The helm is two steps up with a two-seater bench seat, but with the wheel in the middle. I am not sure why designers
persist with this arrangement because it does not make for comfortable driving and with no end arm. The visibility from
the helm is poor at the sides because of deep supporting struts, but these will disappear on the production models.
A great feature is the large sun roof that opens up the saloon to the blue skies above. Now you have the joys of open
air cruising but the deck levels are not quite right, because even standing at the helm there is no view over the deep
top of the windscreen frame. The helm itself is neat and tidy with none of the clutter found on many layouts, but I am
not inspired by the Volvo electronic engine displays that are hard to read in the bright sun. The rest of it looks good
and practical, and the controls are all conventional apart from two: the joystick that goes with the IPS drives and the
automatic trim control. More on that later.
Down below there is no feeling of being crowded and once again, inspired design comes into play. A two-berth cabin and
the master double forward share a common bathroom, a sensible arrangement that does no make the accommodation feel crowded.
Corner windows let into the edge of the coach roof give good natural light in the master cabin whilst the twin cabin and
the bathroom have their own skylights.
The 420 manages to combine sexy good looks outside with practical features inside that make this a safe and sensible
boat. The side decks have handrails in the right places to allow safe passage forward and the teak swim platform neatly
fits into the overall length of the hull to enhance the appearance. Yet, it is still wide enough for stowing a jet ski.
The version tested was fitted with the top-of-the-range IPS 600 units, in which the drives are coupled to a pair of
435-horsepower Volvo diesels. The joy of IPS for me is when the drives are combined in the joystick control, which allows
you to position this boat to within inches of a point, and to hold it there. In theory, you could do away with mooring
ropes and anchors andjust let the IPS hold the boat in the assigned position. With IPS you can maneuver like a pro and
without too much thinking. And to make things even easier, on the 420 there is a second joystick fitted in the cockpit
for stern docking. Combine this joystick with Volvo’s automatic interceptor control system for use at sea and half the
work of driving this boat is done for you. I must say I prefer manual interceptor control when operating in head seas,
but the automatic system is great with beam and following seas and gives a much more stable ride.
We ran the Marquis along the coast from Monte Carlo to Cannes for the sea trial, the classic cruising route that takes
in some of the most exciting social centers along this coast. Villefranche with its attendant cruise liners, Beaulieu
sur Mer and Antibes, where many superyachts find a temporary anchorage, Nice with its airport built out into the sea and
just before arrival at Cannes, the Eden Roc Hotel at Cap d’Antibes, home to many of the rich and famous. Cannes came up
all too soon at the end of a pleasant cruise, with the 420 running at a leisurely 28 knots.
The sea conditions along this coast never seem to be very comfortable, with the heavy traffic of yachts churning up
a difficult and unpredictable sea. At first I thought the 420 was making heavy weather of the conditions, and then I realised
that the automatic trim had not been set up and the interceptors were fully down. This accounted for the harsh ride and
once they were raised, things improved considerably, although the pronounced chines on the 420 will always make you conscious
of the waves.
The hull has a moderate vee, combined with a relatively full bow. These features make it more sensitive to waves but
the ride was very acceptable from a comfort point of view, and the generous beam ensured good stability. The speed topped
out at 33 knots, although as the boat had just been refueled it was on the heavy side. But the speed is on par with most
sports cruisers these days, and you can cruise all day in the high twenties.
I fell in love with the 420 mainly for its sexy style, which matches the best on the market today. But I also loved
it for its practical comfort and features – the boat is solidly built, feels good and it works well. This European-designed
and American-built sports cruiser equals or exceeds most of its competitors.
