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Flying fast on the new Gunboat G4 catamaran Timbalero3

As anyone who’s been lucky enough to experience the throaty growl of a Porsche, or the machine-gun-in-a-hurricane whine of a Ducati, can testify, the confluence of beauty, power, and speed can be magical to the ear. But none of us lucky few aboard for the first “flight” of the remarkable G4 from Gunboat, named Timbalero3 , is prepared for the harmonics created when this 12.2-metre, 2.67-tonne, bright orange catamarn rises up out of the water on a single carbon-fibre hydrofoil and “flies” at a top speed of 31.9 knots in about 18 knots of wind.

The sound of speed is almost mystical; like whale song , or what some religions refer to as “om” – the sound of the universe. No internal combustion engine is capable of that – nor do most performance machines have sleeping accommodation for six, a fully equipped galley and the ability to transport you to a tropical island in the trade winds. But then again, there has never been anything quite like the G4, as seen in the video when she capsized during Les Voiles de St Barth in  the Caribbean .

I join the boat during its first days of testing in the Bay of Marigot off the French side of St Martin /Saint Maarten. On board are Gunboat founder Peter Johnstone, a team of very smart, very tall and very Dutch designers and builders from Holland Composites, who’d spent 18 months fully immersed in doing the impossible – helping design and build an all-carbon, fully foiling cruising catamaran – and a number of world renowned speed sailors.

These guys had seen and done it all, but still the sense of anticipation is palpable as we motor out of harbour on  Timbalero3 ’s single retractable electric engine and raise the sails. We are about to do what no one else has done before – sail the first fully foiling cruising boat at well over 30 knots.

Anticipation turns to action pretty quickly. Once the jib sheet and the main traveller are trimmed by the crew on the windward hull, and the mainsheet is trimmed by the helmsman with an ingenious oscillating foot pump that controls the hydraulics of the mainsheet system, we are suddenly going very fast. Boat speed hits 15 knots almost immediately, then passes effortlessly through 16, 17, 18, then 20 knots. No problems; no dramas; no on-the-edge-ness that you’d experience doing much less speed on most other boats.

Then the boat really starts to hum. Partial foiling, with the windward hull skimming along the surface, begins when boat speed hits 12-14 knots, and full foiling – with both hulls fully out of the water for a consistent length of time – starts at 18-20 knots. And remember, this head-turning catamaran has a huge cockpit, full 360-degree views and genuine living space in the main cabin. She has additional berths in the hulls, and even a head and proper galley. The G4’s never going to compete with a 12-metre charter catamaran in terms of accommodation, but this literally is a fully foiling boat with a fridge and kitchen sink.

I find myself calling out the speed as we foil past 25 knots, my voice getting a little “intense” when speeds nose past 28 knots and then beyond

Past 20 knots and things get spiritual. The intoxicating om sound of speed feels like it’s being created by the foil in the water, but is actually coming from the significant apparent wind that’s generated at those high, yet highly manageable, speeds through the rig. Occasional spray shoots through the middle of the cockpit to keep us on our toes, and then the helmsman – former A-class catamaran world champion Mischa Heemskerk – trims the bows down a bit and I find myself calling out the speed as we foil past 25 knots, my voice getting a little “intense” when speeds nose past 28 knots and then beyond.

We get used to the speed very quickly and start speed runs between St Martin and Anguilla – seven miles in a matter of minutes. Never does the cat feel out of control or uncomfortable, and not once do we fall off the foils, spin out or break a single thing on board (except some personal sailing speed records). In fact the boat is so forgiving, and has such a wide groove, that at 25 knots we’re able to talk and joke, and even pass out water bottles from the cockpit fridge. On one run I take the helm and steer without issue, the feedback from the helm positive and responsive and I’m convinced that with a bit of practice any experienced sailor could helm this incredible flying machine.

All on board still grip a little tighter as the boat edges up to 30 knots. But the intoxicating hum just gets louder, the rudders sizzle and both hulls fly even higher. Trim is called constantly over the rush of the wind and virtually all the available energy from the breeze gets transmuted into forward motion. I’m sailing in three dimensions. I’m flying. I’m at one with the universe and nothing will ever be the same again.

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Cruising Catamaran Speed! With Examples and Explanation

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One of the most popular cruising vessels is cruising catamarans. Cruising catamarans are popular thanks to their stability and space, but some sailors have concerns about cruising catamarans’ speed. So, how fast are cruising catamarans? 

Sailing cruising catamarans can travel at an average of 9-15 knots and max out around 35 kts. Power Cruising catamarans have a maximum speed of 70 knots but averages around 20-25 kts. How fast a catamaran can go also depends on the load it is carrying, its structural design, and its engine power.

This article explores details of what affects a cruising catamaran’s speed. It also considers how fast sailing and power cruising catamarans can go, along with some of the most rapid cruising catamaran models available today. 

How Is a Cruising Catamaran’s Speed Measured?

To better understand a cruising catamaran’s speed, it is essential to consider how a boat’s speed is measured. Boat speed is measured in knots , which is one nautical mile per hour, (or 1.15 mph). One nautical mile is approximately 1.15 land miles. 

The speed of a catamaran is calculated by a GPS tracker that records the distance sailed every hour. 

How Fast Are Sailing Cruising Catamarans? 

The wind powers sailing cruising catamarans – their speed depends on the speed of the wind. If there is a lot of wind, more wind equals higher a faster boat. However, if there is little to no wind, the catamaran won’t move very fast or very far. 

At about 14-16 knots of wind speed, sailing catamarans can average 9-12 knots . Some high-end sailing catamarans can be even faster. For instance, the Gunboat 62 Tribe can sail up to 36.6 knots when the wind is between 35-45 knots.  

How Fast Are Power Cruising Catamarans?

Unlike sailing catamarans, power catamarans do not rely on the wind to move. Instead, they are powered by fuel (usually diesel). This means that they can travel faster than sailing catamarans and that their speed is more reliable. 

Under light loads the Power catamarans can travel at between 20-25 knots. When the load is higher, power catamarans speed drops to 15-20 knots. 

Some high-end catamarans, such as the Freeman 47, can reach up to 70 knots .

What Affects the Speed of a Cruising Catamaran? 

There are several features of a cruising catamaran that impact its speed. These include: 

• The type of hull. The less the hull is submerged into the water, the faster the catamaran will go. When they are submerged, hulls create drag which slows the velocity of the boat. 
• The beam/length ratio. When a catamaran has a higher surface area (stable base), it can better withstand stronger winds, therefore allowing it utilize more of the wind before needing to reduce sail area.
• The material used to construct and reinforce the vessel. When areas of the catamaran are filled with foam, it decreases the catamaran’s weight while ensuring that stability is maintained. As a result, the catamaran has a lighter weight, making it faster. 
• The type of propellers. Propellers are an essential part of a vessel as they act as brakes, which are necessary to slow down and stop a boat. However, many modern cruising catamarans have folding propellers that reduce the boat’s water resistance when the engine is turned off. As a result, the catamaran can travel faster under sail. 
• The engines. The higher the horsepower of the catamaran’s engine, the faster it can go. Most newer catamarans have two engines which makes them faster than the older, one-engined counterparts. 
• The load of the catamaran. Each catamaran has a load-carrying capacity. If the amount of weight the catamaran has onboard exceeds this capacity, it will “sit” lower in the water and significantly slow down the catamaran’s speed. 
• The sail trim and reef. When sail area is reduced (called reefing), the catamaran slows down (in most situations). Properly trimming the sails will also enhance performance.

In addition, catamarans will be faster downwind . Going downwind removes the headwind and will many times allow you to surf with the waves.

Why Should You Look for a Faster Cruising Catamaran?

The old adage is that “slow and steady” wins the race. However, when it comes to cruising catamarans, many sailors believe the faster, the better. Faster catamarans are preferred because they: 

• Allow the crew to quickly move the catamaran out of bad weather conditions, protect the vessel and passengers on board.
• Allow the captain to more predictably calculate Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).
• A shorter time spent in bad patches of sea making big ocean crossings safer and more enjoyable.

What Are the Fastest Cruising Catamaran Models? 

Some catamarans have been recognized and won awards for their speed. Some of these models are explored below. 

Freeman 47 (Power)

Freeman catamarans are symmetrical catamarans that have especially been designed to carry a heavy load without sacrificing speed. Released in 2020, the Freeman 47 has quad 450R Mercury outboards that allow it to travel at 70 knots.

In addition to the outboards, many features of the Freeman 47 allow it to move faster. It has a fuel capacity of 1000 gallons (3785 liters) and a maximum power of 1800 HP. 

If you’re interested in purchasing or finding out more about the Freeman 47, register your interest on Freemanboatworks.com . 

Glider SS18 (Power)

The Glider SS18 is a power catamaran that was launched in 2017, after eight years of development. It is powered by 300 BHP supercharged engines that allow it to travel for up to 50 knots. It also has a built-in Stability Control System (SCS), ensuring that the catamaran remains stable and comfortable, even when traveling at top speed. 

To buy or get a quotation for the Glider SS18, visit glideryachts.com . 

ICE Cat 61 (Sail)

The Ice Cat 61 is a luxury catamaran. At 61 feet (18.60 meters) long, it is a large catamaran that has been designed with both speed and stability in mind. While its average cruising speed is 12 knots, it can achieve up to 25 knots. 

The ICE Cat 61 has been designed with carbon and glass fiber – materials that allow the boat to be lighter. It has two engines with 55 HP each and a fuel capacity of 206 gallons (780 liters). 

If you’re interested in an ICE Cat 61, you can learn more at iceyachts.it .

Gunboat 68 (Sail)

At 68 feet (20.8 meters) long, the Gunboat 68 makes for an impressive sight on the open ocean. It averages 20 knots but can reach 30 knots depending on the amount of wind power. 

The Gunboat 68 has been designed by VPLP, also known as the ‘ fastest naval architects in the world .’ It has been designed with large sails, long daggerboards, and material that has lighter weight. This vessel also has retractable rudders, which reduce the boat’s drag. 

To find out more about the Gunboat 68 or register interest in purchasing one, visit Gunboat.com . 

Conclusion 

A catamaran’s speed depends on its design, its load, its type, and on a variety of other factors. However, on average, most sailing catamarans can achieve between 9-15 knots, while power catamarans can, on average, achieve between 20-25 knots. If you are looking to splurge for the best on the market, some power catamarans can reach 50-70 knots. 

If you’re looking to buy a cruising catamaran, make sure you use the information you have gained to assess the speed of the catamaran you are considering. A faster catamaran can make for safer and more exciting sailing. Ultimately, it will make your cruising experience more enjoyable and satisfying. 

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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• Digital Edition

Gunboat G4: is this the world’s first flying cruiser? She could do 40 knots on foils

• Toby Hodges
• February 1, 2015

The Gunboat G4 is not simply a speed freak; she offers cruising accommodation too, says Toby Hodges

We aim to test the Gunboat G4 later this year

When the Gunboat G4 launches this spring, she will be the most outrageous coastal cruiser-racer ever seen – and certainly the fastest.

If you ever needed proof that the America’s Cup foiling effect is filtering into mainstream sailing, meet the frighteningly fast-looking new 40ft G4, from carbon cruising cat specialist Gunboat.

It is thought that the G4 could hit speeds of 40 knots or more. One of the designers, DNA’s Mischa Heemskerk, has reportedly sailed a foiling GC32 up to 37 knots and thinks the G4 is capable of another 10-15 per cent. Short of America’s Cup foiling catamarans and ocean racing maxi-multihulls, there will be nothing to touch the G4 at any regatta. Maxi-monohull crews will be left red-faced.

But the G4 is not simply a speed freak. ‘Get the gun, be the party, cruise home,’ is the catchy slogan for this adrenalin pin-up. Like the rest of Gunboat’s range, she offers accommodation and a social platform at rest, with two queen-size berths and an innovative island galley in the cockpit.

In just 12 knots of wind it is predicted that the 2.4 tonne G4 should already be up and flying at a speed of 18 knots. The rake of the G4’s boards, which lift to 2ft, will be adjustable to suit various modes – non-foiling, foil-assisted or fully foiling.

But we imagine most owners will quickly be talked into going flying. “Flying is smoother, quicker and safer than pressing a powered-up cat planted in the water,” says Gunboat founder Peter Johnstone.

We aim to find out for ourselves later this year and bring you an in-depth test of the G4.

Toby Hodges comments

Most sailors will never sail at speeds over 20 knots. To create a production boat that could offer joyrides of double that is pushing to the scary end of the exhilarating scale. But it’s impossible not to applaud Gunboat’s spirit and innovation with the G4.

In the Dutch DNA design team, Gunboat has commissioned some of the world’s foremost foiling brains. The design of the G4 has gone from originally having C-shaped boards for lift-only to V boards measuring 15ft with return tips for full foiling. But the ability to switch ride height modes and prevent the boat from flying is a potential safety measure.

It is hoped that Antigua Sailing Week in May will be her first competitive event. If I were to be offered a ride I would certainly take it, but I would need reassurance of the ability of the ‘pilot’.

This is a machine for foiling experts only. And I‘m sure most people would need a lot of convincing before trying to cruise it anywhere.

This is an extract from a feature in Yachting World January 2015

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The Gunboat 62 is the original performance cruiser from this iconic catamaran brand. This boat is well and truly cemented in our Classic Catamarans section. Let´s face it, this is the boat that has inspired a whole range of fast yachts from Hudson Yacht’s HH66 catamaran (designed by the same naval architects) to the Black Pepper Code C.69 and the Balance 526.

The first boat over the line when the starting gun was fired was founder Peter Johnstone’s Tribe, a Harvey Yachts, South African-built, Melvin & Morrelli designed cat that’s now something of a legend. The team later extended the boat into the Gunboat 66 , but it was the 62 that set the standards for the brand.

Johnstone had spent time on some of the largest, fastest maxi-cats in the world built by the French yard Multiplast (eg Team Adventure) and Auckland´s Cookson Boatworks (PlayStation now called Cheyenne), so he was well versed in high-speed multihull sailing. When his monohull got too uncomfortable in a blow, he had his Eureka moment.

Johnstone’s dad founded J-Boats. How could he pull one over the old man? How about overtaking him in his performance monohull in a 60ft cat with a cold one in his hand?

The first 3 Gunboat 62s were constructed with epoxy and E-glass beefed up with carbon-fiber in the big bulkheads and stringers.

Photos credit: zenyatta62.com @spikeabram , @dekkerdiane , @rigproservice

The fourth yacht was built entirely from carbon, with a taller rig and more sail area. There is Kevlar on the bottom and outboard sides of the hulls, and they managed to shave almost a tonne off the weight. The boom was extended by 2 feet, all the kinds of supercharged amendments that you can still order on a new Gunboat 68 today if you go for the regatta option over the cruising pack.

• Let´s face it, if you are sitting on a Gunboat 62 at anchor, no-one else is going to match you, even on a 68. It’s the ultimate pose.
• The 62 is still one of the fastest catamarans around, just ask anyone who has competed in the Voiles de St Barths. OK, you might just about overtake one in a Marsaudon Composites TS5 with a crack crew, but everyone will be looking at the Gunboat 62 crossing the finishing line anyway.
• Gunboat 62s hold their value. There are only four of them, remember: these are the original luxury performance cruising catamarans.
• This is subjective, but I’d say the 62 is the prettiest Gunboat. I like the shape of the 48 too, but that’s more of an E-Type Jag. The new 68 is more muscly and distinctive and a real head turner, but the 62 wins the beauty parade for me.
• Technology has moved on since the 62s were launched. Granted, the boats have all been loved and nurtured, but you might find yourself spending quite a bit of money on upgrades.
• The first 3 boats, in particular, weren’t designed to carry much stuff compared to later models. You’ll need to keep the weight off (but boy, it’s worth it). That´s why they extended to the 66.
• There’s not as much room for solar on the 62. OK, we are clutching at straws here.
• Gunboats are expensive to maintain. But come on, if you can afford to buy one, you can afford the maintenance.
• For a multi-million dollar yacht, there isn’t a huge amount of living space. These early Gunboats were more business like. It was always more about the speed than the toys: the increased comfort came later. You can hardly call them spartan though, this is a luxury cat, let’s be honest.

People wanted to add more stuff, so the last boat they built (now Mach Schnell) was designed to be able to carry more gear. This way, you could have all of the toys and still outperform an 80 ft racing monohull on a beam reach, and that philosophy is still followed by the brand today.

All the 62s have a carbon mast, plus carbon-fiber compression posts and bow sprits. Some of the other innovations include round & parabolic hull sections to reduce the wetted surface area and minimise the “bite” in turns. The 62s have a a 48% beam ratio versus a more common 55% ratio. Retractable high aspect rudders and retractable dagger boards mean that you can sail into super skinny anchorages in the Bahamas and elsewhere.

The Gunboat is a 14 ton light ship that can sail upwind at 17 knots and pinch up to 30 degrees AWA. She will tack through 95 degrees alongside the best performance monohulls. Coming off the wind, the 62 can sail over true wind speeds in up to 20 knots of wind. This supercat sails comfortably at between 15-20 knots SOG and has notched up speeds of over 36 knots on a surf. Hold onto your G&T!

Johnstone proved that you could blast along in windspeeds over 40 knots and still have your smoothie on the table next to you while travelling at speeds up to 20 knots. In short, she moves.

The helm station was inspired by Chris White´s Atlantic cats, with a comfortable helm seat with 360-degree visibility and overhead hatches to check your mainsail. The galley is aft on the starboard side aft with plenty of storage, working surface and a bar. Down below in the hulls are the staterooms and heads, offices, stowage, and engines. The hulls are slender for speed, but this is still a luxurious space with 8 watertight bulkheads per hull. Each interior was custom made.

  View this post on Instagram   Caribbean – Cruising along at 16knots… #3countriesinoneday #stbarths #stmaarten #anguilla #tribe6201 #gunboat62 #gunboat A post shared by Anna Clarke (@livetosail) on Feb 9, 2018 at 9:21am PST

The Gunboat 62 is powered by 2 56 HP Yanmars. The twin rudders are retractable, giving this yacht a draft of around a metre or 3 feet.

Getting out on deck just involves stepping through the pilot house through a heavy glass door into the forward cockpit where all the lines for the headsails and main is to hand, plus the anchor, rode, and windlass. There’s an exterior helm as well, a wheel on the same axle as the main helm.

Like all Gunboats, there is plenty of space on the nets for hanging out, and aft things calm down with the big veranda outback, with the main traveler set on the aft crossbeam, and davits for a tender. Down below, the living space isn’t huge (this is a performance cat), but the finish is luxurious and it’s very comfortable. Up top in the aft cockpit and saloon there is oodles of space for lounging, cooking, dining and sailing of course. You can probably do 3 out of 4 of the activities at the same time.

Each boat was custom designed for their first owners, but typically there are 3-4 cabins plus heads and/or an office.

Like many of these performance cats, they will blast along at 20 knots and over in the right conditions, but if you are sailing on the limit, you need to be on your toes. If you feel the windward hull come up, then its time to head down hard or dump the main.

62-01 Tribe The original!

62-02 Chim Chim (ex Cucu-Belle, ex Safari)

62-03 Zenyatta (2003 ex-Prana, ex-Lickity Split 2)

62-04 Mach Schnell (ex Elvis, ex-Looking For Elvis, ex-Icon)

How fast will a Gunboat 62 go? Well, according to Johnstone, the top speed he saw on the nav console was over  36 knots with three reefs in the main and a storm jib up. Fast enough for you?

How many Gunboat 62s were built? Four 62s were built- they are pretty rare, even rarer than the 48s. After a while, customers started to ask for more load carrying ability, so they lengthened the boat to 66 feet. The 66 isn’t as pretty, in my opinion. I expect the owners beg to differ.

Where were the Gunboat 62s built? In Gunboat’s early days, they built their yachts in South Africa with Harvey Yachts. Interestingly, this has spawned a whole performance catamaran ecosystem in the country with the likes of Balance and Kinetic based there.

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