monte carlo yachts 65 review

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Monte Carlo 66: Stylish cruiser is much more than just a pretty face

• Credit: Monte Carlo Yachts
• The MCY 66 is not just a spruced up 65, but an all new boat with a fresh hull design Credit: Monte Carlo Yachts
• The palatial foredeck is a standout feature of the MCY 66 Credit: Monte Carlo Yachts
• The cockpit is well protected by the flybridge overhang Credit: Monte Carlo Yachts
• Clean lines and light decor give a cool beachy vibe to the saloon Credit: Monte Carlo Yachts
• The steering wheel is in a good place when standing but too far away if seated Credit: Monte Carlo Yachts
• Headroom is excellent in the master and the floor space is flat Credit: Monte Carlo Yachts
• The bathrooms are filled with classy detailing Credit: Monte Carlo Yachts
• Top stories

The luxury arm of the Beneteau Group has always offered something different, but the new Monte Carlo 66 is one of its best yet

Monte Carlo Yachts has never been a shipyard to conform to the status quo. The unique styling and modular construction technique alone ensure that the boats stand out amongst the mainstream competition.

The Monte Carlo 66 swoops in to replace the MCY 65 as the smallest model in the range and the one that has to offer the class and refinement promised by the most luxurious branch of the Beneteau Group tree for the least amount of money.

The 65 was a fine-looking machine and, if anything, the Monte Carlo 66 is even better. The profile is cleaner, the lines are muscular but elegant, and its covered side decks and delicately integrated hardtop give the appearance of a boat bigger than it actually is.

The MCY 66 is not just a spruced up 65, but an all new boat with a fresh hull design

It’s unmistakable and retains the recognisable Monte Carlo Yachts cues of flared bow, circular hull windows and the clam shell outline of the superstructure but, for a craft of 66ft (20.11m) in length and 36 tonnes (dry), has a tightness and proportional balance unique amongst rivals. In a world of high-sided floating apartments the Monte Carlo 66 is a breath of fresh air.

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The designers, Dan Lenard and Carlo Nuvolari, refer to evolution not revolution, but the boat is no mere spruce up of the existing 65, it is an all-new boat from top to bottom with a fresh hull design and a flybridge deck that is now the size of the previous 70ft model’s.

In most areas the Monte Carlo 66 feels larger than it is, partly down to the use of high quality, robust components and the intelligent foredeck, and partly due to the volume of the hull and the headroom this delivers within the accommodation.

Headroom is excellent in the master and the floor space is flat

The materials are a class above too, especially the likes of purple Calcutta marble on the galley tops and saloon table. Expensive flourishes that stop short of going full Mar-a-Lago but add a sprinkle of stardust that will be appreciated by those with an eye for interiors. This boat is thoughtfully detailed throughout, even down to the tiniest cupboard door handle and lavish mix of materials on show in the master suite .

The big boat feeling continues in the cockpit where the flybridge overhang, double access points from the bathing platform, substantial mooring gear and space for free-standing chairs around the table add to the impression that you’ve stepped aboard a bigger craft.

This, after all, is a range that started life with the MCY 76 and has a MCY 105 as its flagship so Monte Carlo Yachts knows a thing or two about building boats on such a scale and wants customers buying a Monte Carlo 66 to share the same ownership experience as one who has ordered a 105.

The palatial foredeck is a standout feature of the MCY 66

In places the boat truly does feel like a scaled down 105, namely on the flat foredeck with its plethora of lounging options. It’s hard to choose between the deck spaces because they all offer something a little different. The cockpit is well protected and within easy reach of the aft galley in the saloon.

The flybridge feels vast and is versatile thanks to the sunroof embedded within the hardtop and a wetbar with all the amenities needed to keep guests fed and watered. Our test boat had space for free-standing furniture at the aft end of the flybridge but you could (and I would) opt for some low-slung fixed seating here because in reality you’re not going to want to wrestle with sunloungers every time you want to catch the sun.

And the foredeck is quite possibly the finest in the class – apart from the Galeon 640 , which is in a class all of its own. Its Portuguese bridge allows easy passage from deck to deck and the central walkway has a superyacht feel about it. The entire area can be shaded with a Bedouin-style canvas and it’s an ideal spot for some secluded sundowners if you’re moored stern to the quay.

Clean lines and light decor give a cool beachy vibe to the saloon

The main deck has a cool, beachy vibe thanks to a décor featuring a light palette with dark highlights in the flooring and Venetian blinds. Light sycamore makes up the bulk of the woodwork and it lends brightness to an interior that is already endowed with a generous supply of natural light thanks to those massive saloon windows.

There isn’t as much natural light on the lower deck but intelligent use of indirect artificial lighting offers inviting warmth. The full-beam master suite feels huge and is without obstructions on the floor or overhead until you get close to the aft end. There is space for a stylish vanity station in the entrance hall and the walk around bed is flanked by a sofa and chest of drawers.

The bathrooms are filled with classy detailing

Those elevated details spring out down here, like the rose gold wraps on the drawer and cupboard handles and the chunky, leather-encased handhold that runs from floor to ceiling on the bathroom bulkhead. Inconsequential on their own maybe but combined with the feel of the bits that you come into contact with they really make a difference.

The bathroom is lovely and features a washbasin seemingly carved out of the Corian counter, subtle down-lighting, and a shower cubicle large enough to include a seat.

Guest accommodation comprises a VIP ensuite forward and a twin cabin to starboard, which also has an ensuite, though it plays the part of day heads too. The VIP is obviously the pick of the guest cabins but the twin is as well finished as the double cabins and has a decent amount of natural light thanks to its attractive round portholes.

For crew there is a well-appointed twin cabin aft, with shower and toilet, accessed via a door in the transom. It’s compact, so not ideal for long periods at sea, but will do the job for the occasional overnight stay.

Both helm stations suffer the same pitfalls of not enough adjustment and driving positions that do little to engage the person at the helm. This is a boat set up for cruising that will spend most of its life on autopilot, but it wouldn’t hurt to add some adjustment to the seats so the helmsman can sit closer to the major controls.

The annoyances melt away once cruising though – the meaty yet refined MAN 1,200hp V8s effortlessly driving the Monte Carlo 66 through the water with very little to disturb the peace on board. Even at its 26-knot cruising speed, sound levels remain well below 70 decibels and there is such effortlessness to its progress that long journeys won’t feel a chore.

The steering wheel is in a good place when standing but too far away if seated

Though 30 knots is a perfectly achievable top speed it’s the low to mid twenties where the boat feels most comfortable, and at a laid-back cruise of 22 knots the engines are using a combined 293 litres per hour.

It’s worth pointing out that these figures were achieved with half load and 14 people on board (the joys of a group press sea trial) but it’s to the credit of the Monte Carlo 66 that its living spaces coped so well with such a number of bodies on board.

If time is of the essence then a 29-knot cruising speed will return nearly 200 miles of range with a 20% reserve and, even then, noise is contained to just 70 decibels at the lower helm.

The yard offers fin or gyro stabilisers on the 66 but the benign conditions of our sea trial did little to prompt the use of the Seakeeper fitted to the test boat. The fuel tanks are mounted amidships and as low as they can possibly be in the hull so weight distribution is good, meaning the boat has a comfortable natural running attitude without the need to rely on the trim tabs.

Price as reviewed:

£1,750,000.00 ex. VAT

It’s 11 years since the first Monte Carlo Yachts model hit the water yet if feels like a brand that has been around for decades, given how quickly it has caught up with the established yards and elbowed its way into the market place. Fabrizio Iarrera, the managing director of MCY who was poached from Azimut/Benetti, spoke during our test of giving customers a reason to stray from the brands they were familiar with and how that begins with the aesthetic. If buyers love how a boat looks, that’s half the battle. This still rings true with the MCY 66 but it’s far more than just a pretty face, it’s impressively well engineered, cleverly laid out and the interior is appointed with a unique flair. If you really enjoy driving your boat then Princess and Sunseeker will build you a 65ft flybridge with more engaging dynamics and driver-focused ergonomics but the Monte Carlo 66 is an accomplished long distance cruiser, with a style all of its own that really stands out from the crowd.

LOA: 66ft 0in (20.11m) Beam: 17ft 0in (5.2m) Draught: 4ft 1in (1.24m) Displacement: 38 tonnes (light) Fuel capacity: 3,500 litres Water capacity: 750 litres RINA class: A for 14 people Test engines: Twin MAN V8-1200hp Top speed: 31 knots Cruising speed: 21.8 knots Consumption: 293lph Range: 208 miles Noise: 64 dB(A) Design: Nuvolari Lenard & Monte Carlo Yachts

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65′ Monte Carlo Yachts BoatTest.com Video Review

BoatTest.com reviews the 65′ Monte Carlo Yachts . Contact Justin Onofrietti at 954.770.5281 for more info on pricing and availability.

Monte Carlo Yachts 66 Review: The Art of Living at Sea

This new Monte Carlo Yachts 66 combines smart and elegant design with functionality, and has everything it takes to become the next classic

The new Monte Carlo Yachts 66 may be a yacht of simple, classic design, but that simplicity is in no way just a lazy way out: studio Nuvolari Lenard have this time put accent on function, but that doesn’t mean aesthetic is less important.

Monte Carlo Yachts 66 design

Recognizable round portholes, somewhat more rounded, softer lines than on her predecessor MCY 65 , and carbon hard top that seems to float above the superstructure work together to make the redesigned model an instant classic.

Still, it take a lot more than looks to become a classic, and the MCY 66 has it all. Monte Carlo Yachts pride themselves on treating all their models equally – big and small alike – and the interior of this model proves they take that rule seriously.

Designed to perfection, the interior is functional above all, comfortable in every aspect, flooded with natural light that seeps in through two large glass side panels, and decorated in carefully selected natural materials like wood, Italian marble and leather.

All the models enjoy the same luxurious style, which is one of the reasons for the popularity of the brand among new owners, but also experienced ones looking to invest in timeless quality, lasting value, something to leave to the next generation.

Always looking to add to that value, the brand based the redesign on several key features, and one of them is optimization of space. On the Monte Carlo Yachts 66, space is carefully divided into well connected sections: the galley is separated from the outdoor aft lounge by a glass wall, and open toward the interior salon, meaning they all blend into one large, inviting space.

Glossy lacquered wood, white furniture and plenty of natural light make that space feel even more generous, as does the smart, simple style based on fine materials that feel and look equally good, as well as luxury details that lift the décor to a higher level.

Functional and elegant interior

Below deck, there is enough space for three cabins and three bathrooms, but more importantly – the entire lower deck is a pleasant, inviting space that immediately brings to mind rest and relaxation.

As on the main deck, luxurious accents are few, and smartly placed. The owner’s cabin is a true showcase for the brand’s new aesthetic: functional, simple, elegant, spacious enough for a relaxing corner with a sofa, a cosmetic table, and a private head as large as the cabin next to it.

Designers of the studio Nuvolari Lenard were just as inspired when creating the exterior of the yacht. The lines of the hull and the superstructure are beautiful and timeless, and more importantly, they allow for generously sized sun beds and salons. The carbon hard top supported by a sturdy, but almost invisible structure, allows the eye to roam all around, so guests can enjoy the view of the nature surrounding them.

Real joy to pilot

The skipper also enjoys excellent view in all directions, and the MCY 66 is a real joy to pilot, especially at top speed, or when changing direction at high speed. The hull is steady, handles commands with precision and poise.

During our test, we were especially delighted to find out the salon is absolutely quiet in navigation, and the two might MAN 1000-hp engines perform their duty gently and without vibrations. The new Monte Carlo Yachts 66 reaches top speed of 31 knots, cruises efficiently at 12 knots and sails peacefully, promising a relaxing yachting experience.

As beautiful and as smartly designed as she is, Monte Carlo Yachts 66 is first and foremost a true sailing lover’s yacht, graceful on waves, ready to slice the sea without a hiccup, sailing in silence. This classy classic is a sailing masterpiece, made possible by combining yacht-building tradition and passion for excellence.

Text Filip Bubalo

Photos & Video Monte Carlo Yachts

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• By Dag Pike
• Updated: January 30, 2014

What do you do when your parent company has successfully launched four different powerboat lines? Well, if you’re Monte Carlo Yachts (MCY), a subsidiary of Group Beneteau, you launch a fifth one that is nothing like the others.

Carla Demaria is the brains behind Monte Carlo Yachts, a boatbuilder that was developed to bring Italian style and larger motoryachts into the parent business’ stable. Once MCY established itself with flybridge models like the 65 and 70, Demaria became the head of both Monte Carlo Yachts and Beneteau Power. She soon discovered the full potential of an in-development series called MC. It’s a midsize yacht line that bridges the gap between the existing Monte Carlo Yachts and Beneteau-branded powerboats. Her goal became finalizing the yacht’s modified, deep-V hull form, bringing in some Italian flair and ­creating a new cruiser concept. And the first one is a 49-footer called the MC5.

It’s worth looking at that hull design that started the MC line. It’s basically a V-shaped hull that transitions to a 12-degree transom deadrise, but the innovative part was extending and deepening the V as it runs forward. At the bow, it joins the stem at a near right angle instead of the normal rounded forefoot. This produces the fashionable vertical stem at the bow, but conventional wisdom suggests that such a design will not handle well in a following sea because the bow will dig in. I wondered how the Volvo Penta IPS-driven MC5 would perform in the prevailing spirited seas.

The conditions off Cannes, France, featured wind-generated waves from the east and a considerable legacy swell coming in from the southwest, creating confused and challenging 3- to 6-foot seas. Running into the waves before we encountered the swell, the MC5 behaved impeccably, slicing and dicing. The hull lifted onto plane with little change in trim, and the ride was dry and well under control with little slamming from the chines because of the extended fine entry.

The challenge came in the following seas when the legacy swell was the dominant wave pattern. I was concerned that the bow would dig into the waves. While I ran the MC5 at 20 knots with the big swell on the quarter, probably the worst conditions for a vessel with this hull form, the steering took a bit more wheel to keep on course, but there was no cause for alarm. With the IPS, I was steering with propeller thrust, and this worked well when combined with the excellent directional stability of the hull. Overall, it was a solid, stable ride.

At all times the boat felt composed, and I realized that underneath the eye-catching styling there was a sound and sensible hull design. The MC5’s top speed was just a shade faster than 28 knots, and, as expected, the control in the following seas improved as the speed was increased. As per usual with IPS drives, low-speed maneuverability was precise, especially with the optional joystick control.

My test vessel’s twin 435 hp Volvo Penta IPS600 diesels and IPS drives are fitted in an engine compartment that is spacious and accessible, even with an aft crew cabin, which is accessed through a hatch built into the cockpit’s transom settee. If you don’t want the cabin here, the space serves as a lazarette. There is no garage because tender stowage is on the high-low swim platform.

As for the styling, her Italian influence is quite evident. This yacht’s pale-­turquoise hull contrasted starkly with the black trim of her flybridge. Her profile is somewhat upright, emphasized by that vertical bow, but her sloping windscreen relieves this and the style grows on you. Instead of hull windows, the designers used traditional portholes with large ports, allowing generous amounts of light into the master cabin.

Although there is a strong styling focus, the MC5 has many practical features. For instance, the cockpit and salon are on the same level, which makes for easy movement about the boat and adds to the feeling of openness. Handholds are plentiful for secure movement about the boat, and the side decks are wide enough for you to walk up to the foredeck in comfort. With the galley located aft on the main deck, it’s readily accessible from either the cockpit or the salon. The designers have gone to great pains to hide the fact that this is a galley when it is not in use, and there are even foldaway taps at the sink.

The MC5’s salon features large windows that offer great vistas even when guests are seated. A fold-out, leather-covered table can be raised or lowered, and on the port side of the forward area is a series of lockers for convenient stowage.

Her belowdecks space is not quite as abundant. The three cabins feel a bit squeezed in, a reminder that this is only a 49-footer, but they’re still comfortable. The forward VIP is particularly inviting, but most of the space is occupied by the bed. This cabin shares its head with the twin-bunk cabin abaft it and to starboard. Each bunk has its own porthole.

A master cabin with en suite head lies under the salon, and while there is 6-foot-6-inch headroom around the bed, it’s limited over the bed because the salon floor drops down above it. Because of the hull’s V-shape, the cabin sinks down into it and there are varying floor heights to contend with. Round hull-side windows about 3 feet in diameter are a great feature that bring in abundant natural light. Throughout this yacht’s interior, the MC5’s style quotient combines a restful mix of stained oak wood, quality fabrics and textured coverings with dark-brown leather trim.

Her flybridge is huge and has all the required features for entertaining at sea, including optional barbecue counters and an icebox. At the single helm seat, there is a commanding view and room on the console for your electronics. The reverse-angle windscreen, however, does not offer a lot of protection, so you get a real feeling of the performance up here.

Visibility from the starboard-side lower helm is restricted from about 45 degrees to amidships, both at speed and at idle, by a composite window frame that supports the single-piece windshield. There is an opening window to the starboard side that helps. The single-lever electronic controls are easily reached and palmed by a right hand. Twin Simrad displays as well as the engine instrumentation can be seen with a quick glance.

Monte Carlo has done a great job executing this combination of style and performance, from the helm setup to the ocean-taming hull design. So often performance in lively seas takes second place, but that’s where the MC5 shines. She may be a midsize yacht, but her build, ride and style say big boat all day long.

Monte Carlo Yachts, 954-763-3971; mon­­tecarloyachts.it

This article first appeared in the December 2013 issue of Yachting .

Click here to read more about Monte Carlo Yachts.

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MONTE CARLO

Yacht charter, introducing.

Monte Carlo Yachts makes the most elegant eye-catching single hull yacht in the world,

and the MCY65 is no exception. "Remedy" is a late-model 2018 yacht

available to discerning boaters for marina use, day cruises and weekly charters.