Integrity 496 Coastal Express Cruiser

 

Issue: October/November 2005

There weren't many at the 2005 Sydney International Boat Show, but if you looked hard enough, you would have found a handful of displacement cruisers among the sea of flybridge and sport cruisers. Anyone with an eye for quality vessels would have spotted the Integrity 496 Coastal Express Cruiser, which was towering over her neighbours in the Cockle Bay Marina.

It's amazing what the Integrity 496 manages to cram into her 49ft waterline length. She boasts a multi-level layout with two huge staterooms, a full size U-shaped galley, massive saloon and a luxurious settee in the wheelhouse. And with a layout like this, the captain will always have company at the wheel.

The Integrity 496 Coastal Express Cruiser breaks from convention by having a walkway only down the starboard side. The saloon wall extends fully to the portside, which boosts her interior volume considerably.

She also breaks from convention by only running a single engine, which is highly unusual on a vessel of this size. But the single screw is not a bad option for a displacement cruiser, particularly when it has a bow thruster, because a single engine means a smaller initial purchase price and lower running cost. There is still the risk of breakdown on long passages, but this is highly unlikely given today's modern engine technology and if she's maintained properly.

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New owners, Pip and husband Barry, sold a twin-engine Grand Banks cruiser to move up to the 496, so for this pair their purchasing decision was based on experience, not money.

Noel Nicholson from Integrity Motor Yachts Australia says that the owners wanted a single-engine vessel supported by a good communications package for economical, long-range cruising. If you're concerned about a single engine set-up there are several twin engines Integrity models available.

PERFORMANCE & HANDLING
Out on the water this craft feels more like a little ship than a 49-foot cruiser, partly because the high wheelhouse offers a commanding forward view. Engine noise is low throughout the vessel, making her a pleasant and less tiring vessel during long cruises. With her fuel tanks capable of holding 3500lt, the Integrity 496 has a cruising range of around 1500 nautical miles. Or from Sydney to the Whitsunday Islands with a bit of cruising thrown in when you get there.

Large open areas have been left in the boat's engine room, so hydraulic stabilisers can be fitted at a later date. We didn't miss them during this sea trial because the sea conditions were calm.

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