Cockwells Hardy 50DS Review (2024 Edition) by Aquaholic

Exterior

One of the notable features is the low side decks, designed for easy boarding from a pontoon. This design choice, while sacrificing some interior volume, underscores the yacht's focus on practicality and functionality. The yacht is equipped with robust bollards and a sturdy mechanism for the tender, demonstrating its heavy-duty build. The bollards are prominently placed both on the aft and foredeck, highlighting the vessel's readiness for serious offshore conditions.

The aft cockpit area is versatile, featuring a folding table and a canopy option for enclosure. The bi-fold doors enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Additional functional elements include a reversing camera for better visibility while docking and hydraulic systems for the anchor and thrusters, emphasizing the yacht’s readiness for challenging marine environments.

The flybridge offers a commanding helm position, ideal for an owner-operator, and includes an array of navigational tools and a joystick control system for easy maneuvering. It is designed to be a social area with seating arrangements that allow passengers to be close to the helm, fostering interaction while underway.

The flybridge also houses a life raft with a hydrostatic release, emphasizing the vessel's safety features. The absence of a traditional radar arch, replaced by a more ship-like mast, adds to the vessel’s rugged aesthetic.

Inside, the saloon is designed for practicality and comfort, featuring a pop-up TV, ample storage, and a galley equipped with modern conveniences like a dishwasher and electric cooking appliances. Nick appreciates the clever use of space, such as the pantry hidden behind a button-operated panel. The interior finishings are a blend of practicality and comfort, with plenty of work surface areas and storage solutions that cater to both short cruises and longer voyages.

The helm station inside is raised for better visibility and includes comprehensive controls and displays for navigation and system monitoring. The unique fuel management system, with a bunker tank and a keel tank for stability, is a highlight.

The helm is equipped with forward-sloping windscreens akin to a pilot boat, enhancing visibility during adverse weather conditions. Multifunction displays, a large compass, and manual overrides for critical systems underscore the yacht's focus on safety and operability in challenging conditions.

Owner's Cabin

The owner's cabin at the bow includes ample storage, opening windows, and separate facilities for the toilet and shower. The cabin is outfitted with lockers, a wardrobe, a dressing table, and a dehumidifying system built into the boat. The separate shower and ventilated spaces add to the comfort and functionality of the owner's suite.

Guest Accommodations

The lower deck houses three cabins. The guest cabins can be reconfigured by removing a bulkhead to create a full-beam owner's cabin. The current layout includes a single cabin that can convert into a double and a larger guest cabin with a dressing table. Both guest cabins share a day head that doubles as a wet room, complete with a pull-out shower. The color scheme, Alpi and Wenge, chosen for the interior finishings, adds a touch of elegance.

The engine room, accessible via a hinged deck hatch, houses twin Volvo Penta D13-800 engines, providing a top speed of 28 knots and a cruising range of about 350 miles at 19 knots. The yacht can achieve around 1,000 miles at displacement speeds.

The layout ensures that essential components like fuel filters and water strainers are easily accessible for maintenance. The engines are heavy-duty, underscoring the yacht's capability for long-range and offshore cruising.

Nick's tour of the Cockwells Hardy 50DS reveals a yacht designed for serious boating enthusiasts who prioritize seaworthiness and durability over interior space. Its semi-displacement hull, Category A rating, and practical design features make it ideal for offshore adventures. While it may not offer the spaciousness of a typical 50-foot yacht, it compensates with robust build quality, advanced navigational and safety features, and thoughtful engineering.

Nick appreciates the vessel's practical layout, robust construction, and the thoughtful integration of safety and operational features, making it perfect for those seeking a reliable and resilient yacht capable of handling challenging sea conditions.