on 20 Sep 2021
The Monte Carlo Yachts 76 is a semi-custom, four-stateroom yacht that offers a lot of choices for each owner. The 23-metre yacht we reviewed was customised for a European owner. The MCY 76 is of a size that an owner-operator could command her and is large enough to be comfortable anywhere aboard
Monte Carlo Yachts was established in 2008, and their very first model was the 76.
With backing from Groupe Beneteau, Monte Carlo Yachts has embarked on revising the 66, 70, and now 76-footers in their stable. The “second generation” yachts all have similar design objectives: larger windows to add light and more volume both inside and out for entertainment areas, with a mission to provide a direct and more evocative relationship with the outside world and the ocean. Every MCY 76 is semi-custom, with design by Nuvolari Lenard, Monte Carlo Yachts’ exclusive designers.
Monte Carlo Yachts are built in Monfalcone, Italy, at a 45,000-square metre facility using airline industry build techniques, such as aluminium grid supports and modular assembly.
The massive flybridge offers all the amenities and plenty of room, and it has flexible seating arrangements
Fibreglass parts are made with a resin-infusion process. Kevlar, carbon fibre, steel, and aluminium reinforcements are added to keep weight down and enhance structural integrity.
With twin 1400-hp MAN V-12 engines powering our test boat, we reached a top speed of 25.7 knots at 2300 rpm. That speed translated into 0.2 nautical miles per gallon (0.756 nautical miles per litre), and that stayed constant right down to 1750 rpm and 17.5 knots, working out to a range of 270 nautical miles at that speed. Dropping to 10 knots produces a range of 779.3 nautical miles.
Sound at the lower helm was an unbelievably low 59 dB at idle (600 rpm), topping out at 68 decibels at 25.9 knots. She has the responsiveness of the large yacht she is, so nothing happens fast. Nor should it.
The flybridge is huge and is one of the best-selling points of the boat, as it is among the largest in class in terms of surface area
The MCY 76 standard engines can be upgraded from 2x 1400HP to 2x 1550HP
The flybridge is huge and is one of the best-selling points of the boat, as it is among the largest in class in terms of surface area. To starboard is an outdoor galley with an electric grill and refrigeration just beneath.
Across is the main gathering area, which includes a settee behind double tables of solid teak. They are easily expandable with the addition of a centre section, also solid teak. Forward and to starboard is a settee wrapping around another solid teak table on a high-low pedestal, and aft is a large open sundeck.
The finish on the outdoor galley is gloss-lacquered wood with stylised detail work. The settee can accommodate eight adults. Both tables are on high-low pedestals and are electrically activated, together in this case, separately is optional.
The aft deck shows the fine build quality
New for this model is the introduction of the lateral structure supporting the hardtop at 2.13 metres off the deck. It’s a result of the lessons learned from the 105 and 96, and it eliminates the need for a centre support that really intrudes on the usable space under the overhead. Now, we have a full 360-degrees of view in addition to the added space. The opening sunroof operates surprisingly quickly.
The entertainment area on the aft deck has a solid teak table on an electrically adjustable pedestal.
At the port and starboard sides of the aft deck, there are large cleats behind heavy-duty rollers mounted in stainless steel and integrated into the cap rails. A warping winch is alongside with a foot control at deck level. Excess line storage is under a teak hatch just forward.
Just ahead is a control station, allowing for a full view of not only the stern but the whole port side. It includes engine controls and sticks for the bow and stern thruster, all housed in a stainless-steel recess.
The full beam master benefits from the quiet running of the MCY76
The bow area continues to be a unique gathering area on Monte Carlo Yachts. Accessed from a protected Portuguese-style bridge, it features a large seating area consisting of two semi-circular settees and two pedestal tables on adjustable pedestals that can be electrically lowered and filled in with a cushion to create a sunlounge. A sunscreen can be supported by carbon-fibre stanchions.
In the salon, open space is highlighted with high two-metre headroom and plenty of natural light. This was designed as a family boat, so we have plenty of living space, a separate dining area, and a fully featured galley accessed by crew only.
For a garage option, the bulkhead is moved forward to accommodate tenders and water toys, and the transom opens garage-door style
The elegant helm station
A 50-inch TV drops down from the overhead. All climate-control vents are hidden behind the whitewashed oak valances, along with indirect lighting. To starboard, there is a dining area with a marble table that seats six before another massive window.
There are three ensuite staterooms, plus a full-beam master and crew quarters with galley and a private captain’s cabin.
The spacious engine room can be accessed from the swim platform, via the lazarette or through the crew quarters. The twin 1400-horsepower MAN V-12 engines can be upgraded to twin 1550-horsepower MAN V-12 diesels.
The main salon has over two-metre headroom
A bulkhead separates the engine room from the lazarette, which in this case, is dedicated to mechanical storage. For a garage option, the bulkhead is moved forward to accommodate tenders and water toys, and the transom opens garage-door style.
Late last year, Monte Carlo Yachts also revealed an enclosed flybridge version of the 76, the MCY 76 Skylounge. Monte Carlo Yachts has certainly met their design goals with more space, more light, and more choices, creating an elegant home-away-from-home for extended stays.
Regional Monte Carlo Yachts dealer Asia Yachting brought Asia’s first MCY 76 into Hong Kong in June 2021, and she is available for immediate delivery.
Courtesy of BoatTEST.com
Technical specifications: MCY 76
LOA: 23.06m
Beam: 5.75m
Displacement: 52t dry
Draft: 1.85m
Fuel capacity: 5,000l
Water capacity: 1,000l
Engines:
2 x MAN V12 (1400 hp)
2 x MAN V12 (1550 hp)
Maximum speed: 30kn
Cruise speed: 24kn
Naval architecture and engineering: Monte Carlo Yachts
Exterior and interior design: Nuvolari Lenard