The MCY 70 effectively blends eye-catching looks, an upscale interior and top-notch technology.
By
Patrick Sciacca
Updated: August 2, 2013
I walked down to the face dock at Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s Hall of Fame Marina and looked up. I then looked up some more. As I craned my neck, I could see the top of the flybridge on the Monte Carlo Yachts 70. I exaggerate a bit, but she’s tall. This yacht’s total height comes in at 20 feet 8 inches. My first thought? Windage. Next, my eyes took in her nearly 70-foot-long profile, which appeared muscular and raked, and I wondered what it would be like to maneuver this MAN diesel-powered, ZF pod-equipped boat in strong crosswinds and currents.Courtesy Monte Carlo Yachts
The benefits of pod-drive vessels for close-quarters maneuvering are well documented, but my curiosity rested in the fact that this was the longest pod-drive boat I’d had the chance to run. Could those drives provide enough oomph to effectively swing the 70’s nose around without using the yacht’s standard bow thruster?
My test yacht’s end-of-the-dock corner spot was tight, and the pulpit of the vessel sitting off to her port side pinched her in further. Adding to the mix was a boat directly across from her that was closer than the distance of this 70’s length overall. We tossed lines, and our captain piloted her out of the cozy space with one finger twitch here and another there. This boat’s optional, 1,200-horsepower motors responded instantly, and I was further impressed with the robust nature of the thrust coming from the ZF drives. (The 70 is offered with the same power package in a conventional V-drive configuration with a joystick option.) So much for needing that standard bow thruster to head out of the marina.
It was a short hop through Port Everglades Inlet and out to the Atlantic Ocean, where I had my chance to evaluate the performance end of her power package. On the open water my test vessel effortlessly came up on plane aided, in part, by her modified-V hull form with 15 degrees of aft deadrise. And with her total liquids at 38 percent fuel and 70 percent water, she was somewhat lighter than her full-load, 91,400-pound displacement.
Her performance was sprightly. At a standard 2,000 rpm cruise, the 70 scooted across the sea at an average speed of 25 knots while her diesels consumed 70 gph. Accounting for a 10 percent fuel reserve, her range at this speed is 273 nautical miles. When I put the hammer down on her single-lever ZF electronic controls, her engines revved up to their rated 2,300 rpm and my test vessel jumped up to an average top end of 31.2 knots.
The MANs’ fuel consumption also leapt to 123 gph, which, in turn, reduced this yacht’s range to 241 nautical miles. Her 360-degree turn rate was moderate and took about four boat lengths to complete. Sight lines to inboard were easily maintained while making this maneuver from the starboard-side lower helm station. Her running attitude was assisted by an optional Humphree Interceptor tab system, which can adjust longitudinal and transversal trim as well as heel when turning. And at both the upper and lower helm station, I got a full view of the standard Raymarine electronics suite at a glance.
The 70’s hull form, which easily dispatched the 2- to 3-foot seas, is supported by stout construction. To provide strength without excessive weight, her fiberglass hull, deck and superstructure are cored. In addition, her bow area features further reinforcement in what the builder calls a “crash box” that is composed of a fiberglass laminate and reinforced with Kevlar. Also helping in the weight-savings equation is the carbon-fiber, retractable flybridge hardtop.
Her at-sea prowess was eye-opening, and so was her main-deck layout. When you enter from the shaded teak cockpit (thank you, extended flybridge overhang), you have the option of completely opening the Opacmare folding stainless-steel-framed doors to bring the salon out to the open air or the outside into the salon, depending on your perspective. Either way, the salon’s starboard-side L-shaped lounge, complete with ottoman, looks like a great place to put your feet up and watch the wakes go by. I easily pictured a whole bunch of bare feet stacked side by side with wide-grinned guests cradling an adult beverage and watching teal-tone water churn in the prop wash. It was an “ahh” moment.
Of course, Monte Carlo Yachts is flexible with its layout choices, and if would you like a galley aft here or a different furniture configuration, just ask. I liked this standard layout, with one caveat. The galley is positioned forward of the L-shaped lounge and abaft the lower helm, which features a comfy double-wide Treben seat. This setup results in a bulkhead abaft the helm seat, which obscures your view aft. I would prefer the cabinets mounted without that full bulkhead for a clean view to the transom. I was told this could be done. Otherwise, with the dinette set across to starboard, the galley location makes meal preparation and serving a breeze, and this layout keeps guests and captain within earshot. The galley is also well equipped with Miele appliances, including a four-burner cooktop and full-size refrigerator.
One glance at this yacht’s interior speaks to her contemporary nature. She sports white oak and light teak, which, in addition to adding a modern, upscale flair, helps lighten the salon space. My test vessel’s house-length side windows, overhead lighting and raked front windows further added to her voluminous feel. This sensibility is continued belowdecks in the 70’s cleanly laid-out, four-cabin, four-head arrangement, which is anchored by her master stateroom aft with athwartships berth. (Three cabins is optional.) The white-oak veneer continues here, and natural light busts through the four (per side) round hullside windows.
The en suite head and walk-in closet, with space for about a week’s worth of clothes, are behind a bulkhead aft. There is more stowage space in the room’s leather-clad drawers. A forepeak VIP provides guests with a step-up berth. The other two staterooms are abaft the VIP, with the portside one offering side-by-side berths and the room across featuring bunks. In the 70’s three-cabin layout, the starboard-side guest room space becomes a massive walk-in closet for the master stateroom. There are two bunks and a wet head in the crew cabin all the way aft.
But, hey, you can’t spend all your time belowdecks in comfy accommodations, and you will want to get in some quality time on this yacht’s flybridge. It’s teak-covered and geared for entertaining with a Miele grill, Isotherm fridge, teak table for six abaft the starboard-side helm and a bench seat across that can handle a few more guests. Sun worshippers will be playing rock-paper-scissors for the two teak deck chairs on the aft section of overhang here.
Of course, her foredeck is equally suited for lounging, with a recessed seating area that can handle six or more guests, and because it’s sunk into the deck, this spot is quite safe for the crew to work in when dropping and retrieving the hook. For evening cocktails, very cool pop-up LED lights will make it the place to be. Your hardest decision on this boat is choosing where to spend the majority of your limited time on board, because every space is vying for your attention and, moreover, warrants it.
From her Nuvolari Lenard design to her clean interior look, upscale furnishings and rugged construction, the Monte Carlo Yachts 70 achieves high marks across the board. Her ride is solid, and her drive system inspires confidence in her helmsman both on the ocean and in the harbor. While many owners may choose to hire a full- or part-time captain on this size yacht, a cruising couple could easily manage her. The accommodations and accouterments make her a solid choice for live-aboards while providing room for a large number of guests too. Simply put, this lady was born to travel and entertain. And she’s waiting for you to look up and notice. _
_ Monte Carlo Yachts, +39 0481 283111; montecarloyachts.it
LOA: 69’11” BEAM: 17’9” DRAFT: 5’0” DISPL.: 91,400 lb. (full load) FUEL: 1,055 gal. WATER: 221 gal. DEADRISE: 15 degrees ENGINES (tested): 2 x 1,200 hp MAN V-8 diesels w/ ZF 4000 pod drives BASE PRICE: Price upon request
