The northern Italian Cranchi shipyard is one of the oldest companies in the industry. Founded in 1870, the company is now run by the fifth generation of the family. Cranchi currently manufactures a total of 17 models in eight product lines at its four sites near Lake Como.
Our newcomer, which was already on display at boot Düsseldorf in January, is the first and currently only model in the new crossover model series. It is based on the hull of the Z35, but the superstructure has been completely redeveloped.
The idea was to combine the spaciousness and all-weather capability of a deck saloon, as offered by a trawler, with the handling characteristics of a glider, which is also suitable for slow displacement cruising.
Of course, the concept should appeal in particular to owners who want to operate their yacht in areas with changeable weather, also to extend the season.
The boat
As the shipyard has had its own test centre near Venice with its "Italo Monzino" for ten years, with direct access to the Mediterranean, test runs for customers and our tests are also carried out here in addition to our own trials.
We are dealing with construction number one. These boats are often fitted with many extras in order to test their assembly and suitability. This is also the case with the test candidate, as neither the electric gangway, which can be extended at the touch of a button, nor the complete teak panelling on the bathing platform and cockpit are part of the standard equipment. However, it does look classy and the workmanship reveals Cranchi's hand at first glance, as everything fits perfectly and is impeccably assembled. Incidentally, this is a typical feature of the shipyard throughout the entire boat.
On the very spacious bathing platform, under a flap, there is aBarbecue station with electric grill, sink and work surface which is, of course, one of the extras that you have to pay for. On entering the compact cockpit, we spot the standard rear shower and a flap behind which there is space for a gas cylinder if this option is selected. An L-shaped upholstered seating area, with an optional table and teak top, completes the arrangement.
The path over gangways, well secured by handrails, leads to the bow. The cushions of the large sunbed, which are also part of the optional equipment, await us here. However, the standard anchor installation with a 15 kg Bruce anchor including 50 m chain and electric anchor winch deserves praise. This is an indispensable piece of equipment that competitors prefer to add to their list of accessories.
Inner values
Once in the saloon, it is immediately recognisable that the sometimes somewhat rustic interior of some trawlers has been replaced by the hybrid model.a clear statement in terms of comfort is to be opposed. The zones are separated via the longitudinal axis with the central passageway. On the port side there is an upholstered seating area with a folding table. The steering position is located to starboard, followed by a long galley unit with refrigerator, worktop, 2-burner electric hob and sink. When not in use, everything disappears completely under a cover.
The backrest of the driver's seat can also be folded down and extends the unit forwards if required, creating a large storage area. There are further storage spaces above the galley.Large windows create a bright and friendly ambience. There are two hatches in the roof for ventilation. For hot days, however, it is certainly advisable to order the combined heating and air conditioning system for the cabins and cockpit. A short companionway next to the helm station leads into the cabins.
The basic configuration includes three cabins with a total of six berths. That's a lot for a 12-metre motor yacht.
However, the occupants have to share a fairly comfortable bathroom with an electric toilet and separate shower. If you want a second bathroom, you will find what you are looking for in the options list, but then you will have to do without the third cabin.
In the bow we find a spacious cabin with a double berth (1.92 x 1.52 m) and plenty of storage space. The owner's cabin amidships is still spacious with an initial ceiling height of 2.07 metres. In the area of the berths (1.90 x 1.80 m), which can be used individually or doubled with an insert, the height is reduced. The third cabin is far more cramped.
Two bunk beds, each measuring 2.00 x 0.68 metres, are fitted here. However, the standing height of 1.87 m is also decent in the otherwise quite narrow entrance area. The wet room with a headroom of 1.89 m offers enough space for comfortable personal hygiene and a separate shower cubicle with partition wall, in which the electric toilet also has its place.
Motorisation and driving pleasure
The shipyard leaves the customer no choice when it comes to propulsion technology, but the two Volvo Penta D4 EVC/E/DPH with 221 kW (300 hp) each are well chosen. The Aquamatic Z-drives with counter-rotating twin propellers ensure that the power is transmitted into the water. The G5 propellers made of a very hard Nibral alloy (nickel-bronze-aluminium) also fit the package.
A complete instrumentation system awaits us at the helm, whereby the Volvo-Penta electric trim system is part of the standard equipment, but the plotter and DTS are not. The bow thruster also has to be ordered separately. Otherwise, all the necessary operating data is easy to read. The footrest ensures a relaxed seating position for the helmsman.
At full acceleration, it takes nine seconds to reach the stable planing phase at 2200 rpm and just under 13 knots. The Cranchi initially raises its nose, which restricts visibility somewhat. This behaviour was probably intensified by the completely empty water tank in the bow. As soon as the boat is planing, there is good visibility forwards again. The top speed of 36.5 knots is reached after a total of 25 seconds of acceleration.
TheWe determine the most efficient cruising speed at 3000 rpm with 28 knotsAfter deducting a 15 per cent reserve, the 600-litre tank is just sufficient to cover 174 nautical miles. Manoeuvring is easy in all directions with 1.5 boat lengths in diameter. When manoeuvring backwards, it takes four seconds for a reaction to occur. When travelling straight ahead and astern, only slight corrections are necessary to maintain course. When travelling fast at 3000 rpm, the turning circles increase to just under 2 boat lengths in diameter, although the speed barely drops.If the skipper pulls the electro-hydraulic steering, everything remains under control.
At displacement speed in the range of the hull speed, which is relevant for trawlers, we read an hourly consumption of around 10 litres. This is roughly the same as what the competition can achieve with a more powerful engine under such conditions, except that the Cranchi T36 Crossover has two engines at its disposal and can therefore also fully utilise the fast planing speed.
Processing and safety
The shipyard's good reputation for workmanship is visible throughout the boat. Fittings are well dimensioned and the joint patterns of the furniture are all perfect.The gloss paintwork (extra charge) on some components is also of a very high quality and flawless finish.
The fact that the manufacturer also has safety in its sights is shown by theExemplary equipment with fire extinguishing technologywhich also includes a fire blanket. Two manual bilge pumps, one of which is in the owner's cabin, support the electrical equipment in an emergency. The positioning of the very clearly organised fuse box in the entrance area of the owner's cabin also speaks for a well thought-out concept. The upper hatch in the forward cabin is ideal for getting out in an emergency.
The main switch and shut-off valve for the fuel supply are immediately visible after opening the engine compartment flap in the cockpit. All the technology in the neatly insulated engine compartment is very neatly laid out and easily accessible.
You can find this article in the August 2018 issue of BOOTE.
The magazine is available in DK-Shop available.
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