Often times as a marine journalist you come across beautifully photographed
(and yes, photoshopped) images of boats that end up being deceiving.
Story by Daniel Harding
Photographs by Nicolas Claris
With the help of the right angle, the right lens and lighting
you’ll catch yourself drooling on your keyboard only to be
left disappointed when you meet the boat in person.
The Turkish-built Alen 55 has the opposite problem.
While the images are striking at first glance,
there is much more to like about this model in person.
From the air it looks like the 55 has an adequate sun pad fore and aft,
wide-enough side decks, and nice teak trim.
In reality, the aft sun pad can easily fit three full-sized adults.
There is plenty of space around the console…
…and there is enough teak to keep a boat detailer up at night.
And man, is this boat deep.
Exceptionally tall bulwarks should help keep guests protected and dry
and feeling secure underway in a way that the calf-high gunwales
of some center consoles can never do.
A grill, wet bar, and seating for six in the saloon satisfy the alfresco dinning needs that the day boat crowd has come to expect.
And make no mistake this is a day boat.
The interior below doesn’t pretend to be something its not.
There’s a modern head to port…
…and the main space is used as a dedicated lounge where as many
as six guests can hide from inclement weather…
…or where the kids can go to watch a movie after a morning of swimming.
According to Alen Yachts, the 55 twin 800-horsepower D13 Volvos
should offer up a top speed of 35 knots with a 30-knot cruise.
Editor-in-Chief of Power & Motoryacht
One of the lucky ones who was born into boating, Dan grew up cruising aboard his family’s 33 Egg Harbor. Marinas and boatyards served as summer school and the foundation for a career on the water. When not chasing stories for Power & Motoryacht magazine he can be found cruising Long Island Sound with his wife, sons, and faithful (furry) first mate Salty.
