Presentation
Launched in 2007 the Menorquin Yacht 145 continues up market thinking by the Spanish Menorca Island boat builder. This made the MY145 not only important for being a new model in its presentation at the Palma Show of Spring 2007, but more so because it introduced vacuum infusion in the building method, and the use of an outside designer with Tommaso Spadolini taking the job for the exterior looks. This last idea of out sourcing the design got so much praise in the MY145 that Menorquin have also used a separate independent designer for the newly planned 20 and 24 metres flagships, using the hands of other famous Italian architect Fulvio De Simoni for the upcoming Custom Yacht range. The MY145 is one of the recent additions to the Menorquin line, but the yard listening to customers demands put a new additional three cabins five berths version in early 2009. As many Menorquin's the MY145 is also offered in different versions for what regard the outside. A Fly as for the review here, or the standard Hardtop.
Accommodation
Interiors have always been the bread and butter of the Menorquin yachts, offering livable layouts with good spaces and classic wood filled finishes. But lets start with the outside of the MY145 welcoming you aft with an extended integrated bathing platform which comes out stylishly from the lower part of the traditional canoe stern. A small moulded door to starboard welcomes you to the aft deck. This space is available as both free or with an optional two person bench settee to port. On both sides and up one step you go to the integrated and safe side deck, which takes you to the bow, where you find a very nice forward looking four person bench sofa. From the aft main deck is the the ladder which takes you to the flybridge. The fly has a C-shaped settee to port, helm station to starboard, and optional hydraulic crane to aft which creates stowage space for a medium sized tender. The crane and extended bathing platform makes it possible to carry two tenders.
Back to aft and moving forward a three part patio door welcomes you inside the interior living deck. To port here is an L-shaped settee which can transform to a double berth, making total sleeping capacity plus two for a total six or seven berths. To starboard is a small furniture unit opposite the dinette, and the fully equipped internal helm station.
From the middle of the main deck and down four steps you reach the lower accommodation deck. This part of the MY145 is available in two layouts. The standard is a two cabin, two shower heads, C-shaped galley, and a small L-shaped settee. Optional is a three cabin version. This gives a single cabin in lieu of the small settee below and also takes part of the galley. Cabin planning is rather standard as a traditional cruiser should be. But that does not mean that is not comfortable. The owners suite is located to fore, double cabin midship port side with two single berths. and a guest shower head. The third cabin option gets its location to starboard side in front of the galley, and is a single berth.
Performance
Having a traditional fully keeled semi displacement hull, the Menorquin MY145 Fly gives a respectable medium speed cruise. The full keel pays a price in performance due to drag, but then it gives back in better direction control, which added with the full hull measuring only seventeen centimetres to the overall length gives also superior stability. These two factors, keel and full under the water hull give also minimum rolling with a natural progressive movement during cruise or anchor. The MY145 is offered with four engine choices starting with the standard twin Volvo D4 300hp, to the other optional choices from the D6 330hp, most high revving Yanmar 310hp, and the Cummins 330hp which revs the less. With twin Volvo D6 330hp the MY145 Fly reaches top speeds of 18 knots at the max 3500 rpm. Optimum cruising was at 2800 rpm with speeds of 14 knots, range of 245 nautical miles, and consumption of 5.2 litres per mile. If you want to enjoy more the trip you can also cruise at a slower 8 knots with the Volvo's 330hp only revving at 1600 rpm, giving a long range of eighty hours or 645 nautical miles.
Positive
Good economy speed
Full deck use
Accommodation
Negative
Low flybridge safety walls
Competition
Surprisingly the Menorquin MY145 Fly is the real wild card for staying closer to its roots. In fact the MY145 unlike other traditional looking boats stays true to its ancestors hull shape, and is unique for having medium range explorer qualities in its DNA. If you want a semi displacement hull the closer you can get is with a live aboard explorer like the Grand Banks 41 Heritage EU, or the Rhea 43. Competition criteria was for flybridge, thirteen to fourteen metres size, two or three cabins, twin engines, and 15 knots plus of speed.
Beneteau 42 Swift Trawler - explorer trawler, 2 cabins heads, 26 knots max
Grand Banks 41 Heritage EU - 2 cabins 1 head, explorer with classic trawler looks
Hinckley 44 Talaria FB - lobster design, available in single cabin lower salon
Mainship 45 Trawler - explorer two cabins, large main deck
Patrone 42 Convertible Flybridge - planning gozzo, three cabins, main deck galley
Rhea 43 - smallest, explorer trawler, two cabin heads
Sciallino 40 Fly - planning Ligurian gozzo, two or three cabin choice
WILD CARD: Portofino 47 Fly - three cabins, cross over modern traditional
Slow Yachting is the new Menorquin campaign presented in the fall of 2009 in November during the Barcelona Boat Show. This campaign gives reasons why one should choose a Menorquin boat. Most important are that of stable navigation, relax sailing, easy manoeuvrability, max safety, fuel economy, and enjoyment of the boat during cruise. Obviously the MY145 Fly has all these features and more, being one of its latest designs. Its lower deck for example is spacious and the three cabin plan gives also better flexibility for those who cruise as a large family. You also get an exterior and living main deck where safe enjoyment is a total experience, thanks to safe bulwarks, and the settee to fore. The Menorquin MY145 Fly should be a first look if you want a traditional looking cruiser echoing the past with a canoe style stern, good comfortable spaces, and slow to medium economical cruising speeds.
Technical Data
LOA. 13.99 metres (45.8ft)
Waterline length. 13.82 metres
Beam. 4.50 metres
Draft. 1.12 metres
Displacement. 18.7 t
Fuel Capacity. 1 x 600, 1 x 785 litres
Water Capacity. 600 litres
Max Persons. 12
Accommodation. 4/5 guest berths in 2/3 cabins + 2 berths in convertible saloon
Engines. 2 x Volvo D4 300hp, D6 330hp, Yanmar 6LPA-STP 315hp, Cummins QSB5.9 330hp Propulsion. line shaft
Speed. 18 knots max, 14 knots cruise, 8 knots economic
Range. 245 nm at 14 knots,. long 684 nm at 8 knots
Hull Shape. Full keel semi displacement
Project. Tommaso Spadolini
Construction. vinilester resin with vacuum infusion method
Certification. CE A
Picture Copyright Menorquin. Data Menorquin.
Austin Parker are back with an ambitious project for three bigger models, all following the brands return with the AP42 Open in the fall of last year. These bigger projects will complete Austin Parker Traditional lobster looking line from 42 to 72 feet. Pictured above is the smallest of the new projects, the AP52 Open. This new model is presently under construction, and as the new Austin Parker's carries the signature of renowned yacht designer Fulvio de Simoni, who continues his inspiration as seen with the new 42 of a Lobster Yacht with modern architectural elements. Accommodation in the AP52 offers a three double cabin plan, with a crew berth aft. Interesting here is the owners suite to fore, with queen sized double berth looking to the side makes use of the bow flair, to add size and space similar to that of a full beam suite. Living area will be on the main deck with a C-shaped saloon, and galley just upon the entrance from the patio door. Power will be from twin 800hp MAN engines.
The second of the new projects is Austin Parker AP62 Fly which marks the builder entry into the flybridge world. Again designed by De Simoni the new AP62 Fly continues the cross over elements between tradition and modernity. The tradition shows off with the long forward deck, light flare bow, and shear line. While modernity sticks out with the big view windows mid ship, the aft deck which is quite high for lobster pots collection, and the curved topsides. Accommodation is for a three cabin head plan, with full beam owners stateroom located to midship. A single berth crew cabin with private shower head and separate aft deck entrance is located infront of the engine room. Power is from twin 900hp MAN engines.
Similar in looks to the AP62, the AP72 Fly projects resembles its smaller sister in the shown renderings displaying similar concepts inside and outside. Bigger more spacious is featured in every environment and this is expected with the AP72 Fly being three metres more in length, and one metre in beam to the smaller sister. Apart the size what the plans show are the four cabin head layout, bigger full beam owners suite with walking wardrobe, and double crew cabin located aft. Power for Austin Parker future flagship will be from twin 1360hp MAN engines. 
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