Explocat 52: The Aluminium Power Cat That Can Go Anywhere
In the evolving world of maritime exploration, where adventurers seek vessels that blend rugged durability with sophisticated performance, the Explocat 52 stands out as a groundbreaking evolution. Launched by a Normandy-based shipyard with over 40 years of crafting aluminum-hulled ocean cruisers, this 2025 model redefines the power catamaran category. While rooted in sailing heritage, the Explocat 52 emphasizes power-assisted propulsion, making it an ideal "go-anywhere" platform for long-range voyages across polar ice edges, tropical atolls, or remote archipelagos. Built from marine-grade aluminum with composite deck elements, it combines the multihull’s inherent stability and space with the material’s unmatched resilience, setting new benchmarks for expedition-ready power cats.
A Legacy of Exploration in Aluminum
The shipyard behind the Explocat 52 has long championed aluminum construction for its superior strength-to-weight ratio, especially in vessels exceeding 14 meters. The Explocat 52 builds on this expertise, evolving from the yard’s successful monohull series designed for bluewater endurance and earlier aluminum catamaran prototypes. Introduced in 2016 as a sailing cat, the 2025 version shifts focus toward power, incorporating enhanced diesel options and hybrid-ready systems for efficient, low-speed motoring in challenging environments.
At 16.95 meters overall length (with a waterline length of 16.30 meters) and a beam of 8.20 meters, the Explocat 52 measures 55.61 feet in total span, offering a shallow draft of just 1.50 meters. This allows access to shallow bays and coastal hideaways inaccessible to deeper monohulls. Lightship displacement sits at 18.9 tonnes, competitive with fiberglass counterparts, yet the aluminum hulls—plated from 5mm to 14mm thick—provide superior rigidity and puncture resistance. Reviews highlight how this construction enables the cat to handle extreme conditions, from icy fjords to Antarctic swells, without compromising speed or comfort.
The 2025 model’s hull design features tauter lines and enlarged aft portholes for better natural light, unveiled at a major yachting festival in September 2025. Twin aluminum hulls with reinforced bows and built-in attachment points for warps or drogues ensure it can withstand heavy storms in complete serenity, as per manufacturer specifications. This evolution addresses feedback from early models, prioritizing versatility for power-focused cruising while retaining sail compatibility for hybrid adventurers.
Power and Performance: Built for Boundless Horizons
What elevates the 2025 Explocat 52 to "power cat" status is its propulsion system, optimized for long-distance efficiency. Standard twin diesel engines (with optional upgrades) deliver reliable torque, supported by a 1,180-liter (310-gallon) fuel capacity for extended motoring ranges exceeding 2,000 nautical miles at displacement speeds. For those eyeing electrification, the aluminum structure accommodates battery banks and solar integration, aligning with the emphasis on energy autonomy.
Performance reviews praise its ability to maintain high daily averages—up to 220 nautical miles under sail or 10-12 knots motoring—thanks to a generous sail plan of 150 square meters (upwind) when sails are deployed. The cat’s low center of gravity and wide beam minimize roll, even in beam seas, while peak speeds reach 17 knots in ideal conditions. Independent tests note it outperforms many fiberglass cats in seaworthiness, with the aluminum frame distributing loads evenly to prevent flexing during heavy weather.
A standout feature is the pivoting helm station at the external cockpit: it swings from a raised, open-air position for visibility in calm waters to a fully protected low stance under the hardtop during gales. This ergonomic innovation, refined in the 2025 model, centralizes sail and throttle controls for single-handed or short-handed operation, earning acclaim for blending safety with intuitive handling.
Design and Comfort: Spaces That Inspire Adventure
The Explocat 52’s layout maximizes the catamaran’s volume advantage, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow suited for extended expeditions. The forward cockpit—accessed via a watertight door from the saloon—serves as a secure observation post for wildlife spotting or anchoring in remote spots, protected by high rails and panoramic glazing. Aft, the expansive cockpit under a full hardtop connects effortlessly to the saloon, fostering communal living without the isolation of traditional bridgedeck designs.
Interiors offer three or four-cabin configurations, each with 660 liters (174 gallons) of water capacity and high-performance insulation for polar-to-tropical versatility. The saloon’s wraparound windows provide 360-degree views, while ergonomic joinery—using lightweight composites over aluminum framing—ensures durability without excess weight. Storage is abundant, with dedicated technical rooms for tools, spares, and systems, supporting self-sufficiency for months at sea.
The 2025 updates introduce two cockpit variants: a family-oriented setup with modular seating and a performance-focused one with extended engine access. Ventilation systems, including natural airflow and optional air conditioning, maintain thermal comfort, while the shallow draft unlocks hidden coves for exploration. Reviewers describe the ambiance as a functional explorer with luxury touches, akin to high-end production cats but fortified for the extremes.
Insights from the Field: Real-World Versatility
Since its debut, over 16 units have been ordered, with early adopters pushing boundaries from Arctic passages to Pacific crossings. Sea trials in varied conditions reveal a vessel that excels in trade winds, clocking 250-mile days with ease, yet remains composed in 40-knot gusts. One analysis notes its edge over carbon racers in robustness: the Explocat 52 can shrug off groundings or ice scrapes, unlike lighter hulls.
Maintenance feedback underscores aluminum’s low upkeep—resistant to osmosis and UV degradation—though saildrive servicing requires occasional haul-outs, a minor trade-off for its remote-capable ethos. Overall, it’s lauded as the sailing equivalent of a 4x4 off-roader, bridging luxury and expedition without excess.
Conclusion: Redefining Expedition Power Cats
The 2025 Explocat 52 embodies the mantra: "There is nowhere you can’t go." Its aluminum power cat design delivers unmatched durability, efficient propulsion, and livable spaces, making it the choice for those chasing uncharted waters. Whether motoring through fog-shrouded channels or idling in turquoise lagoons, this vessel proves that true adventure lies in the balance of strength and serenity. For explorers ready to venture beyond the horizon, the Explocat 52 isn’t just a boat—it’s a passport to the planet’s wildest frontiers.