2021 MCY 70 Skylounge

Until now, the Monte Carlo Yachts range has primarily included open flybridge yachts (an iconic European motoryacht style). But at the Miami Yacht Show, the builder premiered a model it describes as a first for the Italian market—the MCY 70 Skylounge, an enclosed-flybridge version of the MCY 70, which launched last year. The 70-footer is the first in a new series of Skylounge models, which will allow owners to extend their boating season earlier and later in the year, driving from the protected comfort of the fully enclosed upper-deck bridge.

A week after the Miami Yacht Show, I boarded the new MCY 70 Skylounge at Monte Carlo Yachts’ dealer’s facility in downtown Miami for a sea trial on a spectacularly sunny day. We took the yacht down the Miami River to Biscayne Bay, then headed out Government Cut to the Atlantic Ocean to put her through her paces.

Enclosing the flybridge deck was design studio Nuvolari-Lenard’s inspiration, according to Cristina Malalan, Monte Carlo Yachts marketing and communications manager. “They are a great ambassador of that concept,” she said.

The yacht we sea trialed has a contemporary, neutral-hued interior design, an aft day head in the salon and a forward main-deck galley. The lower deck holds four staterooms and three heads, including a forward VIP and full-beam master. But, as Malalan said, Monte Carlo Yachts builds semi-custom boats, with an emphasis on the “custom.” Customers who order this model can move the galley aft, replace the day head, add a lower helm or specify fewer staterooms.

The MCY 70 Skylounge’s upper deck is accessed via a stainless-steel spiral staircase leading up from the salon. Its midships lounge area holds a large, comfortable sectional sofa. Aft, glass sliding doors lead to a private exterior balcony overlooking the sea. The tender is mounted below on a large hydraulic swim platform, opening up space for deck chairs and even an optional grill.

The skylounge’s large windows offer good sightlines; Malalan said that optional CCT cameras will be available to aid with docking as well. The yacht’s steering is responsive but not overly so—appropriate for a 70-foot vessel. In 3-foot swells quartering on our bow, the ride was smooth even without stabilization. Our yacht was equipped with Seakeeper 9000 gyros, which worked like a charm when we sat still at sea; fin stabilizers are also available.

Standard power for the 70 is twin 1,300-hp MAN diesels, which pushed us to just over 25 knots during our sea trial, but the yacht was loaded with people. The foredeck stayed bone-dry throughout. Sound readings were impressively quiet—just 67 dB(A) at the helm at WOT.

The creak-free ride no doubt was the result of Monte Carlo Yachts’ patented construction process. Each hull, interior and deck/superstructure is built simultaneously as an independent module. When complete, the interior is lowered into the hull, then the superstructure is set in place and the three modules are bonded together.

Thanks to this process, construction for the MCY 70 Skylounge only takes four months, according to Malalan. That’s breathtakingly short. “We cut the building time by roughly 50 percent over conventional builders,” she said. —Louisa Beckett

LOA 69’1”
Beam 17’10”
Draft 6’
Displ. (dry) 90,000 lbs.
Fuel 1,056 gal.

Water 211 gal.
Power 2/1,300-hp MAN diesel
Cruise Speed 22 knots
Top Speed 26 knots: 2 guest berths/settee