The Menorquin 54 HT has a charm all of its own, bringing together the elegance and craftsmanship of the finest Spanish shipyard and Italian design with the charm of the unique Mediterranean style.
WORDS BY Barry thompson | Images by richard milner
Tradition has been matched with modern sophistication and an innovative design that sets the Menorquin apart from others. After 50 years of testing boats, this is only the second ‘Mediterranean style’ motoryacht I have reviewed. And it has been too long. I love the classic elegance they portray and the individual style that makes them so unique.
From a visual aspect, the Menorquin 54 HT stands out from other semi-displacement boats of this size. From the plumb bow to the canoe stern, the Menorquin 54 HT makes a bold statement about where it comes from. The deep blue hull, heavy teak accents, and efficient and no-nonsense layout tell me that this is a boat that Kiwis will love.
Laying claim to having a Mediterranean-style boat requires some proven lineage. In the case of the Menorquin 54 HT, and all the Menorquin range, that stems from the traditional small single-sail fishing boats used by Menorcan fishermen, called llaüts. The first ‘modern Ilaut’ was manufactured in 1978 by Sasga Yachts in Menorca, and New Zealand saw the first of the range arrive in New Zealand in 2021.
That was a Menorquin 34, the smallest model in the range, followed by a Menorquin 42 and then the current Menorquin 54 HT. Interestingly the 54 HT was hull #48, so the pedigree of the first Menorquin 54 in the country has been well proven. On order is a Menorquin 42 for a December delivery, with another Menorquin 54 due in NZ in Jan/Feb, 2023. The model range comprises four sizes from 9.07m to 21.3m, with the Menorquin 42 and 54 available in either flybridge or hardtop.
For the buyer who would like to experience a Mediterranean cruise in their own boat, prior to bringing it home, Sasga Yachts NZ offer delivery in the Mediterranean, free of European taxes.
CLASS A CLASSIFICATION
The Menorquin 54, in fact all Menorquins, carry the prestigious RCD Category A classification, only for boats capable of extended voyages with winds over gale Force 8 (40 knots +) and significant wave heights above about 4m. The semi-displacement hull form is based on a very fine entry which extends well aft, where it flattens out to the transom. A deep keel contributes significantly to the boat’s sure-footedness and handling. It is amazingly flat in the turns with little heel, and when I asked if our boat was fitted with a gyro, the answer was, “no, but there is plenty of space if you’d like one”.
Power is quite conservative for a boat of this size and displacement (around 25 tonnes), with a pair of Volvo Penta D6-480, on shafts doing all the work. With a generous fuel tank capacity of 2,800 litres, the 54 has a range of over 1100 nautical miles cruising at 9kts. The ideal cruise range is between 14-16 knots which gives a range of around 440-480 nm, burning 5.3 to 5.8 lpnm. Flat out on a mirror calm Auckland Harbour we saw 23.5 knots on the screen, using 179 lph and a range of over 330 nm.
It’s a boat that has been described as calm and clever, not particularly slow but also no speedster. Designer Inigo Toledo (Barracuda Yacht Design) says that due to the Menorquin 54 having very rounded stern sections, beam/width proportions carrying almost the hull’s entire length, this shape is famous for plenty of internal volume with exceptional sea-keeping characteristics.
Sasga Yachts’ resin-infused hull-moulding sandwich composite process produces a strong, lightweight hull, resulting in maximum strength and efficiency. Plus, with liberal use of teak inside and out, it portrays that ‘little’ ship’ styling that makes it look robust and ready to handle most seas.
CUSTOM OPTIONS
A couple of different layout options are available for the Menorquin 54, which features the galley up or down and a variation of the three-cabin layout. Our version was the three cabins with a full beam master and galley up in the saloon. The other option is a three-cabin boat with the galley down and without the master.
The accommodation area is spacious and well-conceived, and the two options give you a choice between very different layouts. Kiwis, I would guess, would go for the full beam master with galley up, but the European style galley down version is indeed very practical. With this layout, you have two separate cabins aft, a central galley to port, and the master cabin forward with an ensuite.
The first Menorquin 54 HT in New Zealand has the option of a full beam master aft, a starboard side twin berth cabin and a VIP forward with a queen berth. The master includes a super king berth, port side settee, ensuite and like the other cabins is fully air-conditioned.
All cabins are well supported with cabinetry and hanging lockers, and the ensuites are generous in size.
BRIGHT & LIGHT
My first impression when I walked into the saloon was how open, bright and spacious it was. Also, the headroom is impressive and this is obvious throughout the boat, especially in the cabins. Light fabrics blend with blonded light oak timbers, with high windows and an entire opening aft entranceway radiating light from every angle. With the four Burman teak doors (varnished Iroko is standard) folded back, there is a seamless flow from the cockpit to the saloon. If you add a complete set of cockpit clears, you will have massive covered space. Warm and cosy would sum it up nicely.
The layout is traditional in its form with a starboard side forward helm with a two-person helm seat, a U shape lounger aft with a high-low table and the port side the domain of the galley. The galley is finished with a marble countertop with loads of storage, an electric stove, a convection/microwave oven, dishwasher and a fridge with freezer. Everything you need for an extended cruise, entertaining and looking after all those aboard.
The helm facia allows for plenty of electronics and navigation aids. The choice is left mainly to the owner, with our Menorquin 54 fitted with a pair of Raymarine 16 Hybrid touch screens. There are also the necessary controls to operate the Vetus thrusters, Quick chain counter, Zipwakes, Fusion stereo and Lofrans winch.
SOCIAL SPACES
The 14 sqm cockpit can be configured to suit your requirements. In our case, we had an aft lounger with a large timber table. However, you have the option to personalise this tremendous socialising area with more seating, bbq, wet bar or whatever. Aft of the canoe stern is a full width hydraulically-operated high-low platform which doubles as an easy launch for the tender or jetski. There are wide, deep and very secure bulwarks from the cockpit to the foredeck. The foredeck is another very social area with loungers and seating, designed to be a space enjoyed. There is even a ‘crew cabin’ option via the forward deck hatch. The builders move the forward bulkhead back, making enough space for crew accommodation, complete with head and shower. Not something I can see a Kiwi owner requiring.
The interior and exterior of the Menorquín 54 has been developed to offer exceptional live-aboard. It is the ideal yacht for a retiring yachtsman looking for something less stressful with sea-keeping, comfort, manoeuvrability and elegance. It is a true trawler style with complete walk-around decks and the muscle to make you feel comfortable and safe during passage making. With the factory’s capacity at around 23-25 boats a year, the Menorquin will never be mainstream, but if you are looking for a superbly engineered and extremely well-built true blue water trawler with some individuality, then check out the Menorquin range from Sasga Yachts. You will not be disappointed.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Boat Design Name Menorquin 54 HT
- Year Launched 2022
- Style Trawler
- Builder Sasga Yachts
- Designer Íñigo Toledo
- LOA 17.15m
- LWL 14.98m
- Beam 5.00m
- Draft 1.30m
- Displ (Dry) 24.26 tonne
- Max Speed 23 knots
- Construction GRP Composite
- Fuel Cap 2800 litres
- Water Cap 970 litres
- Engines Make 2 x Volvo D6-480hp
- Drive Train Shaft
- Thrusters Vetus
- Generator Whisper Power
- Trim Tabs Zipwake
- MFD 2 x Raymarine Touch Screen
- Winch Lofrans Falkon
- Interceptors Zipwake
- Ent System Fusion
- Priced From $NZ2 million
- Contact Bruce McGill, Ph +64 21 748437 bruce@mcgill.nz | Chrisy Bird, Ph +64 21 02205398 sasgayachts.nz
Chrisy Bird, Ph +64 21 02205398 sasgayachts.nz
PERFORMANCE DATA: 2 X VOLVO D6-480HP
| RPM | Knots | L/h | L/NM | Range (NM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 1.0 | 2482 |
| 1500 | 9.0 | 20 | 2.2 | 1134 |
| 1750 | 9.8 | 27 | 2.8 | 915 |
| 2000 | 11.2 | 40 | 3.6 | 706 |
| 2050 | 12.5 | 56 | 4.5 | 563 |
| 2300 | 12.7 | 61 | 4.8 | 525 |
| 2500 | 13.9 | 73 | 5.3 | 480 |
| 2750 | 16.0 | 92 | 5.8 | 438 |
| 3000 | 18.0 | 118 | 6.6 | 384 |
| 3250 | 20.5 | 147 | 7.2 | 351 |
| 3500 | 23.5 | 179 | 7.6 | 331 |
Note: Fuel range is based on 10% reserve.
