innovation explorer catamaran

Maxi Trimaran Initially named Innovation Explorer and a holder of multiple records.

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We sailed aboard the Ultim foiling trimaran Gitana17:Edmond de Rothschild

With the flying machine in full swing, note the adjustable end flap (yellow) at the bottom of the daggerboard (equipped with a trimmer). The 15.5 t and 32x23m of Gitana 17 sits on 4 points (leeward foil, central and port rudder blade and daggerboard flap)

At full speed, the foiler exceeds 40 knots, so you can understand the importance of aerodynamic optimization!

Sébastien Josse standing on the cap of the gigantic foiler. Note the log showing 35.7 knots of boatspeed with less than 20 knots of true wind!

Helming such an exceptional machine provides unforgettable pleasure... Philippe Echelle, chief tester at Multihulls World is one happy sailor!

The awesome deck plan of an Ultim foiler: hydraulics, computers, deck hardware, winches and custom-made columns developed in the USA as part of a partnership with Harken... Welcome aboard a flying trimaran of the future!

The protective capsule of Gitana 17 is a beautiful carbon structure, luminous, slender and strong. New ergonomics are needed to control a machine in which the apparent wind is constantly very strong and where there is generous spray

Sébastien Josse shows the screen for controlling all the parameters of the flight. Each appendage is loaded with sensors whose values are displayed in digital and analogue (on the image of the trimaran).

The foiler’s cockpit and life pod. Thomas Rouxel is adjusting the foil incidence (rake) from 5.50 high by means of the small, carbon half-wheel (it controls its action of 0 to 4° from the image of the boat on the screen in front of him)

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Published 20/09/2018

By Philippe Echelle

Published: nov. / dec. 2018

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Issue #: 162

Published: November / December 2018

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Gitana: A family of prestigious, classic boats

In 1876, Baroness Julie de Rothschild commissioned Thornycroft shipyard to build a 24.45m record steamer. The first of the Gitanas would be timed on Lake Geneva at 20.5 knots (an extraordinary speed for the period!): the world record! The Gitana saga had begun! In the 1960s, Baron Benjamin (founder of the financial group in 1953) revived the family enthusiasm for boating and racing.

The transformation into a racing team mainly dedicated to multihulls

In 2000 Ariane and Benjamin de Rothschild established a real competition team that recruits its skippers from among the cream of the crop: Fred Le Peutrec, Loïck Peyron, Jean Le Cam, Thierry Duprey Du Vorsent and Lionel Lemonchois have been among those elected. The first racing trimaran was the former Elf III, now Gitana IX (Designed by G.Ollier - Multiplast). Then came the first boat entirely developed by the team: Gitana X. Its design was already based on the characteristics that were to become the hallmark of the team: daring techniques and aesthetics were being sought. The X was the product of a unique collaboration (something not yet undertaken in 2002!) between Gilles Ollier, Sebastien Schmidt, Mario Caponnetto and Duncan Mac Lane. Geared towards performance at Grand Prix level, this boat with X-arms was a little fragile for ocean racing.

By now the team had gained experience and made the informed choice of the acquisition of Jean Luc Nélias' ex-Belgacom (VPLP / Larros / CDK). Fred Le Peutrec and Loïck Peyron were the skippers, before Lionel Lemonchois' fantastic ride in the 2006 Route du Rhum, with an incredible victory in 7 days 17 hours! It was one of the most fantastic performances in this race since its inception. The boat was then to be transformed and extended by 17' to be eligible for the new Ultim class, and would then come 4th in the 2010 Route du Rhum, with Yann Guichard. Gitana 12 (formerly Jean Le Cam’s Bonduelle) was to be the team’s last Orma before the acquisition of one of the 4 giants of the time: Loïck Peyron’s former Innovation Explorer. Perfectly prepared, the big catamaran measuring 32.80m set out on a series of ocean records in 2008. From 2009 through 2012, the one-design circuit of the Extreme40 Sailing Series mobilized the team's multihull activity with Pierre Pennec at the helm. In 2011, the Mod 70 series started to look promising: one-design with a dynamic calendar. The bar had been raised! An ideal boat for the team. Alas the system rapidly collapsed: Sébastien Josse and Charles Caudrelier’s victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre was to be the high point of the adventure. Transformed into an experimental flying trimaran, which makes L foils progress quickly (the most efficient at the time), the Mod 70 Gitana 15 returned under the hand of Guillaume Verdier (one of the pioneers of the Team New Zealand foiler during the America’s Cup). This boat was to become the first modern ocean foiler: it paved the way for Gitana 17:Edmond de Rothschild.

Gitana 17:Edmond de Rothschild, the first flying Ultim trimaran

Launched after Macif (CDK/VPLP in original Archimedean version, holder of the single-handed round the world record), but before Banque Populaire IX (CDK/VPLP), Gitana 17 was a born foiler: Guillaume Verdier's radical and highly innovative design is characterized by rectangular section arms, streamlined and without curvature (for better platform rigidity and increased reliability), a very large elevation of the topsides of the floats and optimized aerodynamics. From a hydrodynamic point of view, the flat U-shaped float and hull sections provide the planing shapes that maximize lift and avoid getting "sucked down". These flat bottoms in monolithic carbon also play a stiffening role to counteract the twisting loads on the foils when in action (50 tonnes!). The boat was designed around its appendages at the end of the Mod70 test campaign: 3 inverted T-rudder blades, 2 L-shaped foils with XXL dimensions (5.40m!), and a central T-shaped daggerboard with trimmer and flap at the extremity. Maximum height on the water, maximum platform stiffness and minimum aero and hydrodynamic drag: these are the parameters of this aggressive and futuristic design.

The technical, conceptual and financial challenge

If the figures make us dizzy, they also express the reality of design and manufacture of such a speed machine that is actually evolving for the first time in the air-water interface. These 15.5 tons of black fiber required the investment of 250 stakeholders in all. These included 40 composites specialists who spent 20 months on its production, 35,000 hours of design team time and 135,000 hours of construction! The complex mobile appendages of such a flying machine have required the intervention of 3 different manufacturers in order not to risk weakening a company in case of default on one of the parts (the two foils cost €500,000 for example!). Eligio Re Fraschini (foils) is a strong, high-tech company specializing in the manufacture of Formula 1 chassis, avionics composite parts and large-vessel propellers; Heol's Morbihan team has an extraordinary mastery of hollow carbon parts and pre-impregnated material in general. This composites alchemist put together the central daggerboard with its trimmer and end flaps. C3 Technologie in La Rochelle operates in the same areas and also manufactures all-carbon passenger aircraft. Here’s are some amazing numbers: Foils with a height of 5.50m withstand up to 130t of load before breaking! The construction budget of the boat: €15M; the annual budget of the team: €3.5 M (but compare this with the budget, for example, of the Sky cycling team: €35 M!! And they’re not even building an innovative boat!

Just a perfect day!

I’m sure Lou Reed will forgive me for borrowing this from one of his iconic songs, but these are the words that came to my mind when I left the maxi foiler. Some notes on a Steinway, a heady, addictive melody, a song that transcends time! My experiences of multihull flight are very limited: Some runs in Windrider Rave in the late 90s, the AC50 Groupama; the TF30 trimaran and finally Gitana 17. However, sailing each of these boats gave me an intense pleasure and revived my passion for multihulls! With these machines, life starts at 20 knots, explodes at 30 and reaches a climax at 40! Ocean flight isn’t 5 years old, but for a new generation of Jedi-navigators it opens a revolutionary sector in the sailing experience. It was the magicians of the appendages who made this miracle possible!

Our trip took place at the end of a night out with a small crew off the coast of Brittany. The crew: (Thomas Rouxel, Sébastien Josse, his teammate in the Transat Jacques Vabre, Nicolas Lunven who will be in charge of weather routing for the 2018 Route du Rhum and Sébastien Sainson who is a naval architect who graduated from Southampton, and is a member of the design team) We joined the trimaran SE of the Ile de Groix. The mastodon descended towards us with the wind behind and the mainsail sheet in to slow her down and stabilize her. A spectacular fender staircase is set up from the big 10m tender to allow us access on board.  Immediately, we are in for a collective 5 minute session of effort (with 4 of us!) on the grinders to lower the port foil (the biggest winch has been designed as a one-off by Harken USA for a permanent workload of 9 tonnes)! The rudders and the daggerboard are in the lowered position,  and the foil raked at 3° (a positive impact out of the possible 4°). We then unfurled the solent (again, sizeable effort is required and there are 4 of us on the grinders)! Sheeted hard in (as always on this kind of boat where the apparent wind is always very close to dead ahead, whatever the speed, this sailing rocket takes off in 12 knots of wind. Thomas Rouxel is at the wheel where the jumbo display regularly shows 25 knots of boatspeed when, suddenly, at 90° to the true wind that goes up to 15-16 knots, the powdery wake becomes huge, the speedo panics and the appendages pull us free from earthly attraction! 32 knots, the trimaran’s trim is so perfect that it seems unreal. We are flying! Sébastien Josse offers me the chance to take the helm. Well-secured on the navigating platform, titanium rim in hand, I poke my head through the opening roof and find myself in an exclusive, exceptional universe, that of one of the 5 Ultim multihulls which exist in the world. 

The helm sensation is quite a shock at first, but you get used to the size of the machine quickly. Sitting between 82 and 90° off an irregular wind, I manage to keep the machine in flight and semi-flight. The transitions between the Archimedean sequences and the 5-point takeoff are smooth, as is the landing. It’s extraordinary! The noise coming from aft is powerful, but the noise level of the appendages (perceived from the outside) is low; not at all like the wild beast howls of an AC50. The wind speed, just unbearable for a long time, is the reason why the navigation capsule includes the helm station and all the sail handling controls. A small removable windshield completes the device to help fight against the spray! In these ideal conditions, the speed is maintained between 22 and 36 knots and the steady behavior is so perfect that one has the impression of sailing on a well-honed, long-developed machine, whereas in reality, the job list is always full at the end of each test run. 

If Nicolas Lunven (weather) and Olivier Douillard (performance) manage to position the machine in good condition and a driver in shape on an optimized trajectory, the long flight sessions will allow a unique wake across the Atlantic. The English Channel, Biscay and The Azores are not short of rough crossings, delicate weather phenomena and crossed seas, all the opposite of the desired conditions for high speed. The bonus will go to the pilot who will fly the best and the most regularly, knowing that it is almost impossible to rest in these conditions...

At the helm, I observe the fantastic work of the foils and the careful preparation of this platform which provides extraordinary performance, and am fascinated by the snowy wake that we leave between Ile de Groix and Belle Ile! At 30 knots, on our way back, the perception of the entrance to the Chenal de Lorient is distorted and in a few minutes we are off the signal station, where the speed is limited to 6 knots! With all the sails eased, the 32m trimaran stops: it's over. All that’s required now is get the machine back alongside the dock using the 110hp engine and the two little tugs!

Name: GITANA17-EDMOND DE ROTHSCHILD

Naval Architects: Team Verdier-Gitana

Builder: Multiplast/ Appendages by Eligio Re Fraschini-Heol- C3 – Persico (coachroof tip), mast by Lorima

Length: 32m

Laden weight: 15.5t

Mast height: 35m

Upwind sail area: 450m²

Downwind sail area: 650m²

Construction: honeycomb carbon-epoxy, hull bottoms in monolithic carbon

Decor on hulls and sails (800m²): JB Epron based on an original work by Cleon Peterson

Text: Philippe Echelle Photos: Eloi Stichelbaut / Gitana SA and P.Echelle

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The Power Catamaran Compilation

• By Yachting Staff
• Updated: December 21, 2018

Power Catamarans have been growing leaps and bounds in popularity, and, in lengths and widths. And for good reason. These cruise-centric yachts offer homelike livability for avid travelers, are fuel efficient and are fairly intuitive to run. Power cats are popular in the bareboat charter market too, for these very reasons.

Here, we take a look at 12 catamarans ranging from a cruising-couple-size 36-footer to a 78-footer for friends, family and some more friends. And there are myriad power options: outboards, diesel inboards, hybrid or even all-solar power.

Fountaine Pajot MY44

The Fountaine Pajot MY44 , a creation of Italian architect Pierangelo Andreani and French designer Daniel Andrieu, has a main deck that’s open from the aft-deck seating all the way forward to the starboard helm station. The sense of spaciousness is significant, for several reasons. First, four glass panels aft can all slide to port, creating an indoor-outdoor space with the aft deck and salon. In the salon, 32-inch-high windows extend for 12 feet down the sides of the yacht, with three sections per side, bringing in natural light along with the three forward panes that comprise the windshield. Finally, 6-foot-6-inch headroom provides vertical clearance, with a 21-foot-7-inch beam that adds interior roominess while keeping the yacht stable.

Read more: Fountaine Pajot MY44

Silent-Yachts 55

The ideas about which solar panels, electric motors, inverters and the like to use — and more importantly, Michael Köhler says, how to configure them — became the basis for the brand Silent-Yachts. The company offers 55-, 64- and 79-foot catamarans that run on solar-electric propulsion. The Silent 55 premiered this fall, and the 64 is sold out for the next two years, Köhler says.

Read more: Silent 55

Horizon PC74

As founder and director of The Powercat Company, a Horizon Power Catamarans distributor, Stuart Hegerstrom had long believed that catamaran builders needed to design their yachts to more stylish standards.

“The boats were very boxy,” he says, based on his years of experience with cats in the charter market. He and his partner, Richard Ford, asked Horizon to produce models that had high-end finishes and looked good inside and out.

The Horizon team brought in mega-yacht designer JC Espinosa to work with its own craftsmen. The result aboard the Horizon PC74 is a catamaran with exterior styling, layout and functionality that should appeal to private and charter owners alike.

Read more: Horizon PC74

The Aquila 36 is a departure from her sisterships in that she is an outboard-powered, express-cruiser-style catamaran, but she also adheres to MarineMax’s philosophies.

With a single main living level from bow to stern and a beam of 14 feet 7 inches, the Aquila 36 is like a bowrider on steroids. She has seating that can handle 20 adults for outings and barbecues, and there are two staterooms below, one in each hull, for family weekending. The staterooms have nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads, stowage and 6-foot-6-inch headroom.

Read more: Aquila 36

Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Lagoon is a division of Groupe Beneteau, the world’s largest builder of sailing yachts, and the Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat is a developmental sistership of its Seventy 7 super sailing cat. The Seventy series yachts are built at Construction Navale Bordeaux in France, which had to add a new yard to construct these catamarans because they require separate stern molds for the power and sail versions.

Read more: Lagoon Seventy 8 Powercat

Horizon PC60

To understand the Horizon PC60 power catamaran , you need to put aside preconceived notions about midsize yacht amenities. For example, main-deck master suites are the province of yachts over 100 feet length overall. Incorrect. This 60-footer has an elegant and spacious owner’s stateroom on the same level as the salon. If you want a 14-foot center console tender on a 60-foot yacht, you have to tow it. Wrong again. On the PC60, you hoist it onto the upper deck, no problem.

Read more: Horizon PC60

40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef is known for pushing the boundaries of catamaran design, incorporating four adjustable hydrofoils into a twin-hulled speedboat.

The Polish builder is one of several European builders (including Evo, Fjord, Wider and Wally) transforming the open ­day-boat category with creative designs. ­Beyond its hydrofoils, the 40 Open Sunreef Power ‘s cockpit has side “wings” along the aft gunwales that fold out at anchor, widening the beam from 17 feet to 22 feet 9 inches.

Read more: 40 Open Sunreef Power

Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Sunreef Yachts introduced its 50 Amber Limited Edition , with plans to launch just 10 hulls of the exclusive design.

The Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition will have a carbon fiber mast and boom, four layout options and numerous amber-colored elements, including the hull.

Read more: Sunreef 50 Amber Limited Edition

Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Fitted with the optional twin 300-horsepower Volvo Penta D4 diesels, the Lagoon 630 MY burns only 1.64 gph total at 6 knots, giving a theoretical range of 2,952 nautical miles with standard tankage of 793 gallons. Hull No. 1 had an optional 502-gallon tank, giving it transatlantic range.

Luxury, stability and economy are all hallmarks of Lagoon’s return to luxury motor yachts. If you can take a ride, it will be worth your time.

Read more: Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht

Fountaine Pajot MY 37

The Fountaine Pajot MY 37 easily accommodates the seafaring family with three- and four-stateroom options. In the three-cabin version, called ­Maestro, you’ll find an owner’s suite in the portside hull with a queen-size berth and en suite head. Two double-berth cabins and one more head are available for the kids. If your brood is bigger, the Quator setup features four double cabins with two heads.

The 37 is a traveler and can be powered with twin 150 hp or 220 hp Volvo Penta diesels. Top speed with the smaller engines is 17 knots, while it’s 20 knots with the bigger power plants. Interestingly, at 7 knots, the fuel consumption is the same, with either set of motors offering voyagers a 1 ,000-nm range.

Read more: Fountaine Pajot MY 37

Solarwave 64

Many yachts boast eco chops because they have a handful of solar panels that power the microwave or navigation lights. The Solarwave 64 , launched last summer, has the potential to run on sunshine alone. The vessel’s 42 solar panels generate 15 kW that are stored in batteries weighing about 1,300 pounds. They connect to electric motors.

Read more: Solarwave 64

Glider SS18

This British builder says it strives for design innovation and the Glider SS18 displays that DNA, the result of 8 years of research and development. She has a head-turning, catamaran hull form constructed from aluminum and composite materials. She is 60 feet LOA with a 17-foot beam, and has a relatively shallow 1-foot draft. Powered by quad Yamaha 300 hp outboards, she can reportedly reach 50 knots, and with her Stability Control System (SCS), should give a smooth ride while doing it.

Read more: Glider SS18

• More: aquila , Aquila Boats , Express and Flybridge Cruisers , Fountain Pajot , Glider Yachts , Horizon Power Catamarans , Lagoon , Power Catamarans , Silent-Yachts , Sunreef , Yachts
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Innovation 65 – Boat Review

By David Lockwood Boasting a cleverly-designed symmetrical planing hull and an inspired hydrofoil system, the innovation 65 is one clever cat. David Lockwood tests it out. The forecast was for a gale and, sure enough, such was the severity of the 50kt westerly winds that the builders of an 87-footer in Brisbane had just cancelled our boat test. But the agent for this contemporary power catamaran had other ideas and, well, something to prove. While there were whitecaps as far as the eye could see, there was no white-knuckle ride on this Australian-designed and built Innovation 65. A big-ticket boat selling for more than $3 million fully-equipped for long-range liveaboard cruising, the world-class power catamaran – the fourth 65 to be launched in six years – has a seemingly invincible ride and new levels of cruising comfort. To read complete story – click here for Innovation 65 – Boat Review on BoatPoint website

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Silent-Yachts, the esteemed Austrian solar catamaran builder, has set sail on an exciting collaboration with aerospace engineers VRCO and U-Boat Worx. The result? The highly anticipated Silent 120 Explorer catamaran, a game-changer in eco-friendly expedition yachts. This remarkable superyacht, scheduled to make its grand debut in 2024, is poised to revolutionize sustainable luxury exploration.

At the heart of the Silent 120 Explorer’s ecological prowess are its cutting-edge solar panels. Harnessing the power of the sun, these panels generate an impressive 40kWp of energy. This sustainable energy source not only powers the yacht’s hotel mode but also offers the ability to recharge an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as well as a U-Boat Worx NEMO submarine. The yacht’s solar panels possess a clever design feature, allowing them to slide outboard port and starboard. This innovative mechanism reveals a convenient touch-and-go landing pad, spanning the impressive 13.85-meter beam of the Explorer.

Silent-Yachts has released captivating images of the forthcoming Silent 120 Explorer yacht, giving enthusiasts a glimpse of its allure and advanced technology. The flagship solar catamaran boasts a staggering ability to generate an abundance of energy, capable of powering not only the yacht itself but also all the appliances onboard. This remarkable feat demonstrates Silent-Yachts’ commitment to sustainable luxury and self-sufficiency.

The first Silent 120 Explorer yacht is currently in the process of being built, with an expected launch date set for 2024. Crafted from aluminum, this magnificent vessel offers a spacious interior volume while remaining below the 500 GT mark. The Silent 120 exhibits powerful styling and boasts an interior design envisioned by the talented Marco Casali, ensuring a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality.

Prepare to embark on a new era of eco-friendly exploration with the Silent 120 Explorer. This exceptional catamaran is poised to redefine luxury yachting, showcasing the perfect harmony between innovation, sustainability, and uncompromising style. Stay tuned as Silent-Yachts continues to push the boundaries of ecological achievements in the yachting industry.

Length : 36.74 m (120.0 feet) Beam : 13.85 m (45.4 feet) Solar Power Generation : 40 kWp Light Displacement : 180 t Draft : 2.00 m (6.56 feet)

More Info: silent-yachts.com

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Garcia Explocat 52 review: A go-anywhere aluminium catamaran

• February 23, 2021

The new go-anywhere Garcia Explocat 52 offers an enticing combination of space, pace and rugged construction. Rupert Holmes tested the new boat for Yachting World and felt it's clear she has the potential to make easy 250 mile days in the right conditions.

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

In recent years there have been two clear trends in serious long-term cruising yachts. Firstly catamarans have become mainstream, to the extent that professional racing sailors talk of ‘buying a catamaran’ for cruising with their families – a monohull doesn’t even enter the equation.

This trend can also be seen in ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) entries, where multihulls are increasingly common. In 2020 they accounted for 28% of the total fleet and a much higher proportion of new boats and more recent designs.

The second trend is the rapidly growing popularity of rugged metal expedition yachts. Aluminium is favoured for this as it offers good strength and stiffness without a weight penalty, especially for yachts over a critical size. That’s why many top-end racing yachts were built of aluminium before composites dominated that scene.

This is a boat that’s capable of effortlessly eating miles on a long passage. Photo: Jérôme Houyvet/Garcia Yachts

It was, therefore, surely only a matter of time before someone married these two concepts to create an aluminium expedition catamaran. Cherbourg-based Garcia Yachts has been building metal boats for almost 50 years, including Jean Luc Van Den Heede ’s 36.15 MET, in which he scored a podium finish in the inaugural Vendée Globe Race in 1989.

Equally Garcia needs no introduction as a front-runner in the development of expedition yachts, thanks to the success of the Exploration 45 that was developed with ARC founder Jimmy Cornell eight years ago. What’s less well known is that the Explocat 52 is by no means Garcia’s first aluminium catamaran.

A pair of 43-footers 15 years ago were followed by the SC48, one of which consistently posted some of the fastest passage times in the 2017/18 World ARC .

As part of the Grand Large Yachting group Garcia was also able to draw on considerable expertise from Outremer and Gunboat for its latest model, while naval architecture is by Pierre Delion, who also drew the SC48.

The Explocat 52 is therefore the product of a highly knowledgeable development team and has already attracted plenty of attention, including nomination for the 2021 European Yacht of the Year awards.

The core concept for the Explocat 52 is a robust, safe long-range yacht that offers good passagemaking speeds. A high level of comfort, both at sea – even in inclement weather – and in harbour was also a key requirement, and the boat had to be capable of being handled by a couple.

Go anywhere?

While a key marketing message for Garcia’s monohulls is ‘Nowhere you can’t go’, the company accepts this won’t apply as literally to the Explocat 52, even though the boat’s impressive speed potential will enable routing around a lot of bad weather.

Explocat 52, the ultimate aluminium exploration catamaran by Garcia Yachts

The problem is, unlike being knocked down in a monohull, capsizing a multihull is always catastrophic. There are parts of the world, especially at high latitudes in the southern hemisphere, or out of season in the north, where it could be impossible to route around potentially dangerous weather. Nevertheless, the boat is intended to stretch the boundaries that are sensible for exploring the globe with a catamaran, allowing owners to sail a lot further north and south than might be prudent with existing designs.

Rugged construction is also a benefit when venturing off the beaten track in tropical waters. If anything goes wrong while exploring a poorly-charted lagoon, for instance, a fibreglass boat may be in grave danger. Many foam sandwich hulls have surprisingly thin outer skins, which can make the structure vulnerable to abrasion, whether from coral or a concrete quay.

By contrast, the thinnest plating of the Explocat 52 is 5mm, which increases through 8, 10 and 12mm thicknesses, before reaching an enormously reassuring 14mm at the bottom of the hulls. The boat has framing of up to 14mm and is structurally engineered to eliminate flexing between the hulls.

A substantial keel with a long chord length is welded to the bottom of the hulls. They are marginally deeper than the rudders, which offers some protection, as well as providing a firm base on which to dry out on a beach. At the same time the key elements that have made Garcia’s Exploration monohulls so successful are incorporated.

These include fore and aft watertight bulkheads and upstands for through-hull fittings that enable all seacocks to be above the waterline. A skeg ahead of the saildrives and rudders provides good protection, while the rudders are large enough to offer redundancy in the event of one being lost. In addition, the top aft corner of the rudders have a sacrificial zone designed to eliminate risk of the blade puncturing the hull, or becoming jammed, if it hits an obstruction with enough force to bend the stock.

What about weight? Are metal multihulls uncommon because they’re simply too heavy? As with aluminium monohulls, where the material offers better strength/weight ratios for larger boats, around 14m/46ft overall length seems to be a transition point for catamarans.

Below that composite boats will always be lighter, but above that length aluminium is lighter for equivalent rigidity than a composite structure that doesn’t use exotic materials. At 18.9 tonnes lightship displacement the Explocat is therefore in the same league as other cruising catamarans of a similar size and indeed lighter than some.

Substantial built-in attachment points for shorelines are found at the waterline of each bow for use in extreme conditions, plus attachment points aft for a drogue

Interestingly, it’s also a similar figure to that of the Exploration 52 monohull, yet the Explocat offers a large amount of extra space and 35% more sail area. Maximum payload is a useful five tonnes. But how does that translate on the water?

Rapid exploration

Our test took place from Cherbourg on a gloriously sunny late November day, with a gusty and shifty southerly breeze varying from 7-19 knots.

It’s immediately clear the Explocat 52 picks up and sails at speeds that belie its displacement, putting it in a different league to other expedition yachts of similar length, especially when reaching.

Broad reaching at 120° TWA with full main and Code 0 in 16 knots of true wind we cruised comfortably at 10 knots, reaching an unfussed maximum of 11.8 knots, with the boat still feeling rock steady.

When the breeze picked up to 19 knots, at the design limit for the Code 0, we furled it and continued with the Solent jib instead, losing only a couple of knots of boat speed. By the time we turned upwind the wind had eased significantly, which gave a good test in conditions that can challenge cruising yachts.

Article continues below…

Boreal 52 boat test – The sailor’s off-roader

If ‘off-road’ or ‘off-piste’ were categories in sailing, the Boréal 52 would be among the top contenders. From the brushed…

Garcia Exploration 52 test: The sailing equivalent of a 4×4 off-roader

If you were to take your partner or family to some of the world’s most remote waters, exploring the oceans…

In just seven knots of true wind we made 5.3 close-hauled, rising to 6.2 in 9 knots of breeze. Maximum upwind speed was 9 knots in 15 knots of true wind. However, these numbers can’t be achieved if pinching – the boat likes to be sailed fast and free, with tacking angles of at least 105°. This is hardly a surprise for a boat of this style that’s sufficiently fast to have a big impact on apparent wind angles.

Even in light airs the Explocat is surprisingly nimble in tacks, showing no hint it might miss stays, or slow enough for steering to be difficult until speed is regained on the new tack. Obviously the steering has less feel than a lightweight monohull, but there’s enough feedback for it to feel reasonably responsive and enjoyable to helm.

The shifty and gusty offshore winds were ideal for figuring out the boat’s capability across a range of wind strengths, but the mostly flat water meant we didn’t see the boat performing in a more agitated sea state.

Pete Goss – another massively experienced high-profile Garcia owner – has sailed the boat in more lively conditions. Even fully powered up he reported the lee shrouds remaining tight and there was no telltale creaking of furniture below decks, indicating no deflection of the structure despite the high loads. “It’s incredible how fast she is,” Goss says. He was also impressed by how nimbly the boat tacks.

Cockpits and steering

Much thought has gone into optimising the deck layout. The core vision is for key operations to take place in the safety and shelter of the aft cockpit. The only exceptions are preparing the main for use and hoisting/dropping spinnakers and reaching sails.

We conducted our test in south-east to south-west winds of 7-19 knots, in flat water

As standard the helm station is offset to starboard at the front of the aft cockpit. It has a two-position swinging wheel, which provides an all-round view over the top of the coachroof in its upper position. When swung inboard and lower, the helmsman gains shelter from the hard top, while being able to see forward through the bridgedeck cabin windows.

However, at the request of the owner the first boat has twin outboard helm stations. Before sailing it I’d expected to prefer this arrangement, but didn’t warm to it. Granted, you can steer from the windward side, with a good view of the jib, but the headsail luff will also be visible from the higher of the standard steering positions.

The key problem with the twin wheels is the coachroof creates a large blind spot on the other side of the boat. This has potential to create issues when manoeuvring in confined quarters such as a marina or when bailing out of an anchorage in an unexpected squall.

Mainsheet and traveller are handled right aft on the crossbeam, while the headsail, staysail and kite sheets, plus furling lines, are handled by electric Lewmar 65 winches on each side of the cockpit. Plenty of large rope bins and bags help keep lines nicely ordered.

The rig has twin headstays, with a marginally overlapping furling Solent jib on the main forestay, plus a self-tacking furling staysail. This runs on a neat Dyneema strop, instead of a more conventional but unnecessarily expensive and heavy track.

Combined with furling spinnakers and reaching sails it’s an excellent configuration that takes the hassle out of changing gear to suit widely different conditions.

The square-top mainsail has a Dyneema strop that pulls the ‘gaff’ forward to the mast track without any need for complex hooks, making it as easy to use as pin-head sails. A fuse attaching one of the mainsheet blocks to the boom is intended as a capsize prevention device if the boat is over pressed.

When the fuse blows the strop joining the block to the boom extends by two metres, immediately depowering the sail. The idea of the forward cockpit is to provide a protected position for a lookout when sailing in ice and for anchor handling. It also doubles as a well ventilated area for relaxation when at anchor in warmer climes.

It’s generally easy to move around on deck and there are decent steps at a gentle gradient between the various different levels. I also liked the cork deck – it looks surprisingly good, has great grip and is a more environmentally friendly option than teak.

There’s plenty of stowage, both in small lockers in the cockpit benches and in cavernous sail lockers at the front of each hull.

Davits are rated to take a 500kg RIB, allowing a substantial, powerful tender to be carried.

Temperature control

Alongside the rugged exterior is supremely comfortable and well thought out accommodation.

This, of course, isn’t a boat where it would be appropriate for the distinction between interior and exterior living spaces to be all but eliminated, as it is for many recent designs intended solely for hot climates. Nevertheless, the standard specification has a drop-down window each side of the door between the saloon and aft cockpit. This will help to open the saloon to the aft cockpit and improve ventilation in warm weather.

The saloon is comfortable, bright and airy, yet also has practical sea-going elements

For colder parts of the world an air extraction system vents moist and stale interior air without needing to open hatches.

The main forward saloon windows are also equipped with demisters. In the same vein, dedicated lockers for foul weather gear and boots have mechanical ventilation and heating. These features make sailing in cold and damp regions far more civilised, yet are addressed by disappointingly few manufacturers.

The aluminium shell is lined with up to 76mm of high density foam, which provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. As a result the boat is impressively quiet inside when under way – in the saloon you can barely hear the engines, even at cruising speed, and the high bridgedeck – it’s 85cm above the water – means we experienced no slapping of waves.

Insulation of this standard is expensive to install and doesn’t show up on photographs. Yet yachts create a cacophony of noise in heavy weather. Effective sound proofing is therefore a critical element in creating a comfortable environment, while the thermal insulation will be a benefit whether in the tropics or the Arctic.

As you’d expect, the saloon is very bright and airy, with a good almost all-round view.

The navstation forward on the port side, next to the watertight door to the forward cockpit

The biggest drawback in this respect is at the navstation, forward on the port side, as the mast support and starboard forward mullion obscure some of the view.

Also to port is a big galley that offers plenty of secure worktop space, with low fiddles, and masses of stowage. The test boat had additional fridge and freezer space in the starboard hull. Garcia says more than half its customers choose electric cooking and this boat has a microwave, electric oven and induction hob.

The company has its roots in custom boatbuilding and offers several choices for fitting out the hulls, with options for 6-10 berth arrangements, including a classic owner’s layout. The aft cabins have natural light through two hull windows, a wide aft window to the cockpit, plus opening ports aft and overhead.

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Garcia’s longstanding knowledge of creating rugged go-anywhere yachts has enabled the yard to produce one with a very enticing combination of space, pace and rugged construction. It also benefits from a high standard of finish, attention to detail and many neat touches. It’s clear the boat has the potential to make easy 250 mile days in the right conditions. At the same time it has sufficient tankage and stowage for supplies, spares and tools to give a high level of autonomy for extended periods. The owner of the first boat intends voyaging to Svalbard and, with another seven boats on order, it’s unlikely to be long before we see Explocats in many more far-flung and interesting parts of the globe.

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EXPLORE THE WORLD IN TRUE LUXURY WITH PERFORMANCE, SAFETY AND COMFORT

The line of Ocean Explorer catamarans has been created by the Finnish boatyard OQS – Ocean Quality Systems.

The Ocean Explorer is a semi-custom, luxury performance catamaran for sailors who are seeking the perfect balance between real performance and exceptional liveaboard comfort.

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Model Model OE60 OE64 OE72 OE78

Catmar Explorer® 55 Power

An ideal ocean-going explorer power catamaran for worldwide blue water cruising and circumnavigation.

The hulls, deck, deckhouse and the entire structure are made of certified aluminium. Safe, strong, reliable and robust!

The result is a stable, homogeneous and torsion-resistant structure without the annoying creaking noises that can occur with GRP constructions or mixed forms - such as hulls made of aluminium, deck and superstructure made of GRP - in rough seas.

Catamaris ®  is committed to environmental friendliness and sustainability. Numerous building components can be recycled and reused in an environmentally friendly way, see below.Built in our shipyard in Holland.

Description

Perfectly designed for a small crew, e.g. for a couple, even with children or occasional guests. 

The flybridge with 30 sqm offers space for relaxing and dining and an outside steering position. For bad weather, the comfortable inside steering position is a safe place. Also available in a well thought out layout for wheelchair users.

The yacht is built from class 5083 H 321/H111 aluminum, which is certified by "Germanischer Lloyd, Bureau Veritas or Lloyd's Register". Our Explorer catamarans are equipped with bow reinforcements and crash boxes with watertight bulkheads.  More about the advantages of aluminium .

Strong highly effective foam insulation throughout the interior provides protection against heat and cold and contributes to a pleasant interior climate.  

Available with conventional diesel engines or with the innovative electric hybrid system "Green Eco Power Supply".

With the optional extra fuel tanks, transatlantic range is possible at Eco-Speed.

At 174.20 sqm, the Catmar Explorer 55 Power offers particularly large living/usable areas. Headroom in the saloon 2.10 m, in the hulls 2.05 m. CE Certification Category A with 12 persons.

Optionally available reinforcements, approx. 30 cm above and below each of the 4 waterlines, provide increased protection against containers, flotsam and ice in Arctic waters.

Design according to your preferences

The design of the Catmar Explorer 55 Power can be customised to your individual requirements in terms of the flybridge design, the number, layout and design of the cabins, the saloon, the interior fittings, the furnishings, ceilings and walls as well as the entire technical equipment.

Alternatively, a completely new "full custom" design is also possible according to your preferences and ideas.

The designing and construction costs are comparable to those of some semi-custom manufacturers. However, with Catamaris® there are no restrictions on the realisation of your ideas and desires thanks to the "full-custom" construction method.

In the final result, every customer gets his Catmar Explorer® catamaran exactly as he wants it!

Manufacturing your yacht

Under the constant supervision of Catamaris®, your CATMAR EXPLORER 55 Power catamaran will be built at our partner Dijkstra Jachtbouw B.V. shipyard in Harlingen on the Wadden Sea in Holland, which has many years of experience in building multihulls. Dijkstra is certified by "Germanischer Lloyd" and "Bureau Veritas" and has already built more than 180 aluminium catamaran yachts and commercial vessels.

Technical Specifications

Side view of the CATMAR EXPLORER 55 Power

Layouts of the CATMAR EXPLORER 55 Power

Sustainable and eco-friendly

Catamaris ® commitment to the sustainable reduction of its carbon footprint focuses in particular on the materials used. These components can be recycled and reused in an environmentally friendly way:

• Hulls and superstructure built of certified aluminium
• All components made of stainless steel (Inox)
• Engines, gearboxes, shafts, propellers, generators, water makers
• Cork for deck coverings
• Furniture construction, upholstery, safety glazing of the windows
• All aluminium inside panels are covered with high-quality insulation from environmentally friendly material which has superior energy efficiency, no solvents, asbestos, cement or fusible silicates, radically reduced waste and circular insulation. 
• Rig and sails: mast, boom, shrouds, spreaders.

Catamaris ® also makes a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions during operation. On Catamaris ® catamarans, these components reduce CO2 emissions:

• Engines, gensets and equipment meet the high EU standards in terms of CO2 emissions <s> . </s>
• With our optional diesel-electric hybrid propulsion systems, a further significant reduction of CO2 emissions is achieved.

With a sustainable and environmentally friendly Catamaris ® catamaran, you can make a positive contribution to reducing your carbon footprint.

The yard behind the Ocean Explorer OE60 luxury performance catamaran is right next to Nautor’s Swan in Jakobstad, Finland: they have a real pedigree in building high performance yachts with oodles of style. And the designer? None other than German Frers who are behind the Swan 54, 60 and 78 among others.

The OE60 is the first model in a range that will go up to 78ft. This is their entry level boat, so they are aiming at the top end of the market. If you are looking for something smaller you might want to check out our ITA 14.99 review or take a look at the HH55. The 60 continues with the traditions of all of those performance boats from the Lagoon 67 and others that aim to match speed and comfort over long distances.

This boat is full of carbon to make it stiff, light and strong, with a full carbon rig and an option of a full carbon hull as well. Dual helm stations aft complete a package that is a no-compromise sailor’s yacht designed for maximum feel on the water.

Forget Hygge, that Danish word that got so much press a couple of years back—there’s a New Finnish word in town for cosy and that’s kalsarikannit – because that’s exactly what the saloon of this luxury cat feels like. The nav station on the forward port side of the saloon, with push button controls to all of the main controls is a real Wow Factor.

Nav station? It’s more like a Bridge. The saloon has sweeping all round views, and access to the foredeck is through a watertight door. You’ll be managing the halyards from here.

Even though this yacht has aft helms (like some of those classic custom boats such as the Azizam catamaran from JFA), the visibility is excellent through the windows of that coach roof. The galley has an island that runs along the port side and opposite is the dining area. The whole space opens up into the aft cockpit area to make a large living space.

That’s the other benefit of those aft helms of course. If you love your Nautitechs and Catanas, you are going to love it: it’s a super luxury version of this type of layout.

The Ocean Explorer has good green credentials too with plenty of options including solar panels, regenerating prop, electric propulsion and black water treatment systems.

The finish on this catamaran is on a similar level to Swan – top of the class in other words.

Frers are famous for designing yachts with beautiful lines – and they have achieved this with this elegant catamaran. She looks sleek and powerful from most angles, although that cut away in the coach roof around the mast is an acquired taste. Let’s just call it quirky, shall we? She’ll stand out next to any boat.

I personally love the aft helms for that monohull feel. Let’s face it, if the weather turns nasty you are going to be tucked into that amazing nav station up front all warm and dry. The forward cockpit is a great area for manning halyards and standing watch in better weather too.

With that spreader-less rig (carbon option), she cuts a clean profile on the water. There are options for a spreader rig for a more powerful sail plan and a rotating mast too. She has a boom vang too which you don’t often see on cats this size.

And with her retractable keels and rudders she’ll get right into those skinny water anchorages.

The genoa and self tacking solent are on electric furlers and you are free to run your downwind sails off the bowsprit. There are neat little details everywhere- the tension of the stay on the stay sail can be adjusted with a hydraulic control, for example. The genoa comes into its own when you are off the wind or on longer crossings.

Because this is a Frers, this is a sailor’s boat. Those helms give you full visibility of the sails and optimum feeling at the wheel.

All the sheets run aft and the controls are accessed on the helm control panel – raising and lowering the daggerboards, adjusting the traveller, forestay and sheet adjustments are all controlled from here. She’s been set up so that 2 people can easily manage her long distance sailing.

Under Power

The dual 80 HP Yanmars will push you along at up to 10 knots in calm conditions. Back them off to 2100 rpm and you should comfortably hit 7 knots, or just alternate between port and starboard for even more efficiency.

The Ocean Explorer OE60 catamaran is right up there on the top table of luxury performance catamarans. The finish is Swan quality and she’s been designed with sailors in mind with some deceptively simple touches that make her easy to handle for a short-handed crew.

You will need deep pockets, however. Price is on application and will depend on the kind of options you go for, but to give you an idea, a 2017 OE60 (“Cygnus Cygnus”) was on the market at the time of publication for €3.25 m.

Less than a Gunboat, but more than an Outremer 5X in other words. Start saving.

Technical Specification

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Wild Water: On board Espen Øino's Land Rover Defender-inspired catamaran

Espen Øino may be the king of supercat design, but his personal multihull reveals a devotion to rugged adventure and stress-free simplicity, says Risa Merl.

“The whole concept was to do something that was the antithesis of what we normally do,” says designer Espen Øino as we sit in the cockpit of the Vandal Explorer power catamaran, hurtling along the Cannes coastline at 30 knots. Or should I say, flying along, as the boat is skimming over the water thanks to her foil-assisted hull. At 14 metres LOA, made entirely from aluminium alloy, and with a purposefully simple design and pared-back interior, this little cat is certainly a departure from the stylish superyachts for which the Monaco-based designer is renowned.

Not that the Vandal Explorer isn’t stylish in its own right. Inspired by the Land Rover Defender, she has the sort of rugged appeal that will catch the eye of yachting adventure lovers. “She looks a little like a work boat, but that’s her identity. People will either love her or hate her,” says Øino. “It’s not for the market, it’s for us… but people seem to get it.” Playing popular is far from the point. The Vandal Explorer was dreamed up by Øino and Vandal Marine co-founder Ben Mennem for their own use, and the first two hulls, which debuted alongside each other at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2022, were built for them.

Mennem is also the co-founder of Tenderworks and the CEO of the MB92 La Ciotat shipyard. Øino designed a few Tenderworks tenders, and the two became better acquainted. The men began talking about their ideal boat for their personal use: simple to operate, having as few moving parts as possible, open to the elements, and, of course, fast. “It’s what a sailor wants in a motor boat,” says Mennem. “The idea was ‘less is more’. We chose a multihull because it’s intrinsically efficient.” Hull No 1 is Mennem’s and hull No 2 is Øino’s. The differences between the two boats are slight and most noticeable on the flybridge, where Mennem opted for a low racing car-style seat. “I wanted to feel laid-back, but it also protects me from the wind better,” says Mennem.

The Vandal Explorer was conceived as a simple boat that could be used for open-water trips around the Med, making the run from Marseille to Mallorca without breaking a sweat. But you could also see her on the deck of an explorer yacht and taken further afield, or being used as a sailing superyacht’s chase boat in regattas. The cat can also be customised for diving or sportfishing. “With an alloy boat, it’s really easy to change and customise things because there aren’t any moulds; we’re just using a CNC cutting machine,” says Mennem.

She has one cabin for overnight stays, which is sparse with just enough space for a bed and bathroom. Hull windows slide open to take advantage of the natural sea breeze in lieu of air conditioning. As part of the devotion to simplicity, there is no air con unit on board. “I didn’t want luxury,” says Mennem. “I got all the luxuries I need at home – this is glamping.” And to make that a literal reference, he plans to fashion a pop-up tent on the flybridge, like you might see on a safari Jeep, so his children can “camp out” when they stay on board.

Keeping things simple applies to the operational side of things as much as it does to the design. There is no bow thruster – and no need for one thanks to the DPS power control system. Even the foiling element was designed to have a limited number of parts. “A traditional foiling system would have multi-foils,” explains the Vandal Explorer’s naval architect, Scott Jutson. “We can actually get better performance with only one foil on the Vandal because everything you can eliminate on the boat helps reduce drag.”

Jutson cut his teeth designing racing sailing boats, then power cats. After moving to Canada in 2005, he found a market for aluminium catamaran work boats, then began adding foiling to the cats in 2008. “There’s no difference between the Vandal Explorer and a commercial boat, except for the fit and finish,” he says.

Twin engines give a total of 850 horsepower. At 18 knots, the boat gets onto a plane and the foil kicks into action, lifting the two hulls 30 to 40 centimetres. That means 35 per cent of the boat is lifted out of the water. “Seeing the yacht in profile, you wouldn’t necessarily know the foil is even there,” says Jutson. She might not look like she’s hydrofoiling, but the performance gains are there, with a 30 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. Zipwake interceptors control the trim.

The ride is incredibly smooth. Flying along at 32 knots, we make a hard turn and it’s barely perceptible. Øino’s captain, Hanno Vietor, says 27 knots is a nice cruising speed. The captain also describes the yacht’s user-friendly nature. “The joystick control makes docking easy – if you can play a PlayStation, you can dock this boat,” he says. “It’s good for solo operation.” An owner operator would have fun at the helm as well, as Mennem and Øino can attest.

Øino has already put his Vandal Explorer to the test, using it in Capri for a few weeks last summer and driving her back to Cannes in time for the yacht show with his son on board. Time with family out on the water, going on adventures and soaking up nature without the trappings of typical superyacht luxury is really what this boat is made for. “It’s not about showing off – it’s about keeping things simple and enjoying where you are,” says Øino.

All about the base

The goal in creating the Vandal Explorer was to have as basic a platform as possible that could be customised with a different superstructure. The builder wouldn’t want to add a flybridge as that would have an impact on the speed, weight and performance. Instead, parasols or awnings could be used to shade the flybridge. “Maybe you don’t even have a superstructure!” says designer Espen Øino.

Or, maybe you enclose the superstructure, as he would like to do in order to journey through the Norwegian fjords. “I want to build a bigger one – 15 metres – with an enclosed deckhouse,” says Øino. He would also like to explore an electric propulsion system that utilises hydrogen fuel cells on a future model.

For now, hull No 3 will be the same size as her predecessors but will look “pretty radically different”, says Øino. “It has more of a Miami Vice colour scheme.” Build time is about six to seven months, depending on the modifications.

Specifications

Draught 0.7m

Displacement (full load) 11,400kg

Engines 2 x Yamaha XTO 425hp

Max speed 43 knots

Builder Vandal Marine

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Nautitech 46 Open Explorer Vessel Walkthrough

August 26, 2024

Recent News

The multihull company opens a new office on florida’s gulf coast.

The Multihull Company is pleased to announce that Josie Tucci has joined its team of expert yacht brokers in the Gulf Coast. Josie brings over 25 years of experience in the marine industry, with a strong focus on catamarans.Josie's career began in France with Dufour Yachts, where she honed her sales and marketing skills. She then transitioned to the US,...

Sailing the Tao 452

Join Multihull Company Broker Captain Conor Dugan as he takes the helm aboard ‘Moxie’ in the azure waters of the Bahamas, to see how the Tao 452 performs under sail with a full cruising payload. https://youtu.be/V2scHvqn5vI?si=kuLwjFCYQdFj0_KW

THE MULTIHULL COMPANY ANNOUNCED AS DISTRIBUTOR FOR OMAYA YACHTS

The Multihull Company is thrilled to announce its appointment as the exclusive distributor for Omaya Yachts, an exciting new brand of Power Catamarans built with precision at the esteemed Elica Yard in Silastra, Bulgaria. This exciting new partnership further solidifies The Multihull Company's position as a premier distributor in the maritime industry, offering clients unparalleled access to cutting-edge vessels designed...

6 Great Starter Catamarans

In early 2023, Cruising World approached us to seek our opinion on recommending a couple of brokerage catamaran options for first time catamaran buyers to consider when they first stepping into the catamaran market. Here are six boats hand-picked by The Multihull Company’s president and CEO, Capt. Will Miller, as excellent choices for brokerage-catamaran seekers. These are all worth a...

The Multihull Company Named Exclusive Dealer for Dolphin Catamarans and their New Model, the Dolphin 380

The Multihull Company, the world’s leader in multihull sales and service is excited to announce that it has been named the exclusive dealer for Dolphin Catamarans, a premier builder of high-quality catamarans, and their newest model, the Dolphin 380, designed by Philippe Pouvreau. "We are thrilled to be working with Dolphin Catamarans again and to be able to offer their...

The Multihull Company Announces the Sale of the First Pre-Owned Balance 482

The Multihull Company is pleased to announce the closing on the Balance 482 "SeaLife" We wanted to take a moment and thank her new owners on their amazing new catamaran, and to also congratulate our team handling the sale. TMC agent Andrew Hodgdon successfully represented the buyers on the sale of the vessel, while TMC CEO Will Miller represented the...

Introducing the Tao 452: On Display At The Annapolis Boat Show October 12 – 15, 2023

The Multihull Company is thrilled to unveil the new Tao 452, an exciting addition to the world of blue-water performance cruising catamarans. Meticulously engineered and crafted to perfection, the Tao 452 is set to redefine the catamaran experience for sailors worldwide. If you've ever felt the need for more sailing performance from your current production charter catamaran or been disappointed...

Join Us At The Annapolis Boat Show Aboard the Voyage 590

The Multihull Company is excited to announce its participation in this year's Annapolis Sailboat Show. The event will be held from October 12 - 15, 2023 in downtown Annapolis, and The Multihull Company will be showcasing the exquisite Voyage 590 catamaran from Voyage Yachts. The Annapolis Boat Show is a highly anticipated annual event that brings together boating enthusiasts, industry...

THE MULTIHULL COMPANY ANNOUNCED AS DEALER FOR THE VOYAGE 590

The Multihull Company is pleased to announce their appointment as a dealer for Voyage Yachts and their new model – the Voyage 590!  The Voyage 590 is being celebrated as the ultimate, luxury sailing catamaran with all the comforts of home surrounded by panoramic views of paradise. She maximizes luxury accommodation and comfort, with the performance and blue-water capability characteristic...

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We take pride in our happy customers

Andrew Hodgdon at TMC-St. Augustine kept us thoroughly informed during the sale of our boat and took the extra steps necessary to complete the deal. His knowledge of the process made a complex deal very easy. Needless to say, we are extremely happy and satisfied with the job that Andrew did.

— David Baxter

A shout out to Andrew Holland at the TMC main office, who handled the closing transaction of the sale of our boat. Very professional and thorough. Thank you!!

— Janice Baxter

Andrew Hodgdon helped us sell our last boat. He was dedicated, professional and helpful every step of the way. He made valuable suggestions for how to best show the boat and brought only serious buyers to see her. I would highly recommend Andrew if you are looking to sell or purchase a vessel.

— sailelcie

Andrew is extremely knowledgeable, honest, and a delight to deal with. He made our buying process as comfortable and easy as it gets.

— Ben Edkins

Trust & expertise about us.

Successful relationships cannot exist without it. At The Multihull Company we base every relationship on a firm commitment to earning and retaining our client’s trust.

Advice of any kind is valuable only when grounded in hard-won expertise. It too, must be trustworthy. Trust and expertise define the heart and soul of The Multihull Company. We are a team of skilled professionals who thrive on providing expert, trustworthy advice and service to catamaran and trimaran sailors around the globe.

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