Boat & Sail

Builder · Premium · Oconto, Wisconsin

Cruisers Yachts

Wisconsin premium sport-yacht builder, 1953-founded. Owned by KCS International. Cabin cruisers and sport yachts 38 to 60 feet.

Cruisers Yachts sport yacht at cruise
Founded
1953
Headquarters
Oconto, Wisconsin
Ownership
KCS International
Tier
Premium
Website
cruisersyachts.com

Cruisers Yachts is the premium sport-yacht builder from Oconto, Wisconsin. Founded in 1953, the brand has been owned by KCS International since 1988. Production stays at the Oconto facility on the Lake Michigan shoreline.

The brand argument is the Great Lakes-bred premium sport-yacht discipline. Cruisers Yachts hulls compete with Tiara EX, Sabre, and Back Cove on the boutique sport-yacht segment. The lineup runs from the 38 GLS through the 60 Cantius flagship.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Cruisers Yachts GLS series (38 / 42 GLS)

GLS is the entry sport-yacht line. Twin Volvo IPS or Mercury sterndrive, full forward cabin with V-berth, mid-cabin layout.

Things we like

  • · Single-level layout from helm to aft cockpit gives boatshow-friendly entertaining space
  • · Volvo IPS option simplifies docking and reduces fuel burn

Things we don't

  • · Pricing premium over Sea Ray Sundancer at equivalent LOA
  • · Smaller used market than Sea Ray

Cruisers Yachts Cantius series (50 / 54 / 60 Cantius)

Cantius is the flagship line. Twin Volvo IPS or Cummins inboard, full master stateroom with separate shower, generator and A/C standard.

Things we like

  • · Master stateroom with full standing-headroom and separate shower stall
  • · Volvo IPS option gives joystick docking on a 60-foot hull

Things we don't

  • · Pricing competes with Tiara EX and Sabre at the flagship segment
  • · Cantius production has slowed as KCS focused on the GLS line

Buyer's guide

The Cruisers Yachts story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Cruisers Yachts was founded in 1953 in Wisconsin. KCS International acquired the brand in 1988 and consolidated production at the Oconto facility.

Production has stayed in Wisconsin throughout. KCS has owned the brand since 1988, which is unusual stability at this scale.

Design philosophy

Cruisers Yachts hulls run moderate-V (typically 19 to 22 degrees at the transom). Designed for Great Lakes and East Coast coastal cruising rather than offshore.

Volvo Penta IPS and traditional inboard rigging are both factory options. Mercruiser sterndrive on the smaller hulls.

Used-market notes and known issues

Volvo IPS sail-drive seal pattern on 2017 to 2020 hulls warrants inspection at five years.

Cushion vinyl on 2017 to 2019 hulls shows delamination in sun-heavy markets.

Generator service on flagship Cantius hulls is a 100-hour preventive item.

Dealer network concentrated in the Great Lakes, Florida, and the East Coast.

Resale

Cruisers Yachts holds resale tightly in the boutique sport-yacht segment. Three-year depreciation runs 12 to 18 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 25 to 32 percent.

Where Cruisers Yachts fits

Buyers cross-shop Cruisers Yachts against Tiara EX, Sabre, Back Cove, and Sea Ray Sundancer on the boutique sport-yacht segment. The argument is the Great Lakes-bred build discipline and the KCS-owned production stability.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

How does Cruisers compare to Tiara?
Both are family-held / closely-held boutique sport-yacht builders. Tiara holds slightly tighter resale; Cruisers gives the Volvo IPS option more readily. Build tier comparable. Cross-shop on dealer proximity and IPS-vs-inboard preference.
Is Volvo IPS worth the premium?
Joystick docking on a 50-foot-plus sport yacht is meaningful. Fuel burn reduction at cruise is 15 to 25 percent over a comparable inboard. Maintenance cost is similar at the Volvo service interval. Buyers who anchor often or dock in tight marinas usually conclude IPS is worth the premium.
What's the maintenance cost on a 42 GLS?
Annual service on twin Volvo IPS500 runs $3,500 to $5,000. Bottom paint $800 to $1,800. Storage $3,000 to $7,500 indoor. Insurance for a $700,000 hull runs $4,500 to $8,000.
Where are Cruisers Yachts built?
Oconto, Wisconsin. KCS International facility, single-site.

Compare

Categories Cruisers Yachts fits.

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