441 Meridian Sedan Bridge 2011

Source: Power & Motoryacht Magazine

Months ago we tested the Meridian 441 with straight-shaft twin 425-hp diesel inboards and noted her performance numbers. Some among us, including Capt. Steve, thought that the boat was slightly underpowered, but that is sometimes the case with brands that are trying to come in with as low a price-point as possible. Instead of simply putting a higher horsepower engine in the 441, Meridian went one better and put in a 480-hp Zeus pod drive propulsion package. When we found out about the upgrade, we asked Meridian when and where we could get aboard for a new performance test. Here is the comparison of the two different drive systems.

Power Choices

Meridian offers three power choices for the 441 Sedan. Standard is a pair of 380 QSB Cummins MerCruiser Diesel (CMD) Electronic diesels. Two upgrade options are available. First is our previous test power of 425-hp QSB CMD engines with straight shafts. The second option is a pair of 480-hp QSB CMDs. A further option with both of the larger engines is a Zeus pod drive propulsion system. Our test boat had the 480s driving through the Zeus pods.

Pods in general have a reputation for adding about 30% to the mpg performance of a boat at best cruise. Most of this improvement in efficiency is due to the fact that their props are working horizontally rather than angled down, and have two counter-rotating props. As a result all of the energy is directly transferred to driving the boat forward, rather than down and forward.

Only CMD diesels are available in the Meridian 441.

That means with the big engines and Zeus you’ll be able to make the trips in 5.3 days. With conventional 425s, it will take you 8.8 ten-hour days, all things being equal. In other words, the extra three days will cost you another grand in dockage and dinner bills alone! These days most people are busy and as someone once said, time is money.

Of course another big benefit of pod drives to most operators is the ability to get the boat into the dock with a simple joystick. Confidence in a tight dock with a large boat while everyone is watching carries with it a peace of mind factor that few of us could put a price tag on. For most operators, it makes the difference between owning a particular boat, and settling for another. The savings in fuel over the long haul is a secondary concern.

Going 37 mph in a 44′ yacht is more fun than you might think — another advantage of the bigger engines and Zeus drives.

Boat Specifications: 441 Meridian Sedan Bridge 2011

Length Overall            47′ 2”14.3 m

Dry Weight                 31, 233 lbs.14,197 kg

Beam                           14′ 3”4.3 m

Fuel Cap                      432 gal.1,535 L

Draft                           3′ 1”0.9 m

Water Cap                   150 gal.545 L

Deadrise/Transom       N/A

Bridge Clearance       N/A

Max Headroom          6′ 7”2.0 m