The flagship Fjord 52 Open is the ultimate luxury day cruiser ideal for those who wish to sail all by themselves
Fjord 52 Open evolved from Fjord 48, keeping all the good and changing very little. The hydraulics-powered aft platform (option) on the 52 is much larger than on the 48, and is submersible.
Fjord 52 Open layout
The aft garage is large enough for a tender up to 2.90 meters, and the platform can carry 300 kg more than the wright of the tender, allowing storing of an RIB or a jet-ski. From the aft platform, you can go down, toward the sea, via integrated stairs, or up, toward the cockpit, via two symmetrical passages.
The aft is protected from the sun by an electrically-powered structural top, a well-known Fjord solution. The aft cockpit has two foldable tables and two multi-functional seats, gathered around a centrally-placed galley.
The Fjord 52 Open that we saw in Düsseldorf had an induction plate (option) instead of a gas range, and a larger kitchen tops (also option) which always come in handy.
The galley was equipped with a sink, a refrigerator, an ice machine (option) and was perfectly adapted for needs of a cruising family. In front of the galley, there were two seats for the skipper and the co-pilot, as well as an additional seat for a curious guest. From there, staircase leads below deck – beneath the skipper seats there is a small storage room and a small technical space.
The other hatch in the cockpit floor leads to the engine room, which is clear and simple, as they usually are on Volvo IPS-powered vessels. The hull is tall and feels as safe as it is, providing protection from the sea, but also from curious eyes. The stainless handrail floating around the hull adds to safety, while also serving as a decorative detail. From the hull sides, small staircases lead off board.
The exterior of Fjord 52 Open
The bow is quite interesting, with one sun bed – protected from the sun by a bimini top (option) mounted on an aluminum structure – and the electric mechanism serving the anchor and the three stairs on the bow. With all those elements hidden from view, the bow is an ideal place to enjoy an intimate dinner. The exterior of Fjord 52 Open leaves no room for guessing: the model obviously evolved from the smaller ones in the same series like 42 Open.
As the newest among them, it improves on several previously missed details – for example, the Fjord 52 Open has collapsible bollards, which now seems like something every yacht should have. The interior is dominated by the large owner’s cabin, with a centrally-placed bed, six windows (all openable) and two sofas on the sides.
Smart day cruiser
The cabin has a private head (or shared; option). The guest cabin is not large, but is still large enough for two beds – it is ideal for children, but will serve friends staying over for a few days. That cabin can also have a private head, but in case it shares the head with the guest cabin, that space is used for a wardrobe with a washing machine, which is a smarter of the two solutions.
Fjord 52 Open was designed by Patrick Banifield, who has given it aesthetic and functional maturity comparable to that of the world’s finest day cruisers. The unit we saw in Düsseldorf was powered by Volvo IPS 600 with three engines of combined 1300-hp (other configurations of the same systems are offered by the builder), but two engines would probably suffice to power this well designed yacht.
The joystick of the Volvo IPS system makes Fjord 52 Open easy to handle even for skippers with limited experience, and ideal for those who wish to sail all by themselves, with no company or distractions.
Photos & video HanseYachts AG
