Yachting World
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Turbo multihulls: a new generation of performance cruiser
- Sam Fortescue
- May 12, 2022
A new breed of luxury fast multihulls are seducing wealthy sailors with a need for speed, Sam Fortescue reports on the rise and rise of this latest breed
“People sail for fun, and no one has yet convinced me that it’s more fun to go slow than it is to go fast,” said visionary multihull designer Dick Newick in the last century. “We all want high performance with comfort and low cost. Since the three cannot be combined in one vessel, priorities must be established and compromises made.”
Now, Newick may belong to another generation, but his observation is as true today as it has ever been. This time round, though, buyers have the money to park the cost issue. A new cohort of boatbuilders like Gunboat, HH and Kinetic are mining a rich (if narrow) seam of demand for high-end cats that go like rocketships and offer genuine comfort, if not outright luxury.
Gunboat is the trailblazer here. Launched in 2002, the now iconic brand weathered stormy waters before being taken over and moved to France by the Grand Large Yachting group (which also includes Outremer).
Its range has now stabilised at 68ft, 72ft and 80ft – much larger than it typically built in the past. But it has reached the size limit for this business model, according to managing partner Benoit Lebizay. “Beyond 80ft, you go into full custom,” he says.
HH Catamarans emerged 10 years later, building boats from 44ft to 88ft in Xiamen, China, with the same contractor that once used to build Gunboats. And Kinetic is more recent still, with construction in South Africa and design by the renowned Simonis Voogd.
Kinetic’s KC62 is built for speed, yet with ease and real comfort. Photo: Dale Staples
“When we started, we had to make a real threshold decision,” says Kinetic founder Bob Hayward. “Are we trying to make this a hull-flying lightship that’s a bit of a spartan cruiser, or are we really a fast performance cruiser that you race?”
Research among Gunboat skippers convinced him of the latter, because the market was commissioning boats with lots of bells and whistles. “Once you start putting the creature comforts on board, they come out heavier than the lightship aspiration,” he adds.
Kinetic has launched one 54-footer and a 62, with three more boats in the pipeline for delivery this year. “I definitely think this is a growing market, but not a mass market,” Hayward adds. “The more these boats get out there, and people see how accessible they can be, I think they’ll grow even further.” You only have to be overhauled once by a fast cat to understand the appeal.
Lebizay at Gunboat takes a similar view. “We remain niche players,” he says. “I’m not talking about building 20 boats per year – five or six is about as much as we can do. But the more we splash boats, the more we create momentum in the more experienced part of the fleet.”
Olivier Racoupeau has drawn more than his fair share of two-hulled boats over the years, but he says the market is changing. “We see a significant improvement in the number of requests for performance cats,” he tells me.
The Gunboat 68 is appealing and fast yet supremely comfortable. Photo: Michel Dupre
“In the past, they were looking for the volume and the lifestyle – more like performance cruisers. Now we see people coming to us to have much more fun sailing. They want to have daggerboards to improve the performance and are happy to keep the volume and the length of the hull reasonable.”
All about the kilos
Like every catamaran in this performance category, Gunboats are built in a high-quality carbon layup to maximise strength and stiffness while minimising weight. That means vacuum infusing prepreg materials for a precise and even distribution of the epoxy resin throughout the structure of the hull.
Looking into a little HH66 luxury. Photo: Billy Black
“We take technology from the racing end of sailing and from aircraft,” says Lebizay. “The furniture on board is in Nomex with veneer on top – the same design as the builder of the Falcon planes. It’s like a 5-star hotel room, but a fraction of the weight.”
The result is boats that will exceed wind speed in light airs and top out at 25 or 30-plus knots. If your yacht can manage 6 knots in a five-knot zephyr, it’s going to keep you sailing some 80% of the time, and long before a production cat has even removed the sail cover.
It’s a principle starkly illustrated by the all-carbon speed machine that is the Ice Cat 67. “In 5 knots of wind you can do 7 knots with the Code 0,” says Ice Yachts founder Marco Malgara with audible satisfaction. “And in 20 knots you can do 15-16 knots. It’s an amazing feeling.”
There are two 67s in the water and a new 72 is in build. Like most of these performance cats, Ice’s boats use lifting daggerboards to provide lateral stability and better windward ability – the 67 can manage 35° true wind angle. It takes the draught from a go-anywhere 95cm down to a hardcore 3m.
Ice Yachts has form with its 67, but this new 72 in build is a much bolder, more contemporary and powerful design with a stunning interior
“It’s a fully automated system and you have a joystick so you can control it wherever you are,” says Malgara.
Kinetic cats have Antal line drivers to hoist and lower centreplates, which pivot aft into the hulls. There’s also an option for faster daggerboards and even curved C-boards. Just like the furling boom and self-tacking jib, the key to this system is simplicity for short-handed sailing .
It’s true of the HH cats, too, with their captive winches, hydraulics and smart deck planning. “I can be off the mooring, sails up and doing 20 knots within four minutes,” says highly experienced HH commissioning manager Chris Bailet of the HH66 .
Although you won’t necessarily find it in the handbook, some of these boats allow you to fly a hull for a real buzz if you feel so inclined. “I love the challenge of keeping the boat with the windward hull flying,” says serial boat-owner Irvine Laidlaw of his Gunboat 68 , Highland Fling 17 .
Beating Comanche? Tosca’s owner enjoying a bucket list moment at the Transatlantic start. Photo: PKC Media/Tosca
It’s a feature that veteran ocean racer Alex Thomson was more reluctant to employ during his recent RORC Transatlantic Race on the Gunboat 68 Tosca . They aimed for a heel angle of 10-13°, no more, and used the UpsideUp warning system to see when they had to ease the sheets.
“Occasionally there was air under the hull, but that wasn’t the objective for us,” says Thomson.
HH catamarans are also equipped with UpsideUp, and it’s one of the first systems that owners are taught to use. “We can have the mainsheets on a release based on the angle of heel, pitch and cap shroud loads,” says Bailet. “Anything on a hydraulic, like the mainsheet, or captive reels like a staysail, can ease. The lines on the winches are not eased on the system, however. You’ve got to have at least a little bit of awareness.”
More than the speed
Of all these brands, Kinetic is probably the closest to the cruising end of the spectrum. Its cats have a coachroof-stepped mast, for instance. “That requires extra infrastructure and with it some weight, but it buys us a bigger salon and a forward cockpit that doubles as a leisure zone,” says Hayward. “We did things like the drop-down swim platform – that costs us 80kg in weight.”
Technology can mitigate to some extent. So, the large 360° windows on the KC62 are glazed with chemically-strengthened glass. This provides better protection than standard glass, but measures 10mm thickness instead of 16mm. “That saves us around 200kg,” adds Hayward.
Comfortable double cabins with plenty of clothes stowage and en-suite shower rooms are standard features on all these boats, as are saloons lined with lavish upholstery and peppered with designer tables and stools for comfy lounging. In terms of the finish, expect lots of bare hull with a smattering of fine veneer cabinetry, plenty of glass and the latest appliances.
HH88 in build has an enclosed flybridge. HH is in talks with another client about a custom 115
Where the boats differ is in the details. The Kinetic 54 has helm stations on each quarter, and another one inside, plus a cosy forward cockpit with access from the saloon. “Once you’ve had a forward cockpit, you’ll never go back,” enthuses KC54 owner Randy Smith. “We’re constantly walking through it for mooring and anchoring, and it lets the wind blow through more than any porthole could.”
The Ice Cat 72 is big enough to have dedicated crew quarters with its own access, and you can decide whether you want a well-specced galley in the saloon, or down in a hull. It can be totally customised, but the feel is everything you’d associate with luxury Italian design.
“We aim to unhinge the traditional concept that associates the boat with a sea lifestyle,” comments design partner Lucio Micheletti.
Gunboat 68 shows its performance credentials. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget
With its internal helm station, the Gunboat 68 frees up a lot of aft real estate for sophisticated lounging. There’s space for up to six cabins, including a big master, and a forward cockpit. The 80 offers more of everything, while the new 72V is something of a gamble for the brand – a fast boat which has a flybridge. It’s streamlined compared to production cats, but there’s room enough up top for a bank of flexible sofa/sunbeds, a low table and a flybridge helm station.
Flexible platform
Meanwhile, HH prefers twin bulkhead helming positions on its standard HH66 layout, although its customisation programme runs to other options. The fifth hull in the series has MOD70 -style steering from a bucket seat out on the starboard quarter, with a wheel in the saloon for protected helming. Either way, there’s a forward working cockpit for handling lines.
The hull flying HH66 number four Nemo showing these cats can be wild, racing at the Caribbean Multihull Challenge. Photo: Edward Penagos/Sint Maarten YC
With low volumes and high prices, serious customisation is the name of the game. Fastidious attention to boat weight means that clients’ choices can be fully costed out in terms of speed. “Each yacht is unique and offers the ability to shift the pendulum toward comfort or performance,” says Seth Hynes, president at HH. “The larger you go, the more you can achieve both.”
To illustrate the point, there is an HH60 currently being built with hydraulic J-boards and a rotating carbon mast. In a neighbouring bay is the first HH88 , which will have an enclosed flybridge with a hot-tub that can be drained into a tank positioned low down in the boat.
The new KC54. Photo: Tyrone Bradley
Meanwhile, Gunboat is embarking on the build of a fully pre-preg 80 for Irvine Laidlaw, pushing performance even further. “The 68 is an excellent boat, but it is not a full-on racer,” says Laidlow. “Cruisers do not understand the massive difference between a racer and cruiser, with tremendous emphasis on weight and performance. I have zero interest in dishwashers, hydraulic bathing platforms and flat screen TVs.”
It’s a tricky balance to walk for Gunboat, which does not see itself as a pure racing brand. But it is proving a useful challenge. “The more sophisticated the client, the more demanding they are, pushing us into exploring new avenues,” says Lebizay.
Gunboat and Kinetic favour forward cockpit for views and ventilation.
“On 80-1, the brief is to be able to lift the centreboards at 20 knots boat speed. They have at least 5m in the water, and the side force is in tens of tonnes. It tells you what kind of system we need to develop.”
Who is buying these boats?
If technology is one of the drivers behind the performance cat scene, so is money – lots of it. A Gunboat 80 or an HH88 will set you back north of $10m, so it is not a proposition for your average yachtie looking for a bit more of a thrill.
Buyers are often seasoned racers, according to Lebizay at Gunboat. “Most of these guys have had maxi programmes or other racing programmes. One of our owners was the owner of a SailGP team; another one has a GC32 team and another, a Volvo 70 programme.”
They’re looking for the benefits of the boats’ comfort without sacrificing much speed. Irvine Laidlaw, now 79 years old, sums up his move from monohulls succinctly: “I felt that, getting older, that moving around in a large racing monohull was getting too difficult. I helm but like to take 10 minutes off in every hour to keep me fresh.”
The first of the new HH60s is for a colourful Frenchman
Then there are owners like Randy Smith, who experienced the frustration of production catamarans, while loving the comfort. “In less than 10 knots of wind, or closer than 70°, we couldn’t sail. We had a big, comfortable cruising boat, but it was no good for sailing. That’s what started this search. We wanted centreboards and better sail area, but we didn’t care if it was made out of carbon.”
Buyers of the sub-60ft catamarans generally want the privacy that an owner-operator setup can provide. “These are guys that have the money to do bigger boats, but they don’t want anyone else on board,” says Bailet at HH. They range from sports stars to successful business leaders, but they all have something in common, he says: “There’s no compromise. They’re not going to get a slow boat. Most of those guys [opt for] a forward cockpit, with the wind in your hair like driving a Nacra 18, having a rip.”
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HH60 Sport Cruising
Sail performance.
Description
For those seeking limitless adventure and unbridled speed, the new HH60, with its powerful rig plan, extra-large cockpit, king size beds, and deep daggerboards, is sure to ignite the imagination. The fully refined, performance optimized HH60 will provide the ultimate platform for whatever lies over the horizon. The HH60-SC is a “no-compromise” performance catamaran with dual raised aft helms, king size beds, C-shaped carbon daggerboards, and stunning performance in a size that can still be owner operated by an experienced crew. Luxury and speed are elevated when you have the ability to expand. The hulls boast king size beds aft and a generously sized owner’s ensuite reserves space forward of the shower that makes for a perfect crew quarters or office. Meanwhile, the elongated platform and taller rig boost performance to a level akin to our flagship HH66 (complete with optional tiller chairs). Whether racing in the multihull circuit or simply cruising the world with wind speed performance, the HH60 will set a new standard in sailing performance and luxury. The HH60 has been designed from the ground up to work with a parallel diesel/electric hybrid, a large solar array on the cabin top and hydro-regeneration while sailing. Our EcoDrive provides all the benefits of an electric boat: silent fume free motoring, instant torque for maneuvering, and hydro-regeneration while sailing; while also providing the reliability of trusty diesel engines as a back up. For the technology shy, traditional standalone diesel engines with shaft drives are also offered.
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Morrelli & Melvin
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2 x 57hp Yanmar
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The latest model from HH will sit between the 55 and the 66. This new boat will be available with twin aft helm stations or a forward cockpit with wheel steering at the front of the nacelle.
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Published 01/06/2022
By Emmanuel van Deth
Published: july / aug. 2022
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Issue #: 184
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The hulls, signed by Morrelli & Melvin, leave no doubt as to the expected performance. The fine entry, inverted bows are aggressive, the displacement is contained at just over 34,000 pounds (15.5 t) and the powerful rig culminates at 91 feet (28.78 m) above the water... Upwind, the daggerboards can bring the draft to more than 13 feet (4 meters): we suspect that upwind course-keeping will be exceptional. The builder has also worked on a hybrid drivetrain and exploiting to the maximum the coachroof and bimini surfaces for solar panels. Note: the bimini is also available with three smaller shelters (for the version with the aft helm stations) for the solar panels. Builder: HH Catamarans Length: 58.88 ft (17.95 m) Waterline length: 54.02 ft (16.47 m) Beam: 26.57 ft (8.1 m) Light displacement: 34,162 lbs (15.5 t) Draft: 7.15 ft / 13.25 ft (2.18/4.04 m) Mainsail: 1,508 sq ft (140.15 m²) Solent: 748 sq ft (69.63 m²) Reacher: 1,829 sq ft (170 m²) Engines: 2 x 57 HP
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About HH Catamarans
HH Catamarans build state of the art, carbon fibre, high performance yachts for a discerning clientele who seek an exceptional ownership experience. HH Catamarans was formed in early 2012 and set about developing a new brand, something extraordinary. In the years since "HH" has come to represent a commitment to the quality and success of every boat built.
HH Catamarans are designed to exacting specifications and built to reflect each owner’s unique needs, using the most advanced methods in the industry. We deliver luxury yachts that are elegant performance machines, and offer them at unmatched value.
HH 56 Catamaran
The all new HH56 is an evolution of our award-winning HH55. It represents years of design and product development refinement as well as the ...
HH Catamarans are soon to release details on their all new HH52 catamaran, inspired by the success and innovations released on the recent HH44 (30 ...
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Exceptional design, intuitive systems, envy inducing aesthetics, spacious and comfortable living spaces and safe, responsive sailing characteristics ...
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An exquisite balance of luxury, performance and manageability. The award-winning HH55 is an all-carbon blue water capable, fast sailing catamaran ...
HH44-OC (Ocean Cruiser) Catamaran
This is sailing in its purest form. Stylish and fast with luxurious comfort. Take control of the OC44’s swing helm and experience the excitement and...
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The HH50 is a bluewater capable, performance cruiser with intelligent yet simple-to-use systems, carbon construction, spacious interiors and luxurious...
HH44-SC (Sports Cruising) Catamaran
The HH44 is a disruptive new market entrant designed for those seeking the perfect balance of style, performance, safety and innovation. The carbon ...
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2024 HH Catamarans HH60
For those seeking limitless adventure and unbridled speed, the new HH60, with its powerful rig plan, extra-large cockpit, king size beds, and deep daggerboards, is sure to ignite the imagination. The fully refined, performance optimized HH60 will provide the ultimate platform for whatever lies over the horizon
The HH60-SC is a “no-compromise” performance maxi-catamaran with dual raised aft helms, king size beds, C-shaped carbon daggerboards, and stunning performance in a size that can still be owner operated by experienced sailors. The HH60-SCF is the same boat as the SC, but features a forward cockpit and optional aft tiller chairs. This lowers the boom, reduces weight and increases sail area (and performance). It also makes room for an industry leading 5,774 watts of solar on the coachroof and davits.
The HH60 has been designed to work with a parallel diesel/electric hybrid, a large solar array on the cabin top and hydro-regeneration while sailing. Our EcoDrive provides all the benefits of an electric boat: silent fume free motoring, instant torque for maneuvering, and hydro-regeneration while sailing; while also providing the reliability of trusty diesel engines as a back up. For the technology shy, traditional standalone diesel engines with shaft drives are also offered.
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The luxury performance cruising catamaran market is a small one in terms of hull numbers, but it is one of the fastest growing segments in terms of revenue (these boats aren’t cheap) driven by the likes of Gunboat, Kinetic and HH Catamarans with the HH 66 .
These are all teams that were involved in the early Gunboat story. Kinetic can trace their history back through Harvey yachts who built the first Gunboats and Hudson Yacht Group, who own HH Catamarans (run by Hudson Wang and Paul Hakes), were involved in the production of the Gunboat 60.
The bottom line is that after that start, we are left with a handful of very strong competitors who are pushing each other to greater heights. Which is good news if you happen to have 7 figures tucked into your wallet to spend on a performance cat.
Photo credit: hhcatamarans.com
Sitting right at the top of the list along with the Gunboat 68 is the HH66. Just head to Les Voiles de St. Barth around April time, and you’ll see all of these big fast cats racing each other. Morrelli and Melvin, the architects behind the early Gunboats, are the team behind the design and they have come up with a beautiful, sleek catamaran.
I am not a big fan of the covered helms on the HH55 and HH50 – they don’t do the boats’ profile any favours in my opinion (the single helm on their Ocean Series OC50 catamaran look better), but you have none of that on the 66 footer. The coachroof steps up a notch over the aft cockpit allowing you to helm on a side bench (twin aft helms version) or your are tucked into a slider in the bimini roof which closes to give you protection if the weather deteriorates.
- Blisteringly fast, the HH66 is among the quickest performance catamarans that money can buy. It’s part of an elite club that includes the Gunboats, Schionnings and the Marsaudon Composites ORC57 among a few others. Dazcat is up there too.
- Customisation. As well as being able to choose your layout down below on the HH66, you can also customise the helm set up. Aft helms? Forward cockpit? Bucket seats with tillers? You choose.
- Looks to kill. This is one sleek looking cat, a real head turner. Morrelli and Melvin nailed it with this yacht.
- Helm position. If there is one debate that rages on and on with regards to multihull design, it´s the position of the helms and how you achieve sailing feel versus protection. With the sliding roof and twin helms (notwithstanding the fact that you can choose a forward helm position if you prefer), we think the designers have covered both bases.
- The price. OK these boats aren’t as expensive as a Gunboat 68, but they are not cheap either at over $4m. That´s what happens when you use so much carbon to get the weight down.
- Time will tell how these yachts hold their value, but the HH brand is not as powerful as the Gunboat brand. Yet. That seems to be changing though.
- These are complex sailing machines that ideally need an experienced crew. With the jib sheets coming aft, and everything else at the mast, you are going to need some help to sail an HH66. The forward cockpit set up is easier to manage short handed.
Hudson Yachts have been accumulating expertise in this sector for over a decade. The hull and deck moldings of the HH66 are carbon fiber sandwich with a Corecell foam filling, infused with post-cured epoxy resin. Furniture and bulkheads are made from carbon fiber composites. The whole game is stiffness and weight, and the HH66 team are razor focused during the build process to maximise the first and minimise the second.
No forward beam is needed on these yachts: the hulls are stiff enough for the forestay to be fixed to the carbon fiber longeron. Southern Spars supply the carbon rig and boom. Add on carbon curved daggerboards and rudders (with optional T-foils) and you have one serious mean machine on the water. Rigging is all carbon fibre and aramid. She comes with a carbon fiber fractional mast, boom and longeron.
Push buttons control many of the critical sail handling features, such as the traveler on the aft beam, the main and jib sheets, dagger-boards and the main sheet dump in case you get hit with a big gust.
This isn’t a boat for a couple or short-handed crew though. There is some serious power in that sail plan and you need to be on your A-Game to sail her safely.
On the number one hull, R-Six for example, sails are raised, unfurled and reefed from the forward cockpit, and only the headsail sheets are led to the twin aft helm stations. The mainsheet and traveler are controlled by push button controls from the helms.
In the forward-cockpit version, all the lines are controlled from the central command area.
It´s a very organised boat: the side decks are wide with control lines for the boards led under the decks, the chain runs along the longeron to the anchor that sits at its end, and so on. Morrelli and Melvin have thought out a very efficient system with which to tame this cat. And there’s plenty of room left in the aft cockpit for dining, lounging and socialising (particularly on the forward cockpit configuration) with a table that seats 6 to 8.
Let’s talk about what the HH66 is like under way shall we? let’s face it, this is where you are going to get the most bang from your buck.
The HH66 has a very powerful sail plan with an S/D ratio of over 34. This is a cat that will lift a hull which is why she comes with a main sheet dump button. The loads involved mean that the big Lewmar winches are essential and are some of the reasons why most owners will need a crew on this boat. Having said that, electrics mean that the sails can be tamed with a crew of one or two. The standard upwind configuration is a Solent jib (125% overlapping) and square-headed mainsail, and there’s a large screecher ready for action. Add the asymmetric spinnaker for lighter airs, and you have most of the tools you will need. A staysail and a storm jib completes the set for feistier conditions.
Sailing into the wind is where this cat excels compared to other multihulls. In a fresh breeze you will be sucked upwind at up to 70% of true windspeed. Bear away and you will be matching wind speed as the HH66 is powered along by the breeze plus her own wind that she generates as she glides through the water. The rig is intelligent and will warn the helmsman when it is time to reef thanks to load cells on the windward shrouds. That way, you can dial things down before you start flying a hull.
Visibility from the twin aft helms is excellent, and you are well protected under the sliding roof. Morrelli and Melvin have nailed the helm position on this boat. I guess that’s a bit easier on a 66 foot carbon yacht with all the latest technology, but even so, top marks to them. You can choose between twin helms with a forward cockpit or twin aft tillers- it’s all designed for maximum sailing feel.
The HH66 is a truly luxurious machine with incredible attention to detail: the workmanship is top class and they have worked hard to imcorporate as much solar on the roof as possible to make the HH66 is green machine.
Again, the key phrase is custom build here. As well as the aft or forward cockpit versions, you can chose between 3 or 4 cabins in the hulls – the three cabin version includes a luxury owner’s stateroom in the port hull with a smaller cabin for crew. In the starboard hull there is space for 2 cabins with queen-size berths, each with a head and shower and plenty of storage room. Yes, the hulls are slender, but it doesn’t feel cramped down below. There’s plenty of room for tall sailors and lots of light.
This yacht might be a performance catamaran, but she is able to soak up the weight for your creature comforts like A/C, a generator, wine cooler, freezers, washer-dryer, ice maker, flat screen TVs and so on.
The HH66 is powered by two 80hp Yanmar diesels fitted with folding props on saildrives. Maximum speed under power is around 13 knots. Ease off a bit, and you should comfortably see 9 knots with both engines on or 8 knots with one if you are in diesel saving mode.
HH66 Polar Diagram
- HH66-01 R-Six (twin aft helms)
- HH66-02 Night Fury (twin aft helms)
- HH66-03 Nala (twin aft helms)
- HH66-04 Nemo (twin aft helms): She’s winning a lot of races!
- HH66-05 Flash (forward cockpit, aft tillers)
The HH66 easily holds her own in this high performance luxury market. The combination of Morrelli & Melvin, from California, sharpening their design pencils and the manufacturing expertise of Hudson & Hakes (that´s where the HH brand comes from) means that this is a formidable competitor in the market.
How much does an HH66 cost? What is the price? As always, we will qualify this with “it depends on how you kit her out”, but assuming that you are not going to be trying to save money on the options while buying a multi-million dollar yacht, you are looking north of $4m. That´s cheaper than the Gunboat 68 but more expensive than a comparable Kinetic 62.
Which is faster? A Gunboat or an HH Catamaran? They are comparable. This is going to come down to your crew!
Technical Specification
| Disp. (Light) | 18 Tonnes / 39683 lbs |
|---|---|
| D/L | 64.6 |
| Mainsail | 145 m2 / 1561 ft2 |
| SA/D | 34.5 |
| Draft (Boards up) | 1.96m / 6.43 ft |
| Draft (Boards Down) | 4.00m / 13.12 ft |
| Mast Clearance | 30 m / 98.43 ft |
| Length | 20.10 m / 65.94 ft |
| Beam | 8.70 m / 28.54 ft |
| Solent | 88 m2 / 947 ft2 |
| Spinnaker | 295 m2 / 3175 ft2 |
| Staysail | 57 m2 / 614 ft2 |
| SA/D* | 34.5 |
| Length WL | 19.80 m / 64.96 ft |
| Disp. Max | 24.8 tonnes / 54564 lbs |
| Storm Jib | 23 m2 / 248 ft2 |
| Fractional Reacher | 195m2 / 2099 ft2 |
| Headroom Saloon | 2.1m / 6.89 ft |
| Headroom Hulls | 2m / 6.56ft |
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6 Best Performance Cruising Catamarans (Buyer’s Guide)
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Performance cruising catamarans are impressive-looking vessels that focus on speed above comfort. These fast boats are ideal for racing and long cruising vacations. But with the numerous brands and models on the market, how do you know which is the best one?
The best high-speed performance cruising catamarans are the Outremer 4x, McConaghy MC50, Nautitech 44, Gunboat 62, Balance 526, and Marsaudon Composites ORC50. All these boats deliver outstanding speeds and are light in weight, relatively comfortable, and incredibly safe.
This article will explore the brands and models that I believe have the best combination of performance and comfort . We’ll look at their speeds and what makes them cruise so fast. We’ll also examine the factors to consider when shopping for a performance cruising cat.
Table of Contents
How Fast Are Performance Cruising Catamarans?
Cruising catamarans are generally faster than monohulls of similar lengths. This means most well-built and well-balanced cats will arrive at their destination much sooner, and the cruise is much more comfortable. Performance cruising cats like the Nautitech include deep daggerboards and rudders, narrow waterline beams, hull chines, and big sail plans that allow for faster sailing than a standard cruising cat.
| CATAMARAN | SPEED (Knots) |
|---|---|
| Outremer 4X | 20 |
| McConaghy 52 | 22 |
| Nautitech 44 | 17 |
| ORC 50 | 23 |
| Balance 526 | 20 |
| Gunboat 62 | 20 |
| Privilege Signature 510 (For reference) | 13 |
| Fountaine Pajot Astréa 42 (For reference) | 10 |
Outremer 4X
Outremer Catamarans are well-known for their high speeds. These exciting cats sport brilliant designs, narrow bows, and large rigs. Built in Southern France, the vessels are strong and long-lasting since their structures feature materials such as carbon, glass, and vinyl ester.
The Outremer 4x is a stable and comfortable high-speeding cruising catamaran that performs ocean crossings and confronts any weather with remarkable ease. Named the European Boat of the Year in 2017, this 48-foot (14.6 m) bluewater cruiser sails faster than wind speed and attains maximum cruising speeds of 20 knots.
The 4x is an upgrade of the extremely popular Outremer 45, thus retaining Outremer’s core values of speed, safety, and comfort. It’s built for maximum performance and enjoyment, with the lightweight, carbon fiber structure allowing for additional speed under sail .
Featuring comfort typical of much larger vessels, the Outremer 4X features 4 double cabins, hot water showers, a full kitchen, spacious storage, and excellent ventilation. There’s also an expansive deck, an unobstructed cockpit, and large trampoline areas. Most importantly, your safety is assured through the cat’s unique features including a robust structure, offshore design, stability, and unrivaled speed potential.
The 4x’s cutting-edge design makes it ideal for competitive racing or blue water cruising, and it does both without compromising your comfort, safety, or onboard livability. However, to sail at maximum speed, the boat must remain lightweight, requiring your interior to be fitted out quite minimally. The other downside is the high price tag; the Outremer 4X commands a price between $912,322 and $1,202,945 .
McConaghy MC52
The McConaghy MC52 is a performance luxury cruising cat reflective of McConaghy’s 50 years of experience in building high-tech composite projects. The luxurious boat features a flybridge, retracting centerboards, optimized hulls, and an open space bridgedeck combining the salon with the cockpit. You can also customize the boat to your specifications.
This hi-tech cat comes with sizeable sliding salon windows and frameless doors that provide fantastic views. Its wave-piercing bows can cut through waves, thus helping to increase performance by minimizing pitch resistance, while still retaining a smooth ride. Also, the saloon offers spacious dining space for up to 8 people, and the galley area is more like a penthouse.
The manufacturer’s background in building high-end racing yachts has resulted in an incredibly strong and lightweight vessel capable of reaching 22 knots (40.7 km/h or 25.29 mph). The main downside to this boat is the boom placement on the mast, which is much higher than other high-performance cats. This makes accessing the mainsail somewhat challenging. It also increases the MC50’s center of gravity and center of effort.
You can get the MC52 for about $1.6 million.
Nautitech 44
The Nautitech 44 easily blends comfort and fun to deliver an impressive sailing performance, whether you take short trips or long ocean crossings. The boat offers a good balance under sail, and it features helming stations on each hull. Plus, there’s an integrated hardtop bimini complete with sunroof opening. Slim hulls translate to higher speeds, with the vessel reaching up to 17 knots (31.4 km/h or 19.51 mph).
The well-laid-out interior boasts a functional design, ample storage space, plus all the equipment you require for ocean cruising, such as a fridge, watermaker, and solar.
Nautitech 44’s twin helms give you the real sailing experience with a fantastic view of the sails and great visibility when maneuvering into port. However, you might not appreciate being stuck in the aft helm position without protection in lousy weather or during hot days.
Nevertheless, the boat’s responsiveness makes sailing more pleasurable. Plus, it’s affordable; the price is between $236,000 and $334,000.
Marsaudon Composites ORC50
Marsaudon Composites vessels are ideal for both racing and cruising. The sporty-looking ORC 50 comes with large inverted bows, an angular coachroof, a high freeboard, and a sturdy rotating carbon mast. In addition, the vessel is light which allows it to accelerate quickly, while the angular coachroof offers lots of space and excellent visibility.
The ORC50 can attain 23+ knots (42.5+ km/h or 26.41+ mph) and is among the fastest high-performance livable multihulls. It’s capable of doing more than 350 miles (563.27 km) per day.
The downside to the ORC50 is it’s a bit technical to sail, thus requiring a skilled sailor. Furthermore, its immense power and speed can be intimidating to less experienced sailors. Solely designed for speed, the ORC50’s interior is simple, less roomy, and somewhat spartan; hence the boat might not be all that comfy. Still, it’ll get you where you want to go pretty fast, and it’s an excellent value for money at approximately $787,751.25.
Gunboat 62
The Gunboat 62 is a true high-speed catamaran capable of sailing at 20 knots (37 km/h or 23 mph) over true wind speeds and known to notch up speeds of 36+ knots (66.7+ km/h or 41.45 mph) on a surf. The initial 3 Gunboat 62 boats featured epoxy, E-glass, and carbon fiber construction, but the fourth vessel was all carbon, sported a taller rig and a more expansive sail area.
These structural features made the Gunboat 62s extremely light, and they formed the original luxury high-performance cruising cats.
This multihull sailboat boasts a carbon mast, round hull sections for a minimized wetted surface area, high-aspect rudders, and retractable daggerboards. The steering station offers 360-degree visibility and sports overhead hatches that you can use to monitor the mainsail trim. The boat also contains 3 private cabins with queen berths, 2 spacious heads with showers, an aft cockpit, galley, and lounge.
On the downside, Gunboats are pricey cats; hence they’re also expensive to maintain. The Gunboat 62 isn’t that spacious either as it’s more focused on speed, but it’s extremely comfortable, plus there’s plenty of space for hanging out. You can buy this catamaran starting from $2 million .
Balance 526
Built with a combination of carbon fiber, E-glass, epoxy, closed-cell foam, and composite bulkheads, this boat is strong, light, and can withstand terrible weather. The retractable daggerboards allow for good upwind performance. All high load areas contain carbon fiber, while furniture and cabinets feature cored sandwich construction, producing the lightest yet most robust catamaran.
A Balance 526 will reach speeds of up to 20knots without stressing the rig too much.
The boat is available in various layouts and comfortably accommodates 6 people. The spacious aft cockpit and saloon provide panoramic visibility. And since Balance 526 can handle the extra weight, you get performance plus all the creature comforts you desire.
Still, Balance 526’s pricing is on the higher end, beginning at $1,440,000 . Also, the slender hulls result in less space down below. Nevertheless, the boat lives up to its name, achieving the perfect balance between superb performance and comfort.
What Makes Performance Cruising Catamarans So Fast?
Performance Cruising Catamarans Have Narrow Hulls
Performance catamarans contain two small narrow hulls, which cause them to have less water resistance. Smaller hulls mean the vessels have much smaller bow waves to fight, allowing them to move extremely fast. In addition, the less hull area is underwater, the faster the boat is capable of moving since there’s less drag.
Having said that, it’s important to note that a narrow hull is more prone to burying its bows in rough seas. The wider the hull, the more buoyancy it offers, but only up to a given point. After which, the excessive width becomes unmanageable and performance suffers. The key lies in finding the right balance.
Performance Cruising Catamarans Have Considerable Length
The longer a cruising cat is, the faster it’ll move. While each vessel bears a maximum hull speed, in most cases, the lengthier the boat, the higher the speed it can reach. The length of the hull (length on the waterline) also has a significant impact on the speed performance. Thus, the cat attains maximum speeds when the wavelength is equal to the length on the waterline (hull speed).
Therefore, the longer the length of the hull, the better the performance of a high-speed cruising cat. You can also compare two cruising cats’ speeds based on this measure.
Performance Cruising Catamarans Have Quality Builds
Modern cat manufacturers continue designing more innovative high-performance cruising cats that deliver a new blend of performance and cruising features. They achieve this by using advanced construction materials, better daggerboard designs, and creative weight allocation. They also keep a keener focus on onboard amenities. For instance, asymmetrical daggerboards placed midships in each hull can help achieve proper balance and hull trim.
The overall goal is to design cruising cats that offer high speeds, outstanding performance, and enough offshore comfort.
Here’s an article if you are wondering what daggerboards and centerboards are and why they impact performance so much.
Performance Cruising Catamarans Are Light-weight
The lighter a cruising catamaran, the greater its performance. And some of the most popular high-performance catamarans find an optimal balance between performance and comfort. As a result, modern performance-based cruising cats have embraced the use of carbon composite construction for hulls, daggerboards, and rigging, instead of the somewhat heavier glass fiber materials.
A weighed-down cat produces less speed, which means excess immersion of the hulls renders the boat sluggish . The hull submersion also reduces the bridge deck clearance, promoting uncomfortable hull slamming.
You won’t find much difference in top speed between performance catamarans bearing similar lengths because they all have displacement hulls and mostly sail to hull speed with occasional surfing. This means that under skilled hands, these cats should exhibit roughly the same performance. A cruising cat’s performance is also highly dependent on the state of the sea, wind direction, and speed, amongst many other factors.
What To Consider When Choosing a Performance Cruising Catamaran
Speed is the number one consideration when choosing a high-speed cruising cat. Yet there are other factors just as important since they contribute to the overall cruising performance, including:
- What you’ll use the vessel for and where. Are you planning on doing coastal cruising or serious offshore cruising? Consider the number of people that you’ll be sailing with and the activities you’ll engage in. This also helps determine the size catamaran you’ll need.
- Comfort. While some racing enthusiasts might prefer spartan accommodation plans, most enjoy relative comfort on the high seas. In any case, modern high-speed cruising cats are designed to provide a certain level of creature comforts. And since most performance cats are custom-made, new boat owners may decide precisely which features to include in their cats.
- Quality. To produce light boats, builders employ the use of fine resins, carbon, epoxies, foam cores, and fiberglass. They build using a combination of vacuum-bagged techniques, foam cores, foam composite bulkheads, and make furniture and cabinetry with cored sandwich construction .
- Livability. One cannot underrate the appeal of sailing in a vessel with no heeling, not to mention the high privacy attained from separate living and sleeping areas. Panoramic views and exceptional deck space for lounging and entertaining are also essential in ensuring maximum cruising comfort. Fortunately, most high-speed cruising cats offer all these features and more.
- Equipment. Sailing upwind is a challenge for cruising cats since they tend to make lots of leeway. To make things easier, high-speed cruising cats come equipped with bigger rigs and either daggerboards or centerboards. However, this also means skilled sailors are required to operate them.
- Cost. Catamarans are generally expensive, but a cat built with longer, leaner hulls and less costly materials can still give an outstanding performance. Such materials include foam cores, epoxy bulkheads, and epoxy resins. Furthermore, it’s not necessary to use only carbon to build a lightweight boat.
Final Thoughts
Performance cruising catamarans are built using exotic, high-tech, lightweight materials to deliver an electrifying sailing experience. And as we’ve seen from the above list, these boats deliver performance plus much more. They’re not only speed cruisers, but they also provide a smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable cruising experience.
So, whichever option you go for – from the luxurious Gunboat 62 to the much more affordable Nautitech 44 – you’re sure to get a boat that suits your needs.
- Wikipedia: Spinnaker
- Wikipedia: High-Performance Sailing
- Yachting World: Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 Review
- Aeroyacht: Catamaran Speed
- Cruiser’s Forum: Nautitech 44…
- Nautitech Catamarans: Nautitech
- Katamarans: Marsaudon Composites ORC50 (TS5) Review
- Outremer USA: New Outremer 4x Performance Catamaran
- Dutoit Yacht Design: Balance 526 Review
- Go Downsize: How Fast Do Catamarans Go?
- Catamaran Guru: The Cruising Catamaran Performance Debate
- The Boat App: The Fastest Cruising Catamarans of 2020
- Sail Magazine: Performance Cruising Cats Set New Standards in Sailing Speed
- Cruisers Forum: Fast Cruising Catamarans – How Fast?
- Lagoon – Inside: The Secrets of a Catamaran’s Performance
- Sail Magazine: 10 Great Cruising Cats
- Cruising World: 40 Best Sailing Catamarans and Trimarans, Cruising Catamarans…
Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!
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HH60-SCF (Forward Helm) The HH60-SCF is the same boat as the SC, but features a forward cockpit and optional aft tiller chairs. This lowers the boom, reduces weight and increases sail area (and performance). It also makes room for an industry leading 5,774 watts of solar on the coachroof and davits. Better by design.
2021 Boat of the Year Best Luxury Cruiser Winner HH 50 Courtesy HH Catamarans. At the upper end of the cost equation for the 2021 Boat of the Year contestants, there were three boats with a price tag north of seven figures, which in our viewpoint puts them into Luxury Cruiser territory. The Southerly 480 was the outlier of the three—very cool and versatile, but with older if proven ...
Displacement: 9,390kg 20,701lb. Engines: 2x beta 30 + 2x 10kW hybrid drives. Base price SC: US$1,325,000 ex VAT. Builder : www.hhcatamarans.com. Disruptive, innovative, and contemporary in style ...
HH 60 Specifications. The HH 60 is produced by the brand HH Catamarans since 2022. HH 60 is a 17.95 meters sailing cruising multihull with 3 guest cabins and a draft of 4.00 meters. The yacht has a carbon hull with a CE certification class (A) and can navigate in the open ocean. The base price of a new HH 60 is not currently published, please ...
A high-performance catamaran with deep daggerboards and an extra-wide cockpit This latest HH project from Morrelli & Melvin retains the same silhouette of the other models in the range while affirming its ambitions in terms of performance: displacement remains modest and is associated with a powerful rig - this culminates at 94½ feet (28.78 ...
The old adage that the many benefits of a cruising catamaran are achieved at the cost of its sailing qualities is no longer true and a growing proportion of buyers are seeking performance boats ...
HH Catamarans emerged 10 years later, building boats from 44ft to 88ft in Xiamen, China, with the same contractor that once used to build Gunboats. And Kinetic is more recent still, with ...
The HH60-SC is a "no-compromise" performance catamaran with dual raised aft helms, king size beds, C-shaped carbon daggerboards, and stunning performance in a size that can still be owner operated by an experienced crew. Luxury and speed are elevated when you have the ability to expand. The hulls boast king size beds aft and a generously ...
Charter a HH60 Purchase a HH60 secondhand Classified ads HH60 in secondhand multihulls Discover HH Catamarans and their HH60. Current issue. MW #197 - Oct / Nov 2024. Discover the issue. Most read. Videos VisionF 82 On20/08/2024 00:00 News MiniCat 520 On02/08/2024 00:00 Videos
The HH66 hull and deck moldings are a carbon fiber sandwich with a Corecell foam filling, infused with post-cured epoxy resin. The hulls and deck moldings are then laminated together, creating a lightweight and extremely strong monocoque unit. R-Six' s hulls were finished in flawless clearcoat, the carbon fiber weave showing clearly through ...
HH66 Catamaran Review. When it comes to thrills under sail, the HH66 is a true experience in a fresh breeze. By Herb McCormick Updated: June 28, 2018 ... More: 60+ ft, Bluewater Cruising, hh catamarans, multihull, Sailboat Reviews, Sailboats; Advertisement More Sailboats; Pre-Owned: 1988 Hylas 47
HH reps say that our test boat hit 23 knots on the delivery south to the Caribbean. All in all, the HH44-SC is quite a machine to behold. The story of production-boat building, starting way back in the 1960s, has been an ongoing evolution—piece by piece, boat by boat. Now this very cool cat has penned its own chapter.
Multihulls World . Article published on 05/11/2021 By Emmanuel van Deth This latest HH project from Morrelli & Melvin retains the same silhouette of the other models in the range while affirming its ambitions in terms of performance: displacement remains modest and is associated
HH Catamarans was formed in early 2012 and set about developing a new brand, something extraordinary. In the years since "HH" has come to represent a commitment to the quality and success of every boat built. HH Catamarans are designed to exacting specifications and built to reflect each owner's unique needs, using the most advanced methods ...
The HH60-SC is a "no-compromise" performance maxi-catamaran with dual raised aft helms, king size beds, C-shaped carbon daggerboards, and stunning performance in a size that can still be owner operated by experienced sailors. The HH60-SCF is the same boat as the SC, but features a forward cockpit and optional aft tiller chairs.
Explore HH Catamarans, the premier builder of luxury performance cruising catamarans. Discover award-winning designs and innovative carbon construction. ... About Reviews The Team Morrelli & Melvin The Factory CE Certifications EcoDrive Models HH44 HH50 HH52 HH56 HH60 HH66 HH80 HH88 ...
Pros. Blisteringly fast, the HH66 is among the quickest performance catamarans that money can buy. It's part of an elite club that includes the Gunboats, Schionnings and the Marsaudon Composites ORC57 among a few others. Dazcat is up there too. Customisation.
Yes, this is a Balance 526 in light winds. This is why my point that waterline is so important to performance, and you can't load up a 44' cat like a mobile condo and still get the performance, it's got to be a stripped out, bare bones cat to achieve what true performance boats can. If someone is interested in strictly performance, I'd certain recommend a nicely spec'd used Outremer 51 over a ...
The Outremer 4x is a stable and comfortable high-speeding cruising catamaran that performs ocean crossings and confronts any weather with remarkable ease. Named the European Boat of the Year in 2017, this 48-foot (14.6 m) bluewater cruiser sails faster than wind speed and attains maximum cruising speeds of 20 knots.. The 4x is an upgrade of the extremely popular Outremer 45, thus retaining ...
To me it was telling when RR2 never mentioned the displacement after they splashed even though he specifically touted this as a performance catamaran. 12.3T isn't terrible but it's certainly not performance territory for its size, but then again everyone's opinion on performance is different.And keep in mind this is just what Seawind is putting on their website as the base boat, imagine ...
Advertisement. Not surprisingly, the bloody boat sails like a witch. The curved carbon daggerboards maximize the performance and control. The helm is as smooth and silky as can be. During our test sail on Chesapeake Bay, in about 11 knots of true wind, the HH55 slipped through the water like a hot knife through butter.
The HH52 is engineered to handle the high loads of open-ocean sailing, meeting and exceeding ISO CE Class A requirements. The HH52-OC is approximately 50% e-glass and 50% carbon fiber with Epoxy foam cored sandwich laminates throughout. The SC model is 100% carbon fiber foam sandwich throughout (even the furniture).
The HH56 is an evolution of the popular HH55 platform. Extended waterline, reworked deck and cabin top, and forward cockpit with central helm station set the 56 apart. The HH56 has been developed to provide higher levels of sailing performance and to maximize the benefits of EcoDrive.