Continuing our insights into the great youngtimers of this century, it’s time for a little giant, the Cranchi FIFTY8 Fly, a fly with a fast-cruiser character 18.52 meters long. Comfortable and performing like few, in 2012 it proved to be an innovative and more than appreciable boat in terms of both space and navigation. Thanks to our unique archives, so here is its test, reported in the words of those who, at the time, had a chance to try it out for us.
Cranchi FIFTY8 Fly
As in the case of the previous Sessa Fly 40, we are dealing with a Fly, a boat designed to fully enjoy the spaces on board, offering extra volumes that, perhaps disdained by purists when seen in marinas, instead give their best once at sea. Because being able to travel at 20 knots on an elevated terrace is still a priceless experience. Here, conjugated in one of its most successful and complete forms, because the Cranchi Fifty8 Fly satisfies on every front.
Discover more beautiful youngtimers!
- Continental 50 S
- Rizzardi 55 Incredible
- Mig 43
- Prestige 60
- Portofino 11 Meters
- Rio 46 Air
- Bluegame 40
- Maxi Dolphin MD51
- Magellan 50
- Sessa Fly 40
Cranchi FIFTY8 Fly – Blanket
The Fifty8’s line features a fly rollbar that echoes the equally angular design of the side deckhouse window. The profile view is well balanced in volume, with the glazed parts performing the dual function of providing light to the interiors and lightening the visual impact of the structures. A task facilitated by the taut profiles and generous surges that give the whole a powerful feel.
Looking at the deck itself, starting from the stern, the wide aft platform is (as standard) hydraulically movable with a 300-kg capacity to facilitate hauling the tender or become an exclusive bathing platform. The central part of the transom, on the other hand, houses a large locker, most convenient for storing from awnings to safety equipment, and underneath is space for the life raft, in a convenient, if not ideal, location.
To either side, three steps then lead to the cockpit, a well-equipped space served by a comfortable dinette in the center, complete with a single linear sofa. To the left is the sailor’s cabin, with the tambour being the first step to then access the fly ascent, basic in structure but comfortable and safe.
To starboard, however, is a bar cabinet, mirrored to a beautiful kitchen just beyond the glass doorway to the saloon. Convenient walkways to the forward sun deck, which is richly equipped with cup holders, radio control, and power-assisted bimini (optional). The extensive use of teak makes the rooms even more pleasant.
On the fly then, you will not be disappointed: the dinette is aft with a large, full-width wraparound sofa and a double table that, thanks to the flaps, can become unique, but more importantly, huge. In the center is the kitchen cabinet, which is really complete, followed by a chaise longue that introduces the sundeck that expands to the entire bow area; also in front of the bridge, which, in terms of equipment, has nothing to envy from the deck (contextualizing to 2012). To think of living here the whole day forgetting about the rest of the boat would not be a gamble, and even in the harbor one can thus find a little more privacy than in the cockpit. Pure on the fly ample use of teak to further add value to the already high level of finishes.
Cranchi FIFTY8 Fly – Interior
If the deck already looks convincing, the interior is to be applauded. The ability to provide space for both living and sleeping areas, while fully respecting the privacy of all guests, are truly commendable here. The deckhouse’s large windows, with their distinctive but pleasing lines, provide excellent light, and the galley on the main deck and in the immediate vicinity of the open dinette, but also barycentric to the deck, proves to be a winner. The latter is located to the left of the bridge, equipped with a two-tilt table.
Beautiful is the dashboard, which manages to arrange all the digital instruments in nice order and abandons the analog ones to the benefit of rationality and immediacy of information. Completing the furnishings of the square is a settee along the left broadside with a “wine cellar” cabinet abreast and then a second cabinet in the center.
Two more words for the peninsula kitchen cabinet ( which incorporates the retractable TV) and “closes” the operating area by leaning it against the starboard broadside, thus managing not to interfere with life on board. The wide staircase down to the lower deck hints at good space availability in the sleeping area as well. The hallway between cabins is also used to install the washing machine and 100-liter refrigerator.
The master stateroom is amidships, full beam, with the bed against the starboard broadside and a study on the port broadside, both of which enjoy light from the large window on the dead work and are complemented by a walk-in closet with safe and a large bathroom with separate shower stall. The same equipment is also provided for the forward VIP cabin, but it must share a bathroom with the third cabin with two paired single berths. The woodwork is excellent and the lighting is very well maintained, providing a pleasant atmosphere.
Cranchi FIFTY8 Fly – Motorization and equipment
Here, devoting focus to the engine room is a tribute to rationality, and the care in setting up all on-board systems is commendable in turn. You get the same feeling wherever you pause to veri fy the realization of each piece of wiring.
The hull is optimized for the use of Volvo IPS transmissions, with lines that are a fair compromise between the need to sail in all kinds of seas and speed performance. Indeed, the boat mounts Volvo Penta IPSs, in this case the 900s of 700 hp each, which are completely ideal for a boat that wants to make simplicity and reliability of use one of its credentials. Well did Cranchi do to dedicate its most important hulls to this transmission.
Test and Performance
“In spite of the sunshine it is a cold day and so I am leaning toward the covered bridge. Volvo Penta instrumentation is combined with Raymarine Gps and allows you to have everything under control. The boat’s navigational aids, in addition to the Ips’ emblematic joystick, are complemented by a glide trim trimmer, dynamic stability trimmer, and tack trimmer (all optional), which are in addition to the Humphree Interceptor flap adjusters and automatic trimmers.”
“At first I choose, as is customary, to forgo all automatic controls and reset flaps and trim. Despite this, the glide is rapid without the slightest hint of gybing. I take the first readings by comparing them with those of the site and then cross-reference them with a second audit, this time with all the previously mentioned automatons entered. The performance of the Fifty 8 is aligned in all conditions, confirming the boat’s ease of handling, which is always very sincere in all its reactions, although, of course, with the navigation aids inserted its handling becomes even easier and the feeling of safety one gets from it is high.”
“Glide is easily achieved at about 1,500 rpm. Which is also the limit of minimum glide, where we sail at 16 knots with a consumption of 120 liters/hour, which rises to just over 180 liters when we reach the cruising speed indicated by the shipyard at 2000 rpm, which corresponds to about 28 knots. I finally check the top speed, which is achieved at 2350 rpm: 36.3 knots with a consumption of 263 liters/hour.
It’s time to test the hull in somewhat extreme conditions, so I try tacking with increasingly narrower radii. They immediately result perfectly indulged by the Ips, which form, with Cranchi’s excellent hull, a perfect pair. Soft and firm also pass over the wave when I cross our wake. There’s just no way to knock this Fifty 8: Cranchi’s fly is one of the best choices the market has to offer in this segment.”
| Revolutions per Minute (RPM) | Speed in knots (kn) | Fuel consumption & range |
| 1000 | 9.8 kn | – |
| 1500 | 4.7 kn | 125 l/h | 14 hours 20′ |
| 2000 | 27.5 kn | 183 l/h | 9 hours 50′ |
| 2350 | 36.3 kn | 263 l/h | 6 hours 45′ |
Technical Specs
| Length Over All (LOA) | 18.52 m |
| Length at Waterline (LWL) | 14.25 m |
| Baglio Massimo | 4.84 m |
| Fishing | 1.32 m |
| Dry Displacement | 25,200 kg |
| Maximum Motorization | 2x 700 hp |
| Fuel Tanks | 2000 lt |
| Fresh Water Tanks | 540 lt |
| Beds | 7+1 |
| People Scope | 14 |
| Construction site | Cranchi Boatyard |
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