The cruising walkaround. Testing the De Antonio D50 Coupe (15 m)

We tested the new De Antonio 50 Coupe. With this 50-footer, the shipyard has “surfed” between walkaround style and a more cruising approach. Hence the name, Coupe, which shares the platform of the
D50 Open (read the test here)
, but with a different deck plan. The aim is to offer its owners something suitable even for less favorable weather conditions to make longer sailings always protected, especially at the helm.

De Antonio 50 Coupe

The design is in total continuity with what has made the Spanish brand world famous so far. High freeboard, few curves and square lines. The difference with the open model of the same length is a superstructure that completely wraps around the dashboard with windshields and windows on the sides and is complemented by a hard roof that reaches up to the initial part of the aft sundeck, thus also covering and protecting the entire cockpit.

In detail, the hard-top is divided into two parts: one toward the bow with windows made in a grid pattern that allow light to enter but cannot be opened. This is exactly at the dashboard and related seating, four total. There are two windows on the side windows, one on each side, which slide open and allow some air to come in even though, on days like these, there never seems to be enough, especially when you are not sailing.

The deck plan

The other part, toward the stern, of the top continues, also partially covering the sundeck, which, depending on the position of the sun and the orientation of the hull, may be partially covered. Given the conditions being able to lie down even in the shade I don’t consider it a disadvantage, quite the contrary. The forward sun deck, then, is almost as spacious and without “structural” shelters.

The deck has a sundeck with De Antonio’s trademark outboards underneath. In this case two Mercury V12s with 600 horsepower each. Separate, we find the dining area with a C-shaped sofa and a double coffee table that can be joined. The cover of this section is designed to have a sizable electrical opening above it to improve air circulation and thus comfort.

Opposite, serving this area, is a double station with wet bar equipped with hotplate and sink, refrigerator, icebox, and storage lockers. Below deck, the “basic” layout, as well as for the open version, sees a master cabin in the bow, a bathroom with a separate toilet complete with shower stall, and, in the stern, a full-beam “U-shaped” dinette that can be converted into a double bed by sliding the small table positioned in the center.

Instead of a dinette, the owner can have two double cabins, with a second bathroom. For those who want a sailor on board, it is possible to have two double cabins and one for the crew (with its own bathroom).

How does this De Antonio navigate?

To test it, we went to the port of Lavagna, near Genoa, home of
Pedetti Yacht Sales
, the exclusive importer of De Antonio Yachts in Italy. On the way out we found a decided wind above 12 knots from the sirocco, capable of raising a wave just under a meter, definitely annoying. It is a classic day to go in search of a protected roadstead to stop and swim. The power we have is the “lowest” 1,200 horsepower, delivered by two Mercury V12s.

Compared to the four 300-hp engines, which I had tried the year before, I immediately notice more handling on the rudder, which is very responsive. The two motors have the advantage of reducing operating and maintenance costs, although the redundancy of four motors is certainly different from that of two. The conditions do not allow us to reach top speed, which the way the boat is configured should be around 45 knots, but we settle on a good cruising speed at about 30 knots where the two engines run at 4,500 rpm with an average hourly consumption just above 190 liters per hour.

De Antonio D50 Coupe Data sheet

NAVIGATION DATA