Nearly three decades old, [Dyna Yachts][] is well-known to the world yachting market, but the recently launched Dyna 60 is the first of this builder’s European-inspired motoryachts. This vessel marks a distinct change in styling. Partly, it’s because the company is striking out under its own name (see sidebar), but it is also about keeping up with modern tastes.
Two basic layouts are available, each with three staterooms, two heads and the crew quarters aft. The salon is where the layouts vary. Our test boat had the Euro day-boat version, which North Americans may or may not embrace. In this arrangement, the galley is aft for easy service to the bench seat and dining table on the covered afterdeck, to the dinette on the slightly raised upper salon opposite the helm, and to the flybridge. With a Corian-topped island/bar, this salon layout is great for entertaining or for taking guests on a day cruise. Three-panel, stainless-steel sliding doors open the salon to the afterdeck.
The downside is there is no place to sit in the salon except for the dining table, but this is neatly remedied by the second arrangement, which turns the lower salon into an entertainment spot with a wraparound settee and separate couch. The forward salon gets a galley to starboard in a slightly reduced footprint, while the dining area remains to port. Both dinettes have cleverly hidden chairs for extra seating.
Both layouts also benefit from large (and many) windows that flood the interior with light and provide great visibility throughout the salon.
Whichever layout you choose, the Dyna 60 provides considerable outside areas, such as the settee on the teak-plank afterdeck and a large foredeck sun pad with adjustable backrests.
But it’s the bridge where you really enjoy the alfresco lifestyle. It extends all the way to the transom, and it’s cantilevered, eliminating support posts that impose on the lower deck. Its stout nature is a testament to the build quality. I’ve seen some extended bridges that are too flexible.
Seating, lounging and eating are clearly the goals for the bridge. A J-shaped, four-side settee is around a cocktail/dining table, another curved settee is just forward, and the sun pad is large enough for a gaggle of sun lovers. The helmsman’s companion has an adjustable double-wide seat, and just behind the helm seat is an outdoor galley console with grill, sink and fridge.
Our test boat had a sweptback electronics arch abaft the bridge seating, but for once, the builders put the radar on a post, raising it above the level of standing guests. An option is a fiberglass hardtop to cover the forward portion of the bridge.
When it comes to accommodations, the Dyna 60 doesn’t stint. Down an atrium stairwell from the lower helm and just aft is a full-beam master. Its layout includes a bureau to port, a table/vanity with two seats to port and a private head with stall shower and seat. The king-size centerline berth faces a bulkhead-mounted flat-screen TV.
At the forward end of the passageway is the VIP stateroom, also with a king berth and cabinets tucked into the tapering bow section. This cabin has direct access to the day-head, which is similar in size to the master’s.
On the starboard side of the passage is the third cabin with twin singles and stowage. This cabin accesses the day-head with shower off the companionway. Tucked under the afterdeck is a surprisingly spacious crew cabin with a pair of single berths and a compact, but complete, head with shower. While a 60-footer is well within the owner-operator size range, our test boat’s day-boat/entertainment layout might lend itself to having an occasional captain so owners can enjoy themselves. With the other layout, I would imagine the crew cabin will be staked out by teenagers.
Inside driving duties on the 60 are from the lower helm, with its cushy leather seats and a sun-shaded dashboard that, on this test boat, had a full complement of Garmin electronics (the brand is always owner’s choice). I liked the pantograph door next to the skipper’s seat, enabling easy access to the side deck for docking. The side deck also scored points for being wide enough that you don’t have to sidle along, and I liked the high bulwarks topped with stainless-steel rails.
Standard power for the Dyna 60 is a pair of 600-horsepower Cummins QSC8.3 diesel engines, but owners can specify pretty much any package they fancy. The next 60 will get the raised-galley layout and will have a pair of 715-horsepower Cummins QSM11s for a bit more zip.
With the standard motor or similar horsepower diesels, she makes a solid 18.6-knot cruise at just 2,100 rpm, while her motors sip 48 gph. That suggests a fuel-efficient hull, something savvy owners consider carefully. At 2,400 rpm, our test boat made 23.5 knots. With a bit of prop tuning (this is Hull No. 1), 25 knots is well within reach.
Speaking of engines, there aren’t enough 60-footers with full standing headroom in the engine room, but the Dyna 60 has it. There’s also room for impressive standard equipment like the keep-you-cool 60,000 Btu MarineAir air conditioning and Onan 17 kW generator.
This yacht sports solid construction with a vacuum-infused layup, foam coring above the waterline and solid fiberglass below, and an extensive network of stringers in the hull. The decks and house are all foam-core too. Yet more thoughtful details include hinged fender holders forward and teak grating that allows a same-level sole from the salon to the afterdeck.
I liked the Dyna 60 a lot. She is an impressive debut as the first of a new line. Built right and priced right, she should be on your “must-see” list for yachts of this size.
