Trade-A-Boat — December 2017

Beneteau Monte Carlo 6S

facts & figures

PRICED FROM

¤1,237,048 (review boat, ex-factory,

ex-tax)

GENERAL

MATERIAL GRP (solid under waterline

and balsa core above)

TYPE Semi-displacement

LOA 18.35 m

BEAM 4.88 m

DRAFT 1.17m

AIR DRAFT 6.02m

WEIGHT 19,628 kg

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE 7 (night)

FUEL 2200lt

WATER 800lt

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL 2 Cummins/Zeus QSC

8.3 pod gearbox

RATED HP 600HP, six cylinders

GENERATOR 17.5kVA Cummins-Onan

MANUFACTURED BY

DESIGN Nuvolari & Leonard

INTERIOR Andreani Design

AUSTRALIAN DEALER http://www.

sundancemarine.com.au

TEL 1300 55 0089

second roller would be good for serious
cruising though. Then it’s just a matter
of clicking a button, to summon the
two teak sun loungers from the deck
which I adjusted to my slim frame,
before clicking the pop-up mood
lights. The final touch for daytime
would be the optional Bedouin awning
that shades without catching too much
of the breeze; stylish, like much else on
the MC6S.

BUILT FOR POD DRIVES
Engine maker Cummins was chosen,
as its 600HP motors were deemed
the best for this 60-foot hull, and the
rear-facing propellers are arguably less
prone to damage than the forward-
facing Volvos. Climbing down from
the hatch in the rear cockpit to check
them out showed a fairly traditional
engine room with sufficient workspace
around the motors, pod drive
gearboxes, wall-mounted electrics and
17.5kVA generator; along with twin
stainless fuel tanks located inboard
and forward. Stored power comes
from eight 12V batteries (four engine
batteries: 50 amp/hour + four service
batteries producing 140 amp/hour).
Bilge depth is sufficient to withstand
a deluge and filters are high up on
the transom bulkhead which is well
soundproofed. Alongside the engine
room is another locker for the life raft
and behind all this are crew quarters
with single bunk and toilet. Beneteau’s
efficient production line means
these boats are built economically,
using infused GRP with balsa-cored
sandwich, incorporating a solid
fibreglass grid for structural integrity.

BARCELONA SEA TRIAL
The imposing cliffs that towered above
me as we edged out of Port Ginesta
lacked the glamour of the French
Riviera, a more apt backdrop for the
stylish Monte Carlo 6S, but there was
enough breeze to create wave motion
as we sped north towards Barcelona.
Snug in the leather-clad Besenzoni
skipper’s seat that cushioned what
little motion the calm Mediterranean
could generate, the Spanish coast
whizzed past as we reached a cruising
speed of 16 knots. At this rate the six-

cylinder Cummins were burning about

167lt in total – giving a 220-mile range.

Fairly low noise levels allowed our

seven crew to talk easily as I banked

into some turns, while the MC6S dug

her chine in a few degrees, giving me

confidence to go for some tight circles

which showed predictable handling

and inspired acceleration as the tall

silhouettes of distant Barcelona came

into view. Returning to the harbour,

I slowed for a departing fishing boat

so clicked on the Skyhook/GPS fitted

to automatically hold station while

we deployed the fenders. Then edged

forward towards the entrance, clicking

the bow thruster on to adjust for the

windage, before edging the MC6S

towards the narrow berth. It’s in these

confines that the joystick controls

and Zeus pods shine. Simply twist the

joystick to turn the boat while choosing

high or low power modes as you

approach the dock – always good for

marital harmony.

tradeboats.com.au 37

Beneteau Monte Carlo 6S