Review: The Spirit 52 Yachting World McMillan's Spirit 52

These great shots of the latest offering from Spirit Yachts in Ipswich show their new Spirit 52n, which will be on show at the Southampton Boat Show. Flight of Ufford is owned by Sean McMillan, who runs Spirit Yachts and recently took part in the very lively British Classic Yacht Club Regatta alongside a veritable fleet of Spirit Yachts. To his - and their - credit, all did well in this event.

The 52 sits neatly between the slippery 46 - Tom Hills Dido hit 21.5 knots on a surf in the BCYC regatta - and the 56, and is built in wood epoxy like her sisters. She displaces only eight tonnes, which is ultra-light for such a performance cruising yacht. McMillan says: "With the usual Spirit attributes of minimal wetted surface and an astonishing power-to-weight ration, she is an outstanding performer."

He reported an offwind performance of up to 16knots and between 8 to 9 knoits upwind.

Below there is a twin cabin forward and owner's accommodation aft. Raised and filded mahogany panelling throughout gives a warm and sophisticated feel, and clients can optimise layout and fit-out.

Fifteen-years-young, Spirit moved to a large waterside premisies in Ipswich a couple of years ago, where they completed their flagship last year, the 100ft Gaia. She has just re-emerged form the yard following some structural work and will be back on the racecourse in the Mediterranean this autumn.

Next up for Spirit is the SPirit 60DH, deatils of which are sure to be at the Southampton Boat Show.

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