At 28 feet 10 inches of beam and just over 29,000 pounds displacement, the Neel 52 is more than a ton lighter than its shorter predecessor. It combines the narrow waterline beam and hull forms of a fast racing trimaran with expansive accommodation in four- to six-cabin layouts.
Design and Construction
The central hull has more rocker, or bottom curvature, to make the boat more agile when maneuvering in close quarters. Its forward sections also have a much shallower forefoot than the old model to aid manoeuvrability. This rockered central hull helps the boat tack and maneuver in port, while the streamlined floats provide stability and help prevent pitching.
Construction is vacuum-infused foam-cored sandwich rather than balsa-cored sandwich, with triaxial fiber reinforcement in high-load areas. Neel’s trademark full-height technical area puts the engine and systems at the back of the boat. It remains a useful, well-laid-out space for maintenance.
A single 110-hp Yanmar diesel sits in the main hull. A bow thruster is therefore standard, while a stern thruster is optional for easier Mediterranean mooring.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
Owners can choose either a carbon or aluminum spar. The rig carries a large square-top mainsail, and the boat has nearly 1,800 square feet of total upwind sail area. Draft is 6 feet 3 inches for better pointing.
The standard sail plan includes the square-top mainsail, a slightly overlapping headsail of around 120%, and a staysail. Separate luff and leech pennants for all three mainsail reefs allow the crew to reduce sail quickly. Dyneema steering cables give a more direct response than many alternatives.
Writing in SAIL, testers settled into a comfortable beam reach at 11 knots of boat speed, using a code zero in 14 knots true wind. Pinched to 40 degrees apparent, the boat still held 9 knots. Yachting World found that, close-hauled in 8–10 knots true, the Neel 52 consistently made just over seven knots at 60°–65° TWA with very little heel.
The windward ama lifts even in a light breeze, reducing wetted surface. Unlike a heeling monohull, the boat remains stable and level. Most sail handling can be managed single-handed from the helm, with the exceptions of spinnakers and headsail furling.
Cockpit and Interior
The living space is arranged on one level in an ergonomic, entirely open-plan layout. The huge saloon brings in exceptional light and offers a broad panoramic view. Neel’s Cockloon concept uses a wide opening to join the cockpit and saloon, while the Full Beam Cockpit has seating that can be rearranged to face different views.
A straight dinette runs the full length of the port side and seats 12 when the doors are open. To starboard is a massive playpen lounge. Above the hardtop, a semi-flybridge beside the helm provides sunbeds for up to eight people.
The reconfigured owner’s suite occupies part of the bridgedeck and can include the entire starboard ama. It offers immensely more space than the equivalent cabin on the Neel 51 and has windows facing the saloon.
Every layout includes a large forward galley with 17 lockers and a slimline dishwasher. Buyers can specify three to six cabins, plus two crew cabins shoehorned into the aft amas.
Visibility and Finish
The helm is raised against the starboard bulkhead. Overall visibility forward and aft is good, and sightlines for docking to starboard are excellent, but seeing the opposite bow can be difficult. Yachting World also noted a large blind spot on starboard tack, requiring the helmsperson to descend four steps to look beneath the jib.
At the navigation station, a mullion interrupts the sightline, and there’s no overhead hatch through which to view the mainsail. Testers also found a great deal of rope accumulating at the helm, without enough bins to contain it. Some hard interior edges and locker finishes may not wear as well as rounded corners.
The Verdict
The Neel 52 refines the builder’s established formula with a lighter, sleeker Lombard hull, a much more open social deck, and an owner’s suite that finally makes full use of the starboard ama. It combines monohull-like poise with trimaran pace, though the helm blind spots and limited rope management remain real compromises for cruising.
Pros
- Lighter, sleeker Lombard hull replaces the Neel 51, with more light and a better cockpit
- Stable and level as the windward ama lifts, reducing wetted surface
- Open-plan Cockloon and Full Beam Cockpit, with dining for 12
- Owner’s suite extends across the bridgedeck and starboard ama, creating immense space
- Most sail handling can be managed single-handed from the helm
Cons
- Blind spots from the starboard helm and on starboard tack require the helmsperson to step down for a clear view
- Helm bins are too small for the volume of lines led there
- No overhead hatch at the navigation station for viewing the mainsail
- Some hard interior edges and lockers with a home-furniture feel
