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Boreal 52
Designer: Jean-François Delvoye  ·  Builder: Boréal (Fra)  ·  First built: 2014
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About the Boreal 52

French builder Boréal's flagship 52-footer represents the pinnacle of aluminum expedition cruising design, engineered specifically for serious offshore voyaging and high-latitude sailing. Designer Jean-François Delvoye crafted this vessel with an unwavering focus on strength, seaworthiness, and the ability to handle extreme conditions that would challenge lesser boats. The aluminum construction provides exceptional durability while maintaining reasonable weight, essential for a boat intended to navigate ice-laden waters and remote cruising grounds. With a cutter rig configuration and robust sail plan of 1,399 square feet, the Boreal 52 offers versatility in varying wind conditions, allowing crews to balance power and control across different sailing scenarios. Notable design characteristics include a substantial displacement of over 36,000 pounds paired with generous beam and draft dimensions that contribute to excellent stability and seakeeping abilities. The conservative comfort ratio of 31.51 and capsize screening formula of 1.85 underscore this boat's blue-water credentials, while the 75-horsepower engine provides reliable auxiliary power for challenging conditions. Since entering production in 2014, the Boreal 52 has earned recognition among serious cruisers seeking a proven platform for extended ocean passages and polar exploration, representing French excellence in expedition yacht construction.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 52.03 ft / 15.86 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 45.34 ft / 13.82 m
Beam 15.26 ft / 4.65 m
Max Draft 10.27 ft / 3.13 m
Min Draft 3.74 ft / 1.14 m
Displacement 36,376.00 lb / 16,500 kg
Ballast 10,582.00 lb / 4,800 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,399.30 ft² / 130.00 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction Aluminium
Designer Jean-François Delvoye
Builder Boréal (FRA)
First Built 2014
Related Sailboats ["Hallberg Rassy 53" · "Oyster 53 Holman Pye" · "Najad 520 Ds" · "Little Harbor 53" · "Alden 52"]
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 20.48
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 29.09
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 174.23
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 31.51
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.85
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 9.02 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2,472.19 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Model D2
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 75
Fuel Capacity 232 gals / 879 L
Water Capacity 388 gals / 1,470 L
How It Compares

vs. Little Harbor 53, Najad 520 Ds, Oyster 53 Holman Pye

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Boreal 52 ★
52.0 ft
Little Harbor 53
52.7 ft
Najad 520 Ds
51.8 ft
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
53.0 ft
LWL
Boreal 52 ★
45.3 ft
Little Harbor 53
42.2 ft
Najad 520 Ds
44.5 ft
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
44.7 ft
Beam
Boreal 52 ★
15.3 ft
Little Harbor 53
15.0 ft
Najad 520 Ds
15.1 ft
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
15.8 ft
Displacement
Boreal 52 ★
36 lbs
Little Harbor 53
43 lbs
Najad 520 Ds
44 lbs
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
40 lbs
Ballast
Boreal 52 ★
10 lbs
Little Harbor 53
18 lbs
Najad 520 Ds
14 lbs
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
16 lbs
Sail Area
Boreal 52 ★
1 sq ft
Little Harbor 53
1 sq ft
Najad 520 Ds
—
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
1 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Boreal 52 ★
20.5
Little Harbor 53
16.7
Najad 520 Ds
—
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
16.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Boreal 52 ★
29.1 %
Little Harbor 53
41.7 %
Najad 520 Ds
34.0 %
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
40.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Boreal 52 ★
31.5
Little Harbor 53
39.9
Najad 520 Ds
—
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
34.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Boreal 52 ★
1.85
Little Harbor 53
1.72
Najad 520 Ds
—
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
1.83
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Boreal 52 ★
174
Little Harbor 53
257
Najad 520 Ds
—
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
204
Hull Speed
Boreal 52 ★
9.0 kts
Little Harbor 53
8.7 kts
Najad 520 Ds
—
Oyster 53 Holman Pye
9.0 kts
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