Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius – Yachting Magazine

A boat designed for entertaining or one that’s built for cruising? Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius proves these attributes aren’t mutually exclusive. Its accommodations echo top-line residential design, while its hull design, construction and propulsion showcase the art of modern production boatbuilding.

When evaluating a cruiser, the first thing I do is check out the key systems. No number of berths, settees or nifty décor details will make you comfortable if corners were cut on the build. I am happy to report that Cruisers Yachts fits out the 41 Cantius for more than just earning accolades on a convention center or showroom floor.

For example, the 13.5 kW genset, standard aboard the 41 Cantius, not only provides enough power to comfortably allow you to run most of your appliances and lights while on the hook, but also delivers enough reserve output so that breakers won’t blow when the refrigerator or air-conditioner compressor kicks on. Furthermore, this genset’s output isn’t so large that its engine won’t be loaded properly when it’s running, which affects efficiency and longevity. Indeed, the 41 Cantius’ generator meets the requirements of ABYC E18-8: It’s optimally sized. Dockside power is 50-amp, rather than the 30-amp systems more common aboard cruisers this size, again ensuring ample power.

Air conditioning is another system where hidden cost-cutting can occur. Not aboard the 41 Cantius. It has three units pumping 40,000 Btu of reverse-cycle heat and cooling, providing ample climate control for this dual-salon cruiser.

Water capacity? Naval architects and long-term cruisers agree that, nominally, five gallons of water per day, per person, is a sufficient supply for bathing, doing dishes, using the head, etc. Quick math suggests that the 41 Cantius’ 75-gallon supply provides enough water for a crew of six for the weekend — plus a little more.

All of these systems are also easily reached for service. In the engine room, I found more than four feet of headroom and access on all sides of both engines. Every wire and plumbing run is labeled with engraved plates for troubleshooting ease. Behind a panel in the amidships stateroom, all electrical modules and the helm breaker panel are housed in one place. Compared with boats in which the electronic control modules are scattered, diagnostic time here is drastically cut — a benefit whether paid mechanics perform the service or you do it yourself.

At first glance, it’d be easy to lump this boat in the coupe category with other top cruisers like Sea Ray’s 410 Sundancer, with its three-side enclosure. Unlike the Sea Ray, the 41 Cantius’ helm deck is completely enclosed, boasting an after bulkhead, glass “Tri-Slide” door. This creates an upper salon, complete climate control and conversational privacy with a view while entertaining dockside. Plus, it eliminates the hassle of canvas curtains. The helm deck also has an electric sunroof.

This upper salon can host a crowd of guests, thanks to an expansive lounge, entertainment center and air conditioning. The view is fantastic, and even rainy days will prove enjoyable here. When the sun shines, open the slider wide, and access between the helm-deck-cum-salon and the cockpit provides easy flow between the two spaces. With a comfy settee and recliner and simple side-to boarding, dockside entertaining doesn’t get any better — unless you work the transom magic I discovered aboard the 41 Cantius.

The extended swim platform is more than four feet long and has a bar with two removable pedestal-mount bar stools. The bar hinges open, revealing a massive lazarette with dedicated stowage for the stools and cockpit tables, as well as fenders, lines, brushes and other dunnage. 

While the 41 Cantius is available with IPS, the vessel I tested turned its props through twin Volvo Penta DPH diesel sterndrives. This propulsion, combined with the vented stepped hull, had me comfortably romping across a choppy Lake Michigan at just over 23 knots, topping out at 33.8 knots. Docking with the Volvo Penta’s joystick proved a snap against the wind, and, as an aside, I also docked it without the joystick. If you want the trimability, shallower draft and efficiency afforded by sterndrives, I can vouch for their suitability.

Accommodations include a forward master with plenty of headroom, a queen berth and en suite bath. Amidships is a guest room with twin berths (that can form a queen) and another en suite head. 

So imagine yourself in the helm seat, swiveled around and engaged with your guests, watching with prideful care as they enjoy the amenities and the easy movement between dock, platform, cockpit and upper salon that the 41 Cantius affords. The experience is common aboard larger yachts but rare among boats this size. So the question, then, isn’t whether the 41 Cantius is capable of both entertaining and taking to the sea. The question is: Are you? 

Test Conditions: Speeds were measured by GPS off Green Bay, Wisconsin, in two-foot seas with a ¾ load of fuel, ¼ load of water and three people on board. Fuel was measured by the electronic engine-monitoring system. Sound levels were measured at the helm.

RPM     Knots   GPH    dB(A)
900    5.43    1.70    67
1200    7.08    3.10    69
1500    8.52    6.10    70
1800    9.82    10.00    73
2100    11.30    15.00    78
2400    16.21    20.50    77
2700    22.55    24.50    79
3000    27.46    26.50    80
3530    33.80    41.00    88

LOA: 42’8”
BEAM: 13’0”
DRAFT: 3’1” (sterndrive); 3’4” (IPS)
DISPL: 24,000 lb. (approx.)
FUEL: 300 gal.
WATER: 75 gal.
ENGINE OPTIONS: 2 x 400 hp Volvo Penta 550G IPS
ENGINE TESTED: 2 x 370 hp Volvo Penta D6 sterndrive diesels

By Kevin Falvey / Published: December 21, 2011