Clipper Cordova 52

The Cordovas are semi-displacement boats with powerful Cummins engines that can be cruised at low speeds and with great economy - like the Heritage boats - or, if you need to get somewhere in a hurry, can crank up to around 18 knots for that quick trip home, or to outrun some inclement weather. For our test, we took out the Cordova 52, the mid-sizer in the range. It’s a good-looking boat with classic lines and is presented in an ‘antique’ off-white with teak and stainless-steel accents that give it a very elegant look.

Our test boat added a few extras including a 350kg davit on the flybridge to haul out the 3.8m RIB, full clears on the flybridge, Wesmar stabilisers and a stern thruster to compliment the standard bow thruster. This brought the total of the boat to $1,290,000.

The basic philosophy of the company is to have the boats come in a ‘drive away’ specification. However, Thurley pointed out that owners can make modifications ex-factory. Accordingly our test boat Pearl was specified with a forward-facing ‘pilot lounge’ opposite the lower helm station. From here, passengers can navigate, socialise with the skipper or merely sit and enjoy the view through the big picture windows. “This development is a great example of Clipper’s ability to customise the internal layout of our boats to suit market requirements,” said Brett Thurley.

The owner’s cabin is beautifully finished in dark teak and dominated by a central queen-size bed. Cabinetry abounds, with stylish wardrobes and cupboards. A flat-screen TV/DVD is located on the starboard aft bulkhead.

The other two bedrooms offer wardrobes and plenty of cupboard space for extended cruising.

Heading upstairs we find the lower helm station to starboard. This, in itself, is a real work of art. Starting with the big, hand-crafted wooden steering wheel and continuing to the very smart analogue gauges in white with stainless-steel surrounds, the helm station is a real feature and gives the boat even more charm. But it’s also functional. I noted twin Smartcraft engine monitoring systems, both in analogue and digital readouts to monitor the twin 440hp Cummins diesels. Here also is the full set of Raymarine electronics and the standard chain counter for the big Muir windlass up front. Here also there’s room to mount other systems as the owner of Pearl had done for his Wesmar stabilisers.

There is also access to the walk-around deck via a sliding door that is not only handy but allows some fresh air for the skipper should he tire of the twin air-conditioners taking care of the main deck (the bedrooms each have their own too). Opposite is the aforementioned pilot seat which is a lovely upholstered twin-seater lounge – a great idea, I thought.

Moving aft we find a big U-shaped galley that is fully equipped for long voyages. A double-door fridge/freezer, four-burner electric Smeg cooktop with oven, double sinks and granite benches are just part of the package. There’s stacks of storage and beautiful hand-rubbed teak cabinetry.

In the saloon there are plenty of handholds indicating that this boat is built for serious cruising. Also interesting to note is that all the components are specified by Brett for their durability and quality. The stainless-steel surrounds for the windows, and sturdy stainless-steel sliding doors to the cockpit instantly spring to mind.

The teak-and-holly floors also add to the ambience of this boat and, as Brett said, many of his customers come from a sailing background where this type and quality of fitout is de rigueur.  Obviously, the entertainment systems are top quality with a Bose surround system and pop-up 32-inch TV/DVD as standard.

Heading out the back, there’s a really good-sized cockpit where you could easily put a table and half a dozen deck chairs for a relaxing afternoon under the flybridge extension.

The flybridge itself is accessed via a lovely staircase – no ladders here! It’s another safety aspect that is becoming more prevalent these days. The flybridge is huge and once up there, you have a barbecue and full wet bar for entertaining. In fact, it would be a terrific second entertaining area whether in port or at sea. The test boat was fitted with all-around clears so it really is an all-weather area. For dinner, there is a five or six-seater dinette with a lounge opposite. For the skipper, all the systems are repeated on the upper helm station and there are great views from the bridge.

Heading back down, we note the trademark walk-around decks and high bulwarks which are a feature of the Clippers and really give a feeling of safety. The decks are covered and also feature strong and purposeful deck hardware – again a feature of all the Clipper motoryachts.

Hull construction is of hand-laid moulded fibreglass hull with FRP flybridge and sandwich construction using core cell. The keel, chines and bottom are solid GRP and there is a watertight bulkhead forward.

The overall feeling of this boat is that it’s over-engineered. It feels strong and robust and at 54 feet (16.45 metres) long, with a beam of 15 feet 8 inches (4.78 metres) and weighing in at approximately 20 tonnes, this is no lightweight. However with the twin Cummins’ and bow and stern thruster, it’s no drama to berth. With this setup, it wouldn’t be a problem for a man-and-wife crew to operate alone.

For such a big boat, it is pretty manoeuvrable whether you are turning at speed or docking.

With dual steering stations, reverse-cycle air-conditioning and all that room, this is certainly a boat you can enjoy all year round.

Call me a traditionalist, but I found that the Clipper Cordova 52 is boat that appeals to a certain market. A market that may have come out of yachting, a market that has time on its hands to enjoy the journey rather than blast from point to point, or a market that just appreciates the finer things in life such as teak joinery, comfortable surroundings and, just perhaps, a glass of fine red on the foredeck.