Design and Construction
The Santa Cruz 52’s structural approach begins with strict weight control. Published displacement is near 21,000 pounds—roughly half that of the Swan hulls whose shape it echoes—and 9,100 pounds of that is lead ballast. It relies on a vacuum-bagged balsa core hull with blister-resistant materials for near weightlessness.
Strength comes from integration rather than mass. Every cabinet, panel, and piece of furniture is fully bonded to the hull and deck, making the interior framing a key part of the boat’s overall structure. Owners who have lived with the 52 confirm that its furnishings are structural, helping keep the boat strong and light.
A Kevlar collision mat backed by a watertight bulkhead reinforces the forward section. The builder engineered the yacht to specifications well in excess of ABS standards.
Below, the fit and finish was rated equal to or better than that of far more expensive yachts. The mechanical installations received similar care: wiring and plumbing are accessible, clearly marked, and thoughtfully routed.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
A powerful masthead-sloop rig drives the 52, with anodized aluminum spars as standard and carbon fiber available as an option. The deck-mounted spinnaker pole is a dual-purpose fitting that extends into a 7-foot sprit. This makes a very powerful asymmetrical kite easier to fly and supports the boat’s short-handed brief.
Light displacement and lighter sails keep loads down. The deck layout is organized so the boat can be sailed from the security of the cockpit, allowing a couple or short-handed crew to achieve the same pace as a full race team. The roomy cockpit has substantial coamings and drains rapidly through the open transom.
Test sailors found that the hull performs well on every point of sail and is very stable. Owners report that the 52 will sail at wind speed upwind in light air without overlapping headsails; in 7 knots of breeze, it can make 7 knots upwind. If the wind dies, the 62-horsepower Yanmar diesel pushes the boat at 9 knots.
The 52 was designed for speed without being shaped around any handicap rule. Its record supports that aim: the boat has taken first-to-finish and handicap wins under IMS and PHRF, most of them with a full cruising interior intact. A sizable racing fleet operates in California, and some boats have contested the TransPac and other well-known ocean races.
The IMS Stability Index of 121 marks the 52 as a very stable and safe yacht, and the speed and short-handed capability are themselves treated as safety characteristics. ### Accommodations
Below, the Santa Cruz 52 largely avoids the usual racer-cruiser compromise. It has two large private staterooms, each with a double berth. The wide-open saloon has 6 feet 4 inches of headroom, seats seven for meals, and includes two roomy pilot berths that owners praise as comfortable and well placed.
There are two heads, one with a separate shower stall. The owner’s stateroom offers ample room and was, Lee claimed, his favorite place to sleep.
A teak-and-holly sole, solid teak trim, and white-accented paneling give the interior warmth without making it dark. Four Lewmar deck hatches and eight opening ports provide plenty of light and ventilation. A full galley designed for cooking under way, a spacious navigation station with a full-size chart table, and ample storage throughout round out the cruising arrangements.
Refits and Ownership
Many owners have changed from symmetrical spinnakers to asymmetrical kites, while keeping the kite on a pole so it can be squared to the wind. Another commonly reported upgrade replaces the original rudder with a high-aspect-ratio blade, which owners credit with fingertip control and reduced drag.
The earlier hulls are now approaching three decades old, and the marque is no longer in business. Even so, the Santa Cruz 52 tends to hold its value.
The Verdict
The Santa Cruz 52 is a rare, genuine racer-cruiser: a light-displacement Bill Lee hull that sails faster than most seventy footers, yet still carries a true luxury interior and a collision-hardened bow. It’s best suited to owners who will actually use that speed.
Pros
- Genuine dual-purpose record, including race wins with a full cruising interior
- Light displacement and a powerful rig allow short-handed sailing at wind speed upwind in light air
- Structurally integrated interior and Kevlar collision bulkhead; construction exceeds ABS-derived standards
- Thoughtfully installed, accessible mechanical systems
- High-end fit and finish
Cons
- The original rudder is commonly upgraded for better control and reduced drag
- The marque is out of business, and the earliest hulls are nearing 30 years old
- The fin keel draws 9 feet, limiting access to shallow water
