Iliad 53F Yacht Review

Iliad 53F

When I was younger, I did a passage with five companions from Massachusetts to Bermuda on a 56-foot ferrocement sailing ketch. From the dock, the boat looked enormous, fully suited for the task at hand. She had a berth for each one of our crew, and space to stow gear and provisions for the six-day passage and beyond. Truth be told, when we were fully loaded and ready to cast off, there was precious little space for personal effects and extraneous gear. Things were so tight, we had to use the oily bilge for the two cases of cheap Polish beer we felt we’d need when we made landfall (or in case the wind died en route).

That experience made an impression on me. As I’ve evaluated boats throughout the intervening years, I’ve paid special attention to a given model’s stowage capacity. Most production boats represent some form of compromise depending on their target users’ presumed cruising patterns. A bigger this often means a smaller or lesser that.

Obvious reasons notwithstanding, the vibe on the Iliad 53F power catamaran is a hundred miles removed from that of the concrete sailboat. For instance, the beam on that old sailboat was likely in the neighborhood of 10 or 12 feet. Freeboard was probably 4 or 5 feet, which likely contributed to the damp ride we experienced in the churned up, autumn North Atlantic. The Iliad 53F has a beam of 25 feet and unusually high freeboard, which likely would result in a relatively dry ride in the rough stuff.

“We have a 6-foot freeboard on our 53-foot boats,” says David Huffman of Atlantic Yacht & Ship Inc., which represents Iliad in the United States. “And we’ve got a 3-foot clearance under the deck, which helps in those adverse conditions, keeping water from slapping against the hull as often.”

Iliad, which also builds a 62 and a 75, has positioned the 53F as a luxurious, owner-operated, go-most-anywhere cruising boat. It made its debut earlier this year at the Miami International Boat Show.

“Most people that we’ve seen so far have been more, I would say, empty nesters, ready to do something,” Huffman says. That includes people who are looking to move over to cats from larger monohulls, who are attracted to “what this particular boat can actually accomplish out in the open ocean versus its competitors.”

The 53 is available in three versions: flybridge (53F), sedan (53S) and hybrid electric (53E). Significant customization is available on all. The base 53F is equipped with a pair of 440-hp Yanmar or Volvo Penta diesels, with an upgrade to 550-hp Cummins available. According to the company, the 440 will produce a top speed of 21 knots. The magic is in the range. Iliad says that at a low-speed cruise of 7 knots, range is expected to be 2,500 nautical miles. Larger fuel tanks are available to further extend that range by carrying more than the standard 924 gallons. Larger freshwater tanks are available as well.

Some of the 53F’s impressive range comes from her efficient hull design, Iliad says. One interesting aspect of that design is the grounding skegs on each hull that can enable emergency repairs. How boats actually get used is also evident in the deck gear, which is hardy and no-nonsense. The unusually wide side decks (27 inches) are accented with foot-tall bulwarks topped by sturdy handrails. Substantial grab rails run along the deckhouse for added security moving fore and aft.

The deck spaces on the 53F are standouts. As with the rest of the boat, they feel exceptionally spacious. C-shape sunbeds with reclining backrests on the foredeck offer 270-degree panoramic views. The covered cockpit has a settee and a dining table for six. Wide, gated stairs to port and starboard lead down to the boarding and swim platform. The center section of the platform can be equipped with an optional hydraulic tender lift.

Up top, the flybridge has a covered dining table and C-shape lounge seating. The standard boat comes with a bar, a sink and a drinks refrigerator. A barbecue and icemaker are offered as options.

The uncovered after section of the flybridge deck is open for loose furniture or water toy stowage. Reinforcement installed under the sole accommodates an optional crane. Synthetic teak covers the soles in all exterior areas, save the side decks and foredeck.

Monohull cruisers all remember the first time they stepped into the salon of a cat. The sense of space that the wide beam enables makes a 53-footer feel more like a superyacht. The 53F’s salon throws off a calm, almost residential vibe. The forward lounge has facing sofas and a floating coffee table with cleverly concealed stools. The sofas are elevated to maximize sightlines through the expansive windows.

The U-shaped galley has a pass-through to the cockpit that could be used for serving or as a bar, with or without stools. The lower helm has great visibility and is available with several seating options.

The model is available with a three- or four-stateroom layout. The boat I boarded at the Palm Beach International Boat Show was configured with three staterooms: a double-berth stateroom (with an adjacent single) and a twin-berth stateroom to port, and a master running the length of the hull to starboard. The master had a walkaround queen berth, a vanity, a small settee, bookshelves, and a generous head with twin sinks and a separate shower.

Access to the engines and other mechanicals is as spacious and well organized as the rest of the boat.

For my money though, the standout feature among many on the 53 is the booming volume of available stowage—always a concern for off-grid cruising. You’d be pressed to find any undesignated horizontal or vertical space not equipped with a locker, drawers, a closet or a lazarette. My experience all those years ago quickly faded after seeing what a creative catamaran designer can do. Suffice it to say, finding a clean, dry space to stow a few cases of beer would not be a problem.

Iliad 53F Specifications:

LOA: 53’ 8”
Beam: 25’
Draft: 4’ 1”
Displ.: 60,627 lb.
Fuel: 924 gal.
Water: 211 gal.
Power: 2/440-hp Yanmar or Volvo Penta

This article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.

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Source: https://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/boats/iliad-53f-yacht-review