Dear Boater,
The Symbol 50 Pilothouse was conceived as the company's entry level model for the complete line of motor yachts up to 85 feet. This model complements the existing larger raised model versions by emulating the distinctive flowing profile lines seen in previous 56, 60, 66, and 69’ Pilothouse models. We have attempted to create an identity for the Symbol line by incorporating similar distinctive features in all the models including the raised pilot houses and the cockpit and flush deck motor yachts.
The design philosophy I brought to this design was derived from many years of cruising my own boat. The attempt was to incorporate features that would not only satisfy my prerequisites but would be acceptable and appealing to the general boater. In other words, I tried to place myself wholly in the design and cruise the boat while it was still on paper. Annoyances such as lack of storage, head knockers, poor access to equipment, etc. were eliminated. Attention to ease of handling, vision, height of stair risers, anchoring, etc and the list goes on….anything that I personally had come up against was considered and incorporated when possible.
Since the 52' RPH model features an entirely new hull a great amount of preliminary design work was done before the lines were ready to be sent to the test tank at Vizon Scitec's facility at the University of British Columbia. A week of exhaustive testing of the hull model gave proof that we had come up with a winner. The combination of a moderate aft dead-rise, gentle propeller tunnels, a soft entry at the high impact area, aggressive spray knockers and flared bow gave us flying colors in all phases of the tests. We were particularly happy with the performance projections in head seas representative of sea states 2, 3, and 4. The results showed favorable ride characteristics in these normally encountered seas with minimized slamming impacts. Also, it was noted that the ride was very dry due to the bow flair and the wide spray flats.
The interior layout incorporates a two or three stateroom optional arrangement similar to ones of its bigger brothers, the 56' and 60'. The up-galley arrangement with raised settee adjacent to the helm has proven to be very popular on larger models and is repeated in the 52' model. We have tried to keep an open feeling in the pilothouse area by utilizing freestanding stairs to the flying bridge and leaving the space behind them open to the salon. We did not eliminate the port side door to the side deck, so often seen on other competitor’s models to maximize the settee. This decision was made for functionality reasons, keeping in mind the operator’s quick access to either side deck without having to walk completely around the forward truck cabin.
The sizes of the salon and cockpit area have been balanced to provide maximum space to both. The windows in the salon are positioned to give maximum light inside the boat and the sightlines, for both sitting and standing, have been carefully laid out to eliminate any straining of the neck or ducking of the head to see out. The flying bridge, accessible from the cockpit, provides a comfortable area for both lounging and running the boat in good weather. The helm area is raised giving an excellent sight line over the bow and standing space for optional docking stations is provided to both port and starboard.
While we don't specify any particular engine manufacturer for this model the standard horsepower range for engines are from 500 to 715 BHP giving speeds in the mid 20 knot range depending of various loading conditions. The underwater exhaust system should insure that the boat is relatively quiet and free from trailing exhaust fumes. The rudders are foil shaped and oversized to insure good tracking and responsive turning ability at both low and high speeds. The keel depth has been kept to a minimum for reduced drag while still providing major longitudinal strength and directional stability.
As has all other Symbol models the hull is solid laminate on the keel and bottom up to the chine and then cored with cross-linked PVC foam, the entire hull being strengthened with web frames and molded FRP stiffeners. It is the intention of Symbol to build this model in a modular assembly system in order to shorten construction time, reduce secondary bonding and laminates and ultimately reduce the total weight of the vessel.
Finally, without totally eliminating all the amenities that boaters expect to find on yachts in the twenty first century, we have endeavored to limit the number of options of materials and interior arrangements to simplify and shorten building hours, thereby passing the reduced cost of building back to the consumer. This doesn’t mean buyers won’t have options available to them but only in a more controlled manner than Symbol Yachts offers in their larger models.
Jack W. Sarin, Jack W. Sarin Naval Architects, Inc.