Whether your aim is to spend time exploring the warmer regions of the planet, or engage in serious high latitude expeditions, this aluminium 52-footer arguably sets new standards for the most serious of long-distance cruising yachts. It’s a boat that is born of the experience of this French boat builder’s recently launched 45 foot model, the first of which had the benefit of extensive input by Jimmy Cornell, founder of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).
Neat ideas that will be appreciated by anyone that has spent a significant amount of time at sea include the properly sheltered forward section of the cockpit. This is beneath a permanent hard top that’s styled to blend as neatly as possible with the profile of the pilothouse.
The main saloon is intended as the hub of the boat, with an internal pilot station, and raised dining table that allows a good view out through the pilothouse windows.
The design is available in two layouts – a standard version with three cabins and two bathrooms, or a so-called multi-version with four cabins and two bathrooms. The latter was the first boat to leave the production line and was premiered at the Düsseldorf boat show in January 2016.
The retractable centreboard enables draft to be reduced to barely more than four feet, which opens up a wide range of cruising areas that are denied to deep draught craft. This is a benefit whether you plan to cruise off the beaten track or in more popular, but relatively shallow regions such as Florida, the Bahama and Exuma islands, and much of Cuba.
Naturally a boat of this style, with the attention to detail that is exhibited here, is considerably more expensive than a mass-produced alternative of a similar size. However, anyone with a suitable budget who intends long-term cruising on a yacht of this size ought to put this design on their shortlist.
LOA 16.65m
Hull length 15.84m
Waterline length 14.59m
Draught (board up) 1.27m
Draught (board down) 3.00m
Displacement 19,500 kg
Fixed ballast 6,574kg
Air draught 21.50m (ex antennae)
Diesel tankage 1,000 litres
Fresh water tankage 800 litres
Black water tankage 140 litres
