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Neel 52 trimaran review

  • Rupert Holmes
  • December 22, 2023

Neel broke ground with its cruising trimarans a decade ago. So what’s changed with its new 50+ footer, the Neel 52?

neel trimaran 52

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

We’re beating out of the approach channel to La Rochelle in 8-10 knots of true wind, with some tacks as short as 90 seconds. The yacht is tacking cleanly and accelerating willingly afterwards, underlining how manoeuvrable it can be in skilled hands. Yet this isn’t a lightweight monohull – it’s a 52ft semi flybridge multihull weighing more than 13 tonnes, the Neel 52.

The first generation of Neel trimarans, including the Neel 51 launched in 2017, set a new standard in combining handling that echoes that of a monohull with accommodation of a scale that can only be found on a multihull. The concept of the Neel 52 remains the same, using the hulls of a fast racing trimaran with narrow waterline beam, as a platform for expansive four- to six-cabin accommodation.

On paper there’s no significant difference in the key dimensions of each boat, but that conceals a number of important changes. An example for this market is a much improved owners’ cabin which now occupies part of the bridgedeck and can also include the entire starboard ama.

There’s also a big difference in how the new boat handles. Offshore racing multihulls are designed to optimise straight line speed, but that’s rarely the key priority for cruising yachts. As a result the shape of the main hulls and amas of this new Lombard design are very different to those of the Joubert-Nivel-designed Neel 51 it replaces (42 built).

In particular the forward sections have a very shallow forefoot compared to the old model, where maximum waterline length was a key priority. The change improves manoeuvrability and is an important factor behind the ease with which our boat tacked in the conditions we experienced for our test. The Neel 52 is also lighter, with improved balance thanks to a mast (and engine room) further aft and a larger jib.

neel trimaran 52

Most sail handling operations, except using spinnakers and furling the headsails, can be carried out single-handedly from the helm station. Photo: Rupert Holmes

On the helm

Close-hauled in more open water, with the true breeze still predominately between 8-10 knots, we consistently made just over seven knots of boat speed at a true wind angle of 60°-65°. In these conditions there’s very little heel – just enough for the windward ama to skim above the water and markedly reduce wetted surface area.

Steering is via Dyneema cables, which gives a more direct response than many alternatives, though the boat’s heavier on the helm than a well set up monohull, with a less precise feel. Nevertheless it’s still good by the standards of many cruising catamarans.

The standard Neel 52 sail plan includes a square top mainsail, slightly overlapping headsail of around 120% and staysail. Our test boat also had a very flexible 150m2 furling gennaker that can be used for reaching in 10 knots of true wind or less and broad-reaching in winds well above 20 knots. Neel also offers a larger asymmetric spinnaker as an option, as well as a marginally taller carbon rig with higher-spec Hydranet sails.

All lines, except spinnaker sheets and furling lines, are led to three electric winches at the helm station. Separate luff and leech pennants for all three mainsail reefs help tame the sail quickly. There is, however, lots of rope in this area and insufficient rope bins to handle it.

neel trimaran 52

The flexible gennaker on our test boat can be used for reaching in up to 10 knots of wind and at 140° TWA in well over 20 knots

Downwind and reaching sails sheet to the back of the amas, while genoa and staysail furling lines are led to the aft end of the starboard ama. This arrangement for the furling lines greatly reduces friction compared to the convoluted route they would have to take to lead to the helm station, but means furling these sails isn’t an easy single-person operation.

With the true wind building to 10-11 knots and puffs to 13 we consistently made speeds of around 9 knots, with occasional bursts just into double figures when reaching at 110°-120° TWA, with the gennaker and staysail set. This was easy sailing at speeds that will quickly gobble up the miles when on passage.

Visibility from the Neel 52 helm station is excellent on port tack, but there’s a big blind spot on starboard – you need to descend four steps to see under the jib or gennaker. A semi flybridge above the hard top, with space for up to eight people, includes generous sunbeds. This is right next to the helm/winch station, so communication between the two is easy and, unlike many multihulls, it doesn’t feel as though the helmsman is isolated from everyone else on board.

You have to be sure guests are sitting before tacks and gybes, when hoisting and dousing the mainsail, and when reefing on port tack. There’s a bimini for sunshade over the helm area, with a clear overhead panel for sail trim, but no provision for sun protection over the flybridge area, though the hardtop over the main aft cockpit gives plenty of shade.

A key selling point for Neel is offering a very refreshing change to the familiar layouts of cruising multihulls of similar length, and the Neel 52’s arrangement feels generally bright, welcoming and innovative.

neel trimaran 52

The saloon adjoins the cockpit, however you need to stoop to see out of forward windows. Master cabin is to starboard but you need to draw blinds for privacy

Neel 52 – bridgedeck cabin

The older Neel 51 benefitted from Neel’s trademark bridgedeck level cabin, which gives a fantastic view out almost all round the boat when you wake up. This comes at the expense of some privacy, though, which is largely solved by closing the window blinds in the bulkhead that separates the cabin from the saloon. But this space was small compared to typical catamarans owners’ cabins.

Owners with guests will still need to close the blinds on the main bridgedeck cabin on the Neel 52, but this now links to the whole of the starboard ama. This is a private area with a desk/dressing table and a generous amount of stowage in hanging and shelved lockers. Ventilation is provided by several overhead hatches and there’s a long hull window above the desk which provides plenty of natural light.

The mid part of the owner’s ama has a heads with a separate shower stall, while further forward is an additional space that was left fairly open in our test boat, with the exception of a washer/dryer. This area has obvious potential for much more stowage, or even a workbench.

neel trimaran 52

Large and well appointed galley.

The aft cockpit under the hardtop is relatively small, but this doesn’t feel important since this space fully opens up onto an expansive saloon, with the interior and exterior tables together forming a dining table that can be extended almost seamlessly to just over 3m in length.

Ahead of the saloon area is a large navstation with a double seat and a good view forward, to port and aft. However, the bridgedeck owner’s cabin creates a large blind spot on the starboard quarter and there is no hatch above to view the mainsail.

All layout options have a large and well equipped galley forward on the starboard side of the saloon. There’s acres of worktop space, a four-burner gas hob plus oven, large refrigeration and freezer capacity, plus a slimline dishwasher. Stowage is in 17 lockers both under the counter and at eye level. The saloon has two opening panels in the front windscreen for natural ventilation, plus a small opening hatch over the cooker.

In four-cabin boats steps lead down to a double cabin in the port ama, with a large double berth aft, above which is a long hull window that gives a great view out. Stowage here is primarily in a small hanging locker, plus empty space under the berth that can be used for easy access to kit bags. Forward of this are heads and shower compartments mirroring those of the starboard ama, and further forward a space similar to that with the washing machine on the starboard side.

neel trimaran 52

Bridgedeck level owner’s cabin.

Alternatively the port ama can be fitted out as two doubles that share a central head/shower compartment. This option is also available in the starboard ama for six-cabin charter specification boats. These also gain additional saloon and dining space on the bridgedeck as there’s no owner’s cabin at that level.

Seven steps at the front of the saloon descend into a further double cabin in the centre of the main hull, under the solid bridge deck. There’s plenty of space, but natural light and ventilation are restricted, with the former coming solely from the two escape hatches. There’s stowage plus a heads compartment (without shower) shared with a forward cabin at the front of the main hull.

On the test Neel 52 this is fitted out as a Pullman-style cabin with bunkbeds. Crew cabins, each with a single berth and head/shower, can also be specified at the aft end of each ama.

neel trimaran 52

Owner’s hull space in starboard ama

On the downside, some elements of the interior have hard edges in places that may not wear as well as rounded corners. And traditionalists won’t be impressed by the inside of lockers which have a similar feel to mass market home furniture.

Neel’s trademark full height technical area with engine and systems is restricted to the back of this model. Nevertheless, it remains a well laid out and useful space that will make maintenance and repair easier than on many yachts. Unlike cruising catamarans, Neels have only a single engine in the main hull, so a bow thruster is fitted as standard. A stern thruster is offered as an option that can make Mediterranean-style mooring a lot easier.

Deck stowage includes large lockers that can accommodate sails, fenders and watersports toys, while the tender rests on purpose made chocks at the aft end of the main hull. It’s lifted using a line from the end of the boom – a simple arrangement that avoids the weight, complication and cost of davits. Access to the water is from the extended bathing platforms on the aft end of each ama and the transom of the main hull.

Our test Neel 52 was set up with just under 2kW of solar panels on the coachroof. Neel says this is almost enough for complete autonomy while cruising when combined with the boat’s lithium iron phosphate battery bank, though as standard 625Ah of 12V AGM batteries are fitted.

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There’s much to like about this boat for anyone who needs the accommodation volume offered, or is seduced by the appeal of Manhattan-style loft living. The Neel 52 also offers a big advantage over its predecessor thanks to the reconfigured owner’s suite with immensely more space. Speeds under sail are unlikely to differ noticeably to the 51, which already had potential for very quick passages when reaching, although upwind and downwind VMG for both models is less impressive, other than downwind in a blow. However, the way the new boat behaves under sail gives it a feel closer to that of a cruising monohull. More importantly for this part of the market, the 52 is easy to handle, with few operations requiring more than one person on deck. These factors, combined with the various layout options, boost this yacht’s appeal and by the time the prototype had been in commission for three weeks, delivery schedules were already stretching into early 2026, with 26 boats sold.

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  • Brand or Model: NEEL 52
  • Conditions: New boat
  • Length: 15,9 m
  • Beam: 8,8 m
  • Displacement (max): 19,5 T
  • Main sail: 95 sqm with aluminium mast
  • Main sail: 102 sqm with carbon mast
  • Genoa: 71 sqm
  • Stay sail: 32 sqm
  • Engine: 110 hp
  • Fuel: 700 L
  • Water: 600 L
  • Cabins: 4 to 6
  • Heads: 2 to 3
  • Skipper cabins: 1 or 2
  • Designer: Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group

Description

Neel trimarans new model.

Dynamique, racy, fast and Voluminous

World premiere

With a modern silhouette, an elaborate designed hull and sleeklines, the NEEL52 exudes power and elegance with a racy look. A wide deck and voluminous interiors make life smooth and safe.

It has remarkable seaworthiness , performance, and comfort. She is easily handled by a small crew. NEEL trimarans hulls combine a central ‘rockered’ hull, which facilitates turning and maneuvering in port, with aerodynamic floats that provide stability and prevent pitching.

On the Deck

This multihull has an impressive interior/exterior living space made possible by the wide opening between the saloon and the full beam cockpit.

In the Interiors

The living space on one level is an entirely an open plan offering exceptional sensations. The panoramic views from the saloon are breathtaking. Both elegant and simple, the timeless design lends the NEEL 52 an exceptional atmosphere.

Naval architects, Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, followed in the footsteps of Michel Joubert and Bernard Nivelt, subtly updating the design while staying true to NEEL’s DNA.

NEEL-TRIMARANS construction

Once again entrusts the design of the NEEL 52 to Marc Lombard, following NEEL 47 and NEEL 43. Based on the design of the sailing experiences of the NEEL 47 and NEEL 43, the Lombard firm has consolidated the positive attributes, the voluminous hull floats and the high freeboard.

Este multicasco combine a rocked central hull, which facilitates turning and maneuvering in port, with aerodynamic floats that provide stability and prevent pitching. The design of the NEEL 52 hulls also had to consider loading on long distance voyages. The load capacity of the NEEL 52 is 19.5 tons.

Combining all the qualities on which the success of its predecessors is based, this model stays true to the range. It is a fast and safe trimaran that seats twelve passengers, but is easily handled by a small crew. She boasts remarkable seaworthiness, performance (both under sail and power) and comfort.

NEEL 52 FIRST SAIL

MODEL RANGE

neel trimaran 52

Floor Plans

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Description: NEEL 52 deck layout

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Description: NEEL 52 layout - Version Sky Deck - 4 cabins

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Description: NEEL 52 layout - Version Sea Deck - 6 cabins

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Description: NEEL 52 layout - Version Version Sky Deck - 5 cabins

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topRik

Neel 52 Review

Today we review one of the most anticipated vessels ever from Neel Trimarans – sporty and elegant cruiser Neel 52 , designed by one and only Marc Lombard. There is still not much information on the upcoming yacht, so we had to conduct a thorough research based on available data from the shipyard. Yet, the existing information is more than enough to already form a certain opinion on the trimaran and draw conclusions regarding this exciting project even before it first launches in 2024. Additionally, we add similar reviews by professionals in the same field so you have information from different sources.

  • FEATURES OF NEEL 52

Closer Look

In the cockloon.

  • ADVANTAGES OF NEEL 52
  • REVIEWS OF NEEL 52 FROM PROFESSIONALS
  • VIDEO REVIEW OF NEEL 52
  • PRICE CALCULATOR

Neel 52 Review

This is how the Neel 52 will appear to us when its finally launched. This trimaran, similar to the predecessors, provides incredible stability unheard of among monohull and even catamaran lovers. You can definitely see the influence of Neel 51’s design philosophy in the new shapes, yet at the same time you are not likely to confuse the two of them – the lines of the exterior became more gentle and soft, almost like this trimaran resolved its inner issues and achieved enlightenment of some sort, especially considering that model 51 looked constantly angry with its curved saloon windows at the front.

Indeed, it seems that many of the problems of the model 51 were resolved by famous Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group in this new project.

Stability is definitely an advantage of trimarans, yet the maneuverability often becomes a problem. In order to address this, Neel 52’s central hull was resedigned – now it features a deeper rocker which is supposed to improve the yacht’s agility and load bearing. New long and swift amas (side floats) allow the yacht to introduce a more ambitious sail wardrobe and stay on target even during big waves. Add to that a powerful 110 HP Volvo engine, large fuel and water tanks for the 16-meter vessel, CE certification class A, allowing you to go on a long cruise in the ocean, and you have an interesting hybrid between a racing boat and a full-time cruiser that is lighter than ever with displacement of only 12.6 tons.

Based on our experience, it is the versatility improvements that eventually attract more and more people into the multihull market. Usually, speed lovers owners are worried that they will be stuck on a slow-moving cruising raft without any ability to actually drive it, yet Neel Trimarans are adamant about marketing their vessels capable of sailing and cruising combined, depending on the layout you choose. At the same time, Eric Bruneel, the founder of the company, spent a lot of time himself specifically on racing trimarans and is eager to show the world that a trimaran can be much more than just a comfortable apartment on the water.

Features of Neel 52

  • Brand: Neel Trimarans
  • Hull type: Trimaran
  • Overall length, m: 15.8
  • Width, m: 8.53
  • Draft, m: 1.82
  • Displacement, t: 12.6
  • Air draft, m: 24
  • Water tanks, l: 600
  • Exterior design (Architect): Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group
  • CE certification: A
  • Mainsail type: Fully battened
  • Jib type: Furling genoa
  • Mainsail area, m²: 95
  • Jib area, m²: 71
  • Engines, hp: Volvo, 110
  • Fuel tanks l: 700

Review of Neel 52 by TopRik Team

Let’s start with the yacht’s main features and performance at the sea.

Our research shows that the weight of the yacht is concentrated very low and most of it resides in the central float. It is pretty much an only viable solution for a trimaran of this size, allowing to reduce pitching and achieve less shaky motion, including going to windward. Weight is reduced to the minimum: vacuum-molded composite sandwich was used to lighten the whole structure, with triaxial fiber reinforcements and foams made of PVC and PET at the core. For those who don’t know – very often balsa is used instead of foam in such designs, which is cheaper, yet is more vulnerable to water getting inside. As we can see, Neel doesn’t want to save up on hull’s integrity and safety - to minimize toxic emissions of styrene, new resins and gelcoats were developed, protecting both you and environment from pollution.

Neel 52 Review

There are two options for the mast materials: aluminum and carbon, both doing a great job in reducing the weight and improving yacht’s handling. The sail plan allows you to tame even the barely noticeable 8 knots of wind to put the yacht in motion – moreover, huge 95 m² sail area can easily be handled by one person, including reefing and all necessary maneuvers. No wonder that Neel trimaran are often noticed at ARC regatta – a famous competition for those who are enthusiastic about water racing, attracting around 200 boats from all over the world every single year.

The predecessor, Neel 51, was able to cover 290 miles in 24 hours with triple-reefed mainsail paired with self-tending staysail. We expect even more out of this model – after all, the displacement of new model is just 12.6 t compared to 14 t. Hopefully, the cruising speed will be improved, but we can definitely be sure, that we will at least get 10 knots reliably and even up to 14 knots thanks to occasional gusts of wind.

Neel 52 Review

Even though you can manage it alone, if you have just one more person to help you, self-tending jib set and simple winches will make sails management a really simple task for the two of you. We also have a suspicion that we will see high-quality products such as Dyneema and Spectra for rigging and lifelines on board again.

Another peculiarity about Neel range is the high freeboards – as you stand on one of the decks while anchored at the marina, you should really hold on to that lifeline to avoid accidents. Judging from preliminary CG renders, we don’t get full metal railing, yet Neel trimarans always had very sturdy lifelines, allowing the manufacturer to save up on precious weight of the vessel and make the final price more attractive too. Besides, such a sporty yacht by definition comes without a full-size flybridge, so not much safety railing is needed overall. Just make sure that you use the sunbeds on the saloon’s roof with care and only during full stop of the yacht – there’s quite some distance to fall from there on the deck’s flooring if you roll over the wrong way.

The floats are connected by two trampolines – again, not the safest feature, but definitely the most fun one. If you go on family vacation, make sure your kids know that they are just named trampolines and are not supposed to be used as such, especially during movement.

The main deck layout of Neel 52 looks like this:

Neel 52 Review

As we can see, the yacht is almost square-shaped – such incredible beam allows for huge amount of space on a 16-meter yacht, with wide side decks, tons of space in the bow and ability to house an inflatable dinghy or RIB of pretty much any size at the transom thanks to stainless-steel mounts with a convenient davit. The black square hatches are sprinkled along the deck, allowing light to enter the cabins below – there just can’t be that many large cabin portholes on monohulls due to their limited width. The so-called Cockloon (combination of cockpit and saloon), traditional of Neel range, takes up most of the space on the deck, and on top of it is the aforementioned sunbathing area right under the sails. Let’s take a closer look at what we will be able to find on board.

Neel 52 Review

Right away, you can notice that there are not many ways to board the vessel – you get a short stern extension on either right of left float, which are accessible even if you are moored side-to. We don’t get a huge bathing platform, typical for many popular catamarans – probably since the emphasis was put on cruising or racing performance and not all extra amenities. Also, the central hull makes it more difficult to set up a full-size hydraulic platform. You can easily use the extensions of both amas and the central hull (in case you don’t need a dinghy) as mini platforms – considering the width of the yacht, you just get three smaller wooden islands above water instead of a single large one.

We are happy to see some lifelines in this area too. In general, the yacht looks very flat and it is impossible to imagine it flipping over, which takes care of another possible danger for monohulls on a long cruise.

As for the space on board – just compare the skipper behind the helm at the photo above to the deck width. A lot of yachtsmen get pleasantly surprised by the space catamarans provide, yet a trimaran is a completely different game. That’s why the manufacturer proudly informs that Neel 52 will be able to easily accommodate 12 people on board, with max of 6 cabins! We’ll talk about cabins little bit later though, let’s discuss the cockpit/saloon hybrid.

The biggest living area on board the predecessor, Neel 51, took our breath away when we first experienced it. The simplicity of single open space with no ladders, pyramids-style secret doors and connecting corridors on the deck is a breath of fresh air in the world of long-range cruisers. You still get a small cockpit at the stern, but it feels more like a porch of the house, than a special separate area. There you have couple of sofas under the hard bimini and we don’t see any reason why Neel would get rid of amazing galley to starboard which we got on Neel 51 before, housing a fridge, sink and a grill. Most likely, it will be present on model 52 also.

Neel 52 Review

The only ladder that we can see, on the right, leads to the control station with a responsive steering wheel, all necessary displays and indicators and comfortable seating for three people in front of it. You can already see the electric winches in front of it – with three of them you can manage the halyards, reefing lines, sheets and traveler from the same spot. View from the seating position is somewhat limited when it comes to portside visibility, which is the price you have to pay for such large beam and flatness combined. Using the same ladder, you can climb to mini-flybridge with some rigid railing, only having enough headroom for sitting on the bench or lying on the sunbeds (watch out for the boom above you).

What’s surprising, we don’t see the solar panels on the roof, unlike Neel 51 – but maybe it just became an optional feature now. Or, the panels were also cut to reduce the weight.

Thanks to the well-engineered hull, Neel 52 gets full width sliding doors leading inside the main saloon space.

Neel 52 Review

Even though it is a CG render and not a photo, based on our experience, we can tell that the manufacturer very rarely makes drastic changes on this stage of development – that’s pretty much exactly how the interior will look when Neel 52 will be finally launched. We can see, that Neel stays true to conservative home-like color scheme – shades of grey and cozy beige always work well together.

We can see regular coffee table and sofas, because some usual things just have to be there. Same with skipper’s table right near the galley, that’s your typical high-quality control station. The circle-shaped galley itself has four burners, a lot of tabletop space, an oven, sink, microwave, special hole for garbage – everything that a chef might need.

Neel 52 Review

The skipper also has all he needs: full-featured navigation suite with chartplotter, autopilot controls, VHF etc. and all of this at the table from which you have great view – not quite like at the helm, but it’s enough to take control of some situations right from the saloon. Everything we described is surrounded by enormous windows (can’t even call them portholes) that make those ceiling lights pretty useless until its actually dark. The amount of light inside not only improves quality of life, but also allows to save up on energy, that is so needed on a long cruise.

Might be a surprise for those, who never sailed Neel yachts, but at the center of the saloon there is a big hatch in the floor. This hatch doesn’t lead into a secret hideout – instead, when you open it and climb down, you end in a huge engine compartment with 2-meter headroom, big enough to be someone’s apartment.

Neel 52 Review

From our own trial and error, we know how important it is to have enough room in places like this – if there’s not enough storage room in the engine compartment, all your tools end up dispersed all over the yacht. And when something breaks, you can’t react in time because you need to assemble all the necessary equipment from various lockers first. Here you can just store everything you need for all your technical needs in one place, including some hefty tools that you wouldn’t fit on other yachts. Or you can always just throw some fenders in here – depends on your needs.

So far, we know of two possible version of Neel 52 – not fancy names, just version 1 and version 2:

Neel 52 Review

So, we either get a large bar or owner’s cabin – first version is clearly made for charters and the second one for a couple, a family or a lone sea wolf. It’s always great to have a choice. Owner suite has a big bed, separate bathroom with a spacious shower and a bunch of lockers.

Neel 52 Review

As for other cabins, we don’t really have any CG renders of them yet, but relying of what we experienced on Neel 51, all of them will be extremely well lit in any layout with a lot of storage space, available thanks to yacht’s impressive dimensions.

Advantages of Neel 52

So far, the only disadvantage that we could find is not the most reliable lifelines along the board of the yacht, but that can be justified as a mean to an end – this is all about reducing the weight and the price of the vessel. Other than that, we clearly see some good signs already:

  • Performance. Thanks to extremely lightweight structure, this model is most optimized to move as fast as possible even at the slightest breeze. Whoever is in love with actual sailing yachts, fit even for the prestigious regattas, will appreciate the agility and stability of this boat.
  • Ease of management. Electric winches with full control of everything you can think of when it comes to rigging, B&G controls and the helm station and mostly great view from the helm allow the yacht to be managed with little crew or without crew at all.
  • Variability. This yacht is not tailored towards a specific niche. Instead, its like a transformer boat, that allows you to pick the layout that is exactly right for your situation, whether you want it to be a family boat, a party yacht or a charter workhorse.
  • Comfort. Huge living spaces, lots of storage room, natural light coming from dozens of windows and hatches – this boat is not only about performance, but also about cruising and feeling like home even in the middle of the ocean.
  • It’s a trimaran. Yes, an unusual advantage, but the stability and beam that you get from this type of vessel is something else. You have to try it to actually understand it, but if you want to know more, watch some reviews on the predecessor, Neel 51, and listen to what yachtsmen have to say about its qualities on the water – they will be even more pronounced on this new model.

The price reflects all that space and sportiness and even though the boat is not the cheapest, the price/quality ratio is much better than on many monohulls out there.

Reviews of Neel 52 from Professionals

To be fair, we didn’t expect to find any professional review on this yacht whatsoever, but Chloé Torterat from Multihull News as well as Giornale della Vela’s team blessed us with some of their writing.

Chloé Torterat

The author starts her review by claiming than Neel 52 is fit for all kinds of sailing programs thanks to numerous layout options and recognizes that it’s the third Neel constructed by Lombard firm – they also made Neel 47 and 43. With load capacity of 19.5 tons this vessel can accommodate up to 12 people on board easily.

As for rigging, Neel 52 is provided with a special rudder that is controlled by textile lines on ball-bearing blocks. You get a huge mainsail, with a horn and a furling system, also the structural cable that is inserted right into the sail. Furling genoa or optional gennaker – that is up to you. You can order either Classic rig option (aliminum mast and steel standing rigging) or Performance (aluminum boom, carbon mast, textile standing rigging).

Talking about the living space, Chloé mentions that you can get either an owner cabins or give it up for a large saloon with a 360° view. She also noticed that latter option is definitely provided with charters in mind. As for cabins, there are different layouts for 4, 5 of 6 cabins, depending on much beds you need for the passengers.

Giornale della Vela

Right away the writers of Giornale della Vela call the Neel 52 perfect for living aboard in their title – something that we can agree on.

Its worth mentioning indeed that Eric Bruneel participated in various high-level regattas across the world and even won 2004 Ostar. So, its not just some suit that doesn’t know anything about sailing that makes the main decisions.

The writers approve of the Full Beam Cockpit – an interesting decision of the design team, which is a very large cockpit with different seating options with full railing. The stern is spacious and makes it very convenient to launch and haul the tender. As for the helm, Neel trimarans were always known for ease of steering and this model definitely will not be an exception.

Layouts and additional packaging of the yacht provide a lot of options: high-performance ascetic feel or lazy, home-like features like luxurious upholstery, real wood, with brands like Bolon and Corian added to the mix.

Video Review of Neel 52

The information on the yet non-existent yacht is obviously lacking, yet we were able to find something that resembles a video review from Aeroyacht (better a small fish than an empty dish):

We will definitely add more video reviews once the yacht actually comes out.

When you are a seasoned competitive yachtsman like Neel’s founder, Eric Bruneel, it’s very easy to allow it to get to your head and start dismissing anybody, who just wants to enjoy some comfortable cruising with their family. Some people think it should all be about unbearable conditions for the sake of speed, maneuverability and the most complicated rig you can possibly imagine. It’s understandable – that’s what gives some people all the thrill they need.

The Neel’s founder had different ideas though. He tried his best to open his beloved trimaran base to everybody who will not be scared away by it. When you have two hulls on your yacht instead of one some people already don’t understand you, but what about three of them? It was not easy at all for him to convince people that this base is a viable solution, but when he finally did, he attracted all kind of people with all kinds of interest, just allured by the idea of perfectly stable yet fast and agile boat with tons of space on board. So, Neel-Trimarans made sure that every customer finds what they are looking in this boat with its 4 layouts provided, different rigging options and additional equipment offered. Even the price-list for all of the equipment is quite complicated – even with all our experience we got little bit confused at all possible options at first. And this is not necessarily a bad thing. Once you actually take your time, think about all the possibilities and finally assemble that trimaran of your dreams from all the provided options, it will be not be just a Neel 52, it will be your Neel 52.

Neel 52 Review

Price calculator

Where to buy neel 52 at a bargain price.

We already have a calculator for this model on our website, but if you need a more personal touch, you can always contact our specialists – as we said, it might be a little problematic to figure out all the packages you need. After we agreed on what boat you would like to purchase, we will put you in a queue – when the boat comes out, you will be one of the first owners of Neel 52 in the world. And all of that at the lowest price we could possibly negotiate with the manufacturer.

As there’s more and more information available about the boat, we will keep you updated on the progress and possible changes from the manufacturer. When the boat is finally launched, we will:

  • take care of all the boring documentation so you could just go behind helm right away;
  • move the yacht to specified location;
  • advice you on any additional equipment not included in the packaging (various rigging devices, fenders, watermakers, batteries etc.) We will not force anything on you or have some hidden fees or additional hidden purchases – it’s all up to you.

Don’t be afraid to contact us at any time through phone above of the feedback system on the website – we are always ready to help.

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Remarkable new NEEL 52 trimaran unveiled

neel trimaran 52

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NEW NEEL 52

NEW NEEL 52 6

With a racy, modern silhouette, elaborately designed hull and sleek lines, the  NEEL 52 exudes power, speed, safety and elegance.

NEW NEEL 52 3

About the construction

The NEEL 52’s construction mirrors that of the other models in the range, using the techniques and materials:  Vacuum-infused composite sandwich with triaxial fibre reinforcements.

It is worth noting that NEEL-TRIMARANS uses PVC and PET foams in the sandwich core – unlike other multihull manufacturers who use Balsa, which, though certainly cheaper, alters the quality of the sandwich core as it is more sensitive to water infiltration.

Resins and gelcoats have also been improved with a view to limiting styrene emissions.

NEW NEEL 52 2

NEEL-TRIMARANS once again entrusts the design of the NEEL 52 to  Lombard , following on from  NEEL 47  and the  NEEL 43 .

Basing their design on the NEEL 47 and NEEL 43’s sailing experiences, the Lombard firm has consolidated the positive attributes,  the hull’s voluminous floats and high freeboard.

The hulls of NEEL trimarans combine a central ‘rockered’ hull, which  facilitates tacking and manoeuvring  when in port, with streamlined floats that provide stability and prevent pitching.

The design of the hulls for the  NEEL 52  also had to consider the load on long distance voyages. The load capacity of the NEEL 52 is 19.5 tons.

Cruising programs, finesse of the helm and rigging

The  NEEL 52  is a beautifully-sized, fast, and voluminous trimaran. It therefore offers a vast range of sailing possibilities. Everything’s possible, from peaceful cruising to long-distance travel and rally racing.

The  various configurations of the NEEL 52  (4, 5, 6 double cabins), with 0,1,2 crew positions are suited to individual owners or charter companies.

NEEL trimarans are renowned for their  unrivalled steering . This stems from the unique rudder design, manoeuvred by textile steering lines on ball bearing blocks. The rudder stock is mounted on self-aligning bearings.

The sail plan comprises a mainsail (with 3 reefs) and a staysail on a rolling furler (on a structural wire inside the sail).

The asymmetrical spinnaker makes it easier to comfortably sail downwind.

There are 2 rigging options to choose from:

  • Conventional rigging : the mast and boom are made of aluminium while the standing rigging is made of stainless-steel wires.
  • High-performance rigging:  the mast is made of carbon with an aluminium boom and the standing rigging is made of textiles (except for the forestay which remains a wire) (70cm difference in height between the two mast versions).

NEW NEEL 52 4

Toutes les manœuvres sont ramenées au barreur qui bénéficie d’une vue à 360° depuis le poste de barre.

Life on board

NEW NEEL 52

The NEEL 52 features the renowned Cockloon® , an impressive interior/exterior living space made possible by the wide opening between the cockpit and the saloon. It also incorporates the Full Beam Cockpit®, an extra-wide cockpit with multiple seating configurations that can be rearranged to take full advantage of the different vistas

The helm station is particularly ergonomic and has a triple seat. Its access, from the cockpit via side steps or from the deck, ensures seamless communication between the skipper and the crew. 

The roof is reached by side steps leading up from the cockpit and on the helm side, rendering the mast, boom, sun-deck, and sun-lounging area easily accessible. Around this area, a secure handrail has been incorporated for safe movement aboard. The wide, well-protected stern skirts make it easier to access the sea and manoeuvre the dinghy.

In addition, the system for lifting and handling the dinghy has been greatly simplified.

There are various different versions of the NEEL 52 available, with 4,5,6 cabins, an owner cabin on one level or a huge saloon, 1 or 2 crew positions, so that you can set up your boat according to your preferences and requirements. 

The living space on one level is highly ergonomic and entirely open plan, offering exceptional luminosity. The kitchen and the chart table face forwards. The panoramic view from this huge saloon is breathtaking.

Both elegant and simple, the decoration ( high-end upholstery ,  top-quality carpentry ,  solid wood , bolon and corian) lends the NEEL 52 a look of  timeless distinction and gives the ample living space a calming atmosphere.  Flow of movement on board is smooth, and the cabins are accessed via private stairs.

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VIDEO

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COMMENTS

  1. Neel 52

    NEEL 52 Sailing. It boasts remarkable seaworthiness, performance (both sailing and motoring), and comfort. She is easily handled by a small crew. The hulls of NEEL trimarans combine a central 'rockered' hull, which facilitates tacking and manoeuvring when in port, with streamlined floats that provide stability and prevent pitching. More pictures.

  2. Neel 52 boats for sale

    Find Neel 52 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Neel boats to choose from. ... 2024 Neel Trimarans 52. Request price. A&C Yacht Brokers | La Rochelle, 17 - Charente-Maritime. Request Info < 1 > * Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price ...

  3. New Neel 52

    The NEEL 52 is a beautifully-sized, fast, and voluminous trimaran. It therefore offers a vast range of sailing possibilities. Everything's possible, from peaceful cruising to long-distance travel and rally racing. The various configurations of the NEEL 52 (4, 5, 6 double cabins), with 0,1,2 crew positions are suited to individual owners or ...

  4. 2024 Neel 52 Trimaran for sale

    NEEL TRIMARANS - IT JUST MAKE SENSE! ** This is the Base Price for a 2024 Neel 52 fully commissioned ** The Bluewater Family Yacht. The New Neel 52 is an advanced design by Marc Lombard, which while keeping the old Neel 51 DNA, updated the design adding extra performance and modern rigging.

  5. Neel 52 trimaran review

    The concept of the Neel 52 remains the same, using the hulls of a fast racing trimaran with narrow waterline beam, as a platform for expansive four- to six-cabin accommodation.

  6. NEEL 52

    The design of the NEEL 52 hulls also had to consider loading on long distance voyages. The load capacity of the NEEL 52 is 19.5 tons. Combining all the qualities on which the success of its predecessors is based, this model stays true to the range. It is a fast and safe trimaran that seats twelve passengers, but is easily handled by a small crew.

  7. NEEL 52 trimaran AVANTGARDE 21'st Century Sailing Machine

    The new NEEL 52 sailing trimaran is a brand-new concept by famed French designer Marc Lombard, who is also responsible for the NEEL 43 and NEEL 47 designs. The new NEEL 52 multihull is replacing the highly successful NEEL 51 cruising yacht of which over 40 units have been crafted. Improved Performance & More Volume. The NEEL 52 trimaran has ...

  8. Neel 52 Trimaran Specifications

    Cast off and leave land behind... at 17 knots. The Neel 51 trimaran rivals the speed of some of the world's best race boats - sans crew. The famous "Cockloon" (cockpit-salon) is a convertible space that can be closed in adverse conditions but opens up when the sun shines. Call Aeroyacht at 516 818 3113 to find out why the Neel 52 ...

  9. Neel 52 Review

    Today we review one of the most anticipated vessels ever from Neel Trimarans - sporty and elegant cruiser Neel 52, designed by one and only Marc Lombard. There is still not much information on the upcoming yacht, so we had to conduct a thorough research based on available data from the shipyard. Yet, the existing information is more than ...

  10. NEEL 52 Trimaran Review

    Highlights of the new NEEL 52 cruising multihull by NEEL TRIMARANS. by Aeroyacht Multihull Specialists.contact Gregor Tarjan for more information: gt@aeroyac...

  11. First look aboard the Neel 52, a fast cruising family trimaran from

    Neel broke new ground when it introduced its cruising trimarans over a decade ago. In this new Neel 52 model from Lombard design we're seeing some refinement...

  12. Neel-trimarans

    NEEL-TRIMARANS GROUP. NEEL OWNERS COMMUNITY. PHONES. +33 546 290 871. E-MAIL. [email protected]. ADDRESS. 4 rue Virginie Hériot - Plateau nautique. BP 23085 - 17032 La Rochelle Cedex - France.

  13. NEEL 52 Trimaran

    The new NEEL 52 sailing trimaran is a brand-new concept by famed French designer Marc Lombard, who is also responsible for the NEEL 43 and NEEL 47 designs. The new NEEL 52 multihull is replacing the highly successful NEEL 51 cruising yacht of which over 40 units have been crafted. The NEEL 52 trimaran has some dynamic improvements in her hull ...

  14. Remarkable new NEEL 52 trimaran unveiled

    NEEL Trimarans continues to set new benchmarks in innovation and design with the announcement of a new model, the NEEL 52. With a racy, modern silhouette, elaborately designed hull and sleek lines, the NEEL 52 exudes power, speed, safety and elegance. The trimaran accommodates up to twelve passengers yet is easily handled by a small crew.

  15. New Neel 52

    Cruising programs, finesse of the helm and rigging. The NEEL 52 is a beautifully-sized, fast, and voluminous trimaran. It therefore offers a vast range of sailing possibilities. Everything's possible, from peaceful cruising to long-distance travel and rally racing. The various configurations of the NEEL 52 (4, 5, 6 double cabins), with 0,1,2 ...

  16. Is she the best cruising trimaran? Check out the all new Neel 52 ! Full

    Designed by Marc Lombard to replace the great Neel 51 Trimaran, the Neel 52 goes even further in performance, safety and comfort. Her lay out is completely...

  17. Neel Trimaran 52 boats for sale

    US$1,313,753. ↓ Price Drop. cat sale Gmbh & Co KG | La Rochelle, 17 - Charente-Maritime. Request price. <. 1. >. Find Neel Trimaran 52 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Neel boats to choose from.

  18. New Neel Trimarans 52

    Hull. NEEL Trimarans continues to set new benchmarks in innovation and design with the new NEEL 52. With a racy, modern silhouette, elaborately designed hull and sleek lines, the NEEL 52 exudes power, speed, safety and elegance. The trimaran accommodates up to twelve passengers yet is easily handled by a small crew.

  19. PDF Neel 52

    NEEL Trimarans has an-nounced the replacement for the NEEL 51: on the agenda, a finesse at the helm worthy of a racing monohull thanks ... NEEL 52 A 4 TO 6-CABIN TRIMARAN TO SUIT EVERY PROGRAM Builder: NEEL Trimarans Architect: Marc Lombard Yacht Design Length: 52'2" (15.9 m)

  20. 2024 Neel 52 Hybrid Trimaran for sale

    An amazing performer in low winds, and a stable cruiser in high winds, the Neel 52 will take you further and faster! The Neel 52 features large interior layouts featuring up to 6 cabins. Why a Trimaran is SAFER at Sea ? The width of NEEL trimarans is an important factor for safety on the high seas because it is a guarantee of stability. On a ...

  21. Neel boats for sale

    2024 Neel Trimarans 52. Request price. A&C Yacht Brokers | La Rochelle, 17 - Charente-Maritime. Request Info; Price Drop; 2024 Neel 52. US$1,191,837. ... 43, 51, 52 and 65. Neel models are available through yacht brokers, dealers, and brokerages on YachtWorld. The listings encompass a range of years, starting from 2015 models up to 2025. Neel ...

  22. NEEL 52 Trimaran

    NEEL 52 trimaran nominated European Yacht of the Year 2023. LEEN 72 Nr.2 Available Now. Living Aboard a Catamaran. NEEL 52 trimaran. HELPFUL TIPS FROM AEROYACHT. AEROYACHT PUBLICATIONS. CATAMARAN BOOKS by Gregor Tarjan. JOIN AEROYACHT'S NEWSLETTER