October 19, 2007

Boat Review: Menorquin MY 160 Hardtop

Presentation
Founded in 1978, Menorquin offers a line of semi-displacement cruisers and yachts from 10 to 18 metres based on the traditional Spanish fishing boat available in the various open, hardtop and flybridge versions. PowerYacht presents you the second largest model off the range the MY 160 Hardtop, which is also available in flybridge and standard form which differs from the hardtop by not having a rigid extended cover for the cockpit.
Accommodation
Finished in classic all wooden style interior the Menorquin MY 160 unlike outside, is available in only one version with 3 cabins offering a 6 berth sleeping accommodation. A spacious master cabin with en-suite shower head is located forward. Two guest cabins of moderate dimensions are located to port mid ship of the lower deck and are a VIP cabin located aft of the accommodation deck and the third cabin with 2 single L-shaped guest berths. Guest head is located fore to starboard. A small L-shaped settee and a spacious L-shaped galley located to port of the accommodation deck entrance complete the sleeping area. An optional small crew cabin is available on request forward.
The enclosed upper deck divided by a sliding patio door from the cockpit offers a spacious L-shaped saloon settee to port with the pilot house to starboard. Outside is the other living part of any Menorquin model, showing its Mediterranean boating heritage by offering spacious all around deck. The 160 with its important dimensions continues this philosophy with high bulwark covered side decks and spacious cockpit. In this hardtop version the aft cockpit also enjoys a rigid cover offering good protection from the sun and bad weather.
Performance
The MY 160 Hardtop offers a very stable semi-displacement hull particularly studied to plane when cruising at 10 knots plus of speed. The high vertical bow shows sign of a solid seaboat and the impression is confirmed when navigating in the tough. The Menorquin also offers a fabulous 15 knot cruising speed which is just fast enough for comfortable crossings. Is this not the speed that one uses in many of the rough tough head seas!
Positive
deck cockpit area
comfortable semi-planning 15 knots cruising speed
spacious saloon
Negative moderate sized guest cabins
low bathing platfrom
Competition Typical as it is finding the right competition for the Menorquin is not easy business, it is either you like or you don't! The classic Spanish fishing boat lines have something special which are very difficult to understand. This is what to look for, but consider each of the mentioned alternative as a wild card selection if the Menorquin is to you tastes:
Apreamare 54 - fast 30 knot hull, fishing boat based but from Naples
Grandbanks 52 Heritage EU - US style trawler, flybridge, similar speed
Nordhavn 50 - full displacement, US trawler, flybridge, super 2800 NM range
Sciallino 15.95mt Gemy - low speed planning hull, Liguria fishing boat heritage
WILD CARD: Estensi 530 Maine - modern classic, super comfort, low speed planning
Conclusion
The Mernorquin MY 160 Fly has something particular thanks to the Spanish Gozzo design which has the affect "look at me I am different". But the Menorquin is not only about this and it offers a very impressive package like the comfortable slow fast 15 knots cruising speed, spacious interior accommodation and superb deck space confirming its Mediterranean heritage would all make for an interesting choice. The other bonus is the competitive price and its optimum navigation and reduced maintenance costs which is lower fuel bills for a boat of this size. The last thing which does hold a high important factor when one purchases a boat of this size and value is the presence, and the Menorquin MY 160 Hardtop has loads of it!
Technical Data
LOA. 15.95 metres (52.3 ft)
Length. 15.30 metres
Beam. 5.00 metres
Draft. 1.40 metre (half load)
Displacement. 25.60 T
Fuel Capacity. 2 x 475 + 1 x 975 litres
Water Capacity. 640 litres
Person Capacity. 16 persons
Berths. 6 + 2 and 1 crew in bow (optional)
Engines: 2 x 370HP Volvo D6-370 EVC, Yanmar 6 LYA-STP
Speed. 19 knots max, 15 knots cruising.
Construction. GRP
Certification. CE A
Picture Copyright Menorquin. Data Menorquin.

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