Pardo GT52 Review (2022 Edition)

Around the Marina

With IPS-only engine options, whatever motor package you choose you'll benefit from joystick control. For those new to boats of this size it takes a lot of the thinking out of berthing manoeuvres. There's no juggling of throttles and bow and stern thrusters just simple inputs to the joystick that orchestrate the boat's movements with easy grace, especially in calm conditions. 

As ever, I would always recommend the addition of a bow thruster (a cost option here) to add to the fine control of the bow, especially one that is so tall and flat-sided but the GT52 behaves well at slow speed.

Due to the amount of glass in the wheelhouse, the view is excellent both fore and aft and the sliding window next to the helm means you can at least spot your landing when coming side-to and give instructions to your crew. A side door would make it easier to handle alone, however. 

Crewing is pretty easy, too, despite the lack of a side door at the lower helm. The hull is shared with the open 50 and it has the same walkaround decks at the aft end with some deep steps leading to a flat, spacious foredeck. Though there are only cords around the perimeter of the deck to keep you safe, not stainless steel railings, there are plenty of handholds to ease progress around the decks.

A carryover from the open boat is the fender sockets, whereby the fenders are attached to plugs which slot into holes in the deck. Fine for your home marina where the pontoon heights are always the same but a bit if a pain to adjust the length of the lines at short notice. That said, the fenders do stow away neatly between the deep anchor locker and the storage beneath the cockpit seating.

At Sea

Our test boat was fitted with the largest IPS800 engine option, which has a combined output of 1,200hp. There's plenty of grunt to get the boat out of the hole and onto the plane but the top speed achieved on test of 27 knots is a little disappointing. You'd hope to get closer to the 32-knot top speed as quoted by Pardo so you can cruise in the 20s if needed. Brimmed fuel tanks and some growth on the hull may go some way to explaining the deficit. 

The good news is that once on the plane the fuel curve burn stays relatively flat so you can choose to cruise at the most comfortable cruising speed depending on the conditions or your time constraints. It's an easy boat to handle at high speeds thanks to light and predictable fly-by-wire steering and a solid feeling through the water. 

The whole boat is solid. I've tested many of the open Pardos and the Endurance 60 and though they look like they're more style than substance, the hulls are good and they stand up well to a punishment from rougher seas. Not that we had much to contend with during our test but anything that came the way of the GT52 was dealt with comfortably. 

It's a remarkably quiet boat to cruise on board, partly down to the position of the IPS motors and the levels of sound deadening in the engine room but also because the wheelhouse adds an extra layer of insulation. Even flat out at just under 2,900rpm sound levels are just 75dB and at cruise - most likely 22 knots - just 70dB. At that 22-knot cruise, you should expect a range of 270nm from the healthy 2,000-litre fuel capacity. 

It's not an exciting boat to drive but it's a relaxing cruiser, though some improvements to the helm station could make things even better, as you'll discover later on in the review. 

The Pardo GT52, based on the successful 50 Open model, offers a balance between the features of the Pardo Walkaround and Endurance ranges. Designed by Zuccheri Yacht Design, the exteriors have clean, unmistakable hull lines with the familiar inverted bow of a Pardo, while the interiors by Nauta Design, are stylish and functional. 

Galley Up or Down?

One of the GT52's most versatile features is its layout options: galley up or galley down. The galley-down configuration on this model is particularly effective. It offers a more spacious and well-equipped kitchen below deck, ideal for colder weather, and frees up valuable seating space on the main deck. This area remains bright, thanks to the sunroof above, large portholes, and a light oak colour scheme. Even while preparing meals below, you still feel connected to the action above.

Opting for the galley-down layout also means you're not short of storage, something that could be an issue with the smaller galley on deck. While the galley-up option allows for a third cabin with a bunk bed on the lower deck, the space would be quite cramped. The two-cabin galley-down setup is undoubtedly the way to go.

Crew Space or Storage?

The Pardo GT52 does offer a crew space that's tucked away beneath the dinette in the saloon. Now, whether you need this skipper's cabin is debatable, especially given the boat is most likely to be owner-run. At €11,000, it’s a pricey addition, too.

It features a telescopic ladder that moves out of the way once you're inside. The space itself boasts a single berth and a little opening hull window. There's a toilet and a natty sink complete with a mirror above and some storage to the side.

Given the cost of it, I’d argue that the money could be better spent elsewhere on this boat. If you skip this you get a genuinely useful storage void instead without the cost. For most, this will likely be the better option.  

Engine Room

Engine room access on the Pardo GT52 is through a hatch in the cockpit, leading you to a space that's stooping room only. While that might initially make it seem a bit cramped, the layout is good and access to major components is easy. The IPS pods have plenty of clearance above, and you can spot the jack shafts connecting them to the engines, which are positioned further forward to help with trim.

There are three IPS engine options available: IPS600, 650 or 800, the latter with 600hp per side. Stainless steel fuel tanks sit on either side, equipped with sight gauges for quick fuel level checks. The entire engine room is very neat, with plumbing, pipework, and wiring all nicely arranged. Spotting issues or leaks should be quite straightforward.

Though headroom is a bit of a letdown, the space feels less restrictive once you're down here.

The saloon in the Pardo GT52 is a significant departure from the open range, as it's a fully enclosed wheelhouse connecting to the cockpit. The indoor/outdoor connection is helped by a clever pop-up window and sliding main door, though taller people should mind that they don't catch their head on the sharp corner when the window is in it's up position.

On one side, the saloon offers loads of storage options, including bottle storage that can be upgraded to a wine cooler. The television control mechanism is a minor inconvenience as it needs you to hold the button down the whole time as it moves, but it does raise the TV to a good viewing height for the dinette.

A particularly smart feature is the helm seat which has a two-way backrest. When stationary, you can drop the backrest down to create a cosy spot to sit and enjoy the views, even on a rainy day. This area becomes a nice nook where you can feel connected to the water while remaining comfortably sheltered.

Down in the Galley

You might be worried with a galley-down design that it would be dark but that's not an issue here — the galley is bright and airy, and it's all down to the sunroof, expansive windscreen, and large portholes on either side. The light oak wood finish helps to further enhance the sense of space.

In terms of amenities, the galley has an under-counter fridge — while not a domestic-sized fridge-freezer combo, it’s still a good size. Additionally, there’s a top-loading cooler, which is always handy for extra storage. The sink is nice and big, though the two-burner hob is on the smaller side and ventilation for it is a bit of an issue.

Storage is well thought out, with lots of space above and below the counter. The microwave is neatly integrated into the upper storage, and there are chunky fiddles so items won’t slide about when underway. I would have liked to see a small ledge on the countertops to prevent items from rolling off at sea, however.

Owner's Cabin

The owner’s cabin on the Pardo GT52 bucks the current trend by being positioned forward, and the layout tweaks prove quite effective. The bed runs across the boat at a slight angle, and this is to give equal space for both occupants to move around easily. And it offers a lovely view through the hull windows when lying in bed as your head is at window level.

Natural light is provided through the overhead skylight, which also opens to provide ventilation. Of course, air-conditioning is a cost option. Storage solutions are plenty: a big wardrobe with drawer space beneath, large bins on either side of the bed, and eye-level lockers. However, a tad more storage under the bed wouldn't go amiss.

Entertainment is sorted with a TV that pivots away from the wall to face the bed.  The head is positioned right forward, for a generous and private space, and while the headroom here is pretty good, if you’re over six feet tall, you might need to tuck your head slightly when stepping through the door frame.

Once inside, the bathroom opens up for better headroom, with more natural light and ventilation on offer.  The detailing is beautiful; the fit and finish robust and there's are nice components such as the Tecma electric toilet. The sink's design — sort of hovering over the unit with a fiddled edge — means nothing rolls off. Storage under the sink and behind the mirror should also prove useful. A minimalist and high-quality ensuite.

Guest Cabin

The headroom in the guest cabin is just over 6ft in the entranceway, though headroom is reduced here because of the helm station above — which means sitting room only over the berths. The berths are a decent size, with a useful side table in between them.

Lighting and air conditioning controls are conveniently repeated throughout, and bendy reading lights are useful additions at the head of the beds. There's a television mount on the wall that pops out and storage is decent, with a shelf for odds and ends and additional compartments for stowing away personal bits and bobs.

Access to the day heads is straightforward, thanks to a private entrance, and the area impresses with its spaciousness and functional layout. A separate shower cubicle features a rain shower head with embedded lights, adding a touch of luxury. There's also a smoked window for natural light and a shower wand. The detailing and quality are similar to that of the owner's cabin.

The helm station of the Pardo GT52 may be fully enclosed, but it isn't stuffy — there are several ventilation options to keep the area comfortable. Manual windows on both sides, along with the automatic sunroof allow a refreshing breeze to flow through and, if needed, there are blinds and mosquito nets for added comfort and shade.

While the driving position is generally good, it could use a bit of improvement. The seat raises and lowers automatically, but it needs fore and aft sliding. When sitting back, it's just a bit too far from the controls. However, standing is comfortable and provides a clear, unobstructed view through the windscreen. I was initially concerned about the inwardly raked windscreen giving a letterbox view, but the sightlines are quite good. The flat foredeck keeps the view of the bow clear, and the all-round visibility is excellent thanks to all of the glass, especially across the back of the saloon. 

The helm station itself is plain and dark, with minimal glare. The rubberised material is nice, though the area could benefit from an additional MFD. On a yacht of this size, having just one MFD seems inadequate; ideally, you’d want one for navigation and another for engine information. The presence of hard controls for the bow thruster and other essential functions like lighting and windscreen wipers is a nice, practical addition, so you can avoid relying totally on touch screens.

While the helm station may not be as stylish as the exterior of the Pardo GT52, it’s well-protected and functional. However, a side door would be an good addition, particularly when berthing.  

A standout feature here is the extended hydraulic bathing platform. It's a €30,000 option, but worth it considering the platform can carry a Williams 325 tender. It also provides plenty of space to move around and has integrated steps and a neat little lip for easy access, even when submerged.

The mooring gear is top-notch, with Pardo-branded pop-up cleats that stop at different levels. The deck shower is all metal and well-built, offering hot and cold water for a quick rinse after a swim.

Storage solutions are good, too. Lockers on both sides can house a couple of fenders and lines, while the very large anchor locker up front provides additional space. The seating arrangement is another highlight thanks to the easy way it switches between seating and sunbathing space. The backrests, set on ratchets, can be set at various heights and down to flat, changing the area from dining mode to a large sun pad.

One downside, however, is that if you have larger thighs, the table might feel a bit tight as the top height is a little low. But, when fully lowered, it creates an impressive sunbathing area. For shade, there's an optional pop-out shade that extends automatically to cover the entire cockpit area.

The two benches set right up against the wheelhouse are a nice touch. There are also integrated cup holders for securing drinks or phones while underway. Cooling space is well-considered, with a conveniently placed fridge, and there's even the option to add more drawer fridges under the seats — currently voids for storing lines or life jackets. This extra cooling space is especially useful with the galley down layout where the internal fridges are a distance from the cockpit.

Side Decks & Foredeck

The side decks are well-protected by a substantial handrail recessed under the deck, and this smart design choice provides a sturdy grip as you move forward. This is a bonus, especially since the optional cords don't provide the same level of security as a full stainless steel rail. The cords serve their purpose, but they don't quite match up to the solid feel of a traditional rail.

As you move onto the foredeck, you immediately notice the space — it's completely flat and expansive. That said, you do feel a little exposed up here, more like you're on the boat than in it.

The fender storage on the GT52 is also superb. The forward anchor locker is impressively large and deep, equipped with tie points for fender lines, meaning you can easily retrieve fenders without having to physically get into the locker. Pardo’s familiar anchor mechanism is hidden away to maintain the boat’s reverse sheer bow. With a simple control, the anchor mechanism pops out and retracts, keeping the deck looking nice and clear. It looks fab but it's a complicated mechanism with a few too many opportunities for things to go wrong, not a cloud you want hanging over you when it comes to something as important as the anchor. 

Pricing for the Pardo GT52 kicks off at a base of just over €1,200,000 excluding VAT, equipped with the IPS600 (440hp) engines. Now, if you’re after a more kitted-out version, as we tested, you’re looking at a price tag just shy of €1,730,000 excluding VAT but that includes nearly all of the optional extras that you would want to specify. 

This includes the IPS800 engine upgrade (€120,000), sunroof (€23,000), hi-lo bathing platform (€29,320), convertible cockpit seating (€14,850), cockpit bimini (€17,090), lower deck galley with two cabins (€4,470), bow thruster (€7,000), interceptor blades (€11,850), 9kw generator (€21,890), air-con (€24,320) and the anchor system (€17,210). 

The only other major cost option you may want to consider is a Seakeeper stabiliser, for better stability at rest.