Horizon PC52

Horizon PC52

The Horizon PC52 is a genuine power catamaran from the keel up, not a converted sailboat. As such, the layout and design is well-planned, and presents a great, practical seafaring option.

 

Horizon PC 52

The eye candy gets exciting as you board the Horizon PC52 power cat. The rear platforms are perfectly sized for bluewater transits and as a staging point for aquatic playtime. They have secure stainless steel rails, telescopic swimladders and teak decks to match the rear cockpit. Take two steps up the staircase and through the stainless steel transom doors and you find a most appealing rear lounge, with a removable polished walnut table. The rear deck is fit for a presidential banquet, or maybe just drinks in the shade of the extended flybridge.

There is a companionway around the side of each hull, making it safe to navigate your way to the bow. You are well retained by a full length stainless steel rail that wraps around the entire forward section, including a pair of novel seats in the peak of the sponsons.

The bow area is neat, clean and tidy, with no bowsprit or tackle on display. The anchor stay, winch and gear is mounted beneath with an access hatch in the foredeck. Back on the rear deck we find a moulded spiral stairwell to the port side leading to the flybridge. It’s quite wide, with teak treads and stainless steel handrails, but I wouldn’t want to be trying it in high heels.

 

Horizon PC52 layout and design

Be ready for a very pleasant surprise as you enter the saloon – it is more like a large studio apartment than a 52ft (15.8m) boat. The 22ft (6.7m) beam allows a massive amount of internal width and, when combined with an open saloon, it presents quite a palatial living area.

There is a real air of tasteful but practical luxury, accented by the beige leatherette roof liner and a very nice ceiling. The choice of materials, timber, colours, upholstery and flooring certainly pleased my senses.

Satin timber paneling is anigre-coloured with matt walnut trim and light ash flooring. Corian Sahara benchtops feature in the galley with a black surround to the roof. All in all, a very appealing display of premium materials and workmanship with a very cosmopolitan flavor.

There are two individual stairwells to the port side of the saloon, leading to the fore and aft cabins and a central interconnecting bathroom. In between is an entertainment module, complete with a large Samsung 48in TV. The screen is a little low for my liking – but hey, I don’t watch TV much anyway.

 

Galley

The galley is to starboard, separated from the lounge by a step and a single stairwell leading to the main stateroom and other facilities.

I like to cook, and for me the galley size and layout is just right. Again, there is plenty of bench space, with U-shaped Corian benchtops extending from the Miele induction-electric cooktop under the side windows.

Twin stainless steel sinks are paired with a hot/cold mixer tap at the well-designed breakfast bar with ingenious stools that swivel in and out for compact storage.

Under the bench we find a Miele dishwasher, while the rear wall has the Miele combo oven/microwave and a family size Westinghouse fridge-freezer. There are plenty of cabinets and drawers and a good sized pantry near the door. It is all very modern, functional and quite beautiful.

 

Power cat interior

You’d be forgiven if you think that the forward stateroom on the port side is the main cabin – it’s not! It is actually hard to believe that you are in the sponson of a cat as the large east-west bed fits in with room to spare. All of the internal areas are covered with central heating and air-conditioning and both forward staterooms enjoy big side windows, adding to their roomy feel.

The island bed has carpeted steps either side and although there is no hanging space, there is plenty of storage, adjustable mood lighting and its own entertainment centre and TV (yep, there’s a TV in every room!).

The dual entry bathroom separates the forward cabin from the smaller bedroom to the rear. It is a fine example of functionality achieved within a long, slightly narrow space, presenting as well as any premium ensuite in a modern apartment.

The outer wall has a long vanity with plenty of bench and storage as well as mirrored bathroom cabinets with plenty of lighting. The other side has a big shower cubicle with adjustable shower rose, solid glass screens, and even a handy little cubicle for your soaps and hair products. Right next to it is a full electric head with plenty of room for us big blokes.

The rear cabin has a pair of full-length single beds that I would be happy to sleep in. It is obviously a smaller cabin, but it still has bedside storage with mirror, TV (again) and wardrobe for hanging space. As you enter the room there is a Miele front-loading washer and dryer in an enclosed cabinet – very practical indeed.

To the rear of the starboard sponson we find the main bathroom, which is similar to the port VIP has the same accessories, light and presentation; however the space is greatly enhanced by moving the shower to the rear and taking it to the full width of the tapering sponson. It is large, clean, comfortable and inviting.

 

Flybridge

Upstairs, the massive Horizon PC 52 flybridge featuers terrific vision through a three-piece windscreen. While the open back works well in good weather, I can see rear canvas and clears being used to enclose the command station — this being the only helming spot. Otherwise, it is a beaut presentation with practical helm, large diameter wheel and dash space for the twin 12in Garmin multi-function screens.

I also liked the optional Yacht Controller, giving full portable control of the whole boat, including the bow thrusters and anchor control for slow speed manoeuvring and docking.

But the flybridge is not just for driving – it’s a very liveable space. There’s a large L-shaped lounge to port and a convenient double couch that converts to a day bed – if you added a barbecue, you’d have a complete galley: bar fridge, ice boxes, sink and storage.

I love the layout and presentation but I have to question unrestricted white fibreglass benchtops on any boat. Drinks, food – in fact, any items – will slip and slide without restriction, even with the minimal movement that this twin hulled vessel enjoys.

To the rear of the extended flybridge we find a WDL800 Steelhead Marine davit and space for a good-sized tender.

 

PC52 handling and ride

The Horizon PC52 power catamaran is sensibly powered by a pair of 550hp Cummins QSB 6.7lt in-line, six cylinder turbocharged and after-cooled diesel engines.

The nature of the Horizon PC52 allows for comfortable high-speed ventures at sea, or you can slow to a sensible cruise and save lots of fuel.

We punched her out through the Gold Coast seaway and found her soft underfoot, dependable and reasonably quiet. I would have no hesitation taking her on an extended voyage with complete confidence in her seakeeping.

The PC52 idles along nicely at non-planing speeds, but starts to let her hair down when you raise the throttles to around 2750rpm, travelling at 14.2kts and using a combined 110lt/h across a 1.5m sea with 5-10 knots of wind. We opened the throttles and reached a swift 22.5kts at 3370rpm without really trying. She was thirsty (180lt/h), but it was fun!

If you have a long way to travel quickly, back her off to 3000rpm and you will still achieve 20kts and 140lt/h. She holds 3028lt of fuel, giving her the range of a serious coastal cruiser.

 

Horizon PC52 sea trials

2 x Cummins QSB 6.7 with KCA D30in x P23.5in x 4B propellers

RPM

SPEED (KTS)

FUEL BURN (LT/H)

2750

14.6

110

3000

20

140

3370

22.5

180

*Sea-trial data supplied by author. Fuel burn figures are combined (both engines)

 

Horizon PC52 specs

Horizon PC52 price: A$2,890,000 (price as tested)

 

PRICED FROM

US$1,750,000

 

GENERAL

MATERIAL Fibreglass

TYPE Twin hull flybridge cruiser power catamaran

LENGTH 15.71m

BEAM 6.73m

WEIGHT 27.4t (dry)

 

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE 10

REC. HP 2 x 550 (only option is 550hp Cummins)

FUEL 3028lt

WATER 1022lt

 

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL 2 x Cummins QSB 6.7 marine engines

TYPE In-line, six cylinder turbocharged and after-cooled diesel marine engines

DISPLACEMENT 6.7lt

RATED HP 550 each

PROPELLER KCA D30in x P23.5in x 4B

 

SUPPLIED BY

Horizon Motor Yachts Australia

31 Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove,

Qld, 4212

Phone 07 5577 9009

Email sales@hmya.com.au

Web hmya.com.au