Apollonian Yachts 52

When I heard about a new brand of boats designed by and named for renowned naval architect Howard Apollonio, I was intrigued.

Apollonio has designed boats for Hampton, Regency, Cheoy Lee, West Bay, Christensen and more. He and knowledgeable Seattle yacht broker Vic Parcells discovered that they had a similar vision for a new boat brand and teamed up to create Apollonian.

Having sold thousands of new and used boats for over 40 years, Parcells saw a gap in the market that was not being served. He wanted to build a high-quality 50-foot raised pilothouse motoryacht. The boat had to have modern running surfaces and equipment, be affordable and easy to manage for owner operators. Apollonio had a proven design he was transforming into an innovative new hull that would be both smooth-running and spacious. The combination of modern construction and design with distinctive American style and abundant accommodations defines the new Apollonian Yachts brand.

Construction notes

The first Apollonian 52 arrived last year and was quickly sold. The next boat recently landed in Seattle, and subsequent boats are slated for U.S. arrival later this year. Apollonian Yachts are built in a respected yard in Shanghai, China. The original plan was to build in North America, but they could not find the right combination of skill set, affordability and capacity needed to meet their requirements.

Apollonian Yachts are built with a high degree of structural integrity. Advanced construction techniques with closed cell foam and vacuum infusion are used on both the hull and superstructure. This adds strength and rigidity, providing weight savings that translates into better performance and fuel efficiency. Quality materials like Vinyl-ester resins in the hull along with the coring resist damage, eliminate osmotic water integrity issues, and act as insulators for both sound and heat. Apollonio’s split chine design further eliminates chine slap.

I approach the Apollonian 52 and like the classic good looks — not old-fashioned, nor some strange plumb bow Euro-style that is increasingly common. The lines are clean and well-proportioned with a balance of fresh white fiberglass contrasted by blacked out windows. Designed to fit in most 50-foot slips with an overall length of 52 feet and a 16-foot, 8-inch beam, the boat is sizable but not intimidating.

I step up from the swim platform to a modest cockpit with molded-in seating and recessed overhead lights. A slider opens to the salon, but I walk forward. Substantial side decks are protected by bulwarks capped with a two-tiered stainless rail with an oval cap that beams quality. A single waterproof door to starboard connects the deck to the pilothouse for convenient access. Well-thought-out touches like covered fuel fill doors on both sides feeding twin central tanks and engine air intakes carefully tucked inboard to keep out spray demonstrate Apollonio and Parcells’ experience. To maximize usable area there is no bowsprit but instead a stainless steel claw anchor cradled in the hawsepipe is attached to an electric Lewmar windlass. An opening hatch gives access to chain, rode and washdown equipment.

Come on in

The salon features comfortable seating, recessed indirect lighting, and abundant American Cherry cabinetry skillfully joined and topped with exquisite book-matched burl. The electrical panel behind smoked glass doors is conveniently placed just inside the stainless slider. This area is inviting and warm with composite floors and a 42-inch flat-screen TV on a lift with Bose surround sound.

A few steps up, the galley has access to the salon through a pass-through window and to the pilothouse forward. A household-size stainless steel fridge, four-burner electric stove, convection oven, microwave, trash compactor and dishwasher provide all the comforts of home. Wide Corian countertops, abundant storage and a deep double sink make meal prep easy. The pilothouse is the central access point; here, you’ll find the galley counter abutting the dining table, steps up to the flybridge, a convenient day head, and a waterproof door to the deck, plus a stairway to the cabins below.

Carefully thought out

Seated at the comfortable dinette table I have a great view out the raked-back windshield as we head out for our test. From the single black upholstered helm chair, Parcells tells me about the boat and the Apollonian Yachts program.

“We chose American engines,” he explains. “Twin Cummins QSB 6.7 425-hp engine drive shafts. There is room in the engine room for larger engines if someone really wants them, but the boat cruises nicely with standard power.”

Engines are one of the few options offered as they deliver a turnkey boat complete with a long list of standard features, including a Garmin electronics package with radar and autopilot. By eliminating custom changes and providing owners with everything they need to step aboard and go, they keep costs down, maintain production flow (meaning on-time boats), and ensure customers get the most for their money.

The list of standard equipment is long and includes both comfort items like a full-size washer and separate dryer and a myriad of well-thought-out ship’s systems.

Freshwater electric heads use fiberglass holding tanks but also gray water is consolidated in a separate accumulator tank, eliminating soapy discharge in marinas or sensitive anchorages. An Onan 13.5kW generator comes standard along with a MagnaSine 2800W inverter that can power most everything aboard except air conditioning. As Parcells continues to walk me through the specifics, a common theme comes through: Every detail of the Apollonian 52 is carefully thought out. I particularly like the analog instruments at the helm in addition to the digital readouts on the Garmin MFDs.

“Attention to detail and precise execution are important. Both Howard and I demand that the boats be well constructed, carefully wired and plumbed, and that they have all the features boaters want,” Parcells says. “The reason many boaters are buying a new boat is that they don’t want to be chasing down repairs, so we simplify systems and use first-class materials.”

Sea trial

The boat handles well during testing in the freshwater and calm conditions of Lake Washington. We top out at 18.3 knots and cruise comfortably between 12 and 14 knots. At 12 knots we burn 21.2 gph, which is respectable for a boat this size. Calculating 90% of fuel capacity at 14 knots provides a 221-nautical-mile range. Taking hard turns in either direction is unremarkable; the boat gently leans into turns and only slows a knot or so. Decibel levels in the pilothouse remain around 70dB, allowing us to talk casually without raising our voices. The boat is easy to drive and feels like you can safely and comfortably go anywhere. A convenient second station on the flybridge provides outdoor steering, and there is a comfortable lounge with table, wetbar, electric BBQ, and a spot for an optional crane davit and tender.

Below decks accommodations are spacious and well appointed. The master is full-beam and comes with a vented hanging locker, hull windows with opening portholes, and a flat-screen TV with Bose sound system. Nice touches like power outlets and controls on twin nightstands allow for easy cellphone charging. The ensuite head has a large shower compartment complete with a convenient bench. A twin berth cabin is ideal for kids, with a ladder for the upper bunk, but it’s also large enough for adults. The VIP forward features a centerline queen with a hanging locker, overhead hatch and portholes, its own TV and sound system, and plenty of storage. The same rich cherry wood with burl highlights mixed with bright wall and ceiling panels is used throughout the boat including in the cabins. A head with shower is accessed conveniently from the VIP or the foyer, but with the day head above, guests will not need to come down to this level just to use the bathroom.

I understand now why Apollonio and Parcells started this new brand. The Apollonian 52 is a great combination of modern design and construction, abundant amenities and surprising affordability. This new kid on the block has a welcoming feel that inspires entertaining and cruising. Apollonian Yachts demonstrates there is a place in the market for a well-built new boat.