Construction
The M52 is a composite boat; with hull and deck being vacuum-infused. The hull is constructed of e-glass and balsa core, using Vinylester resin throughout.
Composite longitudinal stringers and transverse floors were fabricated with additional layers of carbon fiber for additional stiffness. High density core replaces the standard balsa core in areas of deck hardware and thru-hull fittings. Structural bulkheads are constructed of marine grade plywood and fully glassed into the hull along their entire perimeter.
Decolite panels were used in the construction of the cabin sole and numerous small non-structural bulkheads, bunk tops, settee backrests and shelves to save weight.
Port lights in the deckhouse are 1/4″ safety glass bonded to the deckhouse. The hull/deck joint is bonded with 3M 5200 and stainless steel bolts on 4″ centers. The deck incorporates a custom extended cabin trunk and quarter sawn teak decking has been applied/glued over composite deck in all areas: Weather decks, cockpit sole and cabin top.
Her sail plan features a slightly taller than usual mast to accommodate her custom carbon in-boom full battened mainsail furling system. A high aspect ratio self-tacking jib makes maneuvering upwind a real joy and with her hoistable G-0 Gennaker & anti-torsion luff with Karver furler, light air sailing is redefined and exciting!
A deep cockpit locker to starboard provides great storage and access to many mechanical and electrical systems. Hatch hinges are highly polished stainless steel and flush-mounted.
Access to the rudder post is through a flush-mounted stainless steel cover in the cockpit sole. Once removed, the emergency tiller (stored in the locker) can be inserted into the rudder post as needed for back-up steering.
Primary winches are Lewmar 2-speed stainless steel electric, mounted on winch plinths; (port and stbd) the tops of which are clad in varnished teak. Outboard of the winches are rope clutches for main sheet, preventer, jib sheet and main halyard. Stainless steel trimmed line storage cubbys (with LED lighting) keep the cockpit neat and tidy. Secondary winches are stainless steel Lewmar electric 2-speed and are mounted on varnished teak plinths outboard of the cockpit combing. Winch buttons are conveniently located at the helm for ease of operation.
The custom teak helm wheel and pedestal are a work of art in themselves. Much thought and scrutiny went into the design and building of the pedestal to keep all elegant and functional. Also integrated into the pedestal are engine controls, compass, chart plotter, switches for mainsail up and down as well as jib in and out. (A clever system allows one button to control mainsail furler and main halyard winch.)
The cockpit features courtesy lights; two mounted on the cockpit walls, two under the table, and more in the line storage pockets. Additionally, the boom overhead features two dimmable LED lights.
A large canvas dodger with excellent visibility is mounted over the companionway and includes elk hide-covered grab rails on the aft end and sides. Viewing through the dodger when maneuvering around the docks is easy, and for those who need a little more “altitude”, the helm seat provides viewing right over the dodger top. The isinglass is heavy duty and much less prone to crazing. Two flush opening hatches are located port and starboard of the companionway in the teak decking; adding more natural light in the aft cabin and aft head.
Large over-sized instrument displays are located above the companionway and mounted in the aft face of the teak clad dodger combing.
Forward of the dodger is the “garage” or high gloss varnished teak clad seahood. And forward of the seahood is a stunning custom, traditionally-styled opening butterfly hatch. Two more flush deck hatches, mounted to port and starboard of the seahood, bring even more light into the butternut wood interior.
The cabin top is further adorned with handsom custom made teak handrails with one-off stainless mounting hardware. Even the boathook is unique, having been made by Shaw & Tenney from ash wood and bronze, and cleverly mounted vertically along the starboard cap shroud in elk hide covered retainer caps!
Just aft and outboard of the mast are 2 sparkling stainless steel dorade vents mounted on high gloss varnished teak boxes. And just forward of the mast is the stainless self-tacking jib track; mounted on more teak, sculpted from a solid timber! Two more flush deck hatches complete the deckhouse layout.
One large flush hatch is centered over the master cabin, while two more teak covered foredeck hatches lay just ahead and provide tremendous storage for large items like a custom swim ladder, outboard motor and additional sails. Freshwater wash down is available and accessed through the foredeck for rinsing after a swim or washing the anchor/top sides. The anchor chain locker is separate from the foredeck lockers and has its own dedicated bilge pump and separation bulkhead.
A stunning varnished teak toerail surrounds the entire boat; only interrupted by custom stainless steel cast chocks.
Custom designed stainless bow and stern pushpit/pulpits include double lifelines and opening gates. Additionally, a custom varnished teak bow seat nestles just forward of the headstay; while two more custom seats are integrated into the stern pushpit.
And finally, a unique anchoring arrangement was designed in the starboard side of the bow hull to leave the classic S&S design lines of her bow clean and pure. A stainless steel Lewmar V3 electric windlass is mounted below deck in the starboard forepeak locker with wired remote for operation of the anchor.
(1) 2-Burner Kenyon electric cooktop.
(2) Large Vitrifrigo stainless steel refrigerator and freezer drawer units with flush-mount frames and aircraft style latches custom built into Butternut wood cabinetry.
(1) Stainless Steel countertop with an integral single bowl sink and finished with Butternut wood fiddle rail trim.
(1) Grohe Concetto faucet in “super-steel” finish to match stainless countertop
Custom anchor roller system: The anchor has been upgraded to a SS Delta 44 lb plow and is mounted on a custom through-the-hull roller weldment. An electric windlass is mounted to the same anchor chute platform and in line with the anchor. A dedicated anchor rode compartment is directly below the windlass platform. A wired handheld remote controls the deployment and retrieval of the anchor and is stowed in the foredeck locker.