SAY 52 review: futuristic carbon-fibre powerboat with striking design and performance

There are boats that whisper, and boats that shout — and then there’s the SAY 52, a boat that doesn’t need to say anything at all. Its sweeping carbon curves and razor-sharp detailing tell you everything you need to know – think speed, style and pure Mediterranean swagger. Manufactured in Germany, SAY carbon-fibre boats are meticulously built and the SAY 52 is their striking new flagship. More a luxury retreat than a traditional weekender, it carries the distinctive design language that defines the SAY yard.

Approaching from the stern, the first thing that strikes you is that this is unlike any other boat you’ve ever seen. It gave me the same feeling you get in those Star Wars chase scenes, when shiny aircraft flash past with an electronic whoosh. It has a distinctly futuristic presence with faceted glass forming tessellated patterns that echo through the curves and angles of the bulwarks, seating and fittings. The boat looks longer than its actual length of just shy of 16m, an illusion enhanced by the rising foredeck which unusually is unencumbered by guard rails. It certainly adds to the sleek profile but is unlikely to appeal to the more safety conscious mariner. Even on the dock, stepping up from the cockpit onto the bow felt slightly disorientating.

The huge bathing platform continues seamlessly onto the main deck so no stubbed toes! Beneath it sits a clever Seabob locker which lowers into the water to float the PWC in or out. The main sun pad has hinged backrests lifts to reveal a large cushion storage space and below that, the engine bay.

The carbon-fibre table with comfortable seating wrapping around 3 sides lowers neatly to form an additional sun-bed if required. The cup holders down the centre are a great touch and useful, especially when under way. Walkways are clear and intuitive, and a sensibly placed galley comprises a hob, sink and ice chest and fridge drawers, all neatly tucked away under a single cover.

The test boat featured an open-plan layout, though a separate forward cabin layout is available. A small table has seating with plenty of storage and a small sink and wine cooler sit neatly on the countertop. Large triangular window panels form the cabin roof and long low windows fan out from the double bed’s headboard drawing plenty of natural light which visually widens the cabin and underlines the geometric design aesthetic. The heads are finished to a high standard and Jo and I particularly liked the door that cleverly doubles as the door to both the heads and the shower.

The helm station is a thing of beauty. Two futuristic looking, electrically adjustable helm seats give great comfort, with bolsters and footrests that work well underway. The Garmin screens are set into the glass helm, and all the controls are easily accessible. It was also good to see a joystick control for the stern drive, along with a bow thruster. The helm station feels wonderfully open thanks to the carbon-fibre hard top which provides excellent sun protection yet it’s so light there’s no need for struts. This leaves the helmsman with a clear view forward and an unfiltered rush of salty air. Wide steps lead from the cockpit onto the bow which forms another generous sunbathing area. The anchor is accessed through the bow locker, and it was good to see plenty of pop-up cleats.

The design ethos on the SAY 52 is particularly cohesive, the triangle motifs repeating everywhere from the glazing to the teak accents and the angles of the carbon-fibre structure. We particularly liked the way the teak deck returns up the bulwarks, which are reassuringly high. These wood accents add a welcome warmth, taking the edge off the somewhat ‘Sith like’ (Star Wars baddies!) high gloss finish with a more inviting feel. And the real benefit of all that expensive carbon-fibre? It’s significantly lighter than a GRP equivalent coming in at a whisker over 8 tonnes including Seakeeper and engines.

The SAY 52 on test ran twin Volvo Penta D6-440 diesels on Aquamatic Duo-Prop sterndrives, giving 880hp in total. They’re a proven, efficient package and SAY highlight them as ‘low energy’ engines, and in terms of range and fuel burn, that seemed to hold up. We reached a top speed of 42 knots and were able to cruise comfortably at 22 knots burning just 55 litres which is seriously impressive for a boat of this size. With its wave piercing bow and Petestep hull, the SAY 52 sliced through the water, executing tight turns confidently with just enough cavitation to add to the exhilaration. The handling felt light, sharp and eager and the huge smiles on everyone’s faces told the same story, pure joy. I went below to experience the ride through those long low windows in the bow, made possible by the strength of the hull. The A shaped deflectors of the Petestep hull certainly proved their worth as little spray and wash reached the windows even as the skipper put the boat through turn after turn.

Where the experience shifted slightly was in the engine character. The D6 is a highly respected engine and performs very well here, but when the engines started up, my heart sank on hearing the unmistakable grunt of the diesels, which felt at odds with the boat’s otherwise futuristic ethos. SAY also list a petrol option – twin Volvo Penta V8-430s – alongside an optional electric jet hybrid system. Carbon fibre tends to conduct noise through the hull, so the electric jet hybrid would, in my opinion, be far more in keeping with the overall concept; leaving the dock with a quiet whisper would certainly ‘say’ the future is here!

The SAY 52 combines lightweight carbon construction with striking design to deliver a fast, composed and genuinely distinctive dayboat experience. Its ‘Design Innovation Award’ from the Genoa International Boat Show feels well-earned, matched by strong performance and a helm that rewards an engaged, owner-driver. This is a sports cruiser for owners who prioritise warm weather day boating over all-season practicality and enjoy a boat equally as much for its aesthetics as its performance. If you want to stand out from the crowd and money is no object, the SAY says more about you than most boats ever could.

• 2 x Volvo Penta V8 6.2L 430HP – Incl. Aquamatic duo-prop drive (860 HP in total)
• 2x Volvo Penta D6, 5.5L 440HP – Incl. Aquamatic prop drive (880 HP in total)
• Optional electric jet hybrid system