Pardo GT52: breathtakingly beautiful and fast, here’s how she goes

Pardo GT52

Pardo GT52: sea trial for the queen of design

The great success of Pardo Yachts‘ Walkaround line is obvious, and this is not only proven by the number of boats sold, but also, and above all, by the large number of ‘imitation attempts’ on the market which, again clearly, have failed to match the great appeal of this wonderful series. It is a recipe that skilfully blends charm and performance, beauty and exclusivity, difficult to match, but of which the Forlì-based yard evidently knows the ingredients as, with the arrival of the new Pardo GT52, it once again revolutionizes the design of a market in which it is unquestionably a driving force. Breathtakingly beautiful, fast and innovative, the new Pardo GT52 is this year’s real novelty, something we couldn’t wait to get our hands on…

Pardo GT52, exterior and interior

It is from the dock that the test of a boat like this must necessarily start. Conversely, it would be hard to understand how, on approaching her and seeing her three-quarters from the stern, at first glance the heart begins to beat faster – she really is beautiful! Climbing aboard, one is greeted by a large outdoor dinette which, unthinkable for a yacht of this size, features a huge sundeck that electrically converts into a large U-shaped sofa facing forward. Here, at the edge of the saloon, there are two more two-seater twin sofas that together create a unique environment where 10 to 12 people, all seated, can enjoy a cocktail in company.

But the surprises don’t end here because, just open the main deck windows and the boundaries between exterior and interior disappear completely, creating one huge open space where life on board can be enjoyed without barriers. The Pardo GT52 is offered in two versions – Galley down and Galley up – which enable the onboard living experience to be further customized by placing the galley on the main deck or the lower deck respectively. The Galley down is the version I prefer, it completes the main deck making it a true terrace overlooking the sea while creating a beautiful kitchen area in the lower deck.
The foredeck is a masterpiece of design: the inverted windscreen of the Pardo 52 meets the flush deck and gives an incomparably beautiful line to the boat, also connoting its sporty vocation. The bow sundeck is literally set in this context and as a whole gives an extremely refined and luxurious look.

On the lower deck, there is the large Master Cabin in then bow which, featuring a King Size bed at the side, manages to have plenty of space, both for side walkways and for a two-seater sofa. There is also a huge bathroom with private access and a separate shower cubicle. In the hallway there is a second large bathroom, which also has a separate shower cubicle and performs the function of both day toilet and VIP cabin bathroom very well. The guest cabin accommodates two separate beds and is equipped with a small but comfortable sofa.

Going back up to the main deck, accessed through an entrance hidden under one of the sofas, we also find a room dedicated to overnight accommodation for the crew, which, given that the Pardo GT52 handles perfectly well on its own, can also perform the useful function of a storage room.

Pardo GT52 Sea Trial

We leave the port of Saint Tropez idling, there are 10 of us on board but we hardly notice it given the amount of space available. We close the main deck doors and, instantly, silence pervades the room, allowing us to speak in a normal tone of voice. The soundproofing is therefore excellent, allowing long cruises in maximum comfort.

As soon as we accelerate, the Pardo GT52 immediately gets up on plane and, at 12 knots, she leaves a clean wake that gradually widens as speed increases. The boat’s trim is optimal as is its forward visibility, so it will be no problem to scan the sea surface and spot any obstacles. With these characteristics, the boat can travel with an infinite range of cruising speeds, ranging from 14 to 25/26 knots. Equally noteworthy is the fuel consumption, which, despite the boat’s considerable size, is very, very low. Regardless of the speed, the fuel consumption is always between 6 and 7 litres per mile, with a range of 300 to 350 miles. We will therefore not have the hassle of filling up frequently during the summer period: a great pro.

The time has come to test this boat’s sporting prowess so, without slowing down, at 25 knots I abruptly turn to the left. The Pardo GT52 tilts and sets off on a very narrow course which she sails through without hesitation. I counter-turn and the boat reactively follows the command, straightens up and tilts to the other side very quickly, demonstrating some very amusing handling. I stay on this curved course until I meet our own waves, which I cross at the canonical 30 degrees of inclination, eliciting practically no reaction, the Pardo GT52 raises the bow a little, then lowers it again, not at all bothered by the presence of the artificial obstacle.

I put myself back on a straight course and give full throttle, the boat accelerates promptly and quickly passes 30 knots, I adjust the trims and at 3,000 rpm I reach a top speed of 32.7 knots, not bad for a boat of this type.

Conclusions

Pardo GT52 goes really well, it has a hull able to absorb the sea without problems, even when it is rough. smoothness is also remarkable, the hull never drags, and this is demonstrated by her very low fuel consumption. The ideal speed is above 20 knots, here the boat ‘stretches’ on the water and expresses itself at its best, turning into an unsuspectedly responsive and prompt craft at the controls. When cruising on a straight course, even at high speeds, one appreciates the high level of comfort which, given the low noise level and the seaworthiness of the hull, allows for easy and comfortable transfers, even over long distances.

Test Data

RPM	Speed	l/h	l/nm	Range
600	5.6	4.9	0.9	2,286
1000	8.5	17	2.0	1,000
1250	9.4	25	2.7	752
1500	10.8	44	4.1	491
1800	12.8	72	5.6	356
2000	15.4	92	6.0	335
2200	18.3	118	6.4	310
2400	20.9	138	6.6	303
2600	23.5	161	6.9	292
2800	26.9	188	7.0	286
3000	32.7	236	7.2	277

Test conditions: Volvo IPS 800 engine, shallow sea, 12knot wind, 10 people on board, 90% diesel, 60% water

Technical Specs

LOA	16.58 m
LWL	14.62 m
Max Beam	4.96 m
Fuel Tank Capacity	2,000 l
Water Tank Capacity	600 l
Engines	2 x Volvo IPS 650
	2 x Volvo IPS 700
	2 x Volvo IPS 800
Project	Cantiere del Pardo
Naval Engineering	Zuccheri Yacht Design
Design	Nauta Design

Luca D'Ambrosio

Editor-in-chief, boat tester and journalist. Luca began sailing at an early age with his father then as an adult discovered sailing regattas and offshore racing. He has been working in publishing for more than 30 years and continues to sail incessantly, especially aboard the editorial staff's boat, an old lady of the seas that he has completely rebuilt and which serves excellently as a "mobile laboratory" for The International Yachting Media.