We tried out the 22nd unit of the Canados Gladiator 493. With two Volvo Pentas each delivering 440 horsepower, it has a top speed of around forty knots
by Angelo Colombo
This is a fifty-footer with two double cabins and a walkaround-style deck, which takes fourteen people in comfort with plenty of room for relaxation, not least because of the 4.25-metre maximum beam. It has a total weight of 13,600 kilos, which is not excessive bearing in mind the size of the boat. This is the result of careful decisions by Canados, from the choice of materials to the lamination stage.
Open-air spaces are plentiful and always protected and comfortable. The fittings have been carefully designed and are made with high-quality materials.
The hull is entirely made of fibreglass and vinyl ester resin, which has been vacuum laminated, so total displacement can be reduced while still ensuring sufficient structural strength. Also, everything that is above the waterline is made in composites that are also worked in a vacuum with added carbon fibre, so that weight can be further reduced while delivering the same mechanical performance. Having heard all this, we were increasingly curious about two elements in particular: fuel consumption and seakeeping. Of course, we were also curious to see what the boat delivers in terms of speed, but what we wanted to try out at sea was not so much the nearly 40-knot headline figure but rather cruising speed in moderate seas, and fuel consumption. There were several things that we were curious about when we went on board the Canados Gladiator 493 Grand, which is powered by two Volvo Penta D6 440s with EFB transmission.
The Gladiator 493 Grand is a luxury day cruiser which can be enjoyed with a group of friends or as a couple for a cruise. There are a range of different set-up options for the interior, with one or two cabins, and one or two bathrooms.
The test was carried out with 14 people on board, a full tank of Diesel and full water tanks too, which are facts that help you understand the true nature of the boat. As soon as we left the harbour entrance at Cannes behind us, the Libeccio wind of around fifteen knots meant we quickly got a feel of what the hull had to offer. With its very deep-V and tapered bow, it takes the blows from the water extremely well, which means that the boat is always under control and never has uncomfortable losses of trim, not even when you open the throttle right up. Because of the hull’s shape and how the weight has been distributed, the Gladiator 493 always moves through the water as it should, giving passengers a very comfortable ride. They can get around the boat safely, as there are high sides and grab handles always to hand.
THE BRIDGE HAS A HELM CONSOLE PROTECTED BY A LARGE TOP.
THE ERGONOMICS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY RESEARCHED AND THE THREE SEATS FOR THE HELM AND CO-PILOTS WORK TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE
AND IN PLACE AT HIGH SPEED.
The level of manoeuvrability provided by the EFG propulsion system is of course always very high, but we especially wanted to highlight the soundproofing – since when you are at the helm you never have to raise your voice to talk to the co-pilot and nearby passengers, nor do you feel vibrations or annoying sounds from the engine room during slow-speed manoeuvres. The yard has made the cockpit and windscreen structure very effective, with protection that is always sufficient and well-designed ergonomics.
To get the occasional bit of spray onto the instrument panel we had to speed up and turn upwind, a manoeuvre which would have given us a good drenching. Going back to our curiosity about cruising speed, at 3290 revs per minute the boat holds a steady 34.1 knots with overall fuel consumption of 140 litres per hour, so 4.1 litres per nautical mile. This figure drops to 3.79 litres per mile at 3090 rpm and 31.6 knots. We are talking about a fifty-footer and these fuel consumption figures are very interesting, as is the top speed of 39.7 knots that we registered during our very enjoyable test.
The deck area is nearly entirely on a single level, while the side decks are wide and secure. There are large areas available to carry water toys and sports equipment. The garage for the tender is below the stern sun pad.
To conclude, amongst other qualities of the Gladiator 493 Grand, we especially appreciated the yard’s desire to create a boat that is classic in appearance, but that includes some very advanced technology. Careful structural research, choice of materials and processes to reduce weight on the water provide everything that a buyer could want from a sports yacht that can also work for a family cruise. The fittings have been very carefully done throughout, and the quality of the materials used is high. This Canados boat also boasts fine woodworking, the work of the very experienced craftsmen on which the company relies.
Engine room
The Gladiator 493 Grand is powered by two Volvo Penta D6 440 engines with the inboard-outboard transmission. The yard means you can also opt for a version with three outboard motors each producing 600 horsepower.
CANTIERI DI OSTIA SRL
Via dell’Idroscalo, 252
I-00121 Roma
T.+39 06 88379494
[email protected]
www.canados.com
PROJECT
Shipyard technical department
HULL
LOA 15.03m • Maximum beam 4.25m • Draft 0.80m • Light mass displacement 13,600 kg • Full mass displacement 16,000 kg • Fuel tank volume 1,350 l • Water tank volume 300 l
MAIN PROPULSION
2 Volvo Penta D6-440 • Outlet mechanical power 324 kW (440 hp) • Number of cylinders 6 • Swept volume 5,500 l • Maximal rotational speed 3700/min • Weight 790 kg with DPI
EC CERTIFICATION
CAT B
PRICE
990,000€, Excl. VAT (February 2023)
(Canados Gladiator 493 Grand, a logical evolution – Barchemagazine.com – February 2023)
