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Of course the focus aboard the C52 is the cockpit, and it excels. Essential to its success is the upper galley, complete with two-burner cooktop, U-shape counter area, and 4.6-cubic-foot ,fridge. It might seem an extravagance, but with seating for six at the dinette and a three-person sunbed aft, it makes perfect sense. With the sliding hardtop open or closed, it is a comfortable and sociable place to prepare a meal, in touch with both the helm area and the big oval dinette. One of the boat’s hidden extras reveals itself at the push of a switch: a TV that appears from behind the starboard sofa.
The helm position is a model of common sense and practicality. The seats are adjustable and comfortable whether you sit or stand, and visibility all around is unusually good for a hardtop sport cruiser. The instrumentation layout is simple and clean, and the beautiful wheel (also adjustable) is as easy on the hands as it is on the eyes. Best of all, the moldings under the windscreen are dark brown, to minimize reflections. It’s clear that as much thought has gone into the driver’s environment as everybody else’s.
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With twin 675-hp Volvo Penta D12s on straight shafts, the C52 is no slouch. We cleared the boat show traffic in the Baie de Cannes and opened up the throttles as the Iles des Lérins sped past to starboard. It was a beautiful day, and with no seas to speak of, we had to make our own entertainment.
Acceleration was fair, at just more than 29 seconds to 25 knots (29 mph) and top speed a respectable 30.8 knots (35.4 mph), although our test boat was only managing 2200 revs, about 100 less than the engine’s rated maximum. The modified-V hull retained its poise in full-lock turns, refused to slam when we caught up with our own wake, coped well with the wall-like wash trailing behind a 100-footer, and loped effortlessly across the residual swell that we found out in open water. The power-assisted hydraulic steering was light and responsive, with three turns lock to lock, making the C52 feel taut and capable, an enjoyable drive. Sound levels were on the high side, however: perhaps a little more insulation wouldn’t go amiss.
With numbers safely logged and handling trials enjoyably concluded, I did something I have never done before on a boat test. It might have been the weather, or the location, or the fact that we were going from A to B with not much to do except enjoy the ride, but I decided I’d give the sunbed on the stern a thorough workout. And guess what? It’s great.
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Journey's end: Arriving in Menton. |
The Baie des Anges went by as we sped east, then Nice, and then the tower blocks and cruise liners and conspicuous yachts off Monaco. All too soon we were pulling in to Menton, one of my favorite Mediterranean towns. Built on a hill with commanding views along the coast, it has had various owners over the centuries, including Monaco and Italy, but is now firmly established in the Alpes-Maritimes département and known as “the pearl of France,” famous for its narrow streets and alleyways, its citrus groves, and its mild climate. Nestling under the headland, the old port is for local boats. Francesco took us to the marina at Garavon, just along the beach.
Festooned with baggage, I stepped off the swim platform and onto the concrete quay, in front of a genial and seemingly multilingual harbormaster. I organized my things on the quay, put the camera away, and turned to wave them off, but my taxi was already gone—drawn towards the Italian border as if on elastic. Not that they were in a hurry or anything.
For more information on Sessa Marine, including contact information, click here.
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This article originally appeared in the April 2007
issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
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