the swim platform, the floor section that swings up to accommodate the engine tilt.

Cruisers Yachts’ 34 GLS is the latest model in the Cruisers Yachts line that includes a dozen different yachts from their flagship 60 Fly down to the 34 GLS. But there's nothing small about the accommodations and the list of high-end features included in the new 34 GLS. This boat ticks all the boxes.

Enjoying a relaxed weekend time with family and friends will never go out of style and the 34 GLS was designed for you to host those memorable days on the water with comfort, convenience, and fun. It starts with having room for everyone. This is a big 34-footer with an 11-foot 8 -inch beam and overall weight of 15,000 lbs plus.

It's deep with lots of freeboard, a soft-riding 21-degree vee hull and it’s very stable when moored to keep everyone comfortable and safe. Cruisers has cleverly designed the 34 GLS around a totally flat floor [no steps] all the way from the swim platform to the bow area. People can move around safely and there is no tripping or toe-stubbing with the 34 GLS!

You can see from the pictures that the GLS is a largely open dayboat, but the cabin space is surprisingly generous – the key part of having a great day [or a weekend] on board. There is a proper private enclosed head and room for people to change or to give the kids a special play place out of the sun.

With the deluxe appointments you would expect from Cruisers Yachts, the enclosed head has standing headroom, vessel sink, mirrored medi-cine cabinet and a curtained-off shower as well.

The screened, sliding hatch disappears under the helm and this gives access to the air-conditioned cabin, down four steps. Inside there is 6’4” of standing height throughout the cabin and in the roomy private head. The cabin includes a cozy dinette with a high-gloss wooden table where four could dine or play card games. The dinette converts into a double berth for weekend cruises.

In addition, there's a single berth athwart ships and this can be a play place for the kids, or to accommodate items like beach bags. The accommodation level windows aboard the 34 GLS really add light to the cabin as well as style to the exterior appearance.

Let the fun begin

It is easiest to board at the stern, stepping onto the generous swim platform. The Cruisers designers have cleverly built a hinged floor section that allows the twin Mercury Verado 300 outboards to tilt up clear of the water when moored. Once the engines are down, the floor section drops and the swim platform becomes a very generous size. (If you want an even larger swim platform, order the 34 GLS with sterndrives.) Either way, it's all one level living. Accommodation starts with the large convertible aft sun lounge. This has a flip-flop backrest so you can sit facing forward around the table or facing aft to watch people in the water. The seat back has two reclining positions for maximum comfort in the sun. Moving up the starboard side, this becomes part of the U-shaped seating around a handsome removable table. There is storage under most of the seat cushions, plus a huge underfloor locker in the outboard version 34 GLS.

Galley and cuisine

Instead of a generator that can be noisy at a secluded anchorage, the test boat had a big inverter system that can power the Kenyon electric grill in the port side main deck refreshment stand. This features composite countertop, a Vitrifrigo refrigerator, another drawer type refrigerator under the helm seat for cold drinks and there is a third refrigerator in the cabin! As if that weren’t enough, forward in the bow is a big Igloo cooler concealed under the hinged seat base. This is great to keep all your favorite food and beverages cold and ready to be served. Also in the cabin is a Mauve convection microwave oven.

The cabin is a useful size with a versatile layout for dining, changing or sleeping over on a weekend. The high gloss table can seat four for dining.

Cruisers Yachts designed the 34 GLS for full day entertaining on board, so serving little bites and burgers as you go would be a great way to keep people entertained. The 34 GLS has three Fusion stereo heads with one located at the stern, the main on the helm, and the third in the bow. There is also a subwoofer in the companionway!

The 34 GLS has an enormous sunroof to open up the salon main deck, but on those days when the sun is too strong, it is easy to close. The interior uses a lot of black trim and a black ceiling to keep glare down. The test boat had a big SureShade that extends out electrically from the hardtop to shelter all of seating right to the stern. Once you are moored, you can fly an awning over the spacious bow area too. That way the whole boat is open to the breezes, but comfortably in shade. The bow canvas and mounting poles stow easily under the bow cushions.

The bow is a very spacious separate living area and again, that flat floor makes access easy and safe. The bow is deep, and the sides are adult hip-high to give a secure feeling. There are stainless-steel handrails on the gunwales add to the security. The seating is comfortable with the forward-facing seat equipped with a fold-down armrest and two drink holders.

Considering how large the cabin is, it’s surprising to see the very spacious bow seating area with it’s flat floor and amenities like the armrest with drink holders.

From the swim platform to the peak of the bow, all the flooring was done in Sea Deck, a soft but very weather-resistant and grippy surface that makes going barefoot quite enjoyable and it doesn’t get hot in the sun.

Performance

A big part of the fun is the performance. Our test boat was equipped with twin Mercury Verado 300 horsepower V8 four stroke outboard motors. These are simply great engines - quiet, smooth and powerful. They are dual overhead cam 32 valve V8s and they plane the 34 GLS in about 9 seconds. The boat tops out at an impressive 45.5 mph and the most effective cruising speed is 4,500 rpm doing 32.6 mph. At that rate, you have well over 200 miles of range, so you can get to the anchorage or other destinations swiftly. The Verados feature both joystick piloting and Active Trim. Press the button to activate and the Active Trim system operates the engine trim to optimize performance and decrease fuel costs. We really liked the Electro-hydraulic steering for the light feel and accuracy.

We should also mention that the new Mercury control box is lovely to use and gives you a secure surface to rest your hand, making throttle adjustments in rough water or at high speeds much easier.

A great layout at the helm and the very comfortable Mercury control box are important for a boat that has the performance the Cruisers Yachts 34 GLS does.

Cruisers Yachts designers understand how to make both the drive and passengers comfortable. The double size helm seat is a great feature and has a flip up bolster section with a footrest. Opposite is a companion seat wide enough for two kids or a cozy couple. It's always nice to let people ride facing forward.

Standing or seated, the sightlines are great and the helm area is both well laid out and great looking. There’s a tilt wheel for comfort and just like your car, the Verados have one button automated start. With the recent acquisition of the Simrad brand by Brunswick Corporation, parent company of Mercury Marine, the two Simrad screens integrate seamlessly with the engines and other controls. This is an exciting and comfortable boat to run. The electric windlass makes the boat easy to anchor when you reach your destination too.

Overall

For several years now Cruisers Yachts has been carefully refining the day boat concept. With evidence of top quality everywhere you look or touch, and with such a versatile layout for hosting a group for the day, or doing family cruises through places like Georgian Bay or the Trent Severn Waterway, the Cruisers Yachts 34 GLS could prove to be one of your family's best assets over the years!

A great feature for entertaining is the huge aft seat with storage under and the versatile folding seatback, seen here facing aft.

See the Canadian Yachting website, www.canadianyachting.ca for previous Cruisers Yachts reviews.

Specifications

Engines: Twin Mercury Verado 300, 300 hp V8 four stroke engines, 4.6 L displacement, dual overhead cam 32 valve. Joystick Piloting.

RPM Speed MPH

1,000 5.5

2,000 8.5

2,500 10.0

3,000 10.5

3,500 12.5

4,000 27.00

4,500 32.6

5,000 37.6

5,600 43.1

6,000 45.5

Length OA (with outboards):  35’10” / 10.7 m

Beam: 11’8” / .35 m

Weight dry: 14,530 lbs / 6,591 kg

Fuel capacity: 217 gals / 821 L

Water capacity: 25 gals / 94.6 L

Waste capacity: 25 gals / 94.6 L

Base price: $ 505,840 USD

Price and boat provided by: Cruisers Yachts Inc., www.cruisersyachts.com