Design and Construction
The 51.9's aluminum hull is described by the builder as strong in the sense that it deforms without breaking, while remaining light and durable; because the metal shell is rigid on its own, the structure needs no structural bulkheads, which opens up exceptional interior volume. Forward, an aluminum watertight bulkhead seals the bow. The composite deck is lighter especially in the upper sections, which the builder cites as a way to enhance performance and improve stability, and the sandwich incorporates thermal insulation. Cruising World's review noted composite decks and superstructure for ease of maintenance and weight savings, an insulated aluminum hull, and glass-and-composite foam-cored deck and coachroof laminates, with metal arches chosen to sustain heavy rigging loads. The deck itself on the reviewed boat used cork from MarineCork rather than teak, and the side decks carried stainless-steel railing with triple lifelines and teak toe rails.
Rig and Handling
The 51.9 is a cutter with a triple-headsail rig — staysail, genoa, and code zero on Furlex furlers — and an in-mast furling mainsail as standard, though a traditional main is an option. A low coachroof carries a prominent arch anchoring the double-ended mainsheet and traveler, and that arch frames a pronounced windshield protecting the cockpit; a Walder boom brake eases jibing. Running rigging is led below deck, with Lewmar winches and Spinlock clutches, and sail handling from the helm is push-button. With all controls in the cockpit the boat can be safely handled by two people or even solo, and the centerboarder layout gives access to shallow anchorages. Raised, the board cuts drag and shifts the center of buoyancy aft for smooth downwind motion, while twin rudders and the raised board let her glide through breaking waves without snagging. Test sailors on the boat Castella found her making better than 8 knots under code zero on a beam reach in 14 to 16 knots, and better than 6 knots hard on the breeze in 2- to 3-foot choppy seas, with firm steering and a gentle, stately motion anchor.
Accommodations
Below, the interior emphasizes sobriety, space, and luminosity, with an open-plan living area combining saloon, a chart table seating two, and a spacious U-shaped galley at the foot of the companionway yet clear of traffic. The full-width aft cabin holds a central bed, chaise longue, private bathroom, and discreet storage; forward are a double guest cabin and a cabin with two bunk berths plus a spacious shared head. A real technical area sits in the passage to the aft cabin with a waxing cupboard, washing machine, and parts storage. The salon is bathed in light from coachroof windows and hull portholes, and the chart table doubles as a route-planning desk with direct instrument access. The nearly 6-meter cockpit splits into a relaxation area for 8 to 10, a helm station behind twin wheels, and an aft platform; split tables aid movement, and the swim platform closes securely when sailing.
Equipment and Systems
The standard Volvo Penta 110 hp diesel sits in a walk-in engine room, with a 150 hp option; the reviewed boat carried a 24-volt system with an 800-amp lithium bank, 500 watts of solar, a Mastervolt charger managing inverters, and a Fischer Panda generator feeding watermaker and climate systems. Bow and stern thrusters simplify docking. Freshwater comes from 620 L tanks plus a watermaker, and 730 L of diesel support range. All essential systems — hull passages, fuel and water, electrical networks — are designed for easy access, and a 2025 hardtop option preserves headroom leaving the companionway.
The Verdict
The Allures 51.9 is a serious bluewater platform that trades a little simplicity for enormous autonomy and a genuinely silent, volume-rich interior. The aluminum-and-centerboard formula gives shallow access without sacrificing windward bite, and the cockpit ergonomics keep short-handed control believable. The cons are the complexity of systems and the heavily optioned equipment list.
Pros
- Aluminum hull with no structural bulkheads frees exceptional interior volume
- Integral centerboard yields shallow draft and strong windward performance
- Solo or two-person handling with all controls in the cockpit
- Insulated hull noted as silent at sea with no creaks or moans
Cons
- Heavy equipment list (generator, thrusters, lithium, solar) adds maintenance scope
- Standard in-mast furling may not suit all offshore preferences
