BENETEAU MONTE CARLO 5 REVIEW

For those of us used to mainstream Beneteau powerboats, this Italian-designed range from its relatively new yard acquisition, Monte Carlo Yachts (MYC), is a large dose of la dolce vita with sweet lines indeed but with plenty of detail finishing and substance to back it up.

MONTE CARLO YACHTS

Stepping aboard using the electric passerelle sets the tone on the Monte Carlo 5 as you’re ushered below the sheltering aft deck, where slatted teak guides you through the tall, chromed doors into the saloon.

The single-level entry is seamless but a large drain safely separates the spaces as another two strides and a step takes you to the main console. Here are good ergonomics with all important controls easily to hand – throttle with tabs in front, IPS joystick behind and fuel cutoffs. The analogue controls, including a rudder angle dial, are clear and easily readable, even in direct sunlight.

Our test boat had the highest of the three trim levels – Exclusive – and so included double Simrad NSS 12in plotters plus another on the flybridge. It may seem like overkill but it can do useful jobs such as displaying the Simrad broadband radar on a dedicated screen with AIS overlays, leaving the second screen for charting. 

SALOON

Looking aft, the open-plan saloon layout is an airy space thanks to the tall windows cascading light over the U-shaped lounge/dinette and galley behind, with longitudinal bench seating on the starboard side. With main doors swinging, rather than the conventional slide, the entire area opens-up the aft cockpit when parties are on the menu.

The menu shouldn’t be a problem either thanks to the functional galley that includes a two-burner ceramic stove with oven underneath plus microwave and stainless steel sink. Stylish touches include the rectangular sink tap that cleverly pivots and leather handles on lockers. Cupboard space is just about adequate thanks to the pull-out storage cage at knee level and an overhead locker.

CABINS

The accommodation layout features double cabins fore and aft with a third housing bunks inbetween. This should suit young families as well as groups.

The main stateroom utilises the full beam aft to create a highly liveable space, while MCY’s huge circular plexiglass portlights create stylish panoramic views either side of the island bed. This feature is credited to MCY’s president Carla Demaria who joined the French-owned builder from Azimut Yachts and brought a feminine feel to aspects of the design.

Underway, I marvelled at the changing colours as the Italian Nemo windows dipped under water to create a marvellous kaleidoscope of colour, while also noting that the sound levels from the nearby motors weren’t too intrusive.

There’s very little to question in the stateroom – apart from some sharp furniture edging – and plenty to applaud: twin bench seating either side (though a vanity above one would be nice) and spacious wardrobes behind laminated doors.

Another single berth can be fitted in the transom.

LAYOUT

The aft deck is a useful alfresco place under the protective flybridge overhang that’s fitted with an electric roll-out canvas bimini to cover the area completely. From here, it’s also just a couple of steps down to the teak swimplatform to wet your feet or even wet a line.

There’s a hydraulic option on the swimplatform for easy dinghy launches, with custom tender and cradle available in the same paintwork as the chosen hull shade if you choose the Exclusive trim level package. Down here you can flip a lid to reveal a grill for easy barbecuing of your catch and washing up afterwards in the integrated sink.

Moving forward from the cockpit is done safely and easily via equally wide sidedecks plus guide rails to help. The midships cleat would be even more effective if it was a foot aft, putting it beside the opening side window.

HANDLING AND RIDE

The stylish Monte Carlo 5 looks very much at home in the glitzy Palma marina, which is a major compliment to the designer of what is essentially a mass-production boat – a new one rolls off the vast production facility in Beneteau’s yard every few days.

Gliding past the stone piers, the six-cylinder Volvos murmured gently until I cleared the 6kt speed limit and pushed down on the throttles, with the engines sounding quiet enough to continue talking. The light helm invited me to throw the hull around, so I went for it doing a few wide doughnuts. The large circumference is a slight downside to the otherwise responsive, forward-facing IPS drives.

Good visibility aft ensured I felt safe before curving into the turns as, hard-over, you can’t see into the turns due to the wide cabin struts – but the single-piece windscreen gave good views over the bow at speed.

In a straight line, with the with tabs down 80 per cent, we hit our top speed of 27.9kts (with four onboard and full tanks), which may not be sparkling – so best choose these motors over the smaller 370hp option – but the ride felt comfortable as the Volvos spun at 3400rpm.

In the cab no groans came from any of the furniture as we skipped over our own wake. Throttling back to a more sedate 3000rpm resulted in a satisfactory cruising speed of 22.7kts, allowing me to enjoy the views of the majestic Palma cathedral.

Our fuel gauges weren’t registering but according to MCY’s official figures, the burn rate is 169.2lt/h at top speed (giving a range of 290km) while at the 22.7kt cruising speed it’s 116.8lt/h for a range of 194nm, which is a little limited for this eminently seaworthy hull.

THE VERDICT

The bottom line is that the Monte Carlo 5 could indeed be your ticket to the sweet life, as the Italians like to say, because it has both style and substance. Don’t just take my word for it – check it out at the Sydney International Boat Show late next month, where distributor Sundance Marine will have the first hull to reach Australia and which is being offered at a large introductory discount.

HIGHS

• Overall styling and finish

• Handling under speed and berthing

• Functional layout throughout

LOWS

• Double rather than single flybridge console seat preferred

• Modest fuel tank size limits range

MONTE CARLO 5 SEA TRIALS

With Twin 435hp Volvo Penta IPS600

*Sea trial data supplied by the manufacturer. 

MONTE CARLO YACHTS MC 5 SPECIFICATIONS

PRICE AS TESTED

$1,350,000

OPTIONS FITTED

Aqua blue hull (white standard),  IPS600 engine upgrade, hydraulic swimplatform and passerelle, Simrad electronics pack, 11kVa generator, transom wetbar and other smaller items

PRICED FROM

$1,135,000 (with Volvo Penta IPS500 engines)

GENERAL

MATERIAL Solid GRP below waterline and balsa cored topsides

TYPE Semi-displacement monohull

LENGTH 15.2m overall

BEAM 4.29m

DRAFT 1.15m

WEIGHT 14,900kg

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE (NIGHT) 7

FUEL 1300lt

WATER 660lt

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL 2 x Volvo D6 IPS600

TYPE Six-cylinder turbo-diesel

RATED HP 435 (each)

DISPLACEMENT 5.5lt (each)

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit sundancemarine.com.au and montecarloyachts.it

 LAYOUT

See the full version of this review in Trade-A-Boat #453, June / July 2014. Why not subscribe today?

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