Downeast,
Down Under

Thoughtfully designed, spacious and bright, the
Palm Beach 50 pushes the envelope for sport cruisers

By Liz Pasch

Most boat owners and marine journalists have one or two favorite styles of boat and I must admit, the downeast-style was never one of mine. I always fancied myself as a performance sport cruiser kind of gal, until that is, I had the privilege of a sea trial onboard the Palm Beach 50. Apparently I’m not the only convert, best evidenced when this Australian-built head-turner was first introduced at the 2010 Newport International Boat Show. She captivated the judges who voted her the “Best Powerboat Over 50 Feet”.
Winning awards is nothing new for the man at the helm of Palm Beach Motor Yachts, Mark Richards, a famed America’s Cup yachtsman and multiple sailing record holder. Yet, Richards is more than just a company figurehead says U.S. distributor Andy Shoemaker, owner of San Diego-based Ballast Point Yachts. “Palm Beach Motor Yachts sells factory direct so customers typically speak directly with Mark,” Shoemaker explained. Richards applied his knowledge of high performance sailing yacht design and materials to the Palm Beach 50 and uses advanced composites for lightweight but very strong construction. And that’s all within a build time of six to seven months, depending on options. “Everything is bonded to the hull using tested agents; no screw-and-glue,” says Shoemaker.
The lightweight construction combined with twin 435-hp Volvo Penta Diesels and IPS pod drives yields impressive fuel economy for the semi-displacement hull, delivering a range of 380 nautical miles at around 26 knots. With this kind of performance the 50 is more than just a day boat. She’s an explorer. “In fact,” says Shoemaker, “hull number 1 of the 50 has gone from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef six times with no fuel stops.”

Specifications:
LOA: 54´
Beam: 14´6´´
Draft: 3´
Dry weight: 27,500 lbs.
Power: 2x Volvo IPS 600
Fuel/Water Capacity:
     420/185 U.S. gals.
Top/Cruising Speed: 31/26 knots
Range: 380 nm@ 26 knots
Price: $1,589,000 (base boat)

Contact:
Andy Shoemaker,
Ballast Point Yachts
San Diego, CA
619-222-3620
PBMotorYachts.com

I would have jumped at the chance for a sea-trial to the Great Barrier Reef, but instead, Andy and I opted for a leisurely cruise out of Port Everglades. Moderate traffic created some substantial waves at the port entrance but the 50 crossed wakes with ease at 20 knots. The typical hull-slapping of a planing hull is non-existent on this quiet ride. Special attention to minimize sound includes a 4-foot bypass on the exhaust that eliminates the shuddering effect when idle, combined with a triple-gasketed super-insulated engine room hatch.
Turning north out of the inlet there was minimal bowrise coming up to speed which, combined with so much glass inside the saloon, provides a nearly 360-degree view from the helm. The carpet is bound and perfectly fitted to the cabin space and underneath it is a lead-backed vinyl foam carpet pad that not only has comfy underfoot padding but provides additional sound resistance for the generator compartment. Large powered windows on both sides retract to provide fresh air and come in handy during docking. The electrical panel is easily accessible just behind the helm seat while every available space is utilized for storage, including custom drawers for cutlery, dishes and glassware—all included as standard equipment.
The compact but well-equipped galley in the back of the saloon has another powered window for a pass-through to the aft deck. With the window down and door open, the saloon and aft space combine visually into one huge compartment so the chef is not entirely separated from the guests, a benefit never seen on downeast-style designs with a galley-down configuration.
The thoughtfully designed aft deck incorporates seating that converts to a large sunpad; a free-standing deck table that can be moved to the saloon for inside dining; custom deck chairs and protective canvas that all stow neatly in a customized deck compartment; and a removable bimini that can be safely left attached at speeds up to 30 knots.
Below deck, absolute attention to sound reduction continues with Tecma Quiet Flush toilets in heads designed to residential standards…even the matching toilet accessories are included. Low wattage LED lighting, solid Burmese teak throughout and designer carpet complete the luxurious accommodations. This spec boat included two staterooms but other boats can be customized for use as an office or almost any other conceivable configuration.
Above deck there’s a bow storage compartment that’s huge, akin to a forward lazarette. The anchor system is designed so that the anchor won’t twist and bang against the bow and the flush-mounted windlass is nearly invisible when you look at the boat from the side. All this “form-follows-function” engineering results in uninterrupted clean lines with no extra hardware on the bow. That same aesthetic appeal was applied to the porthole windows. Rather than using standard-sized, off-the-shelf windows, those on the 50 are sized in proportion to their placement. The ones positioned closer to the bow are smaller than the windows further aft, so again, the eye sees the boat’s lines without distortion.
At the helm, I noticed that the dash incorporated the latest and greatest, including Volvo technology integrated with Garmin navigational systems, giving it a classic look. The aesthetically-pleasing space can easily accommodate the 12-inch Garmin 5212 chart plotter and radar combo, as well as after-market electronics.
As I maneuvered through a few turns to get the feel of the hull, Andy asked me where the next inlet was as he settled back into the comfy settee cushions, so I backed off the throttle a bit to extend our time offshore. It was a perfect day and the next inlet was in the distance. “Wake me when we’re there,” he sighed.