PEARL 50
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EXCLUSIVE BOAT TEST I

For all Its virtues, an aft-cabln boat Is typically a chunky thing with few concessions to the syllng gurus. Not so the new 50 from UK yard Pearl - a boat that dares to be different Text: David Marsh Photos: Lester McCarthy

Do you spend much time cruising with friends? Fifty-footers may feel like big boats after a few hours on board, but after a few days and nights cooped up with even your very best friends, they can seem remarkably small. However thick and well padded the bulkheads and doors, few of the boats I've slept on board can keep the worst snoring or the most energetic passion of your guests from filtering through the walls. And there's no respite in the early hours either, as the sounds of the morning's ablutions splash their way from the heads compartments. The noises that are only gently intrusive...

Boat Repart something genuinely aft-cabin boat with contemporary styling characteristics, which slowing down below traditional-looking. Some, like the conservatively styled boats from Broom and Atlantic, don't have a flybridge, another deal breaker for some buyers. In contrast, Pearl offer aft-cabin flybridge boats with contemporary styling that would not look out of place sat out in Puerto Portals amongst a gaggle of Sunseekers. And that is unique. Not surprisingly, there is a trade for this unmatched privacy. The aft cabin on the Pearl 50 takes the place of what would normally be a...

sprung mattresses, a £17,000 passerelle and lots more besides - luxuries that you would often find residing on other builder's extras lists. As always, the specification battles are never entirely one sided, but the Pearl 50 defends its elevated starting price well. Pearl have some uncommon touches too such as the folding fender baskets and the electro-hydraulic high-low bathing platform. The most original is the electrically operated stainless steel patio door that glides open and shut at the press of a button. It's a decadent but hugely practical feature, and like other former luxuries...

Boat Repart deck canopy is strong and boasts two electric sunroofs. extra privacy The more people you pack on board when you go cruising, the more stowage you need. Pearl have not been able to conjure any more than any other builder, but they have tried hard to make it as easy as possible to use. All the seat bases lift off with little effort to reveal well-finished under-seat lockers. Powerful gas struts help to raise the front sections of the double berths and the heavy sprung mattresses on top, so the big voids underneath are easy to use. And inside all the wardrobes, Pearl have fitted a...

There's little doubt that the crucial appeal of most aft-cabin boats is their unmatched privacy, not just for their owners, but also for guests. The mainstream UK builders may produce excellent aft-cockpit 50-footers with similarly luxurious full- beam owner's cabins, but spend more than a night or two with friends on board an aft-cabin boat like the Pearl 50, and the physical separation provided by the saloon and engineroom means the sort of seclusion an aft-cockpit boat can't match. And herein lies the unique charm of the Pearl 50: it combines the contemporary styling of a mainstream boat...

PEARL MOTOR YACHTS OPEN UP A WORLD OF INNER BEAUTY Contemporary style, incredible performance, intelligent features, space to live life in luxury. The Pearl range takes motor yachting to a new dimension. Take a virtual tour at www.pearlmotoryachts.com Inwards Marine email: sales@inwardsmarine.com Burton Waters Ocean Drive email info@oceandrive.fr email: info@greekwaters.com email: info@seavisioninternational.com Spain & Balearles Baxter Marine email: info@baxtermarine.com Spain, Andalucía Andalucía Vadrts