If you’ve never heard the name Pardo before, don’t feel bad. The Italian motoryacht brand launched just four years ago with a 43-footer, following it up in 2019 with the Pardo 50. But this is no Johnny-come-lately boat manufacturer—Cantiere del Pardo, based in Forlì, Italy, has serious yachtbuilding cred. Since 1973, the independent shipyard has manufactured the internationally renowned Gran Soleil racing and cruising sailing yachts, producing more than 4,500 hulls up to 80 feet in length.
Pardo is Gran Soleil’s lean, mean powerboat brother. Designed by Cantiere del Pardo in collaboration with Zuccheri Yacht Design, and featuring an aggressive reverse bow, edgy lines and wide-open cockpit, the Pardo 50 attracted a lot of attention during its U.S. boat show tour. Although it was developed with the luxury express cruiser market in mind, the 50 takes the express cruiser concept and stands it on its head. For one thing, its profile is angular rather than sporting the traditional curves Americans are used to seeing on express yachts. Instead of having a multi-level cockpit, it has a flush, open deck that can hold 25 to 30 people. (We recommend doing this only at the dock.) And, while it has two staterooms and a hull designed for offshore performance, this yacht’s design brief is clearly more luxury dayboat than long-range cruiser.
In the main cockpit—the heart of the Pardo 50—is a generous, U-shaped settee with dining table. It is served by an outdoor galley, concealed in cabinets built into the carbon fiber hardtop supports. Galley equipment includes a grill, sink, refrigerator and optional icemaker; two freezer drawers pull out from either end of the settee. An electric shade extends from the hardtop to shield this area from the sun. It’s easy to envision owners and their guests hanging out in this cockpit from dawn to dusk, and beyond.
