Time these days is a commodity that seems in short supply, especially with the number of families still working and learning from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s all about work, meals, house chores, kids, homework and sleep. Then wash, rinse and repeat.
Busy schedules mean when there is room for boating, people want to make the most of it. Enter the outboard-powered dayboat, a vessel with baked-in performance, entertaining features and lots of comfort with minimum fuss when it comes to maintenance. It’s a market segment that has seen explosive growth over the last 5 to 7 years.
Cruisers Yachts—a Midwestern builder with facilities in Oconto, Wisconsin, that was recently acquired by MarineMax—has steadily been filling out its lineup with this style of boat in its GLS model lineup. The 34 GLS is the smallest in a range that includes 38- and 42-foot dayboat-style sisterships. The 34 GLS made its debut at the U.S. Powerboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, in October.
The exterior showcases Cruisers’ overall design language, as it features angular lines, contrasting black and white gelcoat and a low-to-the-water look despite voluminous interior spaces. The open deck plan is made for hauling family and friends out on sundowner cruises, dock-and-dine trips, sandbar meetups, weekend cruises and quick overnighters.
This deck plan also features two distinct outside social zones—one in the bow and another aft. The bow is dominated by a U-shaped lounge with two forward-facing seats, an aft-facing bench and bolstering that provides cushy back support. A table can be dropped in for meals and drinks, and the area has a dedicated stereo system. Underfoot is foam-style decking that stretches from bow to stern on a single level with no steps to trip on.
Under a solid fiberglass black hardtop is the starboard-oriented helm, which has a two-person bench seat; a companion seat is to port, with a movable backrest that can be tilted backward or forward to turn it into a chaise lounge. Abaft the helm is another bench-style seat that connects to a massive set of upholstered panels. Guests can tuck and fold certain sections to create a super-sized, aft-facing chaise lounge for two. To port of that is a small galley with fridge, sink, freshwater mixer and electric grill. The expansive swim platform is spacious and makes it easy to hop in the water or dip your feet.
Belowdecks, the 34 GLS’s contemporary interior with wood, cloth and leather is set up for weekends. Access to the open-concept cabin is through a door to port of the helm and down a set of waterfall steps that are mounted on a single length of stainless-steel pipe, making them appear as if they are floating.
Forward is a dinette-style lounge with two couch-style benches set on either side of a glossy teak table. A flat-screen television is nearby. A cushion insert converts the area to a large berth that can accommodate two people. Another berth is situated amidships behind the entry stairs. An enclosed head is to starboard. There is no dedicated galley, per se, but there is a microwave and slide-out fridge.
Base power is a pair of 300-hp Mercury Verados that offer a very speedy ride. They can push the 34 GLS to a top end of 40 knots and cruise efficiently at around 32 knots. For ultimate control in low-speed maneuvering situations—or for maintaining station using Skyhook—Mercury’s Joystick Piloting for Outboards is available. The best part is that maintenance comes only every 100 hours.
Grab the kids and friends and set your sights on relaxation and fun. The Cruisers 34 GLS is built for the task.
Specifications
LOA: 35’10”
Beam: 11’8”
Draft: 2’5”
Weight: 14,530 lbs.
Fuel: 217 gals.
Water: 50 gals.
Power: (2) 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards
This article was originally published in the January 2022 issue.
