MANDARIN 52 MOTORSAILER UNIQUE DESIGN FEATURES

DOUBLE INTEGRITY PILOTHOUSE: Knowing a little about the power of the sea (I had to swim 4 / miles to shore once), I had some reservations about the large pilothouse windows in most motorsailer designs. Consequently, I have designed a fully molded and scuppered cockpit in the pilothouse, with a standard stormboard/companionway entrance to the main saloon. The massive cockpit scuppers consist of two four-inch pipes, which drain directly into the sea. This second line of integrity, every bit as strong as the main deck, is very important, if a pilothouse window should be broken.

QUIETEST ENGINE EVER: One of the true pleasures of sailing is not hearing or feeling the engine. In a motorsailer like the Mandarin 52, most passages will be made with the engine running, usually around 1,600-1,700rpm. There will be times when it is desirable to just sail, and the Mandarin 52 will also do that well. There will also be times when high-speed motoring is desirable; again the Mandarin 52 will perform well, easily exceeding 10 knots under engine power alone.

My goal is to isolate the engine, so people aboard will be unable to feel the difference between motorsailing and true sailing. Since conducted vibration accounts for almost 50% of engine noise, the engine is soft mounted on its own set of box stringers, which are not connected to the vessel's main stringers. To make this system truly functional, the propeller shaft has its own thrust bearing, mounted in a floor timber and is connected to the engine through a splined double "U" joint sub-shaft.

I coupled this advanced drive system to a superior designed engine box to obtain the sound insulation desired. The engine box is double sound insulated, and is built using special sound absorbing plywood consisting of two layers of wood with a sound absorbing material between them. Additionally, the interior of the engine box is lined with multi density rubber pads, to further improve noise reduction, This attention to vibration and sound means the Mandarin 52 will have one of the quietest engine installations ever developed for a production vessel of this size.

CRUISE GENERATOR: I believe every motorsailer should have adequate electrical power. Standard fit on the Mandarin 52 is a high capacity alternator, which will allow most electrical systems to be used continually, whilst the main engine is running. Additionally, the Mandarin 52 comes with a diesel generator, to afford the luxuries of home style living, i.e., air-conditioning, microwave, washing machine/dryer, making the difference between living onboard and riding onboard.

COMFORTABLE SEATING: I am tired of uncomfortable built-in boat seating. I know its easier for the carpenter to make seat bases parallel to the floor, rather than at the proper 5 degree angle. I know that seat back angles are toooften dictated by the nearest bulkhead; and I know that the 'Hi-Lo' dinette table makes into a questionable bed, and makes dinette sitting as comfortable as sitting on the court house steps. The built-in seating on the Mandarin 52, has been redesigned by an architect for maximum seating comfort. No compromise has been made to squeeze out extra sleeping space or an extra inch of floor space. The Mandarin 52's built-in seating has not been designed to get you off your feet or closer to your food. Experience the seats of the 52' and you may not want to get up, ever.

SYSTEMS DESIGN: The 52 has so many unique design features, this letter could go on forever. Just a few examples; the heads; designed and manufactured by Seahorse, are electric, that pump directly into a holding tank, and can be emptied either on shore or pumped overboard at sea, with a pump that doubles as an emergency bilge pump. Large capacity salt-water pump that doubles as a fire pump; with engine overheat, engine water flow, intake trunk and high bilge water alarms are standard. All wiring runs above the waterline, with at least one ventilation and escape hatch in each primary compartment; peripheral outside hull lighting for security and visibility; secure heavy weather storage areas for all on-deck lines long enough to reach the propeller. Solid stainless steel life rails around the deck.

Here are a few details about the interior. The standard interior has two master staterooms with a walk-around queen-size bed in the aft (main/owners cabin), with a regular double bed in the forward cabin, and a large 9 by 15 main saloon.

MAIN SALOON: The main saloon has over 7 feet of headroom, expansive floor space and a uniquely open layout, giving a dimension of comfort seldom experienced in boats of this size. The dinette to port has a table seating six comfortably, with large hull ports for harbor viewing. The starboard side lounge area with a settee has space for TV and a reasonable library.

FORWARD CABIN: Not to be compared to the usual "V" berth sleeping compartment, the forward cabin has been designed to nearly equal the luxurious aft cabin master stateroom. Besides a regular size double bed, this cabin has 6' of hanging locker (not tapered by the side of the hull), lots of drawer and shelf space, with a large head and shower arrangement. A very livable stateroom, affording full privacy, storage and space, for guests deserving luxury comfort.

MASTER STATEROOM: The master stateroom boasts an opening skylight and walk-around queen size bed, over 8' of full hanging space, four opening ports, drawers and cupboard space, TV and hi-fi, and lift-up vanity. The head has separate toilet area, with shower over the bath. This is a luxurious stateroom rarely found in yachts of 60 feet in length. Imagine, over eight feet of hanging locker space!

GALLEY: The Mandarin 52 galley is spacious and practical. Over 10 feet long with a double sink, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, washer/dryer and stove top with either electric or gas or combination of both. Ample galley storage is supplemented by under floor pantry, with excellent natural and artificial lighting ... And a good size viewing port.

WORKSHOP/STORAGE AREA: It is dufficult to adequately describe the workshop and storage area, except to say it is one of the most practical features of this incredible yacht. Imagine a place for a vice, tool storage, full headroom and space for spares.

PILOTHOUSE: The pilothouse has a large raised settee/dinette to port, which will seat three/four adults, or sleep one comfortably. Opposite is the helm-seat, which can seat one comfortably…two in a pinch. Behind this is a large chart table with chart storage and room for a small refrigerator below or ice-maker. A delightful area for entertaining, steering, and affording total protection from the elements.

<< Back to Overview