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Time Machines: Express Cruisers

By Yachting Staff

Updated: March 12, 2009

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Sunseeker Superhawk 43 The Superhawk’s hull is made of hand-laid glass reinforced plastic stiffened with shallow grillage and supported by transverse bulkheads. In other words, it’s solid. And with your choice of twin sterndrive Volvo D6s or surface drive Yanmar 6LY3As you’ll reach speeds of up to 50 knots. A no-nonsense fun-machine, this Sunseeker lives up to its name with loads of outdoor lounging pads and an ample swim platform. Factor in an interior that’s as elegant as it is simple and you’ll find that those accommodations for four are never enough! www.sunseeker.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Fairline Targa 52 British builder Fairline offers the Targa 52, a luxurious but muscular three stateroom cruiser with some clever surprises. A stern garage hides away the jet RIB or PWC and keeps the lines sleek¿no messy davit here. There’s also an automated passarelle hidden under a side deck that extends hydraulically at the push of a button. And the Gran Turismo model comes with a retractable roof. There are a variety of power options, including twin Volvo D12-615 EVC, D12-715 EVC, and D12-715 EVC diesels or twin Caterpillar 705-hp C12 710 diesels. Any of the above will have you enjoying Fairline luxury at 33-plus knots. www.fairline.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Riva Vertigo 63 The Vertigo retains the distinctive Riva elegance while offering the latest in express styling. This model is sleeker than ever, with aggressive lines, and a roll bar design that allows for a wide-open cockpit that’s ideal for lounging. Down below, the decor is as streamlined as the boat, with wenge accents and lighter woods for a sense of modern airiness. The helm is another thing altogether. A single seat at the wheel has all the instrumentation within reach and feels more like a race car cockpit than a bridge. And why not? With a 12 degree deadrise and two MAN V-12 1,320-hp engines, the Vertigo tops out at 40 knots. www.marinemar.com; www.rivaboats.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Tiara 5800 Sovran This is Tiara’s flagship and the largest boat in their line, so they’ve spared no expense in doing it right (“Glittering Tiara,” December, 2007). The upper level deck features an aft glass enclosure that opens all the way up to create a spacious saloon. The swim platform is huge. And above the helm, there’s a retractable sunroof and a sliding glass window that welcome sunshine and fresh air. The tri-level deck plan hosts a well-appointed galley with two elegant staterooms. But the three Volvo Penta IPS drives that top out at 32 knots and above will really make your heart sing. www.tiarayachts.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Eastbay 49 SX The sporty yet classic offspring of venerable Grand Banks, the Eastbay 49 SX has a deep-V hull designed by C. Raymond Hunt and reaches top speeds of more than 30 knots, thanks to standard twin Cat C12 705-hp diesels. Both the forward master suite and the guest stateroom to port feature en suite heads and enclosed showers; the saloon has a settee with table and a handsome helm. An optional layout replaces the standard dining area across from the galley with an office. Whatever configuration you go for, you are guaranteed a stunning vessel that will always be one of the prettiest, no matter what port you visit. www.grandbanks.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Fountain 48 Express Cruiser If speed’s your thing, you can’t beat the world-record setting Fountain 48. The recommended triple 480 Cummins with Twin Disc surface drives get you to exotic destinations fast. There’s plenty of open lounging area on deck for the sun-worshippers but a hardtop offers shelter for less than perfect weather. Accommodations below have plenty of headroom and the interior is spacious with two staterooms, two heads and a well-appointed saloon. There are plenty of luxurious touches including an optional teak sole, wood veneers and Corian countertop. All at 62-plus mph. www.fountainpowerboats.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Regal 5260 We gave the Regal 5260 Commodore Express a rave back in December. Well-designed and with tons of options for customizing, this Regal delivers performance and luxury. Not only do twin Volvo IPS drives provide fantastic maneuverability but Regal has designed them to take up less space than usual¿and they’ve used that perk to create a very spacious master stateroom that still leaves space for a dinghy garage. Stratoglass panels open to provide lots of sunlight and air for the ample helm and saloon area. Plenty of comfortable seating and a wet bar will have you kicking back and relaxing faster than you can say ahhhhh. www.regalboats.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Sea Ray 48 Sundancer Sea Ray does it again with a luxurious express cruiser that’s all about entertaining. A large aft area features plenty of U-shaped seating and, of course, a wet bar. A hardtop with opening hatches, a swim platform with concealed ladder and an optional recessed sundeck pad keep the party on deck. Belowdecks, though, Ultraleather seating, satin nickel-finished fixtures and an optional washer/dryer combo make this a serene home-away-from home. Factor in Sea Ray’s well deserved reputation for solid building and a patented underwater exhaust system that keeps the ride quiet and you may have a hard time returning to life on land. www.searay.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Formula 400 Super Sport If you’re looking for the quintessential boat for fun with friends and family, look no further than the Formula 400 Super Sport. Family owned and family-run, Formula has been making the 400 SS since 1998 and it’s been winning awards ever since. The latest updates include their patented reinforced FASTech hull, Ultraleather interior, Black Quartz Corian countertops and a complete range of custom graphics to personalize your 60 mph speed machine. www.formulaboats.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Cruisers 460 The Cruisers 460 has been refined again for 2008. The cockpit has had an extensive upgrade and cold beverages are now within arm’s reach, thanks to a small refrigerator and icemaker. Down below, a rich cherry interior is standard and the master has full standing headroom as well as a head and shower. Twin engines are available in a range of V-drive options and with the stepped-chine hull design, you can get away from it all quickly. www.cruisersyachts.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Sabre 52 Salon Express The understated styling suggests Down East but the twin 865-hp Cats can do 30 knots, which makes the Sabre 52 the perfect answer for the traditionalist with a need for speed. Twin Disc Quick Shift transmissions allow for smooth and powerful handling; a 17 kW generator handles the electrical; and molded steps from the cockpit lead to a well-lit engineroom. The interior is comfortable and traditional with elegant touches like Shoji screen doors in the master stateroom and plenty of light in unexpected places. This is one sweet getaway. www.sabreyachts.com

Time Machines: Express Cruisers

Lazzara LSX Quad 75 With four Volvo IPS 600 systems and a joystick control, this is a big yacht that’s designed to be fun to handle. It comes fully loaded: exotic woods, leather and stone finishes; four staterooms, six heads, a full-size galley and a crew cabin; top of the line electronics package including a Nightvision thermal imaging camera system and 38-inch LCD navigation display-heck, they even throw in the hand towels! The Quad 75 comes with three days of Lazzara University boat handling instruction-after a refresher course, you can take this boat slowly into shallows (thanks to a 3 1/2-foot draft) or run out to the deep at a refreshing 35 knots. www.lazzarayachts.com