It was fun and refreshing to go out on a motor yacht that embraces style, purpose and elegance.
The Menorquín 54 HT design knows what it’s about. With a Mediterranean pedigree – an area known for its, at times, boisterous seas and weather – this vessel is built in Menorca, one of the Balearic islands off the coast of Spain.
Marrying traditional, proven hull shapes of earlier times with modern technology, Sasga Yachts have managed to design motor yachts with a combination of beauty and performance. The culmination is the Menorquín range of vessels, which are built using a resin-infused process to create a light but strong hull.
The range includes 34ft, 42ft, 54ft and 68ft vessels, provided in hardtop (HT) or flybridge versions – except the 68ft model, which is flybridge only.
The Menorquín 54 HT sits near the upper end of the range and, according to Bruce McGill from Sasga Yachts NZ, is intended for the discerning boat owner who has a passion for the sea and wants a very personal vessel.
Boating New Zealand has previously reviewed the 34 HT and 42 HT. This 54 HT arrived in the middle of the year and has already been sold. McGill has had a chance to test the boat in 25 knots of wind in the Hauraki Gulf, affirming that she performs well and is a very dry ship in a seaway.
On arriving at the marina, the Menorquín 54 HT stood out as an imposing vessel, beamy with plenty of height at the rail. A rounded transom tucks neatly into the rear duckboard , which on this vessel holds the tender in purpose-built chocks.
An easy step aboard – and up a few steps onto the rear deck where large teak decks flow easily around the cabin giving wide and clear access along the vessel to the bow. There are plenty of substantial cleats for docking lines – always handy when coming into a new berth with a range of different length lines.
We took the boat out in a light to moderate northerly wind. Easing out of the marina berth in Westhaven, a light touch with the bow thruster had us easily turning upwind and heading down the fairway.
The boat feels like a large boat underway, its 24 tonnes just gliding along, powered by twin Volvo D6-480hp diesels with shaft drives.
Once out past the 12-knot zone we were able to come up to cruising speed as we headed past Bean Rock to Motuihe Island.
With the drone for company, we could see the way the hull’s fine entry gently curved the water out and around the hull, leaving a clean wake.
“The Sasga Yachts Menorquín’s semi-displacement hull design allows them to glide through the water efficiently with engines half the horsepower of similar sized production monohulls,” explained McGill.
We were sitting comfortably at just over 17 knots at 3000rpm. The steering was light and visibility from the helm was excellent, with large windows all around the cabin. Good sound insulation and closing the rear door made for a very quiet interior underway.
Full speed was just over 23 knots, although Bruce said 15 to 17 knots was a good cruising speed, balancing fuel burn versus speed. Bruce said he was using a combined total of 113 litres per hour at 17 knots. With fuel tanks holding 2800 litres, that’s a cruising range of over 400 nautical miles.
The twin throttle controls synced the engine speeds, and with a clear track ahead we engaged the Raymarine autopilot.
The helm station is set up with twin 16-inch Raymarine Axiom Pro HybridTouch displays, Zipwake trim tab controls, anchor rode counter and simple toggle switches in a nice timber panel that affords plenty of space for ease of reading. The varnished timber wheel is a nice touch.
The bow thrusters have proportional toggle controls and the ability to lock them on with a top button. This allows the skipper to hold a constant side force while manoeuvring, but leaves the hands free for other actions.
Very soon we were dropping anchor at Motuihe, with the Lofrans anchor winch operated from the helm station. A short anchor platform keeps the anchor clear of the hull for deployment and retrieval.
The foredeck area is large and clear, with small side seats either side of the winch – a good position to sit in a seaway, keeping low and safe. You notice the nod to the Menorquín’s Mediterranean heritage with a forward stem post.
Behind the winch is a large locker, which can be optioned as a small Captain’s cabin, depending on the layout chosen.
The forward cabin top has sun squabs – plenty of lounging area here. On this model, it is set up with optional pull-over sun covers so the squabs can be permanently left in position – handy when back on the dock, saving stowage space.
The hardtop supports the Radar dome and TV receiver, VHF and AIS aerials.
With the anchor down and the boat gently resting under the picturesque Motuihe pine trees, it was time for coffee and scones, and a chance to enjoy the ambience of the saloon.
The vessel certainly has a beautiful aesthetic – particularly the sheerline, the purposeful cabin, and the white boot-topping rising towards the bow.
Layout options
This vessel is the galley-up, three-cabin version without the separate skippers’ cabin forward. This option gives the largest master stateroom.
Alternatively, you can choose to have the galley down, with the master cabin forward.
The rear entertainment deck is large and covered by the hardtop overhang. Overhead downlighting provides nice ambient light in the evening and there are rolldown sides for those rainy or windy days.
On the starboard quarter a door gives access to the boarding platform which lowers hydraulically to allow the tender to float off, as well as providing convenient swimming or diving water access. A boarding ladder is concealed under a cover to starboard when not in use.
The only additions added in New Zealand are staples either side on the duckboard for mounting bait boards or a portable BBQ.
Moving into the saloon through varnished natural teak cabin doors – varnished Iroko doors are standard – you’ll find the well-equipped galley to port. It sports an electric oven and hobs, Isotherm fridge and bench-top fridge/freezer, as well as an additional freezer under the helm seat. There’s also a dishwasher under the Corian-style benchtop.
To starboard is a generous settee and table which can be lowered to give two extra berths if required. There is also good flow onto the rear deck when both bifold doors are open. A popup television is housed in the cabinetry to port.
The master suite is on the lower level aft and extends the full width of the vessel. It is a particularly beautiful space with the white oak decape timber reflecting the light from the side windows. A comfortable settee to port ,with a porthole adjacent, provides the perfect spot to retire and read that book that’s been waiting for you. My imagination is starting to run away with me!
The master ensuite is situated to port and has a generous separate shower.
Moving forward, the day head with shower is on the starboard side with a twin single berth cabin forward to starboard.
The guest suite, also with ensuite, is in the forepeak. It’s very generous in size, with access around the sides of the double bed and ample storage in drawers and hanging lockers.
Headroom throughout the vessel is excellent, certainly over 6ft 6” (1.9m) and over 7ft (2.13m) in places. This adds to the feeling of spaciousness inside, no doubt helped by the Menorquin’s high topsides and wide beam at deck level.
Noticeable were the extensive robust handholds throughout the vessel – very useful in a seaway and an indication of the designers’ experience with real-life boating.
Engine room
The engines are located under the rear deck and are accessed through hatches in the floor; a smaller one for routine maintenance checks and a larger one ,operated hydraulically, should access be required for larger items.
The rear deck table hinges up when the large hatch is opened.
The large engine room has ample space for a combination washing/drying machine, 9Kw Kohler generator, water maker and general storage.
Packages
The Menorquín 54 HT can be fitted out with a range of optional equipment. Sasga Yachts have a comfort pack and a factory pack containing a checklist of options.
This vessel tested had a lot of the optional equipment, such as TV, stern and bow thrusters, air conditioning, washing machine, watermaker etc. The price of the vessel will obviously depend upon the options selected, the current exchange rate and shipping costs.
Chrisy Bird from Sasga Yachts NZ says that an option to consider for a potential purchaser is to take delivery in Europe and enjoy the diverse and amazing cruising ground that is the Mediterranean. Then, either ship the vessel home, or undertake the passage back to New Zealand yourselves. This offers savings on the cost of ship transport to help fund the journey. All you need is the time and the desire for an adventure!
Saga Yachts have a new Menorquin 54 arriving in mid-January 2023. Based on my experience with the vessel today, I am sure it will readily find a new owner.
Much to like
The Menorquín 54 HT has a lot to like about it. Its no-fuss operating systems, graceful, elegant lines, quality build, beautiful finish and generous cabin spaces are the icing on the cake for a motor yacht built for the sea – and a discerning owner, of course.
