exploration 52 yacht

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Garcia Explocat 52 review: A go-anywhere aluminium catamaran

• February 23, 2021

The new go-anywhere Garcia Explocat 52 offers an enticing combination of space, pace and rugged construction. Rupert Holmes tested the new boat for Yachting World and felt it's clear she has the potential to make easy 250 mile days in the right conditions.

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

In recent years there have been two clear trends in serious long-term cruising yachts. Firstly catamarans have become mainstream, to the extent that professional racing sailors talk of ‘buying a catamaran’ for cruising with their families – a monohull doesn’t even enter the equation.

This trend can also be seen in ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) entries, where multihulls are increasingly common. In 2020 they accounted for 28% of the total fleet and a much higher proportion of new boats and more recent designs.

The second trend is the rapidly growing popularity of rugged metal expedition yachts. Aluminium is favoured for this as it offers good strength and stiffness without a weight penalty, especially for yachts over a critical size. That’s why many top-end racing yachts were built of aluminium before composites dominated that scene.

This is a boat that’s capable of effortlessly eating miles on a long passage. Photo: Jérôme Houyvet/Garcia Yachts

It was, therefore, surely only a matter of time before someone married these two concepts to create an aluminium expedition catamaran. Cherbourg-based Garcia Yachts has been building metal boats for almost 50 years, including Jean Luc Van Den Heede ’s 36.15 MET, in which he scored a podium finish in the inaugural Vendée Globe Race in 1989.

Equally Garcia needs no introduction as a front-runner in the development of expedition yachts, thanks to the success of the Exploration 45 that was developed with ARC founder Jimmy Cornell eight years ago. What’s less well known is that the Explocat 52 is by no means Garcia’s first aluminium catamaran.

A pair of 43-footers 15 years ago were followed by the SC48, one of which consistently posted some of the fastest passage times in the 2017/18 World ARC .

As part of the Grand Large Yachting group Garcia was also able to draw on considerable expertise from Outremer and Gunboat for its latest model, while naval architecture is by Pierre Delion, who also drew the SC48.

The Explocat 52 is therefore the product of a highly knowledgeable development team and has already attracted plenty of attention, including nomination for the 2021 European Yacht of the Year awards.

The core concept for the Explocat 52 is a robust, safe long-range yacht that offers good passagemaking speeds. A high level of comfort, both at sea – even in inclement weather – and in harbour was also a key requirement, and the boat had to be capable of being handled by a couple.

Go anywhere?

While a key marketing message for Garcia’s monohulls is ‘Nowhere you can’t go’, the company accepts this won’t apply as literally to the Explocat 52, even though the boat’s impressive speed potential will enable routing around a lot of bad weather.

Explocat 52, the ultimate aluminium exploration catamaran by Garcia Yachts

The problem is, unlike being knocked down in a monohull, capsizing a multihull is always catastrophic. There are parts of the world, especially at high latitudes in the southern hemisphere, or out of season in the north, where it could be impossible to route around potentially dangerous weather. Nevertheless, the boat is intended to stretch the boundaries that are sensible for exploring the globe with a catamaran, allowing owners to sail a lot further north and south than might be prudent with existing designs.

Rugged construction is also a benefit when venturing off the beaten track in tropical waters. If anything goes wrong while exploring a poorly-charted lagoon, for instance, a fibreglass boat may be in grave danger. Many foam sandwich hulls have surprisingly thin outer skins, which can make the structure vulnerable to abrasion, whether from coral or a concrete quay.

By contrast, the thinnest plating of the Explocat 52 is 5mm, which increases through 8, 10 and 12mm thicknesses, before reaching an enormously reassuring 14mm at the bottom of the hulls. The boat has framing of up to 14mm and is structurally engineered to eliminate flexing between the hulls.

A substantial keel with a long chord length is welded to the bottom of the hulls. They are marginally deeper than the rudders, which offers some protection, as well as providing a firm base on which to dry out on a beach. At the same time the key elements that have made Garcia’s Exploration monohulls so successful are incorporated.

These include fore and aft watertight bulkheads and upstands for through-hull fittings that enable all seacocks to be above the waterline. A skeg ahead of the saildrives and rudders provides good protection, while the rudders are large enough to offer redundancy in the event of one being lost. In addition, the top aft corner of the rudders have a sacrificial zone designed to eliminate risk of the blade puncturing the hull, or becoming jammed, if it hits an obstruction with enough force to bend the stock.

What about weight? Are metal multihulls uncommon because they’re simply too heavy? As with aluminium monohulls, where the material offers better strength/weight ratios for larger boats, around 14m/46ft overall length seems to be a transition point for catamarans.

Below that composite boats will always be lighter, but above that length aluminium is lighter for equivalent rigidity than a composite structure that doesn’t use exotic materials. At 18.9 tonnes lightship displacement the Explocat is therefore in the same league as other cruising catamarans of a similar size and indeed lighter than some.

Substantial built-in attachment points for shorelines are found at the waterline of each bow for use in extreme conditions, plus attachment points aft for a drogue

Interestingly, it’s also a similar figure to that of the Exploration 52 monohull, yet the Explocat offers a large amount of extra space and 35% more sail area. Maximum payload is a useful five tonnes. But how does that translate on the water?

Rapid exploration

Our test took place from Cherbourg on a gloriously sunny late November day, with a gusty and shifty southerly breeze varying from 7-19 knots.

It’s immediately clear the Explocat 52 picks up and sails at speeds that belie its displacement, putting it in a different league to other expedition yachts of similar length, especially when reaching.

Broad reaching at 120° TWA with full main and Code 0 in 16 knots of true wind we cruised comfortably at 10 knots, reaching an unfussed maximum of 11.8 knots, with the boat still feeling rock steady.

When the breeze picked up to 19 knots, at the design limit for the Code 0, we furled it and continued with the Solent jib instead, losing only a couple of knots of boat speed. By the time we turned upwind the wind had eased significantly, which gave a good test in conditions that can challenge cruising yachts.

Article continues below…

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In just seven knots of true wind we made 5.3 close-hauled, rising to 6.2 in 9 knots of breeze. Maximum upwind speed was 9 knots in 15 knots of true wind. However, these numbers can’t be achieved if pinching – the boat likes to be sailed fast and free, with tacking angles of at least 105°. This is hardly a surprise for a boat of this style that’s sufficiently fast to have a big impact on apparent wind angles.

Even in light airs the Explocat is surprisingly nimble in tacks, showing no hint it might miss stays, or slow enough for steering to be difficult until speed is regained on the new tack. Obviously the steering has less feel than a lightweight monohull, but there’s enough feedback for it to feel reasonably responsive and enjoyable to helm.

The shifty and gusty offshore winds were ideal for figuring out the boat’s capability across a range of wind strengths, but the mostly flat water meant we didn’t see the boat performing in a more agitated sea state.

Pete Goss – another massively experienced high-profile Garcia owner – has sailed the boat in more lively conditions. Even fully powered up he reported the lee shrouds remaining tight and there was no telltale creaking of furniture below decks, indicating no deflection of the structure despite the high loads. “It’s incredible how fast she is,” Goss says. He was also impressed by how nimbly the boat tacks.

Cockpits and steering

Much thought has gone into optimising the deck layout. The core vision is for key operations to take place in the safety and shelter of the aft cockpit. The only exceptions are preparing the main for use and hoisting/dropping spinnakers and reaching sails.

We conducted our test in south-east to south-west winds of 7-19 knots, in flat water

As standard the helm station is offset to starboard at the front of the aft cockpit. It has a two-position swinging wheel, which provides an all-round view over the top of the coachroof in its upper position. When swung inboard and lower, the helmsman gains shelter from the hard top, while being able to see forward through the bridgedeck cabin windows.

However, at the request of the owner the first boat has twin outboard helm stations. Before sailing it I’d expected to prefer this arrangement, but didn’t warm to it. Granted, you can steer from the windward side, with a good view of the jib, but the headsail luff will also be visible from the higher of the standard steering positions.

The key problem with the twin wheels is the coachroof creates a large blind spot on the other side of the boat. This has potential to create issues when manoeuvring in confined quarters such as a marina or when bailing out of an anchorage in an unexpected squall.

Mainsheet and traveller are handled right aft on the crossbeam, while the headsail, staysail and kite sheets, plus furling lines, are handled by electric Lewmar 65 winches on each side of the cockpit. Plenty of large rope bins and bags help keep lines nicely ordered.

The rig has twin headstays, with a marginally overlapping furling Solent jib on the main forestay, plus a self-tacking furling staysail. This runs on a neat Dyneema strop, instead of a more conventional but unnecessarily expensive and heavy track.

Combined with furling spinnakers and reaching sails it’s an excellent configuration that takes the hassle out of changing gear to suit widely different conditions.

The square-top mainsail has a Dyneema strop that pulls the ‘gaff’ forward to the mast track without any need for complex hooks, making it as easy to use as pin-head sails. A fuse attaching one of the mainsheet blocks to the boom is intended as a capsize prevention device if the boat is over pressed.

When the fuse blows the strop joining the block to the boom extends by two metres, immediately depowering the sail. The idea of the forward cockpit is to provide a protected position for a lookout when sailing in ice and for anchor handling. It also doubles as a well ventilated area for relaxation when at anchor in warmer climes.

It’s generally easy to move around on deck and there are decent steps at a gentle gradient between the various different levels. I also liked the cork deck – it looks surprisingly good, has great grip and is a more environmentally friendly option than teak.

There’s plenty of stowage, both in small lockers in the cockpit benches and in cavernous sail lockers at the front of each hull.

Davits are rated to take a 500kg RIB, allowing a substantial, powerful tender to be carried.

Temperature control

Alongside the rugged exterior is supremely comfortable and well thought out accommodation.

This, of course, isn’t a boat where it would be appropriate for the distinction between interior and exterior living spaces to be all but eliminated, as it is for many recent designs intended solely for hot climates. Nevertheless, the standard specification has a drop-down window each side of the door between the saloon and aft cockpit. This will help to open the saloon to the aft cockpit and improve ventilation in warm weather.

The saloon is comfortable, bright and airy, yet also has practical sea-going elements

For colder parts of the world an air extraction system vents moist and stale interior air without needing to open hatches.

The main forward saloon windows are also equipped with demisters. In the same vein, dedicated lockers for foul weather gear and boots have mechanical ventilation and heating. These features make sailing in cold and damp regions far more civilised, yet are addressed by disappointingly few manufacturers.

The aluminium shell is lined with up to 76mm of high density foam, which provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. As a result the boat is impressively quiet inside when under way – in the saloon you can barely hear the engines, even at cruising speed, and the high bridgedeck – it’s 85cm above the water – means we experienced no slapping of waves.

Insulation of this standard is expensive to install and doesn’t show up on photographs. Yet yachts create a cacophony of noise in heavy weather. Effective sound proofing is therefore a critical element in creating a comfortable environment, while the thermal insulation will be a benefit whether in the tropics or the Arctic.

As you’d expect, the saloon is very bright and airy, with a good almost all-round view.

The navstation forward on the port side, next to the watertight door to the forward cockpit

The biggest drawback in this respect is at the navstation, forward on the port side, as the mast support and starboard forward mullion obscure some of the view.

Also to port is a big galley that offers plenty of secure worktop space, with low fiddles, and masses of stowage. The test boat had additional fridge and freezer space in the starboard hull. Garcia says more than half its customers choose electric cooking and this boat has a microwave, electric oven and induction hob.

The company has its roots in custom boatbuilding and offers several choices for fitting out the hulls, with options for 6-10 berth arrangements, including a classic owner’s layout. The aft cabins have natural light through two hull windows, a wide aft window to the cockpit, plus opening ports aft and overhead.

If you enjoyed this….

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Garcia’s longstanding knowledge of creating rugged go-anywhere yachts has enabled the yard to produce one with a very enticing combination of space, pace and rugged construction. It also benefits from a high standard of finish, attention to detail and many neat touches. It’s clear the boat has the potential to make easy 250 mile days in the right conditions. At the same time it has sufficient tankage and stowage for supplies, spares and tools to give a high level of autonomy for extended periods. The owner of the first boat intends voyaging to Svalbard and, with another seven boats on order, it’s unlikely to be long before we see Explocats in many more far-flung and interesting parts of the globe.

Garcia Yachts Exploration 52

The Garcia Yachts Exploration 52 is a rugged, aluminium bluewater cruiser with a shallow keel, lifting centreboard and twin rudders that enable it to dry out.

The Exploration 52 is in every sense the larger sister of the original Exploration 45, which was conceived by bluewater cruising guru Jimmy Cornell and designed to be a go-anywhere yacht. Cornell, the founder of the  ARC , has logged over 200,000 cruising miles. His brief for Garcia, and designers Berret-Racoupeau, was to create both  the ideal bluewater cruiser  and a yacht rugged enough to take on the  North West Passage .

Technology used in the hybrid electric Garcia Yachts Exploration 52 :

• Boatbuilder: Garcia Yachts
• LOA: 16,65 m
• Boat beam: 4,8 m
• Displacement: 19505 kg
• Electric motor system: Oceanvolt AXC40 shaft drive electric motor
• Electric motor system nominal power: 40kW
• Electric motor system voltage: 48 V
• Batteries: 2 x 21kWh Valence lithium-ion battery pack
• Generator: 2 x 11kWh DC generators

Written by Anna

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Garcia Exploration 52 – mini test

Robustly built in aluminium with internal ballast, pivoting centreplate, extensive insulation (against arctic or tropical temperatures) and elegant internal finish, the exploration 52 is entirely different from other boats..

Its imposing bow, unusual coachroof (with forward-raked window), workmanlike arch, protected cockpit, accessible transom (with stowage lockers) and towering topsides make a dramatic first impression dockside. This ‘go anywhere’ cruiser stands out from the crowd.

Olivier and Clémence of Garcia joined me for a sail and it became obvious that this large yacht doesn’t need a large crew. The wind blew 14-18kt and after unzipping the fully battened mainsail from its ‘stack pack’ bag we made light work of hoisting it with an Andersen electric winch.

The smaller self-tacking jib (it’s a cutter rig) was then unfurled and we settled into a lazy 7kt at 40° to the true wind. With the larger Solent jib, she would have sailed faster and closer to the wind – when we unfurled it on a reach speed increased effortlessly to around 8kt.

Twin wheels made it easy to see the telltales while twin rudders gave the firm yet precise feel that befits a long-legged bluewater cruiser. Under power, a whispering Volvo D3-110 gave 7.2kt at 2,000rpm and 8.7kt at 2,600rpm.

Below, the deck saloon accommodates an extensive linear galley, sofas that wrap around a large table and the superb ‘captain’s bridge’ forward with near all-round vision. Unusual art-deco style radiators (circulating antifreeze-protected water heated by a Webasto), extensive insulation and double-glazed windows ensure comfort in the coldest weather.

A variety of forward and aft layouts (with cabins and heads compartments) are offered – so you can fit out the 52 to suit your requirements.

This is a high-quality yacht so it starts at £699,000. However, you can customise it to your heart’s content and it will take you just about anywhere you please.

garcia-yachting.com

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Garcia Explocat 52

Description

If you have your heart set on long voyages, you will be looking for a cat that is capable of knocking out high miles-per-day averages. And if you want to go off the beaten track into higher latitudes, you will need a yacht that is rugged and capable of taking knocks.

Aluminium yachts are nothing new in the monohull world, so I guess it was just a matter of time before someone launched an aluminium catamaran capable of exploring most corners of the planet safely and comfortably. Lucky for us, that someone is Garcia Yachts from Cherbourg, France and Pierre Delion who are the team behind the Explocat 52 . This yacht is competing with the likes of the Windelo 54 , but it promises safety in higher latitudes.

Garcia (part of Grand Large Yachting Group who also own Outremer and Gunboat) developed the Exploration 45 with Jimmy Cornell. The Explocat is their follow up on 2 hulls to this successful monohull.

The idea? A comfortable, safe long-distance catamaran that can be handled by a couple and that cruises at above average speed. And all that with a finish that you might expect on something out of the Privilege catamarans range.

Photos: Garcia Yachts and Jermoe Houyvet.

Construction

Let’s talk about how the Garcia Explocat 52 is built as this is one of her key USPs.

She’s built in aluminium of course. This material gives you better strength/weight ratios at this length – she comes in at 18.9 tonnes light displacement – slightly heavier than a Fountaine Pajot 51, for example, but you end up with a stiffer, more robust boat with a more powerful sail plan: the Explocat prioritises seaworthiness over flybridges.

You will squeeze more performance out of an Outremer 51, but the Garcia 52 is the more robust yacht. We are talking fibreglass versus aluminium, remember? The Garcia Explocat will always be heavier than a comparable fibreglass or carbon catamaran (read our Balance 482 review as an example). that is your trade off for strength, durability, sustainability and resale value.

The thinnest plating of the Explocat 52 is 5mm, which builds to 8, 10 and 12mm, reaching 14mm at the bottom of the hulls.

Fixed keels are welded to the bottom of the hulls (another safety feature for when you are off the beaten track). They are deeper and protect the rudders, allowing you to dry the boat out at low tide like a Prout.

Other safety features include fore and aft watertight bulkheads and skegs in front of the saildrives.

• Aluminum structural bulkheads
• Aluminum forward beam, composite forward longitudinal beam
• Chain plates and reinforcement plates welded directly onto the hull and deck structure
• Watertight forward and aft bulkheads welded directly onto the hull and deck structure

The aim on the Explocat 52 is to average 250 nm a day in decent conditions and with a steady breeze you should be hitting double figures with her powerful sail plan.

Even in lighter airs, the Explocat will get going quickly with a Code 0 or gennaker up. You won’t be matching TWS like you would in a Marsaudon, you’ll be around 2 knots slower, but this is still a nippy yacht.

Options of the rig include:

• Carbon mast with kevlar rigging
• Furling boom
• Lighting in spreaders

This means the lines are shorter and there is less friction from being routed around blocks. Simpler is better in this case. There is also an option to run these back to the helms if you prefer.

There are options on the helm position. One owner has gone for twin aft helms, while the standard set up is a swivel (pendulum) helm at the main bulkhead- a configuration that first came to market on Balance catamarans.

The Mainsheet and traveller are handled on the aft crossbeam, while the genoa, solent and gennaker/code 0 sheets, plus furling lines, are managed with electric Lewmar 65 winches on either side of the cockpit.

Garcia have done a great job of helping you to keep the working areas tidy with big bags for your ropes to keep the yacht ship-shape. Reefing lines come back safely to the helm, (there is an option to manage these at the mast if you prefer shorter lines).

The rig has two headstays, with an overlapping furling jib on the main forestay, and a self-tacking furling solent.

Add the furling spinnakers and lighter wind sails, and you have a flexible package that will optimise your sail plan in most conditions with minimum fuss. There is a safety fuse on one of the mainsheet blocks to the boom. When this blows, the mainsail is depowered.

The forward cockpit is a safe area to work when working on your halyards, topping lift and lighter wind sails (gennaker, Code 0 etc), and it offers great visibility for ice or reef spotting, and for working the anchor windlass.

And just like a Gunboat, if you throw the door open in warmer climes when you are on the hook, the breeze flows nicely through the boat. It also makes a great spot for a sundowner.

Living Space

This catamaran has a lovely finish inside and down below thanks to Darnet Design. This is the same team that is behind the interiors of the Privilege Signature 580 and there are a lot of similarities in the look. It’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

If you are heading into the higher latitudes, you will appreciate the air extraction system that cycles air from the living area without having to open hatches.

The forward saloon windows have demisters, and there are lockers for your wet weather gear with ventilation and heating.

Up in the the saloon, the visibility is impressive and the whole area is bright. It’s a comfortable design with a sofa tucked in starboard forward and a galley with plenty of storage aft port of the saloon.

In pride of place is an ample forward facing nav station- this is a sailing boat after all.

Down below, various option are available on this semi-custom cat that boasts 2m headroom throughout.

There is space for one master cabin and two guest cabins in the standard version. Or go for the four cabin version.

Another option is to convert one of the forward cabins into a skippers cabin.

The aft cabins are soaked in natural light thanks to two hull windows, plus a wide aft window and opening ports aft and overhead.

Standard Specification

• Aluminium hull and deck
• Forefoot chain plates for towing, also works a a bumper and ice breaker
• High bridge deck clearance for heavy seas
• Forward and aft watertight aluminium bulkheads
• Seacock valves above waterline
• Rudders have sacrificial end-fittings
• GRP coachroof and hardtop bimini gives you thermic and acoustic insulation
• Thermic and acoustic insulation thanks to foam panels above waterline, and insulated floor
• Swing helm with 2 steering positions : a high position for the marina and fair weather,  a low cockpit for rough weather
• Optional inside steering, within the saloon
• All sheets controlled from the aft cockpit for safety
• Sail handling area (halyyards, reefing lines) in forward cockpit
• Solid watertight door gives you access the forward cockpit

This is a robust catamaran designed for sailing and living onboard in both higher latitudes and tropical waters.

With it’s powerful sail plan and safety features, she’s been designed for sailing safely with a high degree of comfort in the roughest sea conditions. This is a catamaran that sits on its own in the market- there’s not much competition.

Is this the best aluminium catamaran on the market? Probably.

How much does a Garcia 52 Explocat cost? What is the price of this catamaran? With our usual disclaimer that it depends on your options, you will be starting the conversation off at around €1.3 m. Add more budget for a carbon mast with kevlar rigging, furling boom, light wind sails plus fittings, hydranet mainsail, tempered glass, joystick on nav station, updrade to 75HP engines, genset, hydrogenerator, solar panels, lithium batteries, water maker, and so on. There are a lot of options to choose from. Fire up your spreadsheets!

Technical Specification

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Designer:  Racoupeau Yacht Design

Overall Length: 54.63′ Hull Length:  51.97′ Waterline: 47.87′ Beam: 15.75′ Draft centerboard up/down :  4.17′ / 9.51′ Bridge clearance (excluding antennas):  70.54′ Displacement: 43,000 lbs Ballast: 14,500 lbs Engine:   Volvo Penta D2-75 or Volvo Penta D3-110 diesel engine Diesel Tank: 317 gallons Water tank:   232 gallons

Nowhere you can't go

Building on the success of her little sister,  the Exploration 52 carries on the features of the Jimmy Cornell inspired Exploration 45: shallow draft capability, deck saloon with 270 degree views, insulated aluminum hull with collision bulkheads and watertight companionway, and bulletproof systems with unparalleled access.

The Standard Version  is comprised of a spacious forward master cabin with a private bathroom and separate shower, a guest cabin with double bed to starboard in the aft, a large bathroom with separate shower and technical area with sea bunk to port in the aft. Large deck saloon with 270° panoramic view, forward facing chart table with internal steering position, and galley with storage in the forward passageway. Technical locker can be transformed into an additional cabin if desired.

The Multi Version comprises of a spacious forward master cabin with a private bathroom and separate shower, a guest cabin with double bed and large bathroom with separate shower to starboard in the aft, an additional cabin with two superimposed bunks and a technical area with sea bunk to port in the aft. Large deck saloon with 270° panoramic view, forward facing chart table with internal steering position, and galley with storage in the forward passageway. Technical locker can be transformed into an additional cabin if desired.

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• Sailboat Guide

Garcia Exploration 52

Garcia Exploration 52 is a 51 ′ 11 ″ / 15.8 m monohull sailboat designed by Berret-Racoupeau and built by Garcia Yachts starting in 2016.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Overall length: 16.65m / 54.63 ft

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Comparative review of Allures 52, Garcia Exploration 52, Alubat Cigale 16

Regardless of whether you are traveling in high latitudes, heading into the tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea, or planning a trip around the world - you need a reliable, safe yacht. Who better to cope with this task than the aluminum yachts of the leading yacht builders.

In this review, we look at sleek aluminum cruising yachts capable of crossing oceans, breaking ice, while still providing cozy living spaces. What makes these three 52-foot yachts different - Allures 52, Garcia   Exploration 52 and Alubat   Cigale 16? What market segment does each model target? How to choose a yacht according to your cruise plan?

Allures  52

Allures 52  Is much more than meets the eye. Designed  Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design Studio,  This rugged yet elegant long voyage boat is built for true cruisers. It is the embodiment of the cruise dream of speed and comfort without compromise or performance overbalance.

Allures 52  built in Normandy, France to a very high standard, the welds are always professional and flawless, and the rounded insulated hulls are simply a work of art. Each yacht  Allures  is manufactured by a carefully formed team of specialists, reflecting the quality of the boat both on and below the deck.

The double rudder provides a flawless transition on the high seas and responds to light touch when sailing in high winds. The integral centerboard rises, reducing draft from 3.30 m to 1.10 m. This allows access to shallow water and also provides excellent performance from the upwind side.

The composite superstructure allows to reduce the total weight of the boat, and thanks to the easily controllable rigging, two people can steer the boat even in harsh conditions from the spacious and seaworthy cockpit. A delicate robot for finishing, bright stylish interiors, a good view from the salon through large windows, and an impeccable galley.

Fuel, water and battery tanks are positioned precisely in the center of the hull to provide an exceptional strength and balance-to-weight ratio for the aluminum hull. There is also ample storage space on the boat, including plenty of aft space for a generator, watermaker, spare parts, or anything else you might need extra space for. For a cruise yacht of this size, it is extremely important to provide the crew with autonomy during long ocean crossings.

The aft cabin on the starboard side may have a cabin, technical room or workshop. And if you prefer a combination of all three, the workbench can be converted into a bunk with ample storage space underneath. This design flexibility combined with unique capabilities  Allures will provide the owner with a truly enviable boat.

Garcia   Exploration  52

Garcia Exploration 52  built on the basis of the legendary yacht project  Jimmy Cornella   Garcia Exploration 45 ... Yachting guru in conjunction with the shipyard  Garcia  created a dream yacht for the yachtsman himself, which eventually became a dream for all yachtsmen in the world.

Garcia Exploration 45  was specially designed for Jimmy Cornell's passage through  Northwest Passage ... In his life, he has traveled over 200,000 miles, traveled several times around the world, wrote many books about cruise itineraries that can be found on every yacht, founded several cruise rallies, including  Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).

Before yacht project development  Garcia ,  Jimmy Cornell  owned three yachts and traveled hundreds of thousands of miles. Of course, it is just such a person that you would entrust the project of your future yacht. His requirements for a good boat are extremely simple: a sturdy, fast, comfortable, functional and easily manageable yacht, ideal for both high latitudes and tropical sailing. Thus, keeping the principles of the 45th model, but increasing the size to 52 feet, the shipyard has created an even more majestic yacht for any region of sailing.

Garcia Exploration 52

Outside,  Garcia Exploration 52  looks solid and muscular, while retaining that heavy duty cockpit roof that resembles the bridge of a warship and which is the key to getting a good view from the inner helm station. The solid roof, which proved to be a good shelter on the 45, has increased in size and height. The extra 7 feet gave the yacht many benefits, such as an additional 600 liter tank. Of course, in general, the boat became almost 5 tons heavier and about 250 thousand euros more expensive than  Garcia 45 .

A yacht designed for high latitudes must provide the crew with safety and comfort, both inside and out.  Exploration 52  has double-glazed windows facing forward to the bow deck giving the skipper a 270 ° view. Its technical characteristics are more reminiscent of those of a rescue tug than a cruising yacht, including a watertight saloon door, watertight forward and aft bulkheads and watertight hatches in the aft compartments.

All tanks are centered and an anchor locker located at the foot of the mast for optimal weight distribution. Other key features include an integral aluminum centerboard and dual rudder bar with protective skegs for shallow water sailing. But the favorite, however, is the chain plate at the bottom of the stem for towing and ice breaking.

Owners can choose from two, three or four cabins, with seating for four to eight crew members. If the four-cabin version is chosen, it is possible to equip a workshop below deck.

Success  Garcia Exploration 52  lies in its robust hull, wheelhouse and deck saloon, which provides a very secure position for all-round watch watches, along with a very long list of other benefits:

all fittings are made of welded aluminum and all valves are located above the waterline; thermal and acoustic insulation was installed above the waterline using polyethylene foam panels, as well as a thick foam insulated floor; electric windlass, located in a cabinet below deck directly in front of the mast; built-in aft arch for the installation of electronics, a wind generator, solar panels with the possibility of using it as a davit; a large aft platform has been installed with easy access to water and also for easy loading; the location of the life raft in the locker, which is accessed from the aft platform; all main sheets are controlled from the cockpit.

So, two boats belonging to the same group, both made of aluminum, have a very similar hull, so what are the differences between them?

Apart from the obvious differences that the design  Garcia 52  there is a deck salon, and  Allures 52 , the saloon itself, and the navigation post in the saloon are simply raised, the boats are significantly different, and indicate slightly different market sectors.

Both boats are very seaworthy, designed for long ocean crossings with great autonomy, but while  Allures 52  we could call the perfect cruiser,  Garcia 52  goes even further.

Garcia Exploration 52 , relatively  Allures , has a reinforced hull structure, and while on  Allures , the decks are made of composite sandwich to reduce the weight of the boat, on  Garcia  they are made of aluminum to make the boat even more durable, and only the roof of the cabin is made of composite. All of this is responsible for superior weight.  Garcia 52 , about two tons more (from 16.9 to 18.8 tons), and this certainly makes  Garcia  a smoother and more expensive sailboat. Both boats use the same weapon configuration. The difference in price is also significant - the cost  52ft Allures , about the same as the cost  45ft Garcia .

Allures 45.9 rugged aluminum yacht review

Both boats are of a similar configuration, with a large hydrodynamically profiled centerboard, which provides good draft when the centerboard is lifted, for entry into shallow water where other boats cannot get close.

Most of the ballast is on the skeg, which protects the propeller, and some is at the base of the hull in the center. Even with most of the ballast on the skeg, the required ballast weight is much higher than on a boat with a fixed keel. Both boats have excellent running rigging that makes it easy to control the sails from the cockpit, even alone.

Interior and configuration  Garcia 52  will leave anyone speechless. Deck salon - as reliable as a tank, as spacious as a house. The ideal boat for life. Spaces are allocated for everything you can imagine, from a generator to a watermaker, air conditioner, washing machine, large freezer and diesel tank, to keep all equipment running for a long time.

Garcia  offers excellent interior quality and finishes, with a very good interior on two levels, with a raised seating area for all-round visibility, with a relatively small glazed surface in height but almost continuous in length. And double glazing guarantees good insulation from cold or heat. Interior  Allures 52  more classic, but this is only in comparison with such a giant as  Garcia .

The level of comprehension, practicality and functionality that are concentrated in these boats is simply impressive. This is only possible due to the level of involvement in the design, close communication with yachtsmen, dialogue with clients and a great experience in construction. But what is most impressive is that this practicality is not reflected in aesthetics. In fact, you can't even say that these are rugged aluminum boats designed for exploring distant places, and not a luxury cruiser like  Amel  or  Hallberg Rassy .

Alubat Cigale 16

Alubat Cigale 16  - everything is new, except for the concept and name.  Cigale  sounds familiar to experienced yachtsmen, but completely new  Cigale 16  Is a concept of a comfortable and elegant, fast cruiser.

Designed  Jean-marie finot  back in the late 90s,  Cigale  was focused primarily on performance. It was a fast and lightweight aluminum yacht that slightly resembled racing yachts.  Maxi while offering a completely new approach to the interior configuration of the yacht: all cabins were moved to the bow of the boat, while the aft under the cockpit was freed from bulkheads to accommodate a giant saloon. Nowadays,  Cigale  considered a classic yacht and a popular model in the used boat sector.

In a new project  Alubat Cigale 16 developed in collaboration with a yacht architect  Mark Lombard , the shipyard decided to combine both the progress made in naval architecture and technical improvement.

Lineup redesign  Cigale  launched back in 2009. At the first stage, the shipyard took up the modernization  Cigale 16  - this was the priority boat they wanted to bring to the market. The main goal of the project was, first of all, to improve the dimensions of the cockpit and increase the comfort of the boat. One of the main challenges was the creation of a life-size dinghy space. Another important issue was the simplification of the yacht design. First version  Cigale  was considered too heavy and too complex to assemble.

As a result, a more reliable, more elegant and more comfortable yacht has been developed. 100% aluminum structure, clean lines, fully cleaned deck with hidden deck hatches. Everything has been carefully thought out to give new life to a classic yacht  Alubat Cigale 16 .

The deck plan highlights the fact that aluminum can also be elegant. The boat is maneuverable, easily steered by a small crew, with plenty of living space on board. The inflatable dinghy can be stored on the deck, which becomes a great place to sunbathe at anchor. Hard case  Cigale 16  provides stability and power, allowing the boat to carry large sails. Slim hold, keel and double rudder blade designed  Mark Lombard , allow you to make the most of the rugged case. A small crew can use the boat's full potential thanks to a simple and functional deck layout.

The rugged hull is designed with maximum waterline, reduced wetted surface and light displacement for speed, upwind and extended sailing in trade winds. The rearward movement of the mast, in addition to the extended rigging and staysail, provides propulsion in all conditions and remains easy to handle.

In terms of living space comfort, the deeper and more spacious cockpit is equipped with a simple and optional dual steering system, allowing a small crew to operate the boat easily and safely. Easy access to the large feed platform on both sides without stepping over the rail. In addition, the path around the steering wheels is clear. Thus, everyone's comfort is guaranteed.

In keeping with the tradition of this lineup, the new  Cigale 16  offers a spacious aft saloon that is sure to witness unforgettable evenings with stunning views through the windows in the swim platform just above the waterline.

Available in 3 and 4 cabin versions. The light oak interior emphasizes the modernity of the concept and the quality of the new design. Wide saloon with sea views on both sides and aft; the galley and navigation table are located in the center; bow cabins, well lit and ventilated. With two helm stations as an option, or with just one helm station, you will benefit from the quality of this new boat: efficient, simple and safe in all conditions. It all does  Alubat Cigale 16  a good boat for traveling at speed with maximum comfort. And of course the fact that  Cigale  made of aluminum, making it suitable for sailing in extreme northern and southern latitudes in rough seas and at the coldest temperatures.

First of all, aluminum ocean yachts such as Garcia, Allures and Alubat have a high price range. In addition, the technical characteristics of these boats are geared more towards experienced yachtsmen. And this limits sales, because most of today's customers pay more attention to internal volumes, comfort, innovative toys, and, accordingly, to the price-space ratio.

The main aspect in modernization  Alubat Cigale 16  the idea was to create a very fast cruiser with a stern saloon, a configuration that is still missing in the yachting industry.  Cigale , both then and now remains the only boat that offers such a configuration. Thus, the shipyard offers a completely different approach to planning and interior design, combining comfort and performance. But let's just say, not for everybody.

The idea was to make the boat more ergonomic in terms of handling. Comfort for the helmsman and crew was a top priority. Also, the goal of the shipyard was to facilitate the production part for itself. From the point of view of facilitating its construction.  Cigale 16   Is a popular size boat and is suitable for a small crew, but above all, it is a fast boat, for extreme travel and thrill lovers with a good experience. This is a serious yacht for harsh conditions - and it is definitely not a family cruiser.

The monohull cruising market is now competing with multihull yachts as well. Construction of an aluminum yacht, and even with an individual approach to production as in  Garcia  and  Allures  Is a very laborious process for a shipyard, but in the end the yacht is worth every cent spent.

It is absolutely possible to say that there are no two identical yachts in the world.  Allures  or  Garcia ... Each yacht is semi-custom built, so the owner gets the best of what works for his cruise plan and meets the needs of his crew.

Concerning  Allures 52  - this is a great option for those who are looking for a very good aluminum boat to live on, circumnavigate the globe as autonomously as possible, take refuge in very shallow waters, explore places inaccessible to other cruisers. Those who do not plan to sail in high latitudes, but want to own the safest and most durable boat - this is definitely  Allures 52.  It is lighter, faster and much cheaper.

If you dream of exploring the Arctic and Antarctic or other really remote places with permanent residence on board, boats are better than  Garcia Exploration 52  not found in the yachting industry. It is truly an exploration vessel with the highest level of taste and comfort. A versatile boat that will look good both in the Mediterranean and Antarctica. Besides buying  Garcia  or  Allures , you join the owners club  Grand large yachting  and you will receive support and advice from both the shipyard and other owners.

Interparus Yachting is the official representative of the shipyards Allures Yachting and Garcia Yachts. To order a test and visit the shipyard, call +33644142168 (WhatsApp) Sasha Goron, or leave a request on the website. When buying a yacht, training is a gift from our team. See you in La Rochelle!

Allures 45 or Garcia Exploration 45? How to choose an aluminum yacht?

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

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River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Who's going.

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Green Point beach near Yamba littered with debris after abandoned boat runs aground

A remote beach near Yamba on the New South Wales north coast is littered with debris and diesel after a boat ran aground and was smashed to pieces in the surf overnight.

Witnesses said the boat was abandoned by its occupants as they were attempting to cross the Clarence River bar around lunchtime on Monday. 

NSW Road and Maritime said the occupants were evacuated from the vessel by a NSW Marine Rescue crew.

Angourie resident Oli Coe said he later saw the vessel adrift about 2 kilometres offshore.

He watched the boat throughout the day and at one point saw another vessel alongside it.

He said someone boarded vessel and put out its anchor.

"As the wind got up through the rest of the afternoon, we watched the boat drifting and dragging on its anchor and eventually it just dragged way too far and ended up on the beach," Mr Coe said.

At one stage Mr Coe and two friends used jetskis to get out to the boat to see if they could do anything to help.

He said he could not understand why it was not salvaged before it ran aground near Green Point.

"There was definitely some damage to the boat but it was in perfectly good condition [before that]," Mr Coe said.

Clean-up concerns

Locals spent Tuesday morning on the beach, dragging piles of debris above the high tide mark in a bid to ensure it is not taken back out to sea with the next high tide on Tuesday evening. 

Angourie resident Kim Wood said the usually pristine beach at Green Point looked like a "rubbish dump".

"I'm looking at kilometres of debris," she said.

"There is timber, there is oil cans, jerry cans full of diesel, so much plastic, and everything is soaked in diesel.

"You can still see all debris in the ocean."

Ms Wood said the area was home to a wide range of birdlife including oyster catchers and curlews.

Too dangerous to tow

NSW Maritime said the boat was deemed too dangerous for authorities to board or tow.

Senior boating safety officer Bret Ryan said authorities needed to put safety first.

"Marine Rescue revisited the boat several times on Monday, and eventually the Water Police came from Coffs Harbour," Mr Ryan said.

"They came to the same conclusion that it was too dangerous."

"At that point the vessel was secure and the hope was it would remain in that position but unfortunately that didn't happen."

Mr Ryan said the main hazard on the beach was from any sharp objects that might remain buried in the sand.

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