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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.
Of course, the navstation down below would provide even greater shelter, but it gives me shivers just thinking about how bad the conditions would need to be for me to need more shelter than the forward end of this cockpit! here
The Garcia Exploration 52’s bright, comfortable deck saloon
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.
Let’s talk about how the Garcia Explocat 52 is built as this is one of her key USPs.
Other safety features include fore and aft watertight bulkheads and skegs in front of the saildrives.
After relinquishing my duties at the helm, I made a lap on deck and down below to see how she felt underfoot. Moving forward and aft was comfortable and handholds were well placed. Not many manufacturers go with proper granny bars at the mast anymore, but this one had them. And with the gooseneck slightly lower on the mast than you’d expect from a boat of this size, the winches and clutches located on the spar were well within reach. here
Though built of aluminum, the only GPR composite part on the boat is the cabin top roof that extends from its overhang of the workboat inspired reverse windows forward of the mast, aft to the cockpit where it creates a protected seating area for crew to sit under when the going gets tough. The only downside to this is that it might be a little hard to see over from the helm if you are vertically challenged.
With lines led aft to the primary winches near the helms, tacking was simple. While I turned the boat through the wind, one crewmember worked the sheets and that was it. The 45 was conceived to be able to sail with a full crew or shorthanded and it would be just as easy to do both. more
The outboard storage bracket at the pushpit on the stern can be moved to the transom so the engine can serve as a backup to the auxiliary diesel. Plus, this transom bracket can also take a hydrogenerator. An integrated stern arch houses a wind generator, solar panels and antennas. And the transom has a locker that contains a spool of line to use as a stern tie, two propane lockers, an anchor roller and a storage space for your life raft.
When we cracked off to a reach, the Racoupeau designed hull really came into her own. Working our way northwest on a comfortable beam reach, we were making a cool 7.5 knots and saw the knot meter topple the 8 knot mark on several occasions. here
Engine 1:
Engine Brand: Volvo
Engine Model: D2-55
Engine Type: Inboard
Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
Drive Type: Direct Drive
Engine Power: 55 HP [links]
Please contact Swiftsure Yachts at (206)378-1110
Specs
Builder: Garcia Yachting
Designer: Racoupeau Yacht Design
Keel: Centerboard
Swiftsure Yachts is a premiere yacht brokerage located in Seattle, Washington dedicated to selling high quality yachts. Though our home is in the Pacific Northwest, we work tirelessly to help customers find the perfect boat to suit their needs, no matter where they are. Whether that vessel is new or new-to-you, we're dedicated to turning your dreams into realities. here
Engines
Total Power: 55 HP here
Contact Swiftsure Yachts at (206) 378-1110 or info@swiftsureyachts.com [links]