The MC 52 is priced at 628,000 euros (excl. VAT) as a base price with 2 x 440 hp Volvo. The walnut wood finish is included in this price. However, the option list for brushed light oak and all other equipment and upholstery must be used. The degree of customization is very high, even though the list of options may seem long.
Three different option packs
The first pack is aptly named "essential finish" and the second "comfort" gives little satisfaction. Only the "lounge" pack seems to be in line with the ship's pretensions. It includes automatic Zipwake flaps, an 11 KW generator, a bow thruster, the Garmin electronic pack, the hydraulic bathing platform for the technical part and comfort equipment such as the 60 l fridge on the fly or a natural teak cockpit floor. It should be noted that the Shipcontrol system, which allows certain functions and boat data to be controlled from a smartphone or tablet, is included in all three packs. This lounge pack at 89,000 euros HT is far from satisfying all desires and for example our test boat was around 867,000 euros HT in the end. Beautiful Silvertex or Sunbrella upholstery, a Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilizer, air conditioning, media system and household appliances are essential to fully enjoy the comfort. It is possible to have a bimini, or a hard top to cover the fly and a Williams 285 jet tender to go to the restaurant.
What about the competition?
Certain brands have been present for a long time in this small yacht engine segment. Azimut with its Fly Collection 50, Princess with the F-line 50 and Ferretti with the all-new 500 have slightly less roominess and their third cabin has only bunk beds. The absence of a seaman's cabin is also noticeable on the Princess. The Sunseeker Manhattan 52 is closer to the volumes of the MC 52. All of these renowned brands offer stronger engines, up to 2 X 800 hp to cope with a 25% higher base weight. The basic price is of course also much higher, as is the fuel consumption. The Galeon 500 Fly with its bulwarks that unfold to make a very convivial bar area on the aft deck has the same disadvantage of the bunk bed cabin. In the end, the toughest competition comes from the same group. The Prestige 520 is very close in price and its habitability is comparable. Its two separate companionways, at the bow for the guest cabins and at the stern for the master, is a different solution to preserve the owners' privacy.
