Cruisers Yachts 390 Express Coupe

By John Armstrong

We had the pleasure of being invited to the Cruisers Yachts Dealer meeting in Sturgeon Bay last July where we were introduced to their new 390 Express Coupe. We were privy to the specs on the boat prior to the meeting, but on seeing this boat in the water in real time, I was awestruck.

We are excited to be among the very first to bring you news about Cruisers Yachts’ new 390 Express Coupe, a boat that exudes innovation, style, comfort, and – as I discovered – delivers outstanding performance as well.

Having been around boats all my life, I tried to compare their new 390 to any similar model from a competitor, but none came to mind. The Cruisers design team has hit another home run. When you board, you will be amazed at the room and ease of maneuvering – from the swim platform until you are standing on the forepeak.

The 390 has the largest cockpit of any boat in this segment, offering upscale entertaining space and expansive below deck cruising amenities below.

“We knew that in order to fully accommodate the wants and needs of our customers, we had to think beyond the traditional express segment,” said Mark Pedersen, president of KCS International Inc. “Ultimately, our goal was to achieve the best above deck day boating accommodations under forty feet while still providing spacious living quarters below. To do so, we needed to create a new segment and set a new industry standard. We are proud of the superior craftsmanship that went into designing and executing this vessel.”

Across the transom are comfortable, aft-facing seats with storage inside for the shore power cords and a utility compartment for fenders and other lines. You board from the integrated, full-beam swim platform through a centre-transom gate that changes to a port side entrance when the port L-shaped settee is slid across to starboard. The seats then form one huge wraparound seating area giving comfortable dining space for six adults or a huge living room. It’s all about entertaining and comfort on the water!

The test boat had the optional power-activated fold down backrests for tanning. Owners may also opt for the sun lounge package, which includes a cockpit table and filler cushions making this a class-leading sun lounge. Adding it up, this cockpit and helm area offers 157 square feet of practical and sumptuous one-level entertaining space. The boat feels far larger than you would expect in 39 feet.

Emphasizing the amazing accommodations, the Cruisers Yachts 390 Express Coupe can be ordered with the largest sunroof in its class, featuring a total opening area of 42 square feet. It’s electrically operated but for those who prefer a fixed roof, a full hardtop version is also available.

The high-tech helm features a doublewide seat with flip-up bolsters; opposite that, the centerline-facing companion seat includes an aft-facing lounge. This is all about living well, so Cruisers has added a wet bar with a molded in sink, lots of storage, trash bin and optional ice maker, refrigerator, and electric grill just behind the helm seat and handy to everyone.

The 390 Express has a great looking helm with the Mercury Vessel View system that displays a wide range of engine data, information can be moved onto the Raymarine screen in whatever configuration you find most helpful when navigating. The 390 also has Merc’s Axius system delivering joystick docking, a stationkeeping function called ‘Skyhook’ and integration with the GPS and navigation systems. It’s cutting edge but very user-friendly.

So is the driving position. You get great visibility because the 390 has a frameless windshield and narrow support structures helping to offer great sightlines and clear visibility all around. In the sunroof version, you get zip-in stern curtains (mainly window) that are for weather protection. Across the companionway, Cruisers has used a conventional and very functional sliding hatch door that opens up a large area for easy entry; it also has a sliding screen area so you can keep the bugs out at night. (You don’t need to run the A/C but it’s there if you need it.)

Continuing on the topsides, access to the foredeck is by 10”-wide sidewalks with two self-draining steps. The bow carries another sun bathing area with optional foredeck sun pads and flip-up backrests.

At the forepeak is a fixed skylight that supplies natural light into both the galley/salon and head compartments.

Transitioning to the lower deck, one encounters luxury personified. There is a full-beam master stateroom mid-ship with a queen-size berth and a settee portside by the cedar-lined hanging locker. The head features a separate shower stall, a large vanity with a bowl sink and plenty of storage above and below.

The main cabin includes the fully equipped galley with a two-burner cooktop, microwave, refrigerator/freezer and plenty of storage in the drawers and cabinets.

Recognizing the Cruisers Yachts’ new 390 Express Coupe was created to address new attitudes to entertaining onboard, there is a full-beam dinette forward where other boats would have a vee berth, giving you a cozy dining option when the weather dictates; it still converts into a second stateroom with privacy if you have overnight guests.

One of the delightful features is the natural light entering below from both the skylights above and the sweep of post glazed hull windows that wrap around from the bow to the master stateroom.

Our test boat was equipped with every conceivable option that new owners would want: flat screen televisions, cockpit A/C, generator, cockpit grill and refrigerator, hardtop with full enclosure, central vac, and much more.

Even with all that equipment, our 390 Express Coupe delivered strong performance, rigged with twin MerCruiser, 8.2L big-blocks running Bravo Three drives (along with the Axius joystick docking and premium electronics package). Acceleration was strong and even a full load of friends and family won’t slow this boat down. Cruising at 3,800 rpm the 390 was doing a brisk 31 mph and these smooth-running engines spun right up to 5,000 doing a sport boat 43.1 mph top speed.

This big boat was easy to drive feeling sure-footed at all times, turning flat, steering with precision and riding smoothly, even over some big boat wakes as we flew across the water.

That turn of speed is just what you want to make the most of your day on the water and this is a boat designed to maximize your entertaining enjoyment!

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Specifications: Twin MerCruiser 8.2L Mag H.O. ECT engines, 8.2 litre displacement, 430 hp each, V8 engines with Multi-Point Fuel Injection running Bravo Three drives and with Axius system.

www.cruisersyachts.com

RPM Speed MPH

650 4.2

1,000 6.2

1,500 8.5

2,000 10.0

3,000 14.0

3,800 31.0

5,000 43.1

Length Overall including swim platform 39’0” / 11.9 m

Beam 12’8” / 3.9 m

Weight 20,000 lbs / 9,071 kg

Fuel Capacity 230 gal / 871 L

Water Capacity 70 gal / 265 L

Waste Capacity 40 gal / 151 L

Price as tested, all options $641,000 US

Photos:

Photo 1 – The jet black hull emphasizes the handsome lines on the new Cruisers Yachts 390 Express Coupe, but it hides the amazing expanse of hull side windows.

Photo 2 – The enormous entertaining space the Cruisers Yachts 390 Express Coupe offers is like nothing else in its class.

Photo 3, 4 & 5 – A brilliant sliding and folding seat arrangement makes the most of what is already a fabulous cockpit entertaining area; normal position with center walkway and gate showing rear facing stern seats with storage underneath. Then, seats slid together for dining with port-side walk-through and finally, with the electric sun lounge seats folded flat.