Apollonian 52, A Modern Raised Pilothouse Motoryacht

Raised pilothouse motoryachts have been a popular style of cruising boats for a long time for a variety of reasons. The layout both separates interior spaces because of the different levels but also connects them with close proximity and easy access. Additionally, the raised floor of the pilothouse allows enough headroom for spacious cabins below. For some reason even though raised pilothouse motoryachts remain popular, few new ones are being built. This conundrum is what led a Seattle based yacht broker and a renowned naval architect to design and start building an all-new raised pilothouse motoryacht in 2019 called the Apollonian 52.

Buyers want a new raised pilothouse motoryacht

Vic Parcells is a second-generation American boat salesman. His dad sold boats and now he has been selling boats for 40+ years. He is also a knowledgeable boater and an avid fisherman. Having bought, sold, and used a wide variety of boats since his youth, he has a lot of firsthand experience which helps him match buyers and sellers to the right boat for their needs. When customers came looking for mid-sized raised pilothouse motoryachts, Vic found himself without many good options. Few if any of these boats, especially in the 50’ range, are currently being built. Builders like Bayliner, Navigator, Carver, and Symbol are no longer in business. Other brands like Ocean Alexander, Sea Ray, Horizon, West Bay Sonship, Hampton/Endurance, and CL Yachts no longer build boats of this type, or in the 50’ size range. While there are used boats available with this configuration, they lack modern engines, systems, and running surfaces. Most need a lot of work.

“I had customers looking for raised pilothouse motoryachts in the 50’ range that didn’t want a project. The used boats on the market were aging and did not meet their requirements.”

Vic Parcells, Distributor of Apollonian Yachts and partner in Crow’s Nest Yachts, Seattle.

Teaming up to build a new brand of boats

Realizing that the market needed a boat to fill this niche, Parcells approached renowned yacht designer Howard Apollonio. It turns out that Apollonio had been working on a new hull that would work perfectly in a raised pilothouse design, so the collaboration began. Apollonio, having designed recreational vessels for well-known boat brands around the world like Westport, Diaship/Heesen, Hampton/Regency, Cheoy Lee, Christensen, West Bay/SonShip, Queenship, Caribe, McKinna, Heisley, Rayburn, and Canoe Cove, among others, knew how to combine sea kindly modern running surfaces with robust construction techniques.

“The Apollonian 52 is designed and built as a yacht to be used seriously and enjoyed in service; not just as ‘dock décor’. It was developed by people with decades of relevant boating experience in all conditions. As a result, it is functionally laid out for efficient use, activity, and care. Emphasis is on safety, comfort, spaciousness, and ease of use.”

Howard Apollonio Yacht Designer, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer 

Parcells as a boater provided input to make sure the boat had the spaces, configuration, access, equipment, and storage that he knew were necessary for cruising. Apollonio ensured the hull, deck, and living quarters could both maximize utility and keep the boat running properly.

Finding the right yard to build the boats

With this unique 52’x 16’10” hull design and an expansive deck and interior layout, Parcells set out to find a yard that could complete the project following the demanding specifications. He really wanted to build new Apollonian Yachts in the United States, so he started with American yards. Finding a builder that could build the cored hull and deck using vacuum infusion and other modern materials Apollonio had specified proved difficult. Pairing that need with a yard that had the ability to also construct and install an intricate interior with high quality joiner work added to the challenge. 

Parcells also needed the finished vessels to be reasonably priced. If the price of a new raised pilothouse motoryacht was too extreme, clients would either refit older vessels or opt for alternate imported options. After a year of serious looking, Parcells realized that if he built the boats in the US the price would be double or more and the boats not necessarily built any better. A reputable yard in Shanghai, China could build the Apollonian 52 to spec, and even after adding shipping and tariffs they would remain competitively priced especially when you consider all these new boats have to offer. The design, equipment, and operations would be American, but the vessels would be built overseas. In 2020, the first Apollonian 52 arrived in North America and since then several boats a year have been successfully delivered and sold.

Modern hull design delivers performance

The Apollonian 52 hull design uses features of both displacement and planing hulls which allow the vessel to perform efficiently over a wide range of speeds. A more classic round bottomed section forward with a spray rail that acts as a chine above it transitions to a hard chine semi-planing form aft. This keeps spray to a minimum and lets the boat run efficiently both at a 10- to 12-knot moderate cruise and an 18-knot fast cruise. Tunnels aft allow for low shaft angles which contribute to efficiency and a draft of only 3’3” ideal for cruising in shallow areas including the Bahamas.

Equipment was specified to utilize modern technology without pushing the limits. Engines are twin Cummins QSB 6.7 480HP driving straight shafts with PYI/PSS dripless shaft seals. Electric Vetus bow and stern thrusters are standard. Fuel can conveniently be filled on both sides of the boat. A hatch aft of the main salon provides access to a large lazarette and the engine room door. There is ample room to service the engines, standard Onan 13.5kw generator, Racors, banks of AGM batteries, multiple Mastervolt battery chargers, inverter, and more with not quite stand-up headroom.

Fully equipped and ready to go

The Apollonian concept is to provide buyers with a modern alternative to used boats meaning the boats had to remain affordable and be well-equipped and ready to go. The Apollonian 52 comes with an extensive list of standard features like a Garmin electronics package that includes a Phantom radar, autopilot with remote, AIS, VHF, electronic charts, and twin 16” 8616MFD displays with two 11” repeaters on the flybridge. At the pilothouse helm there are some savvy touches like analog gauges in addition to the MFDs. The Lewmar electric windlass can be activated from the helm, and a waterproof side door provides direct access to the wide side decks and up to the foredeck. Ground tackle includes a stainless-steel claw anchor, 200’ of 3/8” chain and 150’ of rode.

On the flybridge there is an Ollsen 1,000lb Crane Davit with Power Rotation. A lightweight Bimini top with 1 ½ inch stainless tubing and Stamoid covering and an exterior canvas package with windshield and seat covers all come standard. There are only a few options other than a tender, the boat is set up to handle a 10’ to 12’ RIB. A full canvas flybridge enclosure, watermaker (which the boat is plumbed for), gyro or fin stabilizers, and an integrated joystick, are really the only options.

Home-like comforts and spaces

Inside the vessel, varnished cherry, including burled accents and plush fabrics, provide an elegant feel that is a step up from many vessels that seem to display a contemporary hotel-like theme. The main salon has a comfortable lounge around a table, twin standalone chairs, and a flat screen TV on a lift with a Bose surround sound system. A notable touch in the finish is the recessed ceiling panel with indirect lighting. Demonstrating that a boater influenced the layout, the electrical access panel is conveniently located just inside the aft slider which acts as the main entrance so lights and systems can be easily turned on upon entering. 

True to the raised pilothouse format, a few steps lead up from the salon. Here the galley is the center of the action and features stainless steel condo sized appliances that include a vertical fridge, four burner stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, and trash compactor. Quartz counter tops and a deep sink are surrounded by varnished cherrywood cabinets with plenty of storage space. A pass-through leads to the pilothouse dining area and adjacent lower helm and steps lead up to the flybridge. A day head on the main deck adds convenience and keeps people from having to go down to the cabin deck to use the facilities.

The flybridge hosts a wet bar and BBQ, lounge seating with a table for alfresco dining, a large sunpad, and twin helm seats for the flybridge steering station. The aft deck has room for lounge chairs or a place to store the tender.

Belowdecks there are three cabins including the full beam master suite which includes a large ensuite head, cedar lined closet, and queen-size island bed. Forward there is another queen bed cabin as the VIP, and a twin bunk cabin as well as another head. A full-sized washer and separate dryer are behind a door in the foyer. All three cabins have good lighting, and comfortable spaces. Even the twin cabin has storage and room to get dressed in without feeling cramped.

Designed for owner operators, remarkably affordable

The Apollonian 52 is set up to be easily managed by a couple and has home-like accommodations that will keep everyone comfortable even during extended cruises. The vessel is well constructed, packed with modern equipment and electronics, and has the proven raised pilothouse motoryacht layout that many boaters prefer. The boats were conceived and designed in America and built by a reputable yard under close supervision in China. The result is a modern raised pilothouse motoryacht that performs well and maximizes interior spaces while still fitting in most 50’ slips. 

At the time of publication, a brand new Apollonian 52 at the dock in Seattle with all tariffs paid is $1,487,200. Parcells encourages you to compare this boat to other similarly sized vessels as the value delivered by the brand will be apparent. Shipping an Apollonian 52 to the East Coast is not difficult and a sold boat is currently based in Florida. Is there really a need for a new raised pilothouse motoryacht in the North American market? Parcell and his customers believe there is, and the Apollonian 52 is a comfortable, feature packed, and remarkably affordable cruiser that is leading the way.

New Apollonian 52    $1,487,200

Apollonian Yachts
Contact Vic Parcells, Phone: +1 206-229-3134
vparcells@apoyachts.com

Arnie Hammerman Publisher

Boats and the ocean define my life. From teaching sailing to captaining yachts, marine publishing, and marketing, I’ve spent decades sharing seafaring tales. At Best4Boats, adventure awaits—welcome aboard!

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