TEST – Fiart P52, the 16-meter countercurrent open.

Fiart’s new generation has changed the paradigm of the open boat. Here are all the secrets of the P52 signed by Stefano Pastrovich. I appreciate shipyards that have the courage to innovate. Of stepping outside the standard and creating new paradigms. Of having the right sensibility for which, in addition to taste, a good dose of timing is required. The genius idea at the wrong time does not work. Fiart not only starts, but also perseveres in the range created with designer Stefano Pastrovich, the P line.

Fiart P52

Protagonists are the new P52 and P58, which, in my opinion, represent among the best examples of modern open on the market today as a compromise between line and livability. Owners have high expectations, they want volumes below deck, an extra-large main deck where everyone can have their privacy, but be “connected” at the same time.

And, why not, even a streamlined line that never hurts. These are seemingly irreconcilable elements with each other, but only if you stick to the same old patterns. “So let’s change them!” probably Pastrovich must have said to himself when faced with these demands. The designer here plays a key role with his background in the world of superyachts. This experience spans the entire range, but today we focus on the P52. The first counterintuitive element you notice going up is the absence of side walkways. You can actually walk on the top of the broadside, which is covered with a layer of non-slip, and this is useful when mooring.

How is this 16-meter open conceived

Meanwhile, however, all 4.63 meters of beam (by 15 and 93 meters in length) are exploited for livability. The modularity that is one of the strengths of so many models of this size is even exceeded here. Do you want to sunbathe? There are two aft sundecks and a sunbed recessed in the bow, wrapping around like a “tub” that allows you to lie apart from the rest of the boat, divided even physically by the windshield with central door. One wants to be in the shade, for a “chill” moment?

There is a whole table with a chaise longue to the right. All of this, in fact, allows everyone to be able to enjoy the boat as they wish without having to move or shift anything. Everything is linked and connected, but without sacrificing the privacy that is essential in longer sailings. The galley is immediately behind the helm station, and from here you can directly serve the table with the large C-shaped sofa.

A modular stern

Modularity, in any case, is inherent in this yacht starting with the aft platform, which is equipped with a movement system thanks to which the central portion becomes a ladder for access to the sea or dock. What I particularly appreciate while sitting under the hard-top is the feeling of airiness and protection at the same time.

There is no need for air conditioning to ward off the greenhouse effect, thanks in part to the central hatch in the windshield with which you access the bow. Here is perhaps the only element that did not convince me during the test, namely the presence of several struts throughout the windshield structure that restrict the view a bit. In this regard, the shipyard was keen to reassure us that this was an interim version, put in in the absence of the final one, and that for later models they would have a more streamlined one.

Below deck

Before we talk about sailing, let’s take a look below deck, which is the co-star of this series. The exterior lines, in fact, are made to be able to have interiors with important volumes, like a large cruising yacht with two very large double cabins.

In addition, each cabin has a bathroom with its own separate shower stall. I could tell you now about how I liked the materials, from the woods to the fabrics, and the nice “warm” feeling they conveyed, but that is very subjective. More useful, however, would be to tell you that thanks to Fiart’s Bespoke program, you can choose from many layouts, colors and combinations, finishes, and to some extent interior configuration. In short, according to your tastes you can outfit your P52 (or another model from the shipyard) and make it unique.

How the Fiart P52 sails

We now come to the navigation test. Early morning, the few clouds of the previous days washed them away by a north wind that, in the meantime, also flattened the sea. Ideal conditions for sailing. Powering this hull are two Volvo Penta IPS 800s with 650-horsepower D8s. There are 7 of us on board and we have 75 percent fuel on a 2,000-liter tank and 400 liters of water out of 650 total embarkable.

In short, we are pretty loaded. About the windshield I mentioned earlier, but other than that, the boat is fun to steer and is responsive despite its considerable tonnage at 21 tons displacement. The passage over the waves we create for ourselves by making a turning circle is smooth, with no particular criticality. The comfortable cruising speed during the test for me was around 26 knots with the engines at 2500 rpm and a total consumption of 170 liters per hour.

Gregorio Ferrari

Navigation data