iliad 50 catamaran

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Powercats have many attractions for both the cruising boater and day sailor alike, who can enjoy the stability, space and frugality, as can be seen here on the Chinese-built Iliad 50 that Australian company Multihull Solutions has brought to market. At 50 feet, this boat is the first of a range that also saw a 70 model at the Sydney Show, with a 60 and 90 due to follow later. 

Practical info

• Builder : Xinlong Yachts
• Finance your Iliad 50
• Articles about the Iliad 50
• Available in issue # 169

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“But this isn’t just another powercat”, as Multihull Solutions boss Mark Elkington was keen to point out to me as we gazed at the Iliad 50 moored on the Gold Coast.  “The Iliad complements our Fountaine Pajot range (which is soon to include a Power 67 – Ed.), which are IPS driven boats ideal for coastal cruising, a very different market from the Iliad buyer. Here, we start at 50 feet because you need that size to have all the equipment that a true passage making boat requires.”

Focusing on an exploration vessel

The popularity of explorer-style yachts has never been higher: boaters seek to escape the madding crowd, while embracing the latest technologies that liberates them from onshore services. For motor yachts, fuel efficiency is a key feature and this is where catamarans with their low-drag hulls become attractive. “Realizing this and then forming a consortium to bring such a vessel to market proved a steep challenge however ”, explains Elkington. “I explored about 50 shipyards around the world for an offshore passage maker style of vessel, that was tough enough to be beached if necessary, but most were using IPS engines, which are too vulnerable, so our choice was either ...

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ILIAD Catamarans 50

Used boats for sale, power boat multihulls 30ft >,        iliad catamarans boats for sale, iliad catamarans 50 boats for sale.

BLUEWATER CAT

If there was one boat that really stood out at the recent SCIBS 2019, it had to be the Iliad 50. One of a new line of power catamarans, the Iliad heralds a revolutionary new chapter in multihull industry.  

Multihull Solutions unveiled their innovative new line of power catamarans at the show with the international launching of the Iliad 50 at a VIP event on a Friday evening. Five minutes before the ribbon was cut to launch this impressive vessel, the boat was officially sold to buyers from Brisbane.

In the following days, Multihull Solutions also took orders on two more Iliad 50 catamarans from buyers on both the east and west coast of the country. The company were expecting to finalise two additional Iliad 50 orders after sea trials and contract negotiations in early June.

Multihull Solutions managing director Mark Elkington said the response to the new Iliad Catamarans range was extremely exciting.

“We knew this new brand was going to shake up the power industry, but we are thrilled to see it have such immediate impact,” Mark said.

“It’s great to see the industry embrace the ILIAD concept so enthusiastically, and the range truly complements our MY 37, MY 40 and MY 44 motor yacht range from Fountaine Pajot.”

LONG RANGE CRUISER

Iliad catamarans are designed to deliver safe and comfortable offshore performance with exceptionally long range (2,500nm – 6,000nm). The catamarans are particularly unique in that clients can customise many aspects of their chosen model to reflect their style and needs but without the significant cost of making changes to most production and semi-production power catamarans.

The Iliad Catamarans range comprises the Iliad 50, 60, 70 and 90, with each model allowing clients to choose their preferred layout, timber finishes, electronics package, luxurious fabrics, engine options and more, at a cost-efficient rate.

Just like the legendary Achaean ships of Homer’s epic poem, Iliad Catamarans are designed to face the most treacherous conditions with confidence. Ideal for extended ocean passages and offshore cruisers, each model affords impressive range and speed with one of the longest range capabilities in their market segment.

ITALIAN FLAIR

The Iliad Catamarans fleet is designed by Italian naval architect Riccardo Bulgarelli who worked in Italy for many years for some of the world’s leading shipyards before establishing his own design office in China. The new Iliad 50 is the first model launched from the innovative new shipyard. Iliad Catamarans are built to CE (Cat A) as standard, however, all Iliad Catamarans models can be made to any specified international survey classification.

Construction uses resin infusion technology with hulls laid up in vinylester resin and advanced composites, ensuring they are designed for robust use in remote regions. 

Well-trimmed fore and aft at all speeds, ILIAD Catamarans can explore more remote destinations with the security of protective grounding skegs providing easy out-of-water servicing if required when slipways are out of reach.

Each Iliad Catamaran is designed to evoke the comfort and style of luxury apartments with astonishing space throughout their living areas. Conceptualised with long-term cruisers in mind, the cats are incredibly functional with excellent flow across the various zones.

The Iliad 50 is a true offshore bluewater passagemaker that delivers impressive comfort and safety at sea, and with a bridge deck height of 850mm at half load. Wide, safe walkways are part of each design with handrails at a comfortable height for complete security at sea, while clear, uncluttered decks and huge deck storage facilities make offshore passages practical, safe and carefree. The flexible design offers an optional forward main deck helm station (in addition to the flybridge helm station), and the flybridge stairwell has a fully composite design ensuring optimal safety and convenience for guests and crew when underway.

The Iliad 50 has an abundance of space for relaxation, including a foredeck lounge and an impressive flybridge that is a luxurious entertaining precinct all of its own featuring a lounge/dining area for eight guests, independent galley, BBQ/grill, separate drinks fridge, ice maker and more.

Continuing this freedom of choice, the flybridges can be left entirely open or can be fully enclosed with fully ducted air conditioning, or clients can elect to have the best of both worlds with high-quality clears that can be opened and closed as the elements demand.

On the main deck, the galley boasts the finest range of appliances, generous storage, an oversized stainless-steel double sink, Corian benchtops and 360-degree views of the sea as standard. As with the rest of the boat, the galley can be wholly customised to add or remove any fixtures or styles you desire.

In one of the many layout options available, the forward lounge area delivers the ambience of a luxurious waterfront apartment with views from every angle and seamless access to the saloon and dining areas.

The interior design and colour schemes are a personal choice for each buyer, offering customisation, various layout options and selection of equipment brands.

All cabins are beautifully appointed with queen-size beds and generous hull port windows that create naturally bright and airy havens for privacy and relaxation. The bathrooms offer outstanding volume for a vessel of this size, and the owner’s bathroom features a huge shower large enough for two to share.

The Iliad’s engine rooms are designed for easy access for servicing from the aft deck through watertight hatches, and all major access points are thoughtfully designed for convenience and safety.

The catamaran’s design allows for either traditional davits fitted to her transom for the tender, or those wanting a larger tender-carrying capacity, an optional flybridge-mounted crane can lift and store the tender aft of the flybridge deck area.

The ILIAD 50 is an exciting evolution in power catamaran design and delivers extraordinary value for money.

POWER OPTIONS

Over ten engine options are available, and Iliad Catamarans all come with standard inclusions, including dual control electronics as well as systems for fuel transfer, blackwater and power management systems (minimum 5000W inverter).

Iliad Catamarans have been designed to tackle the most severe conditions with confidence. Ideal for extended passage cruising, each model affords impressive range and speed with fuel efficiency.

Iliad Catamarans’ standard recommended engines deliver a long-range cruising speed of around 7 knots at a fuel burn of less than 1.5 lpnm with a range of up to 6000 nautical miles (depending on the model).

The catamarans’ hulls and high bridge decks have been designed to facilitate a smooth ride in the harshest offshore conditions, making the Iliad range a valid bluewater option that will challenge the loyalties of the most passionate monohull cruisers.

The Iliad 50 offers owners the luxury of genuinely tailoring their boat’s finishes, layouts and specifications to suit their individual needs, style and budget.

Specifications

• Boat Design Name: Iliad 50       
• Year Launched: 2019              
• Builder: Multihull Solutions   
• Designer: Riccardo Bulgarelli                                         
• LOA: 15.51m
• Beam: 7.35m
• Displ: (Lightship) 24000 Kg
• Max Speed: 22 knots        
• Construction: GRP
• Fuel Cap: 2700 litres           
• Water Cap: 700 litres        
• Engine Make: 2 x Volvo D6-435 (435mhp)               

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Iliad > Iliad 50

The power of choice.

This incredible new power  catamaran delivers impressive comfort and safety at sea, unparalleled  living spaces & fabulous entertainment areas in one brilliant 50 foot package. 

Description

The power of choice is now available with the exceptional new Iliad 50.

This true offshore bluewater passage maker delivers impressive comfort and safety at sea, and with a bridgedeck height of 850mm at half load, the Iliad 50 will always stand above its competitors during challenging ocean passages.

The catamaran is designed for uncompromising safety and comfort, with wide and level walkways affording easy access between the aft cockpit and foredeck area. The flexible design options offer an optional forward main deck helmstation (in addition to the flybridge helm station), and the flybridge stairwell has a full composite design ensuring optimal safety and convenience for guests and crew when underway.

The Iliad 50 has an abundance of space for relaxation, including a foredeck lounge and an impressive flybridge that is a luxurious entertaining precinct all of its own featuring a lounge/dining area for eight guests, independent galley, BBQ/grill, separate drinks fridge, ice maker and more.

On the main deck, the galley boasts the finest range of Siemans appliances, generous storage, an oversized stainless-steel double sink, Corian benchtops and 360-degree views of the sea.

In one of the many layout options available, the forward lounge area delivers the ambience of a luxurious waterfront apartment with views from every angle and seamless access to the saloon and dining areas.

The interior design and colour schemes are a personal choice for each buyer, offering customisation, various layout options and choice of equipment brands.

All cabins are beautiful appointed with queen beds, and generous windows help create naturally bright and airy havens for privacy and relaxation. The bathrooms are oversized for a vessel of this size and the owner’s bathroom features a huge shower large enough for two to share.

The Iliad 50’s engine rooms are designed for easy access for servicing from the aft deck though watertight hatches and all major access points thoughtfully designed for convenience and safety.

The catamaran’s design allows for either traditional davits fitted to her transom for the tender, or for those wanting a larger tender carrying capacity, a flybridge-mounted crane can lift and store the tender aft of the flybridge deck area.

The Iliad 50 boasts one of the few hull designs in its size range that can be beached in case of emergency or for out-of-water servicing when navigating in remote areas.

Specifications

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Length Beam Range

16.37m | 53.70 ft 7.63m | 25 ft 2,500+ nm

SETTING THE BENCHMARK FOR FUEL EFFICIENCY, QUALITY, VOLUME AND SPACE.

Winner of the prestigious 2024 Multihull of the Year award (MultiPower category), the exceptional ILIAD 53F sets a new standard in power catamarans.

The elegant motor yacht features one of the highest bridgedeck clearances in her market segment, with a high freeboard to deliver comfortable cruising in challenging offshore conditions.

The ILIAD 53F features outstanding interior living space, including a generous forward lounge, internal helm station and dining for 6-8 people. Panoramic windows deliver beautiful natural light and superb views from every angle.

Equipped with the finest European appliances, the galley is designed for stylish entertaining, and her expansive benches, full-sized refrigerator and freezer, and remarkable storage make her ideal for extended cruising adventures.

Accommodation onboard is spacious and beautifully designed with the master suite encompassing an entire hull and featuring an oversized island queen bed, panoramic windows, generous headroom and large ensuite.

The motor yacht boasts exceptional outdoor space for entertaining and relaxing, and the cockpit features a bar area and dining setting for up to ten guests. The flybridge sets a new reference in use of space, features and comfort. The tender platform is ideal for safe sea access when swimming or diving and makes a superb sunbathing spot when the tender is deployed. 

The ILIAD 53F is powered by 440hp Volvo or Yanmar engines delivering a top speed of 21 knots (lightship), and cruising long range at low speeds will afford more than 2,500 nautical miles. Upgraded Cummins 550hp engines are also available as an option.

SPECIFICATIONS

request detailed specificationS

BRIDGEDECK HEIGHT

Outstanding bridgedeck tunnel clearance for reduced water across the deck and more comfortable cruising in challenging offshore conditions.

Expansive owner’s suite

Experience premium space and luxury in the spacious owner’s suite with generous headroom, ample storage and a decadent ensuite.

ENTERTAINER’S FLYBRIDGE

Superb alfresco area with a lounge and convertible teak table to seat 10, refrigerator, wet bar and optional BBQ and ice maker.

aft platform options

Choose an optional retractable hydraulic platform allowing you to stow large tenders or watercraft and enjoy relaxing beach club sea access.

Walk-through

Explore further with the.

The ILIAD 53F has officially been voted 2024 Multihull of the Year at the opening of the International Multihull Show in France.

Inspect the ILIAD 53F at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from October 30 to November 3.

Read the review of the ILIAD 53F in the November 2023 edition of Yacht Style magazine.

Tour the ILIAD 53F with Victoria and Rico of Nautistyles at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show.

enquire about the

Other models.

Iliad 50 catamaran review

Click play to view full sized video, iliad 50 power catamaran boat review.

• Words, Boat Photography & Boat Video by James Dumergue

The team from ILIAD have taken the desire to explore and boosted the lifestyle element with comfortable apartment styled living, robust systems and effortless manageability.

The ILIAD 50 is the model that introduced us to large volume customisable catamarans when it launched last year. Developed by a team, that has commissioned and maintained a staggering number of multihulls over the past 25 years. ILIAD is a marque that was born from a combination of market requests and professional experience, to meet the demands of boat owners who want it all in a format that feels like home wherever you go.

Boat Shows have invariably been a great source of market feedback. What buyers ask for aren’t always what manufacturers have built or can offer at a reasonable cost change. Customising options are common questions, and for manufacturers, it’s hard to keep costs competitive once you start straying from the full production format. A lack of flexibility can find some boat buyers meandering down the one-off custom road, with unforeseen forks ahead both in approach to problem-solving during the build and the costs that invariably blow out.

The people behind ILIAD Catamarans gathered all the feedback over a long period and saw an opportunity. They set out to design long-range cruising catamarans that could explore customisation with owners yet remain competitive on price with production multihulls. To do this, they looked for a boat building facility that could deliver quality. They found an experienced yard in China that had been building long-range explorer vessels for a well-known brand in the USA. After two years of R&D, they then made and launched a prototype in 2017. The prototype provided valuable data for implementation into the final design. Building started on the first ILIAD 50 in 2018, and it debuted to wide acclaim and an immediate sale at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in 2019.

Appealing to a wide range of buyers, the ILIAD’s are capturing the attention of boaters moving away from power monohulls looking for more space and more stability in a manageable size and to people who hail from sailing backgrounds; many of whom have explored beyond the horizon. 

Today we’re on hull number three of the ILIAD ’50s, and number four is sea-trialling in preparation to ship to the Sydney based owner early next year. Hull number five is coming out of the mould and will be Queensland based. Novembers Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival produced two more sales of this model and one sale of a 60 footer which will make its debut in May at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. ILIAD has been capturing the attention of boat buyers because of what you get for the length in terms of livability, plus it’s got an enviable range to explore further.

For a multihull to fare well as a blue-water boat, it needs a decent bridge deck clearance. The ILIAD 50 offers an impressive 850 mm bridge-deck clearance and a distribution of buoyancy that is longitudinally balanced. The buoyancy of the hull design enables a softer ride and a faster, improved range of speed in varied conditions. 

A high bridge deck results in a high freeboard, benefitting not only the internal spaces of the hulls but also the deck space. Even with the voluminous interior on the main deck, the side decks are surprisingly expansive at 650 mm. Solid railings run all the way forward, wrap around the bow pulpit seat and continue across the foredeck to the other side. At 750 mm high, it creates a safer environment at sea and could be easily secured further for young or furry crew members.

Delivered to Australia to be shown at the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival, this latest ILIAD 50 demonstrates a few examples of their customisable approach to building. The starboard forward bow, fitted with a single crew cabin, fully air-conditioned with a toilet and basin.

At the other end is a new tender platform option, it demonstrates the two-pronged approach to their thinking. For reliability, the platform chosen keeps all of the critical gear dry throughout the entire range of deployment. Mounted high above the water along the transom are two hydraulic electric arms that can lift the platform well above the bridge deck clearance and lower to 350mm below the surface. The platform gives more choice for a tender too, the weight can take up to a maximum of 450 kg, but due to its unique deployment method, the space between the hulls is not the length limit. The whole platform moves out, aft and beyond each hull allowing you to put a much longer tender on than the physical width of the platform. 

In the power plant department, ILIAD has acknowledged that boat buyers want choice not only in engine size but also the manufacturer so they’ll work with you implementing your preference. This model has twin Yanmar 440hp engines. They drive straight shafts and give a comfortable cruise speed of around 17 knots.

On this model, the 440 hp engines running at 1000 rpm consume about 8 litres an hour (combined) for a speed just shy of 6 knots. Leaving 10 % in reserve this gives a range of around 2000 nautical miles. You could spend months exploring archipelagos without thinking about civilisation if your laid back approach to life includes the speed of the journey.

At a comfortable cruise speed of 17 knots, the engines combined are burning around 120 lph, with a top speed of 21-22 knots if you need that extra pace. What’s surprising when you’re outside underway, is that there is not a great deal of noise coming from the engine rooms even at cruise speed. They’re well insulated for sound, almost indiscernible inside with the doors closed or up forward on the flybridge, a real bonus for long passages.

On the flybridge under the shade of the hardtop, the view is spectacular, golden early light is reflecting off the Gold Coast skyline. It’s early morning, but I am picturing this is an end of the day meeting point for sundowners. The L-shaped bar at the top of the stairs has an icemaker, bar fridge sink and a BBQ, all you need for up top self-sufficiency. 

There’s some flexibility with the layout on the flybridge. Still, the casual low coffee table that expands out and upwards for dining supplied by a handy draw fridge is a great and popular choice. 

Aft of this area is the flexible space for the new owner to determine its function. With the installed tender platform, this area could be used for water toys storage, for sun loungers or install a davit and add another tender.

Back on the main deck, an expansive covered open cockpit has everything on hand for comfortable living, a great spot to dine, relax and connect. The dining table faces forward and invites interaction and connection with inside. 

A new option installed is the way the rear bulkhead that separates the indoor spaces. In comparison, other ILIAD’s have had the doors that fold back on themselves in a bifold fashion, these doors, (manufactured to exacting standards in Brisbane (and sent up to the factory,) work on separate tracks and slide back beside each other. An advantage gained is access to the void below the stairs to the fly. You gain more storage and the all-important cockpit draw fridge for independent jurisdiction over cold ones in the cockpit.

On the port side, windows that slide outboard and connects the bar to the galley. A simple extension of the bar towards the sink connects the two. It works well as a Servery and plate return as it does as a bar lean. 

ILIAD has created an internal space that is unusually open space for explorers. The view spills in from all directions to the main deck that is shared by the galley, dining, saloon and lower helm. 

Subtle changes to the galley dynamic now have the dishwasher just above bench height directly outboard of the sinks making for an easy rinse and stack. Grab rails on the edge of the bench, soft closing Blum drawers and cupboards are a nice upgrade on this model too.

Directly opposite a comfortable dinette and full-size upright fridge and freezer has been chosen for extended cruising supplies. This table, when folded back, adds a grab rail for moving through the boat underway and subtly conceals two additional seats that wrap around the table post when stored.

Throughout the interior, the head height is 2 metres. As you step up to the saloon/lounge, so does the head height maintaining the 2-metre head height. By raising the saloon, the sightlines to the water have dropped for good viewing from a seated position. The lower helm chair rotates to be part of the action and below the free-standing coffee table, is extra seating on two custom ottomans. The centre window of the saloon opens out and up allowing a sizable entry point for fresh air and natural ventilation.

Built for couples to handle themselves easily means it deserves accommodations that make it a home. Descending into the owner’s hull, amidships ILIAD has delivered a cabin that is over 8.5 metres long—inviting you in with views and light filling the space from multiple long panoramic hull windows. A very decent lounge leads aft to the queen berth that has room either side to get in and out of the island bed. Forward the ample desk conceals a vanity and opposite some serious hanging lockers for those who want to bring it all with them. The bathroom is over 2.5 metres long and features a linen cupboard right where you need it, loads of storage for a clutter-free existence and a huge shower cubicle with views of the surroundings.

Over on the starboard side, there are two ensuite cabins both with double berths. The aft cabin’s berth runs athwartships it has options to be configured with twin berths running fore and aft and an optional Pullman bunk for three berths when the kids are on board. The ensuite to this has dual entrances and acts as the day head.

Moving forward past the washer/dryer is the second guest cabin, it features a double berth and like all the other berths lifts on gas struts for storage of large bags and even suitcases underneath. Storage is impressive; it has its private ensuite, the size and the views are equally impressive.

ILIAD Catamarans set out to create long-range open space catamarans that offer buyers the flexibility to choose and build the catamaran to suit each owner’s style of boating. There’s a 

lot of thinking that has gone into producing a wide range of satisfaction for boat buyers. There seems to be a lot more scope to what is possible too. At the recent Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival, new ideas have entered the realm of possibility with new buyers exploring their wish lists.

The ILIAD 50 offers modern, stylish living to the long-range cruiser market. This model has introduced us to on water apartment living, boasting impressive internal volume combined with expansive alfresco options applied to a long-range platform, making modern, comfortable living possible almost anywhere.

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The motor yacht ILIAD 50 is produced by the brand ILIAD Catamarans since 2020. The ILIAD 50 is a 15.51 meter cruising power catamaran with 3 guest cabins and a draft of 1.25 meters. The yacht has a fiberglass / grp hull with a CE certification class (A) and can navigate the open ocean. The base price of a new ILIAD 50 is $1.2 million.

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This 2020 ILIAD 50 “Jadi” has since been sold.

We have many genuine buyers looking for a similar vessel, please register your interest here and our Pre-Owned Brokerage Division will be in touch.

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BOAT REVIEW

Purpose-built motor catamarans like this explorer-style Iliad 50  give owners a versatile vessel for those bluewater voyages, reports Kevin Green.

MODEL DETAILS

Specifications.

• Explorer credentials: range and comfortable cruising with a choice of engines
• Strongly constructed hull with shaft-drives that allow the vessel to be beached
• Large volume interior but with plenty of deck space as well

Powered catamarans have many attractions for cruising boaters and day-sailors alike. They can enjoy stability, space and frugality, as demonstrated by ILIAD Catamarans, and bought to the market Downunder by the team at Multihull Solutions. Having so far sold six in Australia, the first 50 was recently sold into New Zealand, due in 2022. These catamarans are ideally suited to ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’, says boss Mark Elkington. Apart from an all-weather design able to cope with variable Kiwi conditions, the long fuel range is a major factor.

Explorer credentials The popularity of explorer-style yachts continues to grow as people seek to escape the crowds and embrace technologies that liberate them from onshore services. For motor yachts, fuel efficiency is a key feature, and this is where catamarans with their low-drag hulls are very attractive. Wanting something special but finding nothing suitable on the market, Elkington formed a consortium that included former Azimut designer Riccardo Bulgarelli, a leading South Asia shipyard, well-known marine expert and Chief Operating Officer Michael Crook with his Australian finance and administration team, to establish ILIAD Catamarans.

Loft-style saloon The after part of the main deck will be a strong selling point for prospective buyers, especially those coming from monohulls with a much narrower beams. The Iliad 50 provides a vast area of unimpeded relaxation space that only a catamaran can offer. A wet bar and table for eight means the aft deck is an alfresco extension of the saloon, especially as the galley is just inside. The entire area is shaded by the flybridge extension, which is strongly supported by large diameter stainless steel struts.

Private suite Moving into the port hull, down steps just in front of the dinette-galley area, brings me to the owner’s suite. Closed-off by a sliding door, the entire hull is dedicated to the owner, with a large island bed in the stern where the motion is kindest at sea, the vanity/desk midships and ablutions in the bow. The largest portlight is beside the bed, affording generous water views, while rectangular windows elsewhere give the space an airy feel. Blinds ensure privacy when required.

Beachable hull Useable deck space is important for tropical voyaging – it is ample on the Iliad 50, which has wide side-decks with tall rails to guide you safely to the bows. Here you’ll find twin elevating sunbeds (in quality Sunbrella fabric) with lockers between them to house the anchor setup. The rode runs under the nacelle, safely away from bare feet, controlled by a Quick 2000W vertical windlass. Ideally, a second roller should be fitted, but good points include double sets of large cleats.

Offshore on the Gold Coast Gliding out from the tight confines of the marina was the first test of the Iliad 50’s capabilities. It required only that the two throttles be pushed fore and aft separately to spin the 50-footer in its own length before we proceeded out the shallow waterway – yet another advantage of such a low draft hull that can nudge itself up to beaches if necessary.

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