Multihulls, both power and sail, offer incredible liveability and even thrills for those in need of speed, plus there have never been more models on offer. Story by Kevin Green and John Eichelsheim.
What follows is a mostly European-centric mix of sleek performers, canny cruisers and cool powercats. Choosing one to suit your lifestyle takes research, but research can be an excuse for a European holiday to places such as the world’s largest multihull show, La Grande Motte (20 April 2022) on the Mediterranean coast of France, or other prestigious locations such as the Cannes Boat Show (September) and other smaller regional events.
Before the pandemic, extending your holiday by including a factory hand-over was also popular, followed by a season cruising the Med before shipping the new boat home. With rising vaccination rates, hopefully this will soon be popular once more. Closer to home, Asia has several multihull builders, as do Australia and New Zealand.
Compact Cruisers
Starting small, for both budget and seamanship purposes, is often a good idea – one reason the upcoming Bali 4.2 is included. Hugely spacious, thanks to fore and aft cockpits, plus a vast flybridge, it still manages to move along quite well, or at least its predecessor did when I sailed it in France.
Similarly, the South African-built Leopard 42 has the same philosophy in a manageable 42-foot base, as visitors to Sanctuary Cove 2021 found when stepping onto its vast transom-level swim platform.
Moving up a size notch, the larger catamarans really showcase the space and versatility of the concept. Dominated by the global leaders, such as Fountaine Pajot with the new Berret-Racoupeau designed FP 51, which replaces the popular Saba 50 that sold 200 units. Heavier than its predecessor (18.1 tonnes whereas the Saba weighed only 15.7), the sail area has increased slightly to compensate.
The 55 is the latest from market leader Lagoon, the same size as the model that launched the brand in 1987. The 2021 version was unveiled in March, when the company gave a global press briefing at the CNB yard in Bordeaux as the first hull slid into the river. Curvaceous is a word that describes this 55-footer, but expect it to be highly functional with all sail controls and fixtures just where they should be.
The yard also launched a livelier range of catamarans two years ago, the Excess range. The first Excess 12 arrived in Australia earlier this year and will arrive in New Zealand towards the end of the year. It’s definitely much livelier than sistership Lagoons and offers much more feel, given its outboard located twin helms and al fresco steering.
Excess 12
The Excess 12 rewards the keen sailor with a lively performance, especially with its optional Pulse sail plan, yet retains most of the features from its Lagoon sister ships, with a full cruising interior and generous saloon space.
The lounge can become a bed and the galley is ideally placed for serving cockpit dinners on the Excess 12.
NZ’s Beneteau sailing yacht agent is 36 Degrees.
www.excess-catamarans.com www.36degrees.nz
Specifications
length 11.73m
beam 11.46m
draft 1.35m
displacement 10,300kg
engines 2x 29hp Yanmar saildrive
mainsail square top 82m²
Lagoon 55
The Lagoon 55 is all about comfortable cruising, with a vast flybridge, but the trade-off is a rather high mainsail.
The signature box-like saloon offers generous space and comforts – including a large chart table, offset lounge and expansive galley with extra refrigeration space in the hulls. Smart design from Nauta includes a drop-down television from the ceiling
Lagoon is represented in NZ by Orakei Marine, the NZ dealer for the Jeanneau group of companies.
www.themultihullgroup.com www.orakeimarine.co.nz
Specifications
length 11.73m
beam 11.46m
draft 1.35m
displacement 10,300kg
engines 2x 29hp Yanmar saildrive
mainsail square top 82m²
Bali 4.2
Launched in February to replace the 4.1, the French Bali 4.2 continues the theme of enjoyable living across three levels. The addition of a forward door accesses the bow cockpit while the stern continues the marque’s famous opening bulkhead to maximise deck access aft.
A revamped interior will offer an owner’s three-cabin and four-cabin version and the furling and self-tacking sailplan is designed with ease of operation in mind. Also pleasing is the very sharp European base price: €365,000.
The NZ dealer is Dream Yacht Sales, based in Queensland. Boating NZ reviewed a Bali 4.1 in Auckland a couple of years ago.
www.dreamyachtsales.com
Specifications
length 12.85m
beam 7.08m
draft 1.22m
displacement 15,500kg
engine 2 x 30hp Yanmar sail-drives
sails 90m2
Fountaine Pajot 51
The Berret-Racoupeau-designed FP 51 replaces the popular Saba 50 that sold 200 units and offers comfortable cruising with improved stability via a lower-level helm station and rig.
Designed as an owner’s boat with plenty of family space between six cabins and a vast inside/outside lounge, the 51 is an ideal floating home.
The New Zealand representative for Fountaine Pajot is Dominic Lowe, email info@multihullsolutions.co.nz
www.multihullsolutions.com.au www.yachtsalesco.com
Specifications
length 15.54m
beam 8.08m
draft 1.3m
displacement 18,120kg
engine 2 x 60hp
sails 154m2
Leopard 42
An ideal entry-level catamaran with good credentials – Naval Architects, Simonis & Voogd and built by the prolific yard of Robertson & Caine in South Africa – the Leopard 42 made its debut in Australia during May.
Available in three or four ensuite cabins and its signature foredeck cockpit, the Leopard 42 maximises deck space across three levels while able to sail to windward with its mini keels.
The New Zealand representative for Leopard is Jason Dicks at Yacht Domain.
www.leopardcatamarans.com www.yachtdomain.com
Specifications
length 12.67m
beam 7.04m
draft 1.4m
displacement 12,467kg
engine 2 x 45hp Yanmar sail-drive
sails 123m2
Performance Cruisers
Safety in numbers is the preserve of these mass-produced cruising cats, but for those seeking a greater thrill, the specialist performance-cruisers are the go if your pockets are deep enough. These reward sailing ability with performance.
The Outremer 55 uses all the big names in design – VPLP naval architects, Patrick Le Quément and interior design by Darnet Design – to create this bluewater performance cruiser with optional tiller steering to enjoy the thrill of double-digit speeds.
Another French specialist is Marsaudon Composites in Le Base, Lorient. They have been building catamarans since 2014 in NW France, including the nippy TS42 and TS50 cats (designed by Christophe Barreau). Eighteen of the 42 have been launched and 10 of the 50, which made its debut in 2017, including one in New Zealand.
However, a re-brand and revamp has occurred, thus the new ORC range. Designed by the iconic Marc Lombard and using daggerboards for better upwind performance, the ORC57 looks a reasonably priced (€1,008,500) performance-cruiser.
Closer to home, arguably the prettiest Seawind yet is the Vietnam-built 45-foot 1370. Designed in collaboration with Australian company founder Richard Ward and French Naval Architect Francois Perus, it combines less weight with more sail area to keep those twin hulls moving in tropical airs. Another established Aussie brand with Kiwi design, Fusion, has recently moved onshore from Thailand to offer moulded power and sail versions for home builders or professionals to complete.
Fusion sailing cats are manufactured independently in New Zealand by Fusion Marine, along with Prowler and NZL power cats.
New to New Zealand, Privilège 510 and 580 semi-custom sailing cats are produced in limited runs of just six per annum.
Queensland’s Lightwave have revamped its popular Lightwave 45. The 2021 Lightwave 45 Australis tips the scales at a mere eight tons and will have a sleeker topside profile and reversed wave-piercing bows.
Fusion Australia
Australian-owned Fusion has recently relocated from Thailand to Queensland where these kit performance cruisers are built. Originally designed by Kiwi Gary Lidgard, they are now available with hulls and structure pre-moulded for home builders or professionals to finish.
The Fusion shown at Sanctuary Cove this year had a galley-down layout, so saloon space is maximised.
www.fusioncats.com
Specifications
length 12.2m
beam 7.2m
draft 0.8m
displacement 7,000kg
engines 2 x 30hp Yanmars
sails 88m2
Outremer 55
Launched in December 2020 from its yard at La Grande Motte, France, this 55-foot (16.8m) performance-cruiser can provide both sedate and more exciting cruising, depending on your preference. Weighing in at a modest 13,900kg and with a large sail plan, it intends to reward the helmsman on all points of sail including upwind, thanks to large daggerboards.
The Outremer 55 used all the big names in design – VPLP naval architects, Patrick Le Quément and interior design by Darnet Design – to create this blue water performance cruiser.
The New Zealand representative for Outremer is NZ Boat Sales.
www.multihullcentral.com www.nzboatsales.com
Specifications
length 16.7m
beam 8.22m
draft 2.28m
displacement 13,900kg
engines 2 x 60hp
sails 172m2
Ocean Rider Catamarans 57
Designed by the iconic Marc Lombard and using daggerboards for performance, the ORC57 looks a reasonably-priced performance-cruiser – and like established performance brand Outremer, tillers are used to give helm feedback.
The four-cabin ORC 57, should have performance to match its sleek lines thanks to carbon crossbeams and light hulls (11.3 tons).
www.marsaudon-composites.com
Specifications
length 18.4m
beam 9.0m
draft 1.5m
displacement: 13,900kg
engine 2 x 57hp sail-drives
sails 195m2
Fusion 40 Sailing Cat
Designed by renowned Kiwi designer, Gary Lidgard, the Fusion Sailing catamarans blend the finest of technology and impeccable design to create something truly awesome. The boats’ pedigree lines, smooth curves, good looks and clever features will take these catamarans well into the 21st century.
The Fusion 40’s main saloon is spacious and smartly finished.
www.fusionmarine.co.nz
Specifications
length 12m
beam 7.2m
draft 1.1m
displacement 5,750kg
engines 2×29hp diesel sail-drives
Lightwave 45 Australis
Orders for the best-selling Lightwave 45 model continue to roll which has prompted a revamp to reflect new market demands, thus the Australis model. It weighs a mere eight tons and shows sleek lines to reduce windage, plus reversed bows. This first Australis has some custom features, that include in-boom furling, and a fully customised power system incorporating 900AH L/I batteries and electric cooking in the galley-down layout. It was released in September 2021 to celebrate 25 years of solid trading for the company.
www.lightwaveyachts.com
Specifications
length 14.0m
beam 7.3m
draft 1.2m (mini keel)
displacement 8,000kg
engines 2 x 55hp Yanmar
sails 116.5m2
Seawind 1370
Arguably the prettiest Seawind yet after the flagship 1600, the 45-foot (13.7m) 1370 is designed in collaboration with company founder Richard Ward and French Naval Architect Francois Perus.
Weighing a modest 11 tons the infused hull – built in Vietnam – has a reasonable sail area, which makes the Seawind 1370 a performance cruiser; with up to four cabins.
The New Zealand representative for Seawind is Steve Thomas, NZ Boat Sales.
www.seawindcats.com
www.nzboatsales.com
Specifications
length 13.70m
beam 7.6m
draft 1.3m
displacement 11,000kg
engines 2 x 40hp Yanmar sail-drives
sails 116m2
Privilège Catamarans
New to New Zealand, Privilège Catamarans is a well-established, high-end multihull specialist based in La Rochelle, France. The APAC agent Windcraft has recently confirmed orders for NZ clients.
The Privilège model range encompasses sail and power catamarans between 17 and 25m LOA with extensive options and layouts to choose across each.
Privilège offers true ‘semi-custom’ boatbuilding. Want an office, nav station, work room or more storage with custom furniture to suit? The option to move bulkheads and create a custom layout is there. You can also specify and position plumbing and electrical systems to your own spec.
The high quality build and finish is a reflection of limited production runs – just six Privilège 510 and 580 cats per year. The Privilège build process, conducted by specialist tradesmen, takes up to 54 weeks to complete. Form, function, sailing performance and build integrity are prioritised over a market price point.
www.teamwindcraft.com
The new Privilège Signature 510 bluewater sailing catamaran is designed for long-distance cruising and promises the perfect blend of luxury and seaworthiness.
Privilège 580 Specifications
length 17.9m
beam 9.8m
displacement 35 tonne
engines 2 x 55kW (75hp)
PowerCats
Whitehaven’s dealer Australian Lee Randell is excited to launch its new brand Aquila with a new model, the five-cabin 54. The brand is already known in Australia, so the Aquila 54 builds on the success of the 44 and 36 to enhance this substantial Chinese-built range. It has credentials from MarineMax, one of the USA’s largest powerboat dealerships and the experienced J&J Design Group to back it up.
Elsewhere, Multihull Central is marketing a new long-range power cat brand Longreach with 44 and 54 models, built with generous shade and deck space specifically for Asia-Pacific conditions.
The Australian-owned makers of exotica in sail have now turned to power, as McConaghy launch the MC63p. Kiwi America’s Cup icon Grant Dalton is buying the first one. McConaghy’s use of carbon hulls and fixed foils makes for a particularly fuel-efficient vessel – they quote the MC63p as reaching 36 knots with a range of 1,500 nautical miles.
More down-to-earth is the Australian specified and Chinese-built Iliad 80 whose smaller sister ships have already sold well in Australia and New Zealand to those seeking long-range power cruisers that ooze comfort.
McConaghy Powercat
McConaghy’s success in its Jason Ker-designed sailing cats being transferred to a range of powercats: 52, 63, 68 and 82-foot models, all relatively lightweight in slender carbon composite hulls, so a high power-to-weight ratio.
McConaghy’s use of carbon hulls and the fixed foils make for a particularly fuel-efficient vessel at its 20-knot cruising speed, yet the MC63p can achieve a top speed of 36 knots and a range of 1,500 nautical miles.
www.mcconaghyboats.com
Specifications
length 19m
beam 8.56m
draft 1.4m
displacement undisclosed
engines 2 x 875hp Scania
Alloy Cats/Kingfisher Powercats
Tauranga-based aluminium boatbuilder Alloy Cats are designers and custom builders of innovative Kingfisher Powercats and Minicats, from 3.7 to 15m, for recreational and commercial use.
In addition, Alloy Cats custom-build Roger Hill planing, semi-displacement and displacement power catamarans from 10.8 to 18m in length.
www.alloycats.co.nz
Kingfisher Cruising Cat Specifications
length 9m
beam 3.1m
displacement undisclosed
engines Twin 60-80hp outboards
Aquila 54
The Aquila 54 builds on the success of the 44 and 36 to produce this substantial Chinese-built boat, with credentials from MarineMax, one of the USA’s largest powerboat dealerships and the experienced J&J Design Group.
The Aquila 54 can have five cabins, plus skipper’s quarters and a galley-down option, plus this huge flybridge lounge.
The NZ agent is Wayne Baston at Laurie Collins Westhaven Ltd.
www.whitehavenmotoryachts.com.au
www.lauriecollins.co.nz
Specifications
length 16.5m
beam 7.68m
draft 1.37m
displacement 23,300kg
engines 2 x 380hp D6 Volvo V-drive
Longreach
Multihull Central is the new dealership for the Longreach 44 and 54 long-range powercats, built in Asia by established Australian builder James Dewing at Powerplay Catamarans. Flybridge powercats are the masters of living space, as seen here on this Australian-specified interior of the Longreach 44.
The New Zealand agent for Longreach is Steve Thomas, NZ Boat Sales.
www.multihullcentral.com
www.nzboatsales.com
Specifications
length 13.45m
beam 6.5m
draft 1.1m
displacement 14,000kg
engines 2 x 440hp Volvo IPS600
Fusion Prowler 10.8
The Prowler 10.8 displacement powercat, also available in a sportfisher version, redefines modern boating and provides a combination of exceptional performance, economy, volume and value. Fusion also builds the NZL range of powercats to 48 feet and Fusion sailing catamarans at its Silverdale yard, north of Auckland.
The Prowler 10.8 is an ideal weekender, extended coastal cruiser and suited for charter or shared ownership.
www.fusionmarine.co.nz
Specifications
length 10.8m
beam 4.8m
draft 0.65m
displacement 4600kg
engines two Yamaha 150hp-four stroke outboards
Iliad 80
The Australian-specified and Chinese-built Iliad range has been a winner for Multihull Solutions, so the upcoming 80-foot version builds on this success of creating long-range cruising powercats.
The Iliad 80 offers a vast lounge and even a deck-level cabin, while being semi-custom so owners can personalise their vessel.
The New Zealand representative for Iliad is Dominic Lowe, email info@multihullsolutions.co.nz
www.multihullsolutions.com.au www.yachtsalesco.com
Specifications
length 23.99m
beam 9.96m
draft 1.65m
displacement 63,000kg
engines 2 x 725hp Volvo D11 (or CAT C8.7 650hp or Cummins QSK 19 800hp).
K2 Marine
Designed by Alan Wright and New Zealand-built in Glendene, Auckland in composite materials – and with an option to survey – Wright Powercats are available in 15 and 16m flybridge and sedan versions.
www.k2marine.co.nz
Wright 46 Specifications
length 15/16m
beam 5.2m
displacement (15m) 16,000kg
engines 2 x Yanmar 400hp or 550hp
Catamarans International
Catamarans International is one of the few composite catamaran manufacturers in New Zealand. It offers a New Zealand-designed power catamaran range from 10 to 24m, built in New Zealand and Malaysia for recreational and commercial applications.
Catamarans International produces most of its components from female moulds for a hard-wearing gel coat finish – no need for expensive, time-consuming fairing and painting. A moulded component system saves months in build time compared to ‘one-off’ construction.
All components are engineered using a composite sandwich construction, producing a stiff, lightweight finished product. This method of manufacture means a vessel can be completed in-house or the major components can be supplied so your own boatbuilder can finish the boat.
Foil-assist options lift performance to 28 knots-plus, as well as improving fuel efficiency.
www.catamaransinternational.com
6500 Express or Flybridge Specifications
length 19.94m
beam 6.5m
displacement 30,000kg
engines 2 x 650hp
Multiple choices
Multihulls are perhaps the fastest growing family of recreational vessels in the world. Historically the French have led the way in design and uptake, particularly of sailing multihulls, but in recent years many boatbuilders outside France have taken up the mantle, including in New Zealand, producing multihulls of various types. New Zealand has a strong tradition of both planing and displacement power catamarans.
This Boating NZ Multihull Roundup illustrates the range and scope of vessels, with those featured either represented by New Zealand dealers or otherwise available to local customers.
