Walking around the Norwalk show last week, I passed the Pardo docks and then did a double-take. So did a lot of other people. The new Pardo 50 Walkaround tied up stern-to there had a simply immense aft deck, wide and inviting, with sun pads and sofas and an al fresco dining table that would make it a show-stopper wherever it went.
The new Pardo had the company’s signature post-modern European minimalist look; no frills, just straight lines, with a slightly reverse bow and an open foredeck that almost rivaled the aft deck in size and sunning abilities. The large sun pad there could hold several adults, and then there’s an aft-facing seat all the way up on the bow.
The 50 Walkaround is the flagship of Pardo’s Walkaround series. The company, with its yard in Forli, Italy, is less than three years old, but it already has established itself as a high-quality, innovative builder. Its fleet now runs from 38 to 75 feet. The Pardo 38 was named European Boat of the Year in its size range in 2020.
The new 50 has a high freeboard and safe walkaround decks. The fixed, rigid hardtop is made of lightweight carbon fiber, and protects the helm and social area just aft. The aft sun pads lift up to reveal a garage underneath, opening to the large, teak swim platform.
The 50 is certainly made for enjoying sunny weather, but it has accommodations below that qualify it as a weekend (or longer) cruiser. The master stateroom is forward, with a walkaround bed, and a second cabin, with two berths, is on the starboard side. The interior is bright and open, and there are two heads.
Standard power is twin 480-hp Volvo IPS600 pod drives, producing a top speed of 38 knots and a range of 370 nm. Optional power is twin 550-hp Volvo IPS700s, or twin 600-hp IPS800s.
Specs.: LOA: 53’; Beam: 16’; Draft: 4’; Disp.: 32,840 lbs.; Fuel: 520 gals.; Water: 117 gals.; Power: 2×480-hp Volvo IPS600 pod drives. Read more:
