a comfortable bench-cum-lounger opposite the starboard upper
helm and the ubiquitous wetbar with grill, and ice box. The
position of choice for the fair weather sailor, the upper helm has
a multi-function Simrad display, angled tachos and the throttles
and IPS set-up for a right-handed pilot. Slightly separated from
the lounging area, the helm station has great all-round views,
particularly down to the bow to enable remote anchoring, or
even bow mooring to take advantage of the opening bow pulpit
that lends itself as a boarding ramp. The foredeck itself has dual
sun pads on the coachroof, double chain lockers and anchor
handling hardware.
The twin double staterooms on the accommodation deck is
accessed from a curved companionway to port of the lower
helm, dropping into a vestibule with plenty of natural light
courtesy of the windscreen above. Doors then lead off this foyer
into the full-beam master, VIP forepeak and day head. The
first thing to note in the VIP forepeak is the use of Alpi wood
cabinetry with stitched leather door pulls. Not revolutionary,
but offering a touch of bravado and yacht magic, especially
when combined with the pairs of stainless steel circular
portholes on either side, a retro superyacht touch rather than
production cruiser. Since full-beam suites are de rigeur these
days, its hard to remember when they weren’t – oh yes, shaft
drives. With the IPS pods slung well aft, and their power units
sitting above, the master suite takes the bounty of the space
with 1.9 metres of headroom and natural light from the split-
circle topside portlights. The fairing of the hull is leveraged
by long counters set under the windows, making the space
feel bigger than it is, and providing fantastic relaxing areas to
watch the world go by at waterlevel. The ensuite heads includes
a bi-fold shower door to maximise space while allowing fee
movement out of the unit.
An IPS-maximised design, The MC4 is designed around the
twin 370-hp IPS500 pods which use D6 Volvo Penta diesels
turning DuoProp outdrives. As an efficient and now, time
proven propulsion system, the real advantages are of course the
integrated joystick manoeuvring in port, combining optional
bowthruster and pods together.
At almost 13 tons, the MC4 feels solid enough to take offshore,
particularly with the confidence of its fine stem entry and long
waterline length on 15-degrees of deadrise for efficiency.
With a top speed of just over 30 knots and cruising at 22 knots,
expect a range of 225 nautical miles, a healthy passage for a
family cruiser.LOA:
Beam:
Draft:
Air Draught:
Fuel capacity:
Engines:
Dealer:
Tel:
Web:13.8 metres
4.06 metres
1.15 metres
5.44 metres
1,100 litres
2 x Volvo IPS 500
Duboats
+971 4399 4554
http://www.duboats.comSpecificationsMC4
to reduce companionway obstruction when not in
service. Storage is available under the moveable sofa
cushion, and a flatscreen TV can be set to port allowing
full view from the settee.
You can often tell a lot about the intended owner by the
lower helm position, and with the MC4 one being an elevated
comfortable bench for two, but without any personalization
for longer trip, it is definitely more a family-orientated cruiser
than for charter. Soft pastels reduce glare through the picture
windows that offer amazing view of proceedings, though the
visibility to the sides is reduced when sat at the helm by the
overhead cornice and window frames. Throttles and IPS are
nicely spaced to starboard, while twin Simrad displays
chart progress.
Who can beat the elevated status of flybridge culture?
With narrow side decks and only a slight inversion from the
superstructure, the flybridge makes full use of the MC4’s four-
metre beam with a U-shaped sofa served by a solid wood table,
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