Up Close And Personal

A four-month test of the Monte Carlo MC5 allows Editor-in-Chief Daniel Harding Jr. to peel back the many layers of this versatile vessel.

- Daniel Harding Jr.

It takes a certain level of confidence for a boatbuilder to lend a yacht to a magazine staff for a summer-long review: confidence the boat will be returned in the same condition it was received; and that in all that time we won’t find any quirks or issues, that could potentially lead to a disparaging report.

French boatbuilder Beneteau Group had a pretty good basis for believing the MC5 was a proven performer. With 83 boats sold it had plenty of positive customer feedback to hang its hat on before deciding to let Power & Motoryacht take hold of the throttle.

When we took possession of the MC5 from Castaways Yacht Club in New Rochelle, New York, it was boat-show ready in every way. You could see your reflection in the stainless and windows (there are a lot of both). Stepping into the salon for the first time felt akin to stepping into a floating museum. I didn’t want to touch or bump into anything. Heck, I didn’t even want to raise my voice or radio volume too loud—it was someone else’s boat after all. That feeling would eventually subside, as we got intimately familiar with the boat, her accommodations, and performance.

Having had the unique opportunity to see the flybridge before any of the furniture or even the helm was installed, I could fully appreciate the expansive space here. After the huge C-shaped settee, the lounges, and sunpads were installed, the space somehow felt even bigger. I hypothesized that the team would spend a lot of time up here. And we did. We easily sat around the table for morning meetings and evening dinners alike.