2022 Schaefer 510 GTS review

Overview

Founded in 1992, and headquartered in Florianopolis in the south of Brazil, Schaefer Yachts is a family-owned boat maker of luxury power cruisers and motor yachts.

Now available in Australia, the Schaefer Yachts model range starts with the outboard-powered V33 centre cabin sports day cruiser and culminates with the svelte-looking Schaefer 25M multi-level super yacht.

In between, there are 10 other Schaefer models in the international cruiser range, each innovatively designed and built to a high standard.

The first of the locally delivered models include the entry Schaefer V33 dayboat and the mid-sized 510 GTS Sports Cruiser. We tested both of these radically different models on the Gold Coast recently, following their debut at the 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. 

For this review, we present the larger Schaefer 510 GTS, powered by dual 550hp Volvo Penta D8 IPS 700 pod drive diesel engines.

Notably, the Schaefer 510 GTS was designed by Schaefer Yachts' Marcio Schaefer, in collaboration with renowned Italian design house Pininfarina. 

Price and equipment

Schaefer Yachts Australia has Schaefer 510 GTS package prices starting from $2,030,802 when paired with the aforementioned Volvo D8 IPS 700 pod drives. This price includes a full-featured white-coloured boat, but without any electronics. 

Rather than list all the individual features included in the standard boat (of which there are many), it is easier to make notes of the options. You can then figure out everything else as being part of the standard inventory.

With the 550hp Volvo Penta D8 IPS 700 pod drives, our optioned test boat package price rises to $2,192,391. 

The extra money buys you a coloured hull (called Blu Note); a pair of Raymarine GPS Axiom 12 multifunction displays (with plotter, sonar, radar, engine data interface); Raymarine VHF radio; cockpit joystick command station; hydraulic lifting swim platform; anti-fouling paint; underwater lighting; teak to side decks; electric cockpit awning; RIB support; LED TVs to VIP and guest staterooms; curtains to head and cabins; cutlery and dishes; and a remote-controlled searchlight. 

Hull and engineering

The Schaefer 510 GTS is 15.82m long with a maximum beam of 4.36m and a dry weight of about 18,300kg. 

The hull is defined as a deep vee monohull although the transom deadrise is a modest 17 degrees to optimise the performance of the boat with the Volvo Penta through-hull, steerable pod drives with forward-facing counter-rotating propellers.

The relatively shallow aft vee angle also improves stability at rest and allows the Schaefer 510 GTS to plane easily with moderate bow lift. 

Full-length spray/lifting strakes help to stiffen the hull laterally, to the extent that the hull stays pretty level in a stiff cross breeze, rarely requiring trim tab correction.

That said, the hull does respond well to trim, allowing skippers to change the hull running angle to suit the prevailing conditions. Generally speaking, the hull likes a bit of negative trim to drop the sharp nose into the chop to smooth out the ride. 

The Schaefer 510 GTS is made from fibreglass with the hull, stringers, deck and other structural areas vacuum infused with vinyl ester resin to provide structural durability and resistance to osmosis.

Aesthetically, the Schaefer 510 GTS is a modern, good liking craft with a distinctly Mediterranean flair. The hull and deck lines are sports boat sleek, and the interior is innovative, boasting clever features such as side ventilation windows and the hydraulic opening sunroof, submerging swim/boarding platform, and the fold-out cockpit balcony. 

Choice of layouts

The Schaefer 510 GTS is available with a choice of three different lower deck layouts to meet varying customer requirements. Each of these configurations can also be customised to meet the most exacting of demands.

The standard layout, as tested, has three staterooms with three head/bathroom compartments and a crew/captain's room aft complete with a head — that's right, four toilets on a 51-foot boat. 

Two other configurations remove one of the head compartments on the port side. Both optional layouts swap out the head for a lower deck galley. 

The second of these two layouts also takes out the starboard side twin-berth stateroom and replaces it with an open plan L-shaped settee/dining area. 

I personally prefer the latter layout as it makes for a more open, uncluttered living space with a lot more seating and storage areas.

Mind you, if you want to live aboard for a weekend or more with a big family or large group of friends, then the three-stateroom, three-bathroom layout works a treat as there are permanent berths for six people (and a crew berth aft) along with a toilet/shower for each stateroom.

Saloon and helm station

A stainless steel framed glass sliding door separates the aft cockpit from the saloon and starboard side helm station. Step through the door and you have a comfortable L-shaped lounge seating area to port, complete with a solid timber table with folding end sections to enlarge it for dining. 

In the folded position the table has a grab rail and drink holders at each end.

A hidden galley is to starboard beneath a full-length solid-surface bench/countertop with a neat, glossy lacquered finish. 

The hinged, bi-fold countertop folds up and back to reveal bench space for food preparation, along with a two-burner cooktop and a deep sink with a folding faucet. 

There is also a built-in microwave oven, dishwasher, pantry and tableware storage cupboards, as well as a fridge and freezer behind timber cabinetry. 

For entertainment, there's a flat-screen TV suspended above the aft galley bench top, along with a surround sound audio system nearby. The TV is easily viewed from the port-side settee. 

Moving forward there is a step up to an elevated platform with the helm station to starboard and a vinyl-trimmed dash to port with a re-locatable glassware storage tray and mobile phone/storage receptacle.

Overhead, the large carbon fibre sunroof opens aft to flood natural light and breeze into the boat, bringing the outdoors into the primary living/entertaining area.

The huge, single-piece front windshield combines with the sliding sunroof to open up the saloon living space and provides an amazing panoramic view of the surroundings. 

From the elevated starboard side helm station, the skipper has a terrific, unrestricted view. Seated in the extra-wide, plushly padded helm chair, there is a clear view forward and aft for close-quarter manoeuvring, although the inclusion of the optional cockpit joystick control makes docking a breeze anyway.

The helm chair has a flip-up front bolster so skippers can recline comfortably at the helm or flip the bolster back to stand and use the chair as a lean seat. It is comfortable either way. 

The sports steering wheel, joystick control and dual Volvo Penta throttles are well placed on the vinyl upholstered dash in front of the driver, above a full-width timber footrest/storage box.

Overhead, the angled, gloss black fascia panel caters for flush-fitted engine instruments and multifunction displays including the two optional Raymarine Axiom units on the test boat. 

Other helm features include a handy grab rail, drink and phone holders, VHF radio, overhead compass, USB, 12- and 240-volt sockets, switching, and more. 

As noted earlier, the window alongside the skipper also slides open hydraulically to ventilate the saloon.

Accommodation

With the three-stateroom layout, our test boat has permanent berths for six people plus a single berth in the crew quarters aft, alongside the engine room.

The accommodation deck is five steps down from the bridge-deck helm station. 

The master stateroom is located beneath the saloon, stretching the full internal beam of the boat. The entry door lies to port as you descend the steps from the helm, and then turn aft to move down two additional steps into the master cabin. 

A queen-size island bed takes centre stage in the master stateroom with the bedhead and side tables aft against the rear bulkhead. The queen bed is flanked on the starboard side (or left-hand side as you study the accompanying photo) by a series of drawers beneath a full-length storage shelf. 

A two-seater lounge bench seat lies opposite, abaft a full height cupboard with storage shelves. 

The master stateroom does not have a separate hanging cupboard, so I'd be converting the port-side shelving into hanging space.

Downlights and bedside lights illuminate the master bedroom at night, while porthole-equipped cabin side windows brighten up this space with ambient light during the day.

Other features include a flat-screen TV, power and charging outlets, carpeted flooring, and soft-touch vinyl upholstery to the ceiling and surrounds. 

The ensuite bathroom is located adjacent to the cabin entryway on the port side of the boat. Inside you'll find a toilet, vanity with wash basin, storage cupboards, mirrored cabinet overhead, a window with an opening porthole, and a separate shower enclosure with non-slip timber flooring. 

The VIP stateroom is located in the forepeak of the boat. It is not as roomy as the master, but there is ample space to move about, along with steps to each side of the island bed that follow the contour of the hull.

Key features in the VIP stateroom include a bed head mirror, full-length storage cupboards to port and starboard, cabin side windows, bedside and down-lighting, and a skylight/ventilation hatch overhead.

The second of the three forward head compartments lies abaft the VIP stateroom. It can be accessed via a door off the central companionway, as well as from another door in the aft bulkhead of the VIP stateroom. 

Having the twin doors to the main head does provide easy access, but when you open the companionway door the inside handle clashes against the handle on the other door.

Further, because both doors open in toward each other, there is no way of securing either door in the open position. 

The third, guest stateroom is across the hall on the starboard side of the boat. It is fitted with two single berths that convert into a double with an infill cushion. 

The guest stateroom is relatively small, but can certainly sleep two people in reasonable comfort. Similar to the other staterooms, the guest room has shelving storage space, a flat-screen TV, and a side window with an opening porthole for natural light and ventilation.

The third head compartment nearby has all the features of the other two including an electric toilet, shower, vanity with storage, wash basin, mirror, and porthole window. 

Outdoor living

The Schaefer 510 GTS is designed to make the most of the outdoors, and this is reflected in the cockpit's layout. It really is an entertainer's delight. 

At the transom, for example, there is the highlighted hydraulic lift swim platform. This is an option, but well worth the expense. At the press of a button, the aft section of the two-piece boarding platform lowers down into the water. With it, a built-in ladder unfolds and deploys into the water so swimmers can easily emerge. 

The boarding platform is also reinforced to carry a decent-sized tender, so you can float the tender onto the aft platform, and then raise it.

Another neat feature is a side deck terrace/balcony that unfolds out from the starboard side of the boat. This feature enlarges the cockpit nicely, and there is space on it for a small table and two chairs. 

At the transom, the Schaefer 510 GTS has a large galley facility incorporating an electric barbecue and a sink with a folding faucet. It is surrounded by insulated ice boxes and storage cupboards, as well as the shore power socket on the port side. 

The cockpit itself is large and uncluttered. There is plenty of space to walk about, as well as an L-shaped lounge seat with a fixed, pedestal timber table.

Other features include access to the small crew quarters via a narrow entryway and ladder, the optional starboard-side joystick control helm station, optional overhead cockpit awning, starboard-side transom entry gate, extra-large stern cleats, and an engine room hatch in the cockpit floor. 

The entry to the engine room is relatively narrow, but once inside, the space opens up to allow for servicing and maintenance of the twin Volvo Penta diesel engines and other mechanical and electrical systems. 

Steps to each side of the cockpit lead up to the recessed cabin side decks to provide access to the bow seating/reclining area, and for docking back at the marina. 

The side rails surrounding the boat are high enough to provide security when moving back and forth from the bow, but there is a need for a decent handrail on the cabin sides just as you climb up from the aft cockpit. 

On the foredeck, sun-lovers will appreciate the large two/three-person sun pad.

Power and performance

The Schaefer 510 GTS can accept dual Volvo Penta and Cummins diesel engines with power outputs ranging between 440hp and 670hp, and with either a V-drive or Volvo Penta pod drive propulsion system.

V-drive shaft models come with a bow thruster to improve low-speed manoeuvrability. Volvo Penta pod drive models have built-in joystick control to achieve a similar thing. 

As noted, our test boat was paired with twin 550hp Volvo Penta D8 IPS 700 six-cylinder (turbocharged and supercharged) diesel engines with Volvo IPS15 pod drives.

Underway, the big Volvo Pentas delivered excellent performance, accelerating with decent agility from idle up and onto the plane. With some negative trim, there is minimal bow lift as the hull lifts easily out of the water, powering on to a useful top speed of 32 knots at 2900rpm WOT. 

More important than outright speed, of course, is the cruising performance. Volvo Penta pod drive boats are noted for being very economical at high revs, and this proved the case with our test boat.

Our Schaefer boat/engine combination recorded the best economy figures whilst steaming along at 2750rpm for a boat speed of 29.5 knots and a fuel burn of 183.5L/h. Assuming that 95 per cent of the boat's 1300-litre fuel supply is accessible, this gives the Schaefer 510 GTS a theoretical maximum cruising range of 198.5 nautical miles.

On the water

At speed or when manoeuvring slowing around a marina, the Schaefer 510 GTS is easy to drive and control. The joystick control makes it a doddle to park the boat, and the optional cockpit joystick is worth it for the clearer sight lines aft that it provides. 

Underway, the hull feels solid, secure, and smooth riding. Our test sea conditions were mild, but we spent enough time offshore to get a decent feel for the Schaefer 510 GTS.

The hull is well mannered, comfortable at speed, and responds quickly to changes in direction and boat trim angle; you can trim the bow down to cut through the chop, or trim it up to run before the sea. 

You can also just set and forget. The Schaefer 510 GTS is a 50-footer so it can handle most sea conditions with aplomb.

At the helm, the steering feels smooth and direct, while the throttle response from the big Volvo Penta diesel engines is excellent. 

The Schaefer 510 GTS banks quite sharply through the turns, but feels sure-footed and well balanced throughout. 

Performance

*Both engines
Range on 95% of the 1300L fuel supply: 199nm at 2750rpm

Verdict

The Schaefer 510 GTS is made for entertaining, with the features, fit-out and performance you need for overnight and weekend cruising.

Stand-out features include the opening sunroof, hydraulic lift boarding platform, and unfolding cockpit side balcony, but this craft has plenty of other good things going for it. 

The hull has an excellent combination of speed, balance ride comfort, economy and stability, whilst the three-stateroom, three-bathroom interior layout is wonderfully set up for buyers with extended families and/or lots of friends. 

Specifications
Model: Schaefer 510 GTS
Length overall: 15.82m
Beam: 4.36m
Draft: 1.26m
Deadrise: 17 degrees
Weight: 18,300kg (dry)
Bridge clearance: 4.95m
Engines as tested: Dual 550hp Volvo Penta D8 IPS700s with IPS15 pod drives
Generator: Cummins Onan 11.5kW
Fuel: 1300L 
Water: 470L
Passengers: 14
Accommodations: 6+1 crew

Priced from: $2,030,802 including a white-coloured hull and twin Volvo D8 IPS 700 turbocharged, supercharged six-cylinder diesel engines with IPS15 pod drives. 

Price as tested: $2,192,391. As above, but with a coloured hull (called Blu Note); a pair of Raymarine GPS Axiom 12 multifunction displays (with plotter, sonar, radar, engine data interface); Raymarine VHF radio; cockpit joystick command station; hydraulic lifting swim platform; anti-fouling paint; underwater lighting; teak to side decks; electric cockpit awning; RIB support; LED TVs to VIP and guest staterooms; curtains to head and cabins; cutlery and dishes; and a remote-controlled searchlight. 

Supplied by: Schaefer Yachts Australia