CRUISING MINDED Astondoa 52’ GLX Story by Sam Richmann, photographs Haider Yousuf THE ASTONDOA FAMILY HAS BEEN PRODUCING BOATS SINCE THE SHIPYARD WAS FOUNDED IN 1916. ITS CURRENT YACHTS LINE INCLUDES MODELS FROM 12 TO 42 METERS IN LENGTH, AND CAN NOW COMPETE HEAD TO HEAD WITH MAJOR ITALIAN SHIPYARDS. FOR INSTANCE, SIXTY ASTONDOA 72’ WERE SOLD SINCE THIS MODEL WAS LAUNCHED. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST ITS “YOUNGER BROTHER,” THE NEW 52’ GLX, A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVOLUTION OF AN ALREADY EXISTING

his boat is attractive thanks to its graceful exterior design and pleasant windows shapes, which gives it the sporty look of a small yacht. The hydraulic gangway at the center of the transom halters the boat’s smooth line but allows launching a small tender secured on the swim platform. The swim platform, just like the whole boat, offers many useful storage spaces. The aft deck offers convenient amenities and easy access to the clean engine room and to the aft captain’s cabin. Access to the large forward sun pad is well-protected by a high balcony, and the overall deck circulation is practical....

tions many yachtsmen would like to enjoy more often. Unfortunately, these conditions did not allow us to assess the boat’s handling capacities in the Gulf’s waters. The twin Man engines, developing 800 hp, allow the boat to quickly be on a plane and to reach a comfortable, economical cruising speed of 25 knots at 1800 rpm, with a fuel consumption of 100 liters per hour per engine, which allows reaching Abu Dhabi’s islands in around two hours. As conditions were excellent to assess the boat’s maximum speed, we witnessed a 33.5 knots top speed at full throttles at 2200 rpm. The captain pointed...

THE MASTER STATEROOM IN THE CENTER OF THE BOAT OFFERS FULL BEAM ARRANGEMENTS. THE VIP DOESN’T LACK STORAGES.

THE WHEELHOUSE IS BENEFITTED BY TWO OVERHEAD WINDOWS OFFERING INCREASED VISIBILITY AND LIGHT. LOA : 15,65m • Beam : 4,60m • Depth : 0,86m • Cabins : 2 Doubles, 1 twin, 1 Captain Fuel Capacity : 2.600L • Water Capacity : 600L • Engines : 2 x MAN 800hp Max Speed : 35 knots • Cruising Speed : 26 knots Contact : Aurora Yachts & Boats Trading L.L.C., Dubai, UAE, P.O Box 119651, Phone : +971 4 332 8651, Fax : +971 4 332 8652, www.aurorayachts.ae a true dinner might prove difficult given its small size. The lower deck offers three cabins. The fullbeam owners’ cabin is located amidships, which is quite...