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performed by Nautica in nearly 50 years
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Text and photographs by Antonio Bignami
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RAFFAELLI - MAESTRALE 52
The new Maestrale 52 , built by the Italy based Raffaelli yard, is
a modern motor-yacht which investigate the yacht design of the
future. Based on a project from Nuvolari-Lenard, it sets new
standards on flying-bridge cruisers concepts. The Maestrale 52, in
fact, explore new ideas: the round and sleek lines and the
spacious flying-bridge which offer superior habitability, are just
two examples. The yacht is able to give new emotions to boaters
with well conceived spaces both outside and inside.
Performance and seakeepness are excellent. The hull reaches
remarkable speeds, with a stable and safe ride, particularly
comfortable on wave impact. Rationality and ergomomics are the two
main characteristic of the external areas, where several
innovative solutions ensure pleasant times on board. The wet-bar
on the flying-bridge, the mooring area in the cockpit, the
beautiful fore deck with the sunbathing area and the excellent and
innovative design of the superstructure's windows, highlight the
product's quality.
Below deck, the Maestrale 52 follows the same criteria, offering
comfort and privacy. The three cabins are spacious with excellent
fittings, the two bathrooms are extremely roomy and completely
fitted, while the galley area offer plenty of space. The V-drive
engines' installation allow a complete and rational use of the
space available on board. The crew cabin, placed amidships, is
comfortable and feature a convenient access to the galley. The
round superstructure design influence, on the other hand, the
saloon's overall beam, which result, in our opinion, slightly
under dimensioned. Its well conceived lay-out, however, ensure two
dinettes and a comfortable, fully equipped steering station.
Finishing, as usual for the yard, is very accurate without
disregarding even the smallest detail. The result is an excellent
joiner work throughout the boat: the furniture, the doors and the
upholstery are manufactured to the highest quality level.
The Maestrale 52 offer an incredible standard equipment list as
well, which will satisfy the expert yachtsman who knows that his
yacht must be a beautiful object ensuring comfortable and reliable
navigation as well.
The excellent market success of the boat proves that the
philosophy and the constant research of new solutions which are
the foundations of this project are necessary elements for
building successful products.
TECHNICAL DATA
Builder: Raffaelli Costruzioni Nautiche; via Toscana 5;
61100 Pesaro, Italy; tel. +39-721-455545
Project by: Nuvolari&Lenard
LOA: 16,0 mt.
Register length: 15,40 mt.
Max. beam: 4,60 mt.
GRT: 22,35 tons
Molded depth: 2,20 mt.
Max. draft: 0,90 mt.
Light displacement: 15.000 kg.
Full load displacement: 18.000 kg.
Max. passengers capacity: 14 persons
Engines: 2x600 Hp Caterpillar 3176 TA
Total installed power: 1.200 Hp
Transmission: V-drive
Engines weight (reduction gear included): 2.208 kg.
Light displacement to installed horsepower ratio: 12,50
Top speed (declared): 34.5 knots
Cruise speed: 28 knots
Fuel capacity: 2.000 liters
Fresh water capacity: 800 liters
Berths: 6+1 in 4 cabins
Range: 370 miles (cruise speed fuel consumption:150 l/h)
Tested boat price: 1.187.000.000 (VAT not included)
Remarks: a second internal lay-out option is available, with a "L" shaped galley area.<
CONSTRUCTION PARTICULARS
Hull type: "V" shaped - planning.
Construction material: fiberglass.
Deck and particulars material: Termanto core sandwich
construction, stainless steel and aluminum deck fittings.
Fore deck: 1500 W. anchor windlass with three control
stations, cleats and fairleads, handrail with fenders holder,
grab-rail, sunbarthing area with cushions, hatch.
Cockpit particulars: mooring winch, fully hidden fairleads
and cleats, teak deck, hot and cold water telephone shower, hydraulic gangway.
Swimming platform particulars: swimming ladder.
Superstructure and windows material: fiberglass radar arch, toughened glass windows.
Flying-bridge particulars: second steering station complete
with: steering wheel, engines monitoring instruments and gauges,
throttles, compass, log repeater and depth sounder repeater, VHF;
sunbathing are with cushions; pilot seat; hand rail; Plexiglas
windshield; wet-bar whit refrigerator; "U" shaped dinette.
INTERIORS
Lay-out and main features: forward owner cabin with double
bed, two wardrobes, settees, en-suite bathroom with separated
shower; two guest cabins with twin beds and wardrobe; guest
bathroom with separated shower; main saloon with two dinettes,
wet-bar, steering station and separated galley with access to the
starboard side; crew cabin with bed, wardrobe and bathroom.
Steering station: steering wheel, throttles, engine
monitoring instruments and gauges, compass, meteo station, VHF,
autopilot with flying-bridge repeater, GPS with chart-plotter, log, depth sounder.
Charting table: next to the steering station.
Galley: placed to the starboard side and complete with:
hanging lockers , storage space, refrigerator, stainless steel
sink, stove with three burners, combi microwave oven.
ACCESSORIES
Standard equipment: air conditioning plant in the main
saloon, 6 kW gen-set with battery, stereo system with loudspeakers
in the saloon and in the flying-bridge, 28 liters water heater,
leather upholstery in the main saloon, trim tabs, refrigerator in
the main saloon, chain-washing pump.
TRIAL RESULTS
SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS AT TRIAL TIME
wind: -
sea state: calm
OBSERVED PERFORMANCES
Planning time: 6 seconds
Minimum planning speed: 15,2 knots at 1.400 rpm
Top speed: 34.5 knots at 2.360 rpm
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Seakeeping: one of the most impressive characteristic of
the Maestrale 52 is seakeeping. Stability, wave impact and
performance are all outstanding. Weight distribution, power plant
and transmission have been carefully studied to ensure the total absence of vibrations.
Rudder and trim tabs response: accurate and precise, in the
most severe situations as well.
Visibility: excellent.
Docking capabilities: excellent. The deck is safe and easy to walk.
COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALLY EVALUATION
Deck: very well equipped and with an excellent design.
Flying-bridge: one of the most innovative area on board. The
dinette is very nice and comfortable.
Interiors: excellent joiner work with innovative solutions.
Passengers comfort: excellent, both under power and at the dock.
Steering comfort: excellent. The two steering stations are both completely equipped.
Chart table: comfortable and large.
Galley: very well designed and placed. The crew cabin right
next to the galley area is very practical.
Bathrooms: extremely spacious; the cylindrical showers are well conceived and comfortable.
Engine room space: excellent.
Electrical plant: complete and well positioned.
WHAT WE LIKED MOST
performance and running trim are remarkable; the design is very
nice and innovative |
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WHAT WE LIKED LESS
The elegant and round superstructures design reduce, in our
opinion, the main saloon habitability |
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