Design and Construction
The Explocat 52’s defining feature is its uncompromising aluminum shell. Plating starts at 5 mm, increases through 8, 10 and 12 mm, and reaches 14 mm at the bottom of the hulls. The framing is also up to 14 mm thick.
A substantial keel with a long chord is welded to the bottom of each hull. The structure is engineered to prevent flexing between the hulls. Its extreme rigidity eliminates vibrations and parasitic noise and guarantees top-level performance, even in rough conditions.
Two watertight bulkheads sit at the bow and stern, upstream of the steering system. Upstands raise all through-hull seacocks above the waterline. A skeg ahead of the saildrives and rudders protects them, while the rudders are large enough to provide redundancy if one is lost. Each rudder also has a sacrificial zone at its upper aft corner, intended to prevent a struck blade from puncturing the hull.
Rig, Helm and Performance
The Explocat carries a fractional sloop rig with a square-top mainsail. Its “gaff” is pulled forward by a Dyneema strop. Twin headstays carry a marginally overlapping furling Solent jib and a self-tacking furling staysail; the staysail runs on a Dyneema strop rather than a track. One mainsheet block has a fuse intended to act as a capsize-prevention device if the boat is overpressed.
Upwind sail area is 170 m², and a 190 m² gennaker is available. Routine sail handling is centralized at a single station on the starboard side, just aft of the helm, allowing one watchkeeper to manage the boat.
At the external helm, a pivoting wheel can be lowered to a sheltered position beneath the hardtop in bad weather or raised for open-air maneuvering. In testing, the Explocat made 5.3 knots close-hauled in seven knots of true wind and 9 knots upwind in 15 knots. Broad-reaching under Code 0, she cruised at 10 knots before reaching an unfussed maximum of 11.8 knots. Quoted daily averages exceed 220 miles, with peak speeds of up to 17 knots.
Accommodation and All-Weather Living
Darnet Design created a contemporary, warm interior intended for long-term living in all weather. The nacelle sits 85 cm above the waterline—higher than on conventional catamarans—and the saloon, chart table and galley have a 360-degree view.
A secure watertight door leads directly from the interior to the forward cockpit. Large openings create a single-level passage between the aft and forward cockpits. The boat is available with three or four cabins, sleeping six to ten people. The sail locker can be configured as a workshop, extra storage space or a skipper’s cabin.
For high-latitude cruising, up to 76 mm of high-density foam lines the aluminum shell, providing thermal and acoustic insulation. A central diesel-fired boiler supplies radiators, while an air-extraction system removes stale, moist air without requiring the hatches to be opened. The forward saloon windows have demisters, and the foul-weather-gear lockers are both vented and heated.
Expedition Equipment and Seakeeping
A shallow draft of 1.50 m allows the Explocat to reach lagoons and remote beaches. Its sturdy aluminum structure also makes beaching for maintenance a practical pleasure. Aluminum fins protect the saildrive propellers on each hull. Substantial shoreline attachment points are built into both bows at the waterline, with a drogue attachment point aft for extreme conditions.
In exploration mode, the forward cockpit provides a place to walk serenely while navigating among ice or sandbanks. Tankage includes 1,100 litres of diesel and 660 litres of water. An optional hydrogenerator, solar installation or generator can extend the boat’s autonomy, and all components are accessible for easy maintenance.
The Verdict
The Explocat 52 is a genuinely go-anywhere aluminum catamaran. It exchanges the fragility of many production multihulls for structural serenity in extreme regions. Its temperament matches that of Garcia’s monohulls: it’s built to venture farther north or south than most, while retaining the easy pace and centralized controls of a well-mannered cruiser.
Pros
- Aluminum plating up to 14 mm, watertight bulkheads and above-waterline seacocks
- Rigid platform, redundant rudders and protected saildrives
- Centralized sail handling and a pivoting helm for sheltered or open-air steering
- Insulated, heated interior with all-weather ventilation and direct access to the forward cockpit
Cons
- The coachroof isn’t aluminum, so the shell isn’t entirely metal
- Heavy aluminum construction still limits ultimate lightness compared with exotic builds
