1982 Via 52 | 52ft

MARE is a French-built Via 52 aluminum expedition yacht designed by Jean-Louis Noir for serious bluewater voyaging. This is a purposeful, ocean-capable platform meant to cross oceans, explore remote anchorages, and support long-term life aboard. Her current owner invested in a substantial custom refit in 2020, positioning MARE as a turnkey world-cruising voyager rather than a project.

The Via 52 concept is straightforward: a fully welded, marine-grade aluminum hull and deck, engineered for durability, impact resistance, and long-range self-sufficiency. MARE’s 12 mm flat bottom is designed to take the ground, making beaching and thin-water cruising practical, while watertight subdivision and robust plating provide confidence offshore. She is fully insulated with 50 mm Armaflex - a meaningful advantage for comfort in the tropics and a key foundation for high-latitude cruising.

Her hydraulic centerboard and twin-rudder configuration deliver the best of both worlds: 1.10 m (3'7") with the board up for shoal anchorages and beaching capability, and 3.30 m (10'10") with the board down for strong windward performance and offshore stability. It is a rare combination in a 52-footer: true exploring draft range without giving up sailing manners when conditions build.

On deck, MARE is laid out for passagemaking. The cockpit is deep and well protected, providing a secure working area in heavy weather and comfortable shelter from spray and sun. A raised deckhouse/pilothouse-style profile and practical deck hardware support safe watchkeeping and easy sail handling for a short-handed crew.

Key Features

• Marine-grade aluminum hull and deck (AG4MC/5083) with 12 mm flat bottom engineered for beaching and taking the ground
• Hydraulic centerboard with true shoal-draft access and deep-draft performance: 1.10 m (3'7") board up / 3.30 m (10'10") board down
• Twin-rudder configuration for control and balance under sail
• Major custom refit completed in 2020, focused on offshore reliability and autonomy
• Fully insulated with 50 mm Armaflex for comfort and improved suitability for high-latitude cruising
• NEW Z Spars mast and standing rigging (2020)
• NEW OneSails sail suite (2020)
• B&G navigation suite (2020)
• Solar array: Siemens PRO4JF 900 W (12 x 75 W)
• 1000 Ah Winston LiFePO4 battery bank (2020) with Mastervolt 2 kW inverter (2020)
• Beta Marine 90 HP diesel (2020) - approx. 300 hours
• Caribe 12' dinghy with Yamaha 9.9 HP outboard

Recent Upgrades and Service Highlights

• Major custom refit - 2020
• NEW Z Spars mast and new standing rigging - 2020
• NEW OneSails sail suite - 2020
• B&G navigation suite - 2020
• Beta Marine 90 HP diesel installed - 2020 (approx. 300 hours)
• 1000 Ah Winston LiFePO4 battery bank installed - 2020
• Custom DC/AC electrical panel installed - 2020
• Siemens 900 W solar array installed - 2020
• Awlgrip repaint of interior and topsides - 2024

Broker's Comments

MARE is for the buyer who wants a true expedition-capable bluewater platform - not a lightly built coastal cruiser. Her welded aluminum construction, watertight subdivision, and full insulation align with serious offshore and remote-area cruising, while the hydraulic centerboard delivers a rare combination of shoal draft access and deep-draft performance when the miles are offshore. With a comprehensive 2020 refit (rig, sails, engine, navigation, lithium/solar), she stands out as an opportunity to step into a proven design that has already had the major capital work completed. If your cruising plans include remote anchorages, long passages, and a yacht that can take care of her crew in difficult weather, MARE deserves a close look.