A Day on Board a Menorquín 48 FB

07:15. We leave the Port of Mahón to spend a day on board a Menorquín 48 FB

We set off early to spend a day on board a Menorquín 48 FB, while the Port of Mahón still holds onto the quiet of the night. The first rays of sunlight begin to illuminate the waterfront, there is barely a breeze, and we ease our way past the moored yachts as we make the final preparations before heading out to sea. The south coast of Menorca lies ahead, with an entire day waiting to unfold.

From the interior helm, we watch the Port of Mahón slowly disappear through the large panoramic windows. Leaving the harbour feels effortless, with the yacht responding smoothly to every manoeuvre without ever feeling heavy. As we pass the harbour entrance, the open sea stretches out ahead, almost perfectly calm, while a gentle breeze reaches the deck and softens the warmth of the morning.

That is the moment when the day truly begins. Not when we cast off the lines, but in that first instant when our eyes leave the shore behind and all our attention turns to the sea.

08:30. Heading for the Coves of Southern Menorca

We gradually increase speed and set course for the southern coast. The engines make their presence known, yet their sound never dominates the atmosphere or interrupts the conversation. The Menorquín 48 FB cruises comfortably at 19 knots and reaches a top speed of 23 knots, although once underway, the numbers quickly become secondary.

What we notice most is the way the yacht moves forward: steady, composed and without abrupt acceleration. The hull settles confidently on the water, allowing us to walk around the interior, prepare a drink or change seats without constantly adjusting our balance. We never feel the need to adapt to the yacht; instead, the yacht naturally follows the pace we have chosen for the morning.

For the first part of the journey, we navigate from the interior helm, sheltered from the wind and enjoying wide views of the coastline. Later, we move up to the flybridge, where the experience changes completely. From here, the horizon opens up, the outline of the island comes into full view, and the sea breeze feels more present.
One of us remains at the helm while the other relaxes on the upper sunpad. We are sharing the journey, even though each of us is enjoying it in a different way.

The flybridge features:
• Panoramic views and a helm station with seating for three people
• U-shaped dinette with a folding teak table
• Sunpad
• Outdoor galley equipped with a refrigerator, sink, storage and ice maker

We never see it as a space designed solely for navigation. During the journey, it becomes a place to talk, admire the coastline or simply sit back while the yacht continues effortlessly on its course.

11:20. Arrival at Macarella

As we approach Macarella, we gradually reduce speed. The deep blue of the sea slowly gives way to lighter shades and, as the water becomes shallower, we begin to make out the sandy seabed beneath the hull. The water is so clear that we can distinguish the deeper areas with ease, allowing us to choose our anchorage calmly and with confidence.

The cove is still relatively peaceful. A few yachts are already at anchor, but there is still plenty of space to enjoy the view of the beach and the cliffs without feeling too close to anyone else. From the flybridge, we check our position while one of us heads forward to prepare the anchor. The uncluttered foredeck makes moving around easy, while the windlass and anchoring system are neatly integrated alongside the forward dinette and sunpad.

The moment we switch off the engines, the change is immediate. The sound of the journey fades away, and for a few moments all we can hear is the gentle movement of the water against the hull. We leave our towels in the cockpit, head down to the stern and sit by the water's edge before taking our first swim.

The submersible bathing platform sits just above the water, making it easy to get in and out. We can sit with our feet in the sea, leave our snorkelling masks within reach or climb back on board without having to pull ourselves up a high ladder. Even after our swim, we do not rush back to the deck. Instead, we stay there for a while, drying off in the sun, because the platform feels like a private terrace suspended above the cove.

13:45. Lunch on Board

After our swim, we head inside to prepare lunch. The interior galley gives us plenty of space to cook while keeping the sea in sight through the large windows. We keep it simple: fresh fish, a salad and bread with tomato. Lunch becomes part of the day as naturally as cruising or swimming.

The saloon is filled with natural light and remains closely connected to the cockpit thanks to the open aft layout. In its standard configuration, this space combines a double sofa, dining table, additional refrigerator and the helm station, creating a comfortable interior living area without losing its connection to the outdoors.

Although we could have lunch inside, we decide to take our plates up to the flybridge. From the table, we enjoy a full view of the cove, while a gentle breeze makes the temperature even more pleasant. We eat slowly, without schedules and with nowhere we need to be. Afterwards, one of us stretches out on the sunpad while the other heads below to prepare a coffee.

Throughout the day, we move naturally from one area to another without giving it much thought. We use the interior galley to cook, the stern to stay close to the water, and the flybridge for lunch or while underway. There is no single focal point on board; each space comes into its own depending on the time of day, the light or the wind.

16:40. An Afternoon by the Water

After spending several hours in Macarella, we weigh anchor and head towards another stretch of the coastline. The passage is short, yet long enough to feel the yacht in motion once again and let the sea breeze cool the deck. When we find a quieter spot, we drop anchor once more and make our way back to the stern.

We slice some fresh fruit, pour ourselves cold water and settle beside the bathing platform. One of us lowers it until almost level with the sea, while the other stays in the cockpit. We are close enough to keep talking, yet each of us has enough space to relax without getting in the other's way.

The Menorquín 48 FB measures 15.80 metres in overall length and 4.85 metres in beam, dimensions that become especially apparent when you spend an entire day on board. We can leave our towels at the stern, keep our afternoon snack on the table and move freely around the deck without constantly having to tidy everything away.

Before heading back, we take one last swim. The water is slightly warmer than it was in the morning, and the afternoon light has softened. We spend a while floating beside the yacht, watching as the changing light gradually transforms the colours of the coastline.

18:35. The Sea Begins to Change

As we leave the cove, the wind begins to pick up. The sea is no longer as calm as it was earlier in the day, and small waves start crossing our course from the side. We stow away the glasses, close the windows and continue westward.

The movement of the sea becomes more noticeable, yet life on board remains unchanged. The hull cuts smoothly through the waves without harsh impacts, allowing us to continue our conversation with ease. One of us takes the helm while the other relaxes in the adjacent seat, watching the course ahead and the coastline drift by.

The conditions have changed, yet we continue our course without interruption. That sense of continuity defines the experience on board: the Menorquín 48 FB never demands our constant attention, allowing us to stay focused on the journey and everything happening around us. Its stability becomes especially noticeable when the wind picks up, confirming that we can carry on with our plans without the navigation becoming uncomfortable.

20:25. Sunset from the Stern

Before heading back, we find an open stretch facing west and ease back on the throttle. The wind has settled, and the sea begins to mirror the warm colours of the evening sky.

We settle into the aft dinette, facing the horizon, and open a bottle of champagne. We raise a toast as the sun slowly sinks towards the sea and the deck is gradually bathed in the softer light of the evening.

From the stern, we no longer look back at our wake or the miles we've covered—only at the open sea and the last light of the day, enjoying the silence, the view and the best company.

By now, the yacht is no longer perfectly tidy. A shirt rests over the back of a seat, sunscreen sits on the table and two towels are drying at the stern. A few dishes remain in the galley and there is still fruit in the refrigerator. None of it feels out of place; they are simply the signs of a yacht that has been lived in throughout the day, where every space has naturally become part of the experience.

We stay there until the sun slips below the horizon and the sky begins to darken. Nothing more needs to be said. It is enough simply to be there, facing the sea and sharing the moment with the right company.

21:10. Return to Mahón

We switch on the navigation lights and set our course back to the Port of Mahón. After spending so many hours outdoors, it feels good to return to the comfort of the interior and settle beside the helm. As night falls, the coastline gradually fades into the darkness.

We are tired, but not with the kind of fatigue that follows an uncomfortable day at sea. We have spent hours cruising, prepared lunch on board, gone for a swim and changed anchorage twice, yet we still find ourselves wanting to stay a little longer.

During the final miles, we speak less. Instead, we watch the first lights appear along the coastline and quietly recall the day's moments: our morning swim, lunch on the flybridge, fresh fruit at the stern and the way the sea changed throughout the afternoon.

A day on board a Menorquín 48 FB doesn't require a complicated itinerary or a schedule packed with activities. All it takes is an early departure, a beautiful cove and a yacht that naturally adapts to every moment without ever imposing itself. As we enter the harbour once again, it doesn't feel as though we've spent the day aboard a yacht, but rather in a place of our own on the sea.