Ted Hood Coastal Explorer 52

Designing boats for more than 50 years has given Ted Hood a pretty good perspective on what pleases owners. And one of the things he says makes them really happy is discovering new ways to make their lives easier. It’s not surprising then that Hood’s new 52-foot passagemaker is full of such innovations.Take the placement of the dinghy. An innovative crane design allows the tender to be

By Mike Smith

June 25, 2009

Take the placement of the dinghy. An innovative crane design allows the tender to be launched from the swim platform, and it only takes one person instead of two. It also leaves plenty of space for swimmers to clamber onboard or for owners to enter the engine room via the transom door. And they can continue forward, through another door in the ER’s forward bulkhead, straight through to the master stateroom.
If owners want a second tender or PWC, the Coastal Cruiser 52’s large aft deck on the flying bridge provides space for a davit. But having a few chaise lounges here isn’t a bad call either, and there’s stowage for them (or extra gear) in a 7’Lx3’Wx3’H locker abaft and to port of the upper helm station.

Another thoughtful element is derived from Hood’s vast experience: headroom. “People think they have to suffer on a boat,” he explains. “But that’s not true.” With interior vertical clearance ranging from 6’8″ to 7’0″, space is an obvious priority. “The side decks are 22″ wide, and there are very few steps anywhere onboard,” he points out, “There’s no bumping elbows, knees, or shoulders aboard [this boat].” And speaking of comfort, the interior areas of the Expedition 52 are cooled by standard 46,000-Btu zone-controlled air conditioning.

To help create the spacious interior, Hood made the superstructure 18’9″ at her beamiest point, which he says should reduce roll in a seaway. A pair of seven-foot-square Series 252 Naiad stabilizers doesn’t hurt either. But to reduce drag and enhance efficiency, the 52 is only 15’6″ wide at the waterline, which allows the twin 380-hp Cummins and Zeus drives (with 2.0:1 reduction) to get the 52 on plane more easily.

The company says the Coastal Explorer 52 should have a top speed of around 28 mph, which should allow you to easily get to the next marina in time for cocktails. Why suffer?

Ted Hood Yachts