Designed by Jean-François Delvoye and built in Tréguier on the north coast of Brittany, the Boreal 52 is a custom-built yacht with a chined alloy hull and brushed topsides. In 2015, it won the Bluewater Cruiser category in the European Yacht of the Year Awards, an early confirmation of the brief it was designed to serve.
Design and Construction
The Boreal 52’s distinctive, double-stacked coachroof and doghouse set it apart from more conventional cruisers. Instead of canvas stretched over a tubular steel frame, it has a permanent aluminium doghouse with a tinted wraparound window. Its permanent construction replaces canvas stretched over a tubular steel frame, and the build quality and finish throughout are immaculate.
A solid alloy “bye-bye weather” door seals the interior. Discreet vents in the aftermost lip of the doghouse can force-feed fresh air below when needed.
Keeping weight out of the ends is a declared priority. The engine and batteries sit over the keel, while the 4,800 kg of lead ballast and 14,500 kg lightship displacement are arranged around that central mass. The anchor windlass is also kept well aft of the bow, in a flush deck locker by the mast, which keeps 250 kg of chain central. The windlass doubles for raising the mainsail.
A lifting centreboard and long skeg allow the boat to dry out upright. There is also provision for daggerboards, inclined at 14° with a 4.5° incidence on either side of the single-blade, low-aspect-ratio rudder. Together, these features give the Boreal 52 a configurable underwater profile that is rare in a boat of this size.
Rig and Handling
The cutter rig carries 130 m² of sail area on a 100% foretriangle. The mainsheet attaches to the top of the doghouse, leaving the cockpit clear of clutter, while primary and secondary winches sit on the coamings within easy reach of the helm and crew.
Yachting World’s test crew found the Boreal 52 surprisingly nimble even in light airs. Well-planned control-line runs also made it a very easy boat to handle.
The daggerboards serve a practical purpose. When deployed, they improve upwind balance and reduce both the physical and electrical loads on the autopilot. Downwind, both boards can be lowered and the centreboard keel raised, reducing drag while maintaining directional stability.
Visibility shapes the helm arrangement. The helmsman stands on the after deck to see forward, while remaining able to reach the wheel and look over the coachroof from the elevated position.
Accommodation and Shelter
The deck-saloon layout provides a view outside from normal seating positions. A large navigation area, equipped with chartplotter and radar, has an almost 360° view from inside the doghouse. That permanent structure also gives the cockpit crew substantial protection.
Most owners choose the three-cabin, two-heads layout, which provides six berths overall. Throughout the interior, there are plenty of places to brace yourself—a detail that matters offshore.
The trade-off is space. The interior is smaller than one might expect in a 52-footer, owing to the mass of the doghouse and the boat’s exploration-first planning. One thoughtful feature for night watches is that every interior light comes on red first, preserving the night vision of crew on deck until the switch is pressed again.
Machinery and Ownership
The Boreal 52 is a custom-built aluminium yacht delivered to a high standard, with immaculate finishes from new. Its permanent doghouse and alloy weather door leave owners with less canvas to maintain than on centre-cockpit rivals. Keeping the anchor windlass and chain near the mast also reduces bow-weighted trim penalties.
The 75 hp Volvo D2 and 1,257-litre (276 gal) fuel capacity support long passages without immediate refit pressure.
Verdict
The Boreal 52 is a serious voyager’s yacht: aluminium, configurable at the waterline, and built for family exploration in comfort and protection. It trades interior volume for a permanent doghouse, centralised weight, and a helm station that favours visibility and easy handling over lounging space.
For the right owner, it is a near-ideal bluewater platform. A charter-minded sailor focused on interior comfort, however, may find it compact.
Pros
- Permanent aluminium doghouse with wraparound views and cockpit protection
- Daggerboards and lifting centreboard provide balance and allow the boat to dry out upright
- Immaculate custom aluminium construction with centralised weight
- Easy handling and nimble light-air performance in the sea trial
Cons
- Smaller interior than expected for a 52-footer
- Good helm visibility requires standing on the after deck
