2019 Alan Wright 52
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BOAT REVIEW Wright 52 Powercat
- Quality of cabins and interiors
- Large single-level cockpit and saloon
- Low fuel consumption
Stepping onto the transom and into the cockpit of the Wright 52 is a boater’s dream: broad, deep, flat and safe.
The rear cockpit area is fisherman’s heaven and an entertainer’s delight – it is the perfect platform to spend as much time as possible living your dream.
The physics Choosing a catamaran often comes down to aesthetics, and at times it should. It has been said that ‘cats don’t pound, they just ride soft’. But to ignore the physics of a power catamaran misses the point of a ‘cat’. Catamarans have two slim hulls, pushing less water than a single deep-V hull. These slender hulls possess very different hydrodynamics compared to traditional monohull designs, with the catamaran being more ‘slippery’ (less wetted surface and therefore less water resistance), allowing it to run faster for a given amount of power.
These fundamental physics mean that the catamaran hull slices through the sea as its sharp edges enter a wave. This breaks up the waves and makes for a softer entry into a head sea. The same can be said in a quartering sea, too, with the bow of a catamaran entering the sea one sponson at a time, which splits the waves for a smoother entry and a gentle landing.
The Wright Effect Catamarans are nothing new. They have been around since the first Pacific wayfinders started to explore the oceans. Catamarans are wide, stable and lighter than an equivalent-length monohulls. The righting moment on a catamaran is greater than a V-hull, improving stability, and with the engines farther apart, cats are more maneuverable at low speeds, spinning easily.
The ride The bow of the Wright 52 does not ‘jump out of the hole’ like a deep-V hull design. Instead, the semi-displacement vessel emerges from the water, feeling like it wants to fly. The hulls are designed so that trim tabs or interceptors are not required. The acceleration felt controlled whilst still pushing the skipper into the back of the helm seat. Whether accelerating from a standing start, or from a cruise speed of 18 knots to wide-open-throttle (28-29knots), which only took 11 seconds, conning the boat was fun and addictive.
Moving around Catamarans are known for excellent close-quarter maneuvering. The Wright 52 is the perfect showcase for this feature. Fitting into most standard width single hull berths (yes, you read that correctly – a catamaran berth is not required for the Wright 52), the boat turns quickly with its twin engines, helped along by twin bow and twin stern thrusters.
Sheer comfort The Wright 52’s interior exudes sheer comfort, usability, and Kiwi boat-building craft. The rear cockpit is enormous and features a live-bait tank, freshwater sink, and a 49-litre Isotherm fridge. There are also two sizeable lazerette storage areas under the flooring and excellent access to the engines and electrical systems. The decks are teak-lined throughout. To starboard of the main door is a full-sized day head that could easily accommodate a hot water shower. The cockpit overhang ceiling houses a large fishing rod locker which, when closed, is completely hidden. The rear window opens to connect interior and exterior dining spaces.
Fit and finish The test boat’s finish was excellent. The team at K2 has focused on soundproofing across all internal areas, which was evident on test day – we could talk normally whilst underway, despite all the windows being open. There was little engine or hull noise to speak of. The port hull has a rear cabin with twin single berths, a forward double cabin, a well-appointed wet room, and a head and shower. The storage underneath the forward cabin is vast, and the storage forward of the cabin in the bow is also enormous. The black taps were a nice touch.
Living the dream The Wright 52 is well appointed boat. The hull performance is excellent – a testament to those involved in her design and engineering set-up. The boat inspired confidence, at anchor and underway. Combined with the layout and top-quality finish throughout, the Wright 52 will make any owner feel like they are living the dream. On test day, tucked into the northeastern cliffs of Waiheke Island, we were asking ourselves whether we had time to nip over to Great Barrier Island for the afternoon. We didn’t, but the boat was keen!
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